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JPYC raised 6 billion yen ($38 million) in an extended Series B funding round, the company confirmed this week, including a 1 billion yen ($6.3 million) strategic investment from Tokyo-listed logistics firm AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings.
Yen-backed stablecoin development has become one of the biggest themes in Japan’s digital asset industry as businesses increasingly explore blockchain-based settlement systems capable of reducing payment costs while improving transaction speed.
JPYC revealed that the latest funding round includes a 1 billion yen ($6.3 million) strategic investment from Tokyo-listed logistics giant AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings, marking a significant vote of confidence in the future of the yen-backed stablecoin ecosystem.
The investment follows JPYC’s earlier Series B financing, which attracted 400 million yen ($2.53 million) from Metaplanet Ventures in March.
Combined, the investments demonstrate growing institutional appetite for regulated yen-backed stablecoin projects as Japan embraces blockchain-powered financial infrastructure.
According to JPYC, the new funding will expand its financial services platform, strengthen Web3 payment capabilities and accelerate broader adoption of its regulated yen-backed stablecoin across commercial industries.
AZ-COM Maruwa’s investment represents more than financial backing.
Japanese newspaper Nikkei previously reported that the logistics company plans to use JPYC’s yen-backed stablecoin to pay transportation fees and salaries to roughly 2,300 contractors and business partners, including truck drivers.
The company expects fee-free blockchain payments to deliver significantly faster settlements than traditional bank transfers while allowing more flexible payment schedules.
The logistics provider also believes quicker settlements can improve relationships with partners as Japan faces an aging workforce and tighter overtime regulations that continue to pressure the transportation sector.
Amazon Japan remains one of AZ-COM Maruwa’s largest customers, highlighting the potential scale of future stablecoin-based payment adoption.
JPYC Chief Executive Officer Shota Otsuka said the fresh funding will help the company accelerate the growth of its financial and Web3 ecosystem while expanding real-world adoption of its regulated yen-backed stablecoin.
Unlike many early stablecoin projects focused primarily on cryptocurrency trading, JPYC continues expanding its yen-backed stablecoin into everyday commercial payments.
The company is currently participating in a payment pilot with convenience store chain Lawson.
The first proof-of-concept launched using JPYC through HashPort Wallet at Lawson’s Takanawa Gateway City store.
A second pilot will allow invited participants to pay using JPYC, USDC and USDT through MetaMask at Lawson Gate City Osaki Atrium, enabling the retailer to compare multiple digital currencies using its existing point-of-sale terminals.
Lawson said it is evaluating wallet integration, settlement efficiency, transaction speed and operational performance before deciding whether stablecoin payments should be introduced across a broader network of stores.
JPYC’s yen-backed stablecoin has also expanded into selected Chibo restaurant locations, while several dental clinics across Tokyo and Chiba have announced plans to accept the digital currency through HashPort’s payment infrastructure.
Metaplanet’s relationship with JPYC extends well beyond its earlier investment.
In July, Metaplanet, JPYC, Progmat and Metaplanet Securities launched a joint research initiative exploring whether Bitcoin can support tokenized corporate bonds and blockchain-based credit products as collateral or a credit enhancement asset.
Within the proposed framework, JPYC is responsible for evaluating yen-backed stablecoin issuance, redemption and payment functionality, while Progmat provides the tokenized securities infrastructure.
The companies emphasized that the project remains under evaluation and would require regulatory approval, technical validation and internal governance before any commercial launch.
JPYC’s latest fundraising reflects broader momentum across Japan’s regulated yen-backed stablecoin market.
Japanese regulators have consistently encouraged financial institutions and technology companies to develop compliant blockchain payment systems that improve settlement efficiency while maintaining financial stability.
Earlier this year, SBI Group introduced JPYSC, described as Japan’s first trust bank-backed yen stablecoin. Meanwhile, MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Mizuho Bank continue developing a jointly issued yen-backed stablecoin, targeting commercial transactions during fiscal 2026 after completing common standards covering issuance, governance and settlement.
Industry observers believe Japan’s clear regulatory framework is helping accelerate institutional participation.
“The future of money will be increasingly digital, and stablecoins can dramatically improve the efficiency of payments and settlements,” Jeremy Allaire, Co-founder and CEO of Circle, has previously said when discussing regulated stablecoin adoption globally.
Likewise, Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, has argued that clear regulatory frameworks are essential for responsible stablecoin innovation, noting that regulatory certainty encourages institutional investment and real-world payment adoption.
Japan recently strengthened that certainty by implementing amendments to its Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, classifying cryptocurrencies as financial products while laying the legal groundwork for domestic crypto exchange-traded funds, insider trading rules for digital assets and a separate crypto taxation framework expected in 2028.
With fresh institutional funding, expanding commercial partnerships and growing regulatory support, JPYC’s yen-backed stablecoin appears increasingly positioned to become one of the key building blocks of Japan’s next-generation digital payments ecosystem.
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