Pharos Network has entered a strategic partnership with KUN to develop tokenized supply chain credit assets and blockchain-based cross-border payment infrastructure, targeting long-standing delays in trade financing and liquidity constraints.
The collaboration aims to convert trade receivables into digital assets and settle them onchain using Pharos’ Layer-1 blockchain and KUN’s regulated digital payment framework. The goal is to shorten supplier payment cycles, which in many regions still range from 30 to 90 days, and to create a compliant bridge between digital assets and licensed payment rails across multiple continents.
Key focus areas of the partnership
According to the companies, initial implementation will concentrate on four pillars:
- Tokenization of trade credit assets, transforming receivables into liquid, transferable digital instruments.
- Onchain settlement designed to reduce cross-chain and cross-border transaction costs.
- Crypto-backed virtual card systems to enable spending against digital asset collateral.
- Compliant payment channels tailored to sectors such as commodities trading, B2B commerce, and service industries.
These components are intended to form an end-to-end infrastructure layer for global trade finance, combining programmable blockchain settlement with established payment licensing.
Technology and footprint of the partners
Pharos operates a modular Layer-1 blockchain, launched in April 2026, supporting both EVM and WASM environments. At inception, the network hosted more than 50 decentralized applications and integrated embedded compliance mechanisms aimed at aligning onchain activity with regulatory standards. Pharos is backed by firms including Hack VC and Faction VC.
KUN offers digital payment and embedded finance solutions through a licensed framework spanning Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Its product set covers digital payments, onchain finance, card issuing, and AI-enabled transactions, with a focus on B2B trade and web-based services.
Addressing worsening payment delays in global supply chains
The initiative comes as payment delays in global supply chains intensify. A recent survey of more than 10,000 suppliers found that 55% reported being paid late in 2025, up from 51% the previous year, highlighting deepening working capital pressure for businesses worldwide.
By tokenizing trade receivables and settling them onchain, the partners aim to turn future-dated invoices into liquid assets that can be financed or transferred more quickly. This is positioned against a global trade finance market projected to reach $55.12 trillion in 2026, underlining the scale of the segment targeted.
Growth of real-world asset tokenization
The venture is entering a fast-growing market for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, which has reached more than $31.4 billion in 2026 and, according to some projections, could rise to $1.6 trillion by 2030 as institutional use of blockchain accelerates.
Within that, blockchain applications in supply chain finance are expected to expand sharply. One report estimates the market could grow from $39.05 billion in 2026 to $577.78 billion by 2035, reflecting broader momentum toward digitizing off-chain assets to boost liquidity and reduce friction in financial processes.
What to watch in the coming weeks
Market participants tracking digital assets and trade finance infrastructure are likely to focus on the early rollout of the partnership’s four core components:
- The scope and volume of trade credit assets successfully tokenized.
- Measured gains in onchain settlement efficiency versus traditional cross-border systems.
- Adoption and usability of crypto-backed virtual cards in real-world commerce.
- Uptake of compliant payment channels in commodities, B2B, and service sectors.
Early data points on transaction speeds, cost savings, and user adoption will act as a practical test of the project’s ability to deliver on its stated objectives.
Implications for the Pharos native token and RWA segment
The native token of the Pharos network, which has attracted speculative activity since the chain’s launch in late April 2026, is closely tied to the success of applications built on the platform. Market observers are expected to evaluate token performance in relation to tangible progress in trade finance solutions, rather than isolated price movements.
The partnership launches amid a broader surge in interest in RWA-related tokens. In 2026, these tokens have delivered average returns of more than 185%, signaling strong demand for projects that connect blockchain infrastructure with real economic activity and cash flow-generating assets.
Regulation and compliance as critical variables
Regulatory conditions around stablecoins and tokenized assets are emerging as a central factor for the project’s trajectory, particularly given its emphasis on compliant payment rails.
Recent legislation such as the GENIUS Act in the United States has introduced a clearer framework for stablecoin issuers, an important prerequisite for initiatives seeking to bridge traditional finance and digital asset infrastructure. How Pharos and KUN navigate differing regulatory regimes across Asia, Africa, and Latin America will be watched closely, as sustained compliance will be key to building trust with counterparties and scaling transaction volumes.
Taken together, the partnership marks a direct push to apply blockchain technology to entrenched, high-value problems in global commerce, aiming to rework how capital flows across supply chains rather than simply adding speculative trading venues.
Interested in cross-border payments and trade finance? Explore how blockchain powers real settlement in Asia with this stablecoins in Asia guide for deeper insights.
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