Key facts
- Binance Pay users can now spend USDT at most PayPay-supported merchants in Japan.
- The service is available to eligible overseas visitors.
- Merchants will receive payments in Japanese yen.
- The integration uses the HIVEX payment interoperability framework.
- Binance claims this is the first crypto payment service to access PayPay merchants via HIVEX.
- PayPay is accepted at millions of locations in Japan.
Binance Pay has launched a new service in Japan that enables eligible overseas visitors to spend Tether USDt (USDT) at the majority of merchants that accept PayPay, starting Wednesday. This integration is facilitated through HIVEX, a payment interoperability framework designed to connect overseas QR payment services with merchants in Japan. For merchants, the settlement will continue to be in Japanese yen, ensuring a seamless transition. Binance highlighted that this marks the first time a crypto payment service has gained access to PayPay-supported merchants through HIVEX, and merchants do not require separate opt-in procedures. PayPay is a widely adopted cashless payment service in Japan, with millions of locations accepting it, ranging from large retail chains to vending machines and transportation services. The service aims to cater to the significant number of international visitors to Japan, which saw a record 42.7 million international visitors in 2025.