Binance Pay has introduced a new feature that allows eligible overseas visitors in Japan to spend Tether (USDT) at most merchants that accept PayPay, starting Wednesday. This service is made possible through HIVEX, a payment interoperability framework.
With this integration, merchants will continue to receive payments in Japanese yen, while customers can utilize their USDT seamlessly. Binance claims to be the first crypto payment service to connect with PayPay merchants via HIVEX, eliminating the need for merchants to opt in separately.
PayPay is a widely used cashless payment service in Japan, accepted at millions of locations, including major retailers, smaller shops, vending machines, and public transport. The service also supports several other overseas payment options, primarily from regions like China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Japan has seen a significant influx of international visitors, welcoming a record 42.7 million in 2025, according to the Japan Tourism Agency. However, recent data indicates a slight decline in visitor arrivals this year, with 3.1 million recorded in August, down 9.6% from the previous year.