Rakuten Pay Adds XRP: 44 Million Users Can Now Spend Ripple's Crypto at 5 Million Stores in Japan

Japan's e-commerce and fintech powerhouse Rakuten has officially integrated XRP into its Rakuten Pay app, marking a major milestone for Ripple's cryptocurrency and digital asset adoption in one of the world's most tech-forward markets. Starting April 15, Rakuten Wallet users can buy, hold, and spend XRP across more than 5 million merchant locations throughout Japan.

Tatsuya Kohrogi, Ripple's senior ecosystem growth manager, confirmed the news through an announcement on X, highlighting that users can now spot trade XRP directly within the app. What makes this integration particularly compelling is that users can purchase XRP using Rakuten Points, one of Japan's most widely used loyalty currencies. With over 3 trillion points currently in circulation — equivalent to approximately $23 billion — the bridge between loyalty rewards and cryptocurrency has never been more accessible to everyday consumers.

Once users acquire XRP, they can load it into Rakuten Cash and use it seamlessly at millions of participating stores, effectively turning a digital asset into a practical, everyday payment method. Kohrogi described the move as "one of the most significant XRP milestones," underscoring the weight of having a brand as trusted and widely used as Rakuten embed XRP into its core payments and loyalty infrastructure.

This development signals a broader shift in how digital assets are being woven into mainstream financial ecosystems. Rakuten had already taken steps in this direction back in 2023, when it began allowing users to transact using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash. The company also launched its own Rakuten Coin in 2021 as part of its loyalty rewards initiative.

With 44 million users now having direct access to XRP through a platform they already trust and use daily, this integration could significantly accelerate real-world cryptocurrency adoption across Japan and inspire similar moves globally.