announced<\/a> on Wednesday that the proceeds from the financing will support the expansion of its financial and Web3 ecosystem while accelerating adoption of its regulated yen-backed stablecoin, JPYC.<\/p>\nThe extended round includes a new investment of 1 billion yen ($6.3 million) from Tokyo-listed logistics company AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings. The latest funding builds on the company\u2019s Series B round, which also attracted a 400 million yen ($2.53 million) investment from Metaplanet Ventures in March.<\/p>\n
AZ-COM Maruwa has moved from payment plans to investment<\/h2>\n
Coming weeks after outlining its payment plans, AZ-COM Maruwa has now become one of JPYC\u2019s strategic investors.<\/p>\n
Nikkei previously reported that the logistics company intends to use JPYC to pay transportation-related fees and salaries to about 2,300 business partners and individual contractors, including truck drivers. According to the report, the company expects the fee-free stablecoin to support faster settlements and allow more frequent payments than conventional bank transfers.<\/p>\n
The logistics company also identified quicker payments as one way to strengthen relationships with business partners while responding to labor shortages created by Japan\u2019s aging workforce and tighter overtime regulations.<\/p>\n
Amazon Japan is among AZ-COM Maruwa\u2019s major customers.<\/p>\n
JPYC has expanded beyond crypto trading use cases<\/h2>\n
Since launching last October as Japan\u2019s first registered stablecoin, JPYC has continued moving into commercial payment trials.<\/p>\n
The company is currently participating in a stablecoin payment pilot with convenience store operator Lawson. Earlier this week, Lawson expanded the project by adding USDC and USDT alongside JPYC in a second proof-of-concept while continuing to test direct stablecoin payments through its existing point-of-sale registers instead of dedicated payment terminals.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lawson\u2019s first trial, scheduled for Aug. 6, uses HashPort Wallet with JPYC at its Takanawa Gateway City store. A second trial on Aug. 17 will allow invited participants to pay with JPYC, USDC or USDT through MetaMask at the Lawson Gate City Osaki Atrium store.<\/p>\n
According to Lawson, the retailer is evaluating wallet integration, settlement processing, transaction speed and day-to-day store operations before deciding whether stablecoin payments are suitable for wider deployment across its stores.<\/p>\n
JPYC has also been introduced at selected Chibo restaurant locations, while several dental clinics in Tokyo and Chiba have announced plans to accept the stablecoin using HashPort\u2019s payment infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Metaplanet has backed JPYC beyond the funding round<\/h2>\n
Metaplanet\u2019s involvement with JPYC extends beyond its earlier investment in the Series B financing.<\/p>\n
In July, Metaplanet, JPYC, Progmat and Metaplanet Securities launched a joint study to examine whether Bitcoin can support tokenized corporate bonds and other blockchain-based credit products as collateral or a credit-enhancement asset.<\/p>\n
Under the proposed framework, Metaplanet and its securities arm are studying product design and distribution, while JPYC is evaluating stablecoin issuance, redemption and payment functions. Progmat is responsible for the security token infrastructure that would record investor ownership and manage transfers.<\/p>\n
The companies said at the time that no decision had been made on launching any product, and any future issuance would require internal approvals, technical validation and discussions with regulators.<\/p>\n
Japan\u2019s regulated stablecoin market has continued to grow<\/h2>\n
JPYC\u2019s latest funding comes as regulated stablecoin projects continue gaining support across Japan.<\/p>\n
Japanese authorities have publicly backed the development of stablecoins and onchain financial services, encouraging financial institutions and companies to test regulated blockchain payment systems.<\/p>\n
SBI Group entered the market in June with JPYSC, described as Japan\u2019s first trust bank-backed yen stablecoin.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Mizuho Bank have been developing a jointly issued yen-backed stablecoin and have previously said they expect to begin live transactions during fiscal 2026 after completing work on common standards covering issuance, governance and settlement systems.<\/p>\n
Japan has also updated its legal framework for digital assets. Earlier this month, amendments to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act came into effect, classifying cryptocurrencies as financial products instead of payment instruments while laying the legal foundation for domestic crypto exchange-traded funds, insider trading rules for digital assets and a separate crypto tax framework expected to take effect in 2028.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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