- Rakuten enables XRP payments for 44M users, connecting the token to over 5M merchants nationwide in Japan.
- Users can convert loyalty points into XRP, creating a seamless loop between rewards, crypto, and everyday spending.
- Integration expands XRP beyond trading, boosting real-world adoption within Rakuten’s large payment ecosystem.
Rakuten will enable XRP payments across its Rakuten Pay platform starting April 15, 2026, giving 44 million users access to spend the token nationwide. The rollout connects XRP to more than 5 million merchant locations in Japan. The update also allows users to convert loyalty points into XRP and use it for everyday purchases.
XRP Integration Beyond Trading into Payments
The feature introduces XRP as both a tradable asset and a payment option within Rakuten Wallet. Users can buy XRP directly using Rakuten Points. They can also load Rakuten Cash balances with XRP for spending across supported merchants.
This move builds on Rakuten’s earlier crypto rollout in 2023. At that time, the platform added Bitcoin, Ether, and Bitcoin Cash for payments. However, XRP becomes the first external token integrated directly into the loyalty system.
Loyalty Points Connect to Digital Asset Spending
Rakuten’s points ecosystem plays a central role in this update. The company has issued more than 3 trillion points, valued at about $23 billion. Users can now convert those points into XRP, creating a direct link between rewards and digital assets.
Notably, this structure allows users to move value from loyalty rewards into crypto holdings. After conversion, users can spend XRP through Rakuten Pay without leaving the ecosystem. This creates a continuous loop between earning, converting, and spending.
Real-World Usage
Rakuten Pay operates across more than 5 million merchant locations in Japan. As a result, XRP gains immediate access to a large retail network. The integration places the token within everyday transactions, not just trading environments.
According to Tatsuya Kohrogi, Ripple’s senior ecosystem growth manager, the rollout marks a major milestone for XRP adoption. He noted that Rakuten’s consumer reach introduces the asset to users unfamiliar with crypto.
The update also aligns with Rakuten’s broader digital asset plans. The company previously outlined a Rakuten Coin concept tied to its rewards system. Meanwhile, XRP now becomes part of that expanding infrastructure.
