JCB and Circle agreed to collaborate on exploring opportunities to integrate stablecoins into payments infrastructure. The partnership will focus on cross-border payments and introducing stablecoin settlement at merchant locations across Japan.
Japan Credit Bureau (JCB), Japan’s largest payment network, signed a memorandum of understanding with a Circle Internet Group affiliate to explore the use of stablecoins for cross-border settlements and consumer payments. The companies will assess the potential for deploying new payments infrastructure for businesses and consumers.
The partnership will focus on several key initiatives:
- Optimizing cross-border transfers and internal corporate settlements. The companies plan to use the USDC stablecoin for these transactions. The first phase will consist of a proof of concept (PoC), during which JCB will test transfers of its own funds using the new technology. The companies will evaluate whether the approach can reduce the cost of international transfers, speed up settlement, and improve liquidity management.
- Stablecoin payments at Japanese merchants. JCB and Circle will explore the acceptance of stablecoin payments for international tourists and domestic shoppers. They will also test interoperability across multiple blockchain networks to support seamless payments.
Circle will provide a full stablecoin infrastructure stack, including USDC and EURC, as well as its multi-chain Gateway and Arc blockchain network, which are designed to support next-generation payment and settlement services.
According to the press release, interest in stablecoins continues to grow because of their potential to support the development of a cashless economy. JCB said digital assets pegged to fiat currencies could reduce foreign exchange costs for international tourists, accelerate settlement, and improve merchants’ cash flow.
This isn’t JCB’s first initiative involving digital currencies. In January 2026, the company partnered with Digital Garage and Resona Holdings to introduce stablecoin payments in Japan. As part of the initiative, the participants launched pilot testing of digital currency payments at physical retail locations.
Separately, Lawson, one of Japan’s largest convenience store chains, announced just days ago that it will begin testing payments with the yen-backed stablecoin JPYC in August 2026. The project is intended to evaluate the feasibility of integrating stablecoins into existing retail infrastructure.
