In US e-commerce, BNPL has established itself as an alternative to revolving credit card balances, and Affirm stands out within that category for offering installment terms ranging from several months to several years. Its differentiators are a model with no hidden fees or late fees, and a simple-interest structure that discloses the total cost upfront before payment; it has steadily expanded its base of partner merchants and active users in the US.

Because it performs better the longer the installment term, it drives a strong conversion-rate improvement in product categories priced at several hundred dollars or more, such as appliances, furniture, bicycles, travel packages, and online courses. Conversely, if your catalog is centered on low-priced, high-frequency items, a biweekly-installment BNPL or wallet payment may be a better fit, so it is worth first checking your product price distribution.

When a consumer selects Affirm at checkout, they enter a few pieces of information, go through real-time underwriting, and are offered an installment schedule with a fixed interest rate and per-installment amount; the order is approved the moment they agree. Subsequent installment payments take place between the consumer and Affirm, while the merchant's funds — based on the approved transaction — are collected by Hecto Financial in USD, converted, and paid out in the contracted currency.

Korean merchants can review Affirm acceptance through a Hecto Financial contract without a local US entity. However, since the BNPL provider factors product category, return rate, and average order value into underwriting, having data ready on your share of high-ticket products and your return policy will make the discussion smoother. Detailed approval conditions are finalized through a consultation with the sales team.

• Business registration country

  Confirm whether a contract is available for merchants registered in Korea

• Sales channels

  The integration method and priority vary depending on your online sales channel mix, such as your own store, open marketplaces, or mobile apps

• Product categories

  Check in advance whether your products fall under categories restricted by Affirm's merchant policy

• Local regulatory compliance

  Confirm compliance with US payment and foreign exchange rules, including federal and state consumer protection and card network rules (see official sources below)

From the merchant's perspective, an Affirm transaction behaves like a lump-sum payment rather than an installment sale. That is because Hecto Financial collects the approved funds in USD, converts them, and pays them out in whichever of USD, KRW, or JPY was chosen in the contract. For refunds, the consumer's remaining installment schedule is adjusted on Affirm's side, so the merchant only needs to manage the refund approval deadline and the exchange-rate application timing under the contract terms.

• Federal ReserveOfficial information on US payment systems and electronic funds transfer regulations (Reg E). Where actual regulations differ from the content of this page, the official source takes precedence.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)Official information from the federal supervisory agency for US consumer finance and payment disputes.