Cryptocurrency’s payments and trading features, to be launched by one of Japan’s major e-commerce companies, Mercari, have ushered in a new era in the country’s digital market. Purchases using Bitcoin (BTC) will be available for listed items on the platform starting June 2025. This is yet another advancement in Japan’s digital currency ecosystem. These updates will further enhance Mercari’s Melcoin exchange hub payment streamline processes.
Mercari and the Development of Payment Methods
Like the rest of the globe, the popular flea-market-style app may restrict the pricing to Japanese yen, but not for much longer, as customers will soon be able to pay using Bitcoin. The framework for the payment system is designed around enabling barrier-free entry for virtual currency ecosystems for sellers. Also, it is noteworthy that yen payments by sellers will remain the same, and instant checkout by Melcoin’s partners will deliver fiat currency for Bitcoin. Expect efficient interaction and experience improvement for both sellers and buyers from Mercari to motivate BTC adoption.
Step by Step: The Story of Mercari and Cryptocurrency
The integration of cryptocurrency within the operational framework of Mercari has been and still is a step-by-step process, wherein accepting Bitcoin serves as a part of the greater strategy. The legal classification of Mercari is a selective consignment shop, and as of December 2023, the company proudly stands with over twenty-two million active users on a monthly basis. As of March 2023, the company started within its ecosystem the trading of Bitcoin first, later adding Ethereum (ETH) to the list, permitting the customers to transact with it.
Business prudence suggests that the company anticipates popularizing crypto usage amongst regular Pon consumers, and the increase in the Bitcoin payment option adds evidence to this plan.
There are places that have been very open to embracing the use and integration of cryptocurrencies and digital currencies into the economy, and this has led to heightened interest in transactions using these currencies. This move complements the trends set forth by the country, and it could serve as a foundational platform to incite more prospective users to explore Bitcoin and other digital currencies like XRP.
Allowing trade in Bitcoin might turn out to be a serious change on the part of the firm, which greatly facilitates the usage of such currencies in day-to-day life in Japan.
Introduction of Trading XRP and Expanding Access to Cryptocurrencies
Beyond accepting Bitcoin payments, Mercari has further expanded its trading offerings via the Mercoin exchange by adding Ethereum last year and now allowing XRP trading as well. This comes after the successful implementation of Bitcoin and Ethereum trading, which accompanies Mercari’s ever-expanding footprint in the crypto world. Users are now able to trade XRP using Mercari Points or Merpay account balances. This change is beneficial to the users, especially for the estimated 90% of Mercoin users who are crypto illiterate.
“Setting the Standard: The Incorporation of Cryptocurrency by Japan’s E-Commerce Giants”
Mercari is now on the same level as one of Japan’s e-commerce giants, Rakuten, which has long integrated cryptocurrency into its business, as both companies allow users to trade in cryptocurrency. Users can redeem loyalty points for cryptocurrency, demonstrating how blended e-commerce and cryptocurrency have become in Japan.
With the rest of the world following the pace set by these two platforms, Japan can now be described as a country that offers wide access to cryptocurrency, gradually making the vision of using cryptocurrency for payments by millions a reality.
