Digital Garage, JCB, and Lawson Partner to Test USDC Stablecoin Payments at In-Store POS
Digital Garage, JCB, and Lawson have signed a basic agreement to conduct a proof-of-concept (PoC) for stablecoin payments at retail locations. The initiative aims to test the viability of Circle's USD Coin (USDC) for in-store transactions, focusing primarily on inbound foreign tourists.
Starting August 20, 2026, the trial is taking place at the Lawson Gate City Osaki Atrium store in Tokyo. It utilizes a Consumer-Presented Mode (CPM) system, where cashiers scan a wallet address barcode displayed on the user's smartphone. The initial test phase involves company personnel using the Base App wallet to process USDC on the Base blockchain.
Key Stakeholder Roles
- JCB: Provides the stablecoin payment service framework, generates transaction barcodes, and handles settlement, converting received stablecoins into fiat currency for merchant payout.
- Digital Garage: Supplies the underlying payment API, back-end infrastructure, and ongoing technical support.
- Lawson: Furnishes the brick-and-mortar retail testing environment and integrates its point-of-sale (POS) systems with JCB's platform, utilizing barcode processing technology from Canal Payment Service
Strategic Context
The trial builds on a broader collaboration launched in January 2026 between Digital Garage, JCB, and Resona Holdings to advance the practical application of stablecoin payments in Japan. By leveraging stablecoins, the partners seek to streamline merchant cash flow, cut currency exchange friction for foreign travelers, and evaluate POS technical integration, operational speed, and checkout impact.
Norbert Gehrke
