August 20, 2026, 8:03 a.m. (JST)
[Japan] Digital Garage (DG) and JCB (both based in Tokyo, Japan) have signed a memorandum of understanding with Lawson to conduct a proof of concept (PoC) regarding stablecoin-based payments at Lawson stores.
Under this agreement, the three companies will pool their respective expertise—JCB’s stablecoin payment service, DG’s payment API and backend system technology, and Lawson’s store operations know-how—to identify challenges and explore solutions for implementing stablecoin payments in physical stores.This PoC will focus on testing a use case in which foreign visitors to Japan make in-store payments using the U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin “USDC.”
The parties entered into this agreement to conduct a PoC that will evaluate the potential for stablecoin payments in physical stores by combining JCB’s stablecoin payment service, DG’s payment API and backend system technology, and Lawson’s expertise in store operations and POS systems.
The PoC will adopt the CPM (Consumer-Presented Mode) method, in which a barcode displaying the user’s stablecoin wallet address—shown on their smartphone—is scanned at Lawson’s store POS terminals. Through this, the companies aim to verify the practicality and convenience of the service, focusing on use cases where customers make in-store payments using the U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin “USDC.”
In addition, Canal Payment Service’s code payment processing technology will be utilized to connect Lawson’s store POS systems with the stablecoin payment service provided by JCB.
Regarding the roles of the two companies, JCB will provide the stablecoin payment service. It will offer a web-based system for users (payment screen) related to stablecoin payments, as well as a function to generate payment barcodes. JCB will also handle the settlement of sales proceeds with merchants. It will receive stablecoins from users, aggregate the sales proceeds, and subsequently pay merchants in fiat currency at a later date.
DG will provide the payment API and backend systems, as well as technical support during the PoC period.
Lawson will provide the in-store environment for this PoC and facilitate integration between its store POS systems and the stablecoin payment service provided by JCB. (paymentnavi Editorial Team)
