Digital Garage, JCB, and Resona Launch In-Store Stablecoin Payment Trial
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.
Starting 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.
Bridging Web3 and Retail
The 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.
The 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.
Trial Specifics
- Duration: February 24, 2026 – March 2, 2026.
- Assets Supported: USDC (on the Base chain) and JPYC (on the Polygon chain).
- Technology: "Base App" for USDC transactions and "MynaWallet" for JPYC.
- Location: Pangaea Cafe & Bar, located in the Shibuya Parco DG Building.
Roles and Future Outlook
Each participating entity brings specific expertise to the consortium:
- Digital Garage is spearheading the project management, leveraging its dual expertise in marketing and blockchain technology.
- JCB is applying its vast credit card settlement know-how to develop the merchant clearing scheme.
- Resona Holdings is evaluating the commercialization of the technology from a banking and regulatory compliance perspective.
- 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.
The 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.
Industry Commentary
"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.
Xen 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.
Meanwhile, 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.
As 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.
Norbert Gehrke
