Japan's JPYC and SBI Boost Stablecoin Payment and Lending Services

JPYC Co. announced a capital‑and‑business partnership with logistics firm AZ‑COM Maruwa on July 22. The collaboration will create a JPYC‑based payment platform for Maruwa’s network of roughly 2,300 partner companies, drivers, employees and other stakeholders. AZ‑COM Maruwa will acquire a 2.9% stake in JPYC, develop a dedicated wallet app and integrate smart‑contract‑linked payment automation to lower bank‑transfer fees and speed settlement for small logistics operators.

Separately, SBI VC Trade launched Japan’s first trust‑type yen‑denominated stablecoin lending service, JPYSC Lending, on July 16. The service offers a 12‑week term with an introductory 3% annual interest rate, higher than typical bank deposits, and is available through the VCTRADE platform. Users can lend JPYSC and earn fees, supporting broader adoption of stablecoins for asset formation in Japan.