JCB and Circle agree USDC pilot for cross-border payments in Japan

Japan's largest domestic payment network, JCB, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Circle Internet Financial to explore using the USDC stablecoin for cross-border treasury operations and merchant payments. The partnership, announced on July 14, 2026, aims to integrate blockchain-based payments into Japan's financial and retail infrastructure.

The initial phase will involve a proof-of-concept focused on using USDC for JCB's internal cross-border fund transfers. The companies will also evaluate the use of stablecoins for in-store payments at merchants in Japan, targeting both local consumers and international visitors. They plan to assess technologies that support interoperability across multiple blockchain networks and will consider Circle's euro-denominated stablecoin, EURC, for potential applications.

This agreement builds on a separate stablecoin initiative JCB launched in January with Digital Garage and Resona Holdings to test payments at physical stores. The latest partnership with Circle follows USDC becoming the first global dollar stablecoin to receive regulatory approval for use in Japan from the Financial Services Agency. Japan established a legal framework...