Binance Pay Enables USDT Spending at PayPay Merchants Across Japan

Binance Pay has launched support for overseas users to spend Tether (USDT) at the majority of PayPay-supported merchants in Japan, beginning a new phase for stablecoin adoption in everyday retail. The service operates through HIVEX, a payment interoperability framework that bridges overseas QR payment platforms with PayPay's domestic merchant network. Merchants receive settlement in Japanese yen, and no separate opt-in is required from retailers, Binance confirmed.

PayPay is one of Japan's dominant cashless payment services, accepted at millions of locations nationwide, including major retail chains, convenience stores, vending machines, taxis, and public transportation. HIVEX already supports nine overseas payment services, predominantly from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, but Binance is the first crypto-native payment provider to join the framework. This integration gives Binance Pay users access to one of Asia's largest QR payment ecosystems.

Japan's tourism sector provides significant momentum for the rollout. The country welcomed a record 42.7 million international visitors in 2025, according to the Japan Tourism Agency, ranking first in Asia and ninth globally based on 2024 data. However, visitor arrivals declined 9.6% year-over-year in August 2026, totaling 3.1 million, with the first eight months of the year down 2.7% at 27.6 million, per the Japan National Tourism Organization. The timing of stablecoin payment availability could help reinvigorate spending by foreign tourists.

The move signals accelerating mainstream acceptance of stablecoins in real-world commerce. As Binance enters a market dominated by established regional payment apps, USDT gains practical utility for millions of merchants and travelers. Industry observers will be watching whether this partnership drives broader adoption of crypto-based payments across Asia's retail landscape.