Japanese payments giant readies memecoin payments rollout

TLDR

Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten is preparing to let users pay with memecoins, led by Shiba Inu (SHIB), inside its massive Rakuten Wallet and Rakuten Pay ecosystem.

1. Rakuten already lets 44 million Rakuten Pay users buy and spend XRP at over 5 million stores, and is working on similar integration for SHIB as a real-world payment asset.
2. The rollout ties more than $23 billion worth of Rakuten loyalty points to crypto, creating a powerful new on-ramp for altcoins and memecoins inside tightly regulated Japan.
3. Key variables now are SHIBs final launch timing, how many users actually convert points into crypto, and whether other big Japanese payment apps follow.

Deep Dive

1. What Rakuten Is Actually Rolling Out

Rakuten Wallet has integrated XRP into Rakuten Pay, letting 44 million users buy XRP, convert it to Rakuten Cash, and spend it at over 5 million merchants in Japan starting April 15 2026. This includes the ability to buy XRP directly with Rakuten Points, with over 3 trillion points (about $23 billion) now convertible into crypto value inside the app. This same infrastructure is being extended to SHIB: Rakuten announced support for Shiba Inu (SHIB) trading against yen, with plans for users to buy SHIB with points and spend it across the same merchant network, effectively turning a leading memecoin into a mainstream payment option, although the initial SHIB listing date was postponed and a new start date will be announced on Rakuten Wallets site.

2. Why This Matters For Memecoins And Adoption

By linking XRP, and soon SHIB, to Rakutens familiar points and payments system, users can move from loyalty rewards to spendable crypto without ever touching a traditional exchange. Reports highlight that Rakutens ecosystem now treats points as purchasing power, turning loyalty balances into a sizable potential demand source for supported coins rather than just coupons. For SHIB specifically, being approved and integrated under Japans strict Financial Services Agency regime signals that at least some memecoins can graduate from speculative trading into regulated payment rails.

3. What To Watch Next In Japan

First, watch for Rakutens updated SHIB launch date and any promotions that incentivize paying with memecoins rather than just holding them. Second, monitor how much of the 3 trillion-plus Rakuten Points pool actually converts into crypto over time, and whether users keep assets as investments or cycle them quickly through payments. Third, Japan has just moved toward a flat 20% crypto capital gains tax, which could make both investment and spending of assets like XRP and SHIB more attractive if the rules take effect alongside these integrations.

Conclusion

Rakutens move to embed XRP today and prepare SHIB payments next takes crypto, including memecoins, deeper into Japans everyday retail economy. The combination of a giant loyalty program, regulated custody, and seamless app UX could turn speculative tokens into practical spending tools, provided users embrace the new options and tax and regulatory changes remain supportive.