Shiba Inu (SHIB) is set to expand its reach in Japan after Rakuten Wallet announced plans to list the token, allowing users to trade SHIB and spend it across Rakuten’s extensive retail network. The integration with Rakuten also connects the cryptocurrency to the company’s payment ecosystem and loyalty point program, enhancing real-world utility for millions of users. However, the initially planned launch date has been postponed, with a new schedule to be announced soon.
Rakuten integrates Shiba Inu into payment network
Rakuten Wallet, the digital asset exchange arm of Rakuten Group in Japan, confirmed it will support Shiba Inu trading against the Japanese yen. The exchange is also preparing to introduce SHIB alongside established digital assets XRP and XLM. Rakuten Wallet provides crypto trading services to Japanese users and is regulated under the country’s Financial Services Agency framework, recognized for its strict requirements.
The company plans to allow its customers to purchase Shiba Inu using Rakuten Points and Rakuten Cash. Through this step, SHIB holders will be able to make purchases at over five million merchant locations throughout Japan using Rakuten Pay, the fintech service that streamlines payment options across Rakuten’s network. This move positions SHIB to become accessible for day-to-day retail spending by millions of consumers.
According to Rakuten, its payment platform currently serves approximately 44 million registered users across the country, making the Shiba Inu listing one of the largest integrations of a digital asset into a retail payment network in Japan to date. This opens up new use cases for the token beyond speculative trading, aligning with a growing trend of crypto assets being used for real-world transactions in Japan.
Shibizens, an X (Twitter) account dedicated to the Shiba Inu community, described the development as “a direct entry into daily payments,” emphasizing the scale of the rollout and SHIB’s legitimacy under Japanese regulation.
Launch delayed, but integration still anticipated
Rakuten Wallet initially targeted April 15 for SHIB’s trading debut but has since delayed the launch. The company explained that a new date will be communicated through its official website, and users will be notified as soon as trading becomes available.
The digital asset arm of Rakuten operates within the conglomerate’s larger network, which includes e-commerce, payments, fintech, and digital content businesses. By integrating crypto assets with its points system—circulating over $23 billion worth of loyalty points—Rakuten links Web3 services with everyday consumer spending in Japan. This is expected to attract both crypto enthusiasts and new adopters interested in merging digital asset ownership with conventional shopping.
SHIB will also be tradable with XRP and XLM pairs, further expanding its market exposure within the regulated platform. The listing aims to give more Japanese investors straightforward access to the token alongside other major cryptocurrencies, using familiar domestic trading rails.
Following the announcement, SHIB’s price touched $0.000006 on April 14 but later fell to $0.0000005834, showing a modest loss in both daily and weekly performance. Despite the short-term correction, the listing has been perceived as a positive step for Shiba Inu’s broader adoption in Japan.
Rakuten Wallet reiterated that further details regarding the launch and trading availability will be posted as soon as a revised schedule is confirmed, keeping users updated as the integration moves forward.
