Lawson Convenience Store Tests Stablecoin Payments Again: Three Coins, Three Chains, But Japanese Regulators Haven't Given the Nod
Lawson convenience stores have conducted a second-phase pilot test of stablecoin payments in partnership with payment solution provider NetStars, moving stablecoins from exchanges to physical checkout counters. The experiment, conducted at a Tokyo store, tested payments using three stablecoins—USDC, USDT, and JPYC—across three blockchains: Solana, Morph, and Polygon. A key development was the inclusion of USDT, which is not currently on Japan's approved list of electronic payment assets.
The test linked Lawson's existing POS system with NetStars' "Stablecoin Pay" service to verify that stablecoin payments could be processed without disrupting store operations. It assessed payment speed, user experience, and handling of various transaction scenarios. Payments were typically completed within five seconds. Users paid with stablecoins via MetaMask, while stores received yen settlements. NetStars covered the blockchain gas fees upfront, charging users a separate "processing fee" that also included potential foreign exchange costs for dollar-denominated stablecoins.
Company executives stated the pilot was preparatory, aimed at understanding technical feasibility and challenges ahead of potential wider adoption. They highlighted the appeal of globally-traded stablecoins like USDC and USDT for foreign visitors to Japan, alongside the domestic use case for yen-pegged JPYC. However, the legal and operational framework for converting received USDT into yen remains under discussion with Japanese financial authorities. No timeline for a commercial rollout was given, pending further market demand, user needs, and final economic conditions like fee structures.
marsbit08/20 09:01