What is Japan's new card rewards-to-stablecoin programme?

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club and Hashport launched a service that allows credit card reward points to be converted into JPYC, a yen-pegged stablecoin. The companies describe it as the first programme of its kind in Japan.

How does the rewards conversion programme work?

Diners Club and Trust Club cardholders can exchange accumulated loyalty points for JPYC through the Hashport platform. The stablecoins can then be used for payments, transfers and other blockchain-based transactions.

JPYC is a stablecoin designed to maintain a value equivalent to the Japanese yen. It operates on multiple blockchain networks and is intended to be used as a digital payment and settlement asset.

What exchange rates are being offered for reward points?

Under the programme, 2,500 Diners Club reward points or 4,000 Trust Club points can be exchanged for 1,000 JPYC. These conversion rates will apply when the service launches.

Why is this development important for stablecoin adoption?

The initiative connects a widely used consumer rewards system with blockchain-based payments. By allowing loyalty points to be converted into stablecoins, it introduces digital assets to users who may not otherwise interact with crypto products.

How large is Japan's rewards points market?

According to Hashport chief executive Yoshihiro Yoshida, more than ¥2.8 trillion worth of reward points are issued annually in Japan. This creates a significant potential source of demand for stablecoin-based services.

Which blockchain networks support JPYC?

JPYC can be managed across Ethereum, Avalanche, Polygon and Kaia. Multi-chain support gives users flexibility when transferring, storing or spending their stablecoins.

What incentives are being offered to users?

The companies will run a promotional cashback campaign from June through November. During that period, users will receive 500 reward points back for every 1,000 points they exchange.

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Japan links card rewards to stablecoins

Written by Brie CarterPublished May 29, 2026, 7:52 AM

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club and Hashport have launched a service that allows credit card reward points to be exchanged for JPYC, marking what the companies describe as Japan's first stablecoin rewards conversion programme.

The initiative enables Diners Club and Trust Club cardholders to convert accumulated loyalty points into JPYC, a yen-pegged stablecoin, through the Hashport platform beginning next week.

Under the programme, 2,500 Diners Club reward points or 4,000 Trust Club points can be exchanged for 1,000 JPYC.

“We are delighted to combine stablecoins, which are attracting global attention as a safe and reliable next-generation payment method, with credit card points,”

Said Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club president, Nobuaki Yamaguchi.

The companies will also introduce a promotional cashback programme from June through November that returns 500 reward points for every 1,000 points exchanged.

JPYC obtained through the programme can be managed across Ethereum, Avalanche, Polygon and Kaia networks and used for payments and other transactions.

Hashport chief executive Yoshihiro Yoshida said Japan's annual rewards point market exceeds ¥2.8 trillion and could become a significant catalyst for broader stablecoin adoption across the country.