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Shiba Inu (SHIB) is set to expand its reach in Japan after Rakuten Wallet announced plans to list the token, allowing users to trade SHIB and spend it across Rakuten’s extensive retail network. The integration with Rakuten also connects the cryptocurrency to the company’s payment ecosystem and loyalty point program, enhancing real-world utility for millions of users. However, the initially planned launch date has been postponed, with a new schedule to be announced soon.
Rakuten integrates Shiba Inu into payment network
Rakuten Wallet, the digital asset exchange arm of Rakuten Group in Japan, confirmed it will support Shiba Inu trading against the Japanese yen. The exchange is also preparing to introduce SHIB alongside established digital assets XRP and XLM. Rakuten Wallet provides crypto trading services to Japanese users and is regulated under the country’s Financial Services Agency framework, recognized for its strict requirements.

The company plans to allow its customers to purchase Shiba Inu using Rakuten Points and Rakuten Cash. Through this step, SHIB holders will be able to make purchases at over five million merchant locations throughout Japan using Rakuten Pay, the fintech service that streamlines payment options across Rakuten’s network. This move positions SHIB to become accessible for day-to-day retail spending by millions of consumers.

According to Rakuten, its payment platform currently serves approximately 44 million registered users across the country, making the Shiba Inu listing one of the largest integrations of a digital asset into a retail payment network in Japan to date. This opens up new use cases for the token beyond speculative trading, aligning with a growing trend of crypto assets being used for real-world transactions in Japan.

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