Binance announced that its Binance Pay service will allow eligible overseas users visiting Japan to utilize Tether USDt (USDT) for purchases at most merchants that accept PayPay, starting Wednesday.
Binance Pay integrates with PayPay via HIVEX
The new service operates through HIVEX, a payment interoperability framework designed to connect international QR-based payment platforms with Japanese merchants supported by PayPay. With this integration, visitors using Binance Pay will be able to pay in USDT while merchants receive settlements in Japanese yen, streamlining the payment process for both parties.
Binance stated that it is the first cryptocurrency payment provider granting access to PayPay-supported vendors through the HIVEX network. Binance clarified that merchants do not have to opt in individually for this feature, as the system is implemented across the HIVEX-enabled network.
Mini dictionary: HIVEX is a cross-border QR payment interoperability framework that allows overseas payment applications to work seamlessly with Japanese merchant networks, such as PayPay, while maintaining local currency settlements for vendors.
About PayPay and HIVEX’s existing partnerships
PayPay serves as one of Japan’s leading cashless payment solutions, accepted at millions of locations nationwide. Its network covers large retailers, local shops, vending machines, taxi services, and public transportation. Through HIVEX, PayPay has already integrated nine other international payment brands, predominantly from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
| Payment Service | Supported Regions |
|---|---|
| Binance Pay | Global |
| Alipay | China |
| WeChat Pay | China |
| Octopus | Hong Kong |
| JKOPay | Taiwan |
Japan’s tourism surge and relevance of crypto adoption
Japan saw a record 42.7 million international visitors in 2025, according to the Japan Tourism Agency. The country ranked first in Asia for tourist arrivals and ninth globally based on 2024 statistics. This influx of tourists has increased demand for cross-border payment solutions that accommodate diverse currencies and technologies.
Recent data from the Japan National Tourism Organization noted 3.1 million foreign arrivals in August, showing a 9.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Total arrivals in the first eight months of 2026 reached 27.6 million, marking a 2.7% year-on-year decline. Despite these short-term declines, international tourism remains a key driver for the adoption of digital and crypto-based payment tools in the country.
Binance became the first cryptocurrency payment operator integrated into PayPay’s network via HIVEX, offering international visitors a new way to spend USDT at Japanese merchants while settlements remain in yen.
