In a major development, Mercari, one of Japan’s top e-commerce platforms, is shaking up the crypto scene. Starting in June 2025, users will be able to buy items listed on the site using Bitcoin (BTC), as the company integrates cryptocurrency payments through its crypto exchange subsidiary, Melcoin.The platform’s flea market-style app will continue displaying product prices in Japanese yen, but with the added option to pay in Bitcoin. Sellers, however, will still receive their payments in yen, thanks to the real-time conversion of Bitcoin into local currency via Melcoin’s exchange partner.
By introducing crypto payments, Mercari is stepping into the growing world of digital currency without making things complicated for its sellers. Mercari has been gradually embracing cryptocurrency on its platform. With more than 22 million active users every month, it’s one of the biggest e-commerce platforms in Japan for consumer-to-consumer transactions.
Recently, the company has made a strong push to embrace digital currencies in different ways. For instance, they introduced Bitcoin trading services in March 2023 and followed it up by adding Ethereum (ETH). By making crypto more accessible to regular users, Mercari seems set on encouraging wider adoption, and the addition of Bitcoin payments could be the next step in driving that growth.
Japan, known for its crypto-friendly regulations, has seen a rising interest in digital currencies. Mercari’s latest move could inspire more users to dive into Bitcoin and even XRP. The company recently introduced XRP trading through its Mercoin exchange, following its expansion into Ethereum trading last year. This is another significant milestone in Mercari’s increasing involvement with cryptocurrency.
Adding XRP follows the success of their Bitcoin and Ethereum trading features. Now, users can buy and sell XRP using Mercari points or Merpay balances, which makes the process more accessible for beginners, particularly since about 90% of users are new to crypto.
Mercari isn’t the only company in Japan jumping on the cryptocurrency bandwagon. Rakuten, another major e-commerce platform, has already embraced crypto for some time now. Users can even convert loyalty points into digital currencies. With both of these platforms leading the way, Japan is really at the forefront of bringing crypto into people’s daily lives.
