Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten announced that its payment platform Rakuten Pay will support XRP payments starting April 15, 2026. The rollout covers roughly 44 million active users and connects the token to over 5 million merchant locations across Japan. XRP becomes the first external digital asset directly integrated into Rakuten's loyalty system.
Loyalty Points to Crypto: A Direct Conversion Bridge
Users can now convert their Rakuten Points directly into XRP and use the token for everyday purchases. Rakuten has issued more than 3 trillion points, valued at approximately $23 billion. This feature creates a seamless loop between earning rewards, converting them into crypto, and spending within the same ecosystem.
Beyond Trading: XRP Enters Retail
In 2023, Rakuten Pay added Bitcoin, Ether, and Bitcoin Cash for payments. This time, XRP goes a step further by linking into the points ecosystem. Users can load Rakuten Cash balances with XRP and spend at any supported merchant without leaving the app. Tatsuya Kohrogi, senior ecosystem growth manager at Ripple, called the integration a major milestone, noting it introduces XRP to users unfamiliar with crypto.
5 Million Merchants: Immediate Network Effect
Rakuten Pay operates across Japan's largest retail network, covering convenience stores, restaurants, and retail outlets. With XRP added as a payment option, the token gains instant access to a high-frequency offline setting. Rakuten previously floated the idea of a Rakuten Coin; XRP integration is seen as an early step toward that broader digital asset infrastructure.
The update is automatic for existing users. Rakuten Wallet also supports XRP purchases using points, with no extra steps required to start spending.