Japan has officially entered the stablecoin race with the launch of its first legally recognized yen-pegged digital currency, marking a turning point in the nation’s push toward a blockchain-enabled financial ecosystem.
Tokyo-based fintech firm JPYC Inc. unveiled the stablecoin, also named JPYC, on Monday, becoming the first company authorized to issue a fully regulated yen-backed token under Japan’s revised Payment Services Act.
The launch coincides with growing momentum among Japanese financial institutions to digitize payment systems and introduce blockchain-based assets.
Backed by Yen Deposits and Government Bonds
According to the company, each JPYC token maintains a 1:1 peg to the Japanese yen and is fully collateralized by yen deposits and Japanese government bonds. The stablecoin will initially circulate on multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Avalanche, and Polygon, with plans to expand to additional networks over time.
Users can purchase or redeem JPYC through the company’s dedicated platform, JPYC EX, after completing identity verification using Japan’s national My Number ID system. The firm, which obtained registration as a fund transfer service provider in August, said it aims to issue up to 10 trillion yen ($65 billion) worth of tokens within the next three years.
To promote adoption, JPYC will temporarily waive transaction fees and instead generate revenue through interest earned on its underlying government bond holdings. “We want to stimulate innovation by giving startups and financial institutions access to faster, lower-cost settlement infrastructure,” said JPYC CEO Noritaka Okabe at a press briefing in Tokyo.
Growing Corporate Adoption
Several Japanese companies have already signaled plans to integrate JPYC into their systems. Densan System, a financial software provider, is developing payment solutions for retail and e-commerce platforms that accept JPYC, while Asteria intends to incorporate the token into its enterprise data tools used by over 10,000 businesses.
Meanwhile, crypto wallet provider HashPort announced that it will support JPYC transactions to facilitate digital asset management.
The new stablecoin could transform how businesses and consumers interact with money in a country still heavily reliant on cash and credit cards. Japan’s move comes two decades after its last major currency redesign and reflects an effort to modernize domestic finance while connecting with global digital markets.
Regulatory Framework and Market Context
Japan became one of the first major economies to legally define and regulate stablecoins in 2023, requiring issuers to hold full reserves and operate under the supervision of the Financial Services Agency (FSA). The updated laws were designed to prevent risks such as money laundering and to ensure transparency in backing assets.
Other Japanese megabanks, including SMBC, are also preparing to issue their own yen-denominated stablecoins in collaboration with blockchain firms such as Ava Labs and Fireblocks, according to local reports.
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has previously noted that stablecoins could become “a key pillar of the global payment system,” partially replacing traditional bank deposits as instruments for settlement. However, experts caution that the yen’s global use remains limited compared to the U.S. dollar.
“Yen stablecoins are unlikely to match the global scale of dollar-backed tokens in the near term,” said Tomoyuki Shimoda, a former BOJ official and professor at Rikkyo University. “Still, if major banks enter the market, adoption could accelerate significantly over the next few years.”
Japan’s Digital Ambition
The launch of JPYC aligns with Japan’s broader ambition to bridge its traditional banking sector with emerging blockchain infrastructure. Neighboring economies such as South Korea and China are also advancing their own stablecoin and central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiatives, reflecting Asia’s growing influence in the digital finance race.
While it may take time for yen-pegged tokens to achieve widespread use, Japan’s move represents a milestone in legitimizing stablecoins as a regulated component of the financial system, and potentially, a model for other nations exploring similar frameworks.
