Binance Pay has launched a new payment option that lets eligible overseas visitors to Japan spend Tether USDt and other supported digital assets at the vast majority of merchants that accept PayPay. The service became available on September 30, 2026, and routes transactions through the HIVEX interoperability framework.

Approximately 48 million Binance Pay users from more than 100 countries and regions can access the feature while traveling in Japan. Merchants continue to receive settlement exclusively in Japanese yen, and no separate opt-in is required from participating businesses.

How the Integration Works

HIVEX, developed by TBCASoft, connects overseas QR payment services to PayPay’s existing merchant network. Users pay by scanning a merchant’s PayPay QR code through the Binance app or by displaying a payment code for the merchant to scan. The crypto side of the transaction stays with Binance Pay and the connected infrastructure, while local businesses process the payment through their normal PayPay systems.

Binance stated it is the first cryptocurrency payment service to reach PayPay-supported merchants through HIVEX. PayPay already supports nine other overseas payment services via the same network, primarily from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The addition of Binance Pay expands the range of international options available at Japanese merchants.

PayPay is accepted at millions of locations nationwide, covering major retail chains, smaller shops, vending machines, taxis and public transportation. One announcement referred to more than 10 million merchant points of acceptance.

Eligibility and Scope

The service is restricted to overseas visitors. Japanese residents, including users of Binance Japan, are not eligible. Eligible users must come from jurisdictions where Binance Pay is supported and must have completed identity verification.

Binance Pay supports more than 300 cryptocurrencies and has processed over $321 billion in transaction volume since its 2021 launch. Globally it is accepted by more than 21 million merchants. In Japan the new feature focuses on inbound travel spending for dining, shopping, accommodation and other everyday purchases.

Existing Ties Between the Companies

PayPay, a SoftBank Group company, acquired a 40 percent stake in Binance Japan in October 2025 under a capital and business alliance. Earlier collaborations allowed Binance Japan users to move funds between PayPay balances and the exchange for trading purposes. Deposit limits for PayPay Money into Binance Japan were raised earlier in 2026. The September 30 rollout targets a different user group—international visitors rather than domestic account holders.

Tourism Context

Japan recorded a record 42.7 million international visitors in 2025, according to the Japan Tourism Agency. Based on 2024 data it ranked ninth worldwide and first in Asia. In August 2026 visitor arrivals totaled 3.1 million, down 9.6 percent from a year earlier. Cumulative arrivals for the first eight months of 2026 reached 27.6 million, a 2.7 percent decline year over year, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

PayPay noted that inbound tourism demand continues to diversify and that traveler payment preferences are expanding, including interest in cryptocurrency and stablecoin options. The company said the Binance Pay connection helps merchants capture a broader share of international visitor spending without changing their existing settlement processes.

Merchants can disable HIVEX payments through their PayPay for Business settings if they choose, though the service is applied automatically to eligible offline merchants that support user-scan or store-scan QR methods.