Japan’s ¥2.8T Loyalty Point Market Opens to JPYC Stablecoin

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club partners with Hashport to allow Diners Club cardholders to exchange reward points for JPYC stablecoins.

Japan's ¥2.8T Loyalty Point Market Opens to JPYC Stablecoin
In a landmark move for Japan stablecoin adoption, financial services provider Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club has joined forces with non-custodial wallet developer Hashport. The partnership introduces a first-of-its-kind service allowing credit cardholders to trade their accumulated loyalty points directly for JPYC, Japan’s premier yen-pegged stablecoin.

Bridging Traditional Loyalty Programs and Web3

Japan’s consumer culture is deeply intertwined with loyalty points, often referred to locally as “point-katsu” (point hunting). By linking these legacy reward systems with blockchain technology, the partners are unlocking a massive, untapped source of liquidity for the digital asset ecosystem. Notably, reward points accumulated on Diners Club and Trust Club cards have no expiration date, making them highly valuable assets for long-term conversion.

¥2.8 Trillion (approx. $18 Billion) in loyalty points is newly issued in Japan every year. This massive capital pool now has a direct bridge to the stablecoin economy.

Exchange Mechanics and Multi-Chain Support

Scheduled to launch next Monday, the exchange service features specific conversion rates tailored to card tiers:

  • Diners Club Cards: 2,500 reward points can be exchanged for 1,000 JPYC.
  • Trust Club Cards: 4,000 reward points can be exchanged for 1,000 JPYC.

To incentivize early users, a promotional cashback campaign will run from June 1 to November 30, returning 500 points for every 1,000 points exchanged. Once converted, the JPYC stablecoins can be managed across four major blockchain networks: Ethereum, Avalanche, Polygon, and Kaia, offering users maximum flexibility for payments and decentralized finance (DeFi) integrations.

“Points represent a massive fund pool with over 2.8 trillion yen newly issued annually, and have the potential to be a catalyst for the social implementation of stablecoins in Japan.”

— Yoshihiro Yoshida, CEO of HashPort

Metaplanet Backs JPYC Expansion

The utility of JPYC is receiving further validation from institutional investors. Tokyo-listed investment firm Metaplanet Inc. recently executed a Letter of Intent to invest up to ¥400 million ($2.5 million) in JPYC Inc. This capital injection is expected to accelerate the stablecoin’s integration into broader corporate and retail payment infrastructures across Japan.

“This move is an important step in connecting existing payment services with blockchain technology, aiming for stablecoin use to expand from daily life to business settings.”

— Noritaka Okabe, Representative Director at JPYC

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is JPYC?

JPYC (Yen-pegged Coin) is a prepaid-type stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the Japanese Yen, operating on multiple public blockchains.

Which credit cards are eligible for this stablecoin exchange?

Cardholders of Diners Club and Trust Club cards issued by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club can participate in the program.

Which blockchains are supported for the exchanged JPYC?

The JPYC received can be managed and transferred across Ethereum, Avalanche, Polygon, and Kaia networks via the Hashport platform.

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