Lawson expands stablecoin pilot to include USDC and USDT in Tokyo

The trials, which remain restricted to invited participants, test the technical viability of linking digital wallets to current store systems. On August 6, the Lawson Takanawa Gateway City store launched the first phase using the HashPort Wallet and the yen-pegged JPYC. A second test scheduled for August 17 at the Lawson Gate City Osaki Atrium will broaden the scope by incorporating MetaMask and the dollar-backed stablecoins USDC and USDT.

Transactions rely on the PAYTREE gateway, managed by Canal Payment Services, to route barcode data from a customer's wallet to the store's register. This setup eliminates the requirement for external payment terminals, a design choice Lawson views as critical for potential mass-market adoption. The company is currently measuring transaction latency, system stability, and the impact on daily store workflows to determine if the technology can handle high-volume retail environments.

While this remains a controlled proof-of-concept, the initiative aligns with a broader shift in Japan's financial landscape. Major domestic banks, including MUFG and Mizuho, are preparing for live yen-backed stablecoin transactions by 2026, while other sectors like logistics and dining have already begun exploring JPYC for B2B settlements and customer payments. Lawson intends to continue these pilot programs throughout the month as it evaluates whether to integrate digital currency support into its national retail network.