On the 26th, Japan Airport Building and Netstars began a demonstration experiment of payment services using the US dollar-based stablecoin "USDC" at some stores within Haneda Airport Terminal 3. The demonstration period runs until February 28. This is the first full-scale introduction of stablecoin payments at domestic airports, aimed at improving convenience for inbound travelers and verifying the effectiveness of new payment methods. A system is being established to accept digital currencies, which are becoming more widespread overseas, at Japan's gateway to the skies.

Reducing the burden on merchants through QR code utilization

Netstars has integrated a QR code for stablecoin payments developed by its partner WEA JAPAN into its payment gateway service 'StarPay'. Users complete payments by scanning the QR code with a wallet app, while stores can utilize existing payment terminals. The aim is to suppress complicated system modifications and administrative costs for merchants, lowering the barriers to implementation.

The stores subject to the demonstration are 'Edo Shokuhinkan (Jidaikan)' and 'Edo Event Hall' located in Terminal 3. Haneda Airport is a hub frequently used by foreign visitors to Japan, and there is a demand to meet diverse payment needs. Stablecoins have low price fluctuation risks and could become a familiar payment method for overseas travelers. Verifying the technical and operational challenges of connecting digital assets circulating in the Web3 domain to in-store payments is also the purpose of this demonstration experiment.

Regulatory developments progressing domestically and internationally are supporting this.

USDC is a representative stablecoin issued in compliance with U.S. regulations. In the United States, the stablecoin-related law 'Genius Act' will be enacted in July 2025, attracting attention for its use as a payment method. Interest in digital currencies is globally increasing, with the issuance of the yen-based stablecoin 'JPYC' starting in Japan as well.

Netstars has a track record of being the first in Japan to introduce QR code payment services in 2015 and has accumulated knowledge in the inbound payment sector. Based on the results of this demonstration experiment, the company is also considering expanding to other airports and commercial facilities. The policy is to promote the social implementation of stablecoins and contribute to further development of a cashless society. As regulatory developments progress, whether stablecoin payments will become established in physical stores will be tested by this demonstration experiment.

Demonstration starts in Osaka in spring, utilizing expo results

The movement of stablecoin payments is accelerating in Osaka as well. SBI VC Trade and Aplus plan to start a demonstration experiment of USDC payments at stores in Osaka Prefecture by spring 2026. The two companies will utilize insights gained from the EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet of the Osaka-Kansai Expo to build a new cashless payment model using QR codes.

SBI VC Trade can handle stablecoins compliant with legal regulations as the only electronic payment method trader in Japan, and Aplus has a rich network of affiliated merchants in the QR code payment area. By combining the strengths of both companies, users can complete payments by scanning QR codes from private wallets like MetaMask, while stores receive sales proceeds in Japanese yen. The SBI Group is working on the development of advanced payment infrastructure as part of the 'International Financial City OSAKA' initiative in collaboration with Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, and is hastening the expansion of the merchant network and consideration of commercialization models based on the demonstration results.