Lawson to Test Yen Stablecoin Payments at Convenience Stores in Japan

Highlights:

• Japan-based convenience store Lawson has disclosed plans to begin a stablecoin payment trial at its stores.
• The trial phase will begin in early August and will allow users to pay for products using a smartphone wallet.
• Lawson said the trial will help it assess if stablecoin payments can function smoothly with its existing POS system.

Lawson, one of the most popular convenience stores in Japan, is preparing to test a new way for customers to pay for its services using a yen-linked stablecoin called JPYC. According to a local news outlet, the trial is expected to start in early August at the company’s Takanawa Gateway City store in Tokyo.

The new setup will allow customers to pay for products using a smartphone wallet. At checkout, users will present a barcode from their wallet, and the store staff will scan it with the regular point-of-sale (POS) terminal. Lawson confirmed that it has partnered with Hashport, a blockchain solutions company, to work on the project. Hashport will be in charge of updating customers’ JPYC balances after each payment.

Japan’s Top-Three Convenience Store Chain Lawson to Launch Country’s First POS-Integrated Stablecoin Payment Trial

Japan’s top-three convenience store chain Lawson will trial yen-denominated stablecoin JPYC payments in early August at its Takanawa Gateway City store in Tokyo, in… pic.twitter.com/r5yEI1xP1I

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) July 13, 2026

Significance of the Trial Phase

Lawson explained that the test aims to connect stablecoin payments directly with its existing POS system. This means the convenience store can record payment details, product information, and transaction times through the same system it uses for daily operations. In addition, the trial will help assess two important aspects of the new payment system.

First, it will check if the payment system can function smoothly with the POS network. Secondly, it will also assess how long each transaction takes in a real store setting. The convenience store has not yet decided whether it will expand access to the new payment option to more stores.

If Lawson’s test is successful, it will undoubtedly lead to wider adoption of stablecoins in Japan. In addition, it will mark an important step for stablecoins in the region by expanding their use beyond banking and money transfers into everyday shopping.

Stablecoin Adoption Continues to Rise as Lawson Plans to Test JPYC Payments in Convenience Stores

Stablecoins are digital assets designed to maintain the same value as a traditional currency. In this case, JPYC is linked to the Japanese yen at a one-to-one ratio. They are usually backed by deposits or other safe assets, including short-term government bonds. One of the main reasons businesses are interested in stablecoins is that they are cost-effective.

With stablecoins, merchants tend to pay lower fees compared with some credit card and QR code payment services. Beyond the financial sector, JPYC adoption has continued to soar. For example, the Japanese restaurant chain Chibo started accepting JPYC at selected locations in April. In addition, some dental clinics in Tokyo and Chiba have also disclosed plans to introduce the JPYC payment option through partnerships with Hashport.

Aside from JPYC, other stablecoins have been attracting significant interest in Japan. On June 24, Crypto2Community reported that SBI Group and Startle Group launched JPYSC, Japan’s first trust-backed yen stablecoin. SBI Shinsei Trust Bank issued the tokens, while SBI VC Trade handled their distribution. On July 13, SBI Group disclosed its intention to introduce a lending service for its yen-backed JPYSC stablecoin this month. The service will offer holders an annual return of 3% for lending their tokens.

BREAKING: SBI Group launches JPYSC lending service this month, offering 3% annual yield on Japan's yen-pegged stablecoin.

SBI Holdings, Japan's largest financial services conglomerate ($214B in assets), is live with fixed-rate stablecoin lending.

The move deepens… pic.twitter.com/fd1XsCDyLG

— MSB Intel (@MSBIntel) July 13, 2026

Banking Firms Join the Stablecoin Trend

Banking institutions in Japan are also paying close attention to stablecoins. For instance, the three largest banks in the country, including Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, and Mizuho Financial Group, are running stablecoin trials in cooperation with Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA).

Moreover, analysts have predicted that the global stablecoin market will grow rapidly over the next few years. Citigroup estimated that the market could expand from the $282 billion recorded last year to between $1.9 trillion and $4 trillion by 2030.