Japanese stablecoin issuer JPYC Inc. has raised 6 billion yen ($38 million) in an extended Series B funding round, highlighted by a 1 billion yen ($6.3 million) strategic investment from logistics giant AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings. AZ-COM Maruwa plans to integrate the yen-pegged stablecoin to pay fees and salaries to 2,300 business partners and contractors, marking a major real-world corporate use case. The expansion aligns with Japan's national policy promoting on-chain finance.
JPYC Series B funding extension
- ▪Japanese stablecoin issuer JPYC Inc. raised 6 billion yen, approximately $38 million, in an extension of its Series B funding round.
- ▪The Series B extension completed three closes in six months, with Metaplanet Ventures previously contributing 400 million yen in March 2026.
- ▪The Series B extension brings JPYC Inc.'s total funding raised to $106 million across seven distinct financing events since November 2021.
AZ-COM Maruwa strategic investment
- ▪AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings acquired 116,000 Class B1 preferred shares at ¥8,630 per share, representing a 2.9% voting stake in JPYC Inc.
- ▪Tokyo-listed logistics company AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings invested 1 billion yen, approximately $6.3 million, in JPYC Inc.'s Series B extension.
- ▪AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings signed a capital-and-business alliance memorandum with JPYC Inc. on July 22, 2026, with the capital tranche payment on July 30, 2026.
Stablecoin payment integration plans
- ▪AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings expects the fee-free JPYC stablecoin to support faster settlements and help address driver shortages caused by Japan's aging workforce.
- ▪AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings plans to use JPYC to pay transportation-related fees and salaries to approximately 2,300 business partners and individual contractors.
- ▪Convenience store operator Lawson is conducting a stablecoin payment pilot using JPYC at its Takanawa Gateway City store starting August 6, 2026.
Japan on-chain finance policy alignment
- ▪Japan's Financial Services Agency recognized JPYC Inc. as part of the country's regulated payments infrastructure in April 2026.
- ▪JPYC Inc. tied the AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings deal to Japan's Basic Policy 2026, approved on July 21, 2026, which prioritizes on-chain finance.
JPYC ecosystem expansion strategy
- ▪JPYC Inc. aims to support future services including programmable business transactions, salary payments, and ATM cash withdrawals.
- ▪JPYC Inc. plans to use the Series B proceeds to expand its financial and Web3 ecosystem across traditional finance and retail payments.
Story comments
Loading comments…