Lawson Launches Japan’s First POS-Integrated JPYC Stablecoin Payment Trial
Japanese convenience store chain Lawson will launch Japan's first trial of a stablecoin payment system directly integrated with retail point-of-sale (POS) machines in early August. The pilot will take place at a single store in Tokyo, using the JPYC stablecoin, which is pegged to the Japanese yen. Payments will be processed through the HashPort digital wallet platform. Customers will pay by displaying a barcode from a compatible wallet, which store staff will scan as usual; HashPort will then update the JPYC balance based on the transaction.
The trial aims to assess whether the system can improve checkout efficiency. Transaction data will be recorded alongside regular sales. JPYC, launched in 2025 and backed by yen deposits and Japanese government bonds, has previously been accepted by some restaurants and clinics, initially with no transaction fees.
This initiative is part of broader developments in Japan's regulated stablecoin ecosystem. Major banks plan to introduce yen-based stablecoin services in 2026, following official blockchain trials. The market has also expanded to include approved foreign issuers, such as the Ripple-SBI USD stablecoin launched in 2026. Lawson's test demonstrates the growing application of stablecoins beyond finance into everyday retail payments.
TheNewsCrypto2h ago
