SBI VC Trade Launches USDC In-Store Payment Pilot in Osaka

SBI VC Trade, a subsidiary of SBI Holdings, and Aplus, a payment services company also under the SBI Group, will conduct a proof-of-concept for USDC store payments from May 25 to May 29, 2026. The trial is part of the "International Financial City OSAKA" initiative.

Two venues in Osaka are participating: the unagi restaurant "Nadai Unatoto" Honmachi branch and a designated section of Bic Camera's Namba store. Customers can pay using USDC via QR code from private wallets such as MetaMask.

Under the trial scheme, users scan a QR code at the store and send USDC from their wallet. SBI VC Trade then converts the received USDC into Japanese yen and transfers it to Aplus, which deposits the yen into the merchant’s account.

The companies aim to gather practical insights for commercialising USDC circulation in Japan. SBI VC Trade already handles USDC on its platform and positions the trial as a step toward stablecoin-based everyday purchasing, including for inbound tourists.