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  "description": "A consortium led by Digital Garage (DG), alongside payment heavyweight JCB and Resona Holdings, announced the commencement of a proof-of-concept (PoC) for stablecoin payments in physical stores, a move towards bridging decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional retail infrastructure.\n\nStarting February 24, 2026, the pilot program will test the viability of using cryptocurrency for everyday transactions at a brick-and-mortar location in Shibuya, utilizing both US Dollar-pegged (USDC) and Japan",
  "path": "/digital-garage-jcb-and-resona-launch-in-store-stablecoin-payment-trial/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-19T23:45:24.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.fintechobserver.com",
  "tags": [
    "Digital Garage, JCB, and Resona Holdings Form Strategic Alliance to Mainstream Stablecoin Payments in JapanIn a major push to modernize Japan’s payment infrastructure, Digital Garage (DG), global payments brand JCB, and Resona Holdings have entered into a tripartite partnership aimed at the full-scale social implementation of stablecoin payments. The coalition aims to establish a next-generation financial ecosystem that leverages the stability and speedJapan FinTech ObserverNorbert Gehrke"
  ],
  "textContent": "A consortium led by Digital Garage (DG), alongside payment heavyweight JCB and Resona Holdings, announced the commencement of a proof-of-concept (PoC) for stablecoin payments in physical stores, a move towards bridging decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional retail infrastructure.\n\nStarting February 24, 2026, the pilot program will test the viability of using cryptocurrency for everyday transactions at a brick-and-mortar location in Shibuya, utilizing both US Dollar-pegged (USDC) and Japanese Yen-pegged (JPYC) stablecoins.\n\n## Sign up for Japan FinTech Observer\n\nCutting through the noise of Japanese Finance & FinTech\n\nSubscribe\n\nEmail sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup.\n\nNo spam. Unsubscribe anytime.\n\n### **Bridging Web3 and Retail**\n\nThe initiative, first teased in a joint announcement in January 2026, represents a tangible step toward the social implementation of blockchain-based payments in Japan. The trial aims to verify a settlement scheme where consumers pay via self-custody wallets, while merchants receive settlements in Japanese Yen—a model designed to eliminate the volatility and complexity often associated with crypto-acceptance for business owners.\n\nThe experiment will utilize \"MynaWallet,\" a domestic Web3 startup and graduate of Digital Garage’s \"OnLab\" accelerator program. The system leverages the \"MynaPay\" interface, which allows for QR code-based transactions.\n\n### **Trial Specifics**\n\n  * **Duration:** February 24, 2026 – March 2, 2026.\n  * **Assets Supported:** USDC (on the Base chain) and JPYC (on the Polygon chain).\n  * **Technology:** \"Base App\" for USDC transactions and \"MynaWallet\" for JPYC.\n  * **Location:** Pangaea Cafe & Bar, located in the Shibuya Parco DG Building.\n\n\n\n### **Roles and Future Outlook**\n\nEach participating entity brings specific expertise to the consortium:\n\n  * **Digital Garage** is spearheading the project management, leveraging its dual expertise in marketing and blockchain technology.\n  * **JCB** is applying its vast credit card settlement know-how to develop the merchant clearing scheme.\n  * **Resona Holdings** is evaluating the commercialization of the technology from a banking and regulatory compliance perspective.\n  * **MynaWallet** is providing the front-end user interface and wallet technology, focusing on a secure UI that connects self-custody wallets to physical payment terminals.\n\n\n\nThe consortium’s long-term goal is to establish a \"frictionless\" payment society. By enabling seamless stablecoin usage, the group hopes to capture demand from inbound international tourists accustomed to digital assets, as well as domestic early adopters.\n\n### **Industry Commentary**\n\n\"This initiative is a major step in evolving stablecoins from a speculative asset into a foundation for daily life,\" said Hiroyuki Tachibana, Representative Director of MynaWallet. He emphasized the goal of creating a system that is intuitive for all demographics, leveraging the security of Japan's \"My Number\" public certification system.\n\nXen Baynham-Herd, Head of Global Growth at Base, noted that stablecoins have reached \"product-market fit,\" citing speed and cost-efficiency as drivers for corporate adoption.\n\nMeanwhile, Digital Garage Group CEO Kaoru Hayashi framed the project as part of the company’s \"New Context\" strategy, aiming to fuse Web3 technology with real-world demand.\n\nAs regulatory frameworks for digital assets continue to mature in Japan, this collaboration between traditional financial institutions and Web3 innovators will be closely watched as a potential blueprint for the future of cashless payments in the world’s third-largest economy.\n\n* * *\n\nDigital Garage, JCB, and Resona Holdings Form Strategic Alliance to Mainstream Stablecoin Payments in JapanIn a major push to modernize Japan’s payment infrastructure, Digital Garage (DG), global payments brand JCB, and Resona Holdings have entered into a tripartite partnership aimed at the full-scale social implementation of stablecoin payments. The coalition aims to establish a next-generation financial ecosystem that leverages the stability and speedJapan FinTech ObserverNorbert Gehrke",
  "title": "Digital Garage, JCB, and Resona Launch In-Store Stablecoin Payment Trial",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-19T23:45:24.000Z"
}