#Japan #Kitakyushu #JPYC #MynaWallet #Sumitomo Mitsui Card

Introduction

On April 25, 2026, MynaWallet Inc., in collaboration with Sumitomo Mitsui Card, will run the second phase of its ongoing experimental program for stablecoin payments utilizing My Number cards at the Kitakyushu Messe. This initiative coincides with a home basketball game featuring the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka, expanding the scope of digital asset transactions in Japan’s public sectors.

Background: Advancing Payment Methods with My Number Cards

In Japan, there is growing anticipation surrounding regulated payment methods linked to legal tender, such as stablecoins and blockchain technologies, largely due to recent legal frameworks like the revised Payment Services Act. However, a significant challenge remains: ensuring that diverse demographics—including the elderly and children—can confidently use these technological advancements without the barriers posed by complex applications and wallets. MynaWallet has actively sought to bridge this gap by turning My Number cards into functional ‘wallets’ that facilitate seamless transactions involving stablecoins and other digital assets through their services, MynaWallet and MynaPay. By incorporating public personal authentication (JPKI), they aim to balance high security with user-friendliness.

Sumitomo Mitsui Card has been on the forefront of establishing cashless payment infrastructure across Japan, including the nationwide launch of the advanced payment platform, Stera, which accommodates various payment methods—credit cards, electronic money, QR codes, and more—on a single device. Combining My Number card verification's robust authentication with the Stera platform, both companies aim to pioneer an unprecedented transaction experience that includes “public ID x stablecoin payments.”

The Ongoing Experimental Program

Continuing beyond a single trial, MynaWallet and Sumitomo Mitsui Card have designed this program to incorporate numerous regions and varied use cases in multiple experimental phases. Future experiments may extend into:

• - Payment applications at sports and entertainment events (stadiums, arenas, etc.)
• - Usage across various commercial, tourist, and public facilities
• - Distribution of digital local currencies in collaboration with local governments, including various benefits via stablecoins
• - Applications in administrative procedures and utility payments

Data and user feedback collected from each experiment will inform adjustments to the stablecoin payment system, leading towards a robust domestic offering.

Details of the Second Experiment

In the first phase, the trial focused on the basic user experience of touch payments using the My Number card with the JPYC stablecoin. The upcoming second phase introduces new strategies, including:
1. Issuing Stablecoins Based on Verification Data: Using information gathered during the verification process, additional JPYC will be gifted to local residents through streamlined identification.
2. Promoting Purchases with Push Incentives: Attendees making touch payments using My Number cards will receive extra JPYC before halftime, incentivizing user behavior based on their payment history.
3. Touch Payments via iPhone: The experiment will also support My Number card touch payments via iPhones, testing the speed and user convenience against physical cards. Please note that physical My Number cards are required at the registration stage.

Experiment Timeline:

• - Date: April 25, 2026
• - Location: Kitakyushu Messe
• - Devices: Stera terminal from Sumitomo Mitsui Card
• - Authentication: My Number Card with JPKI
• - Payment Method: Touch payments using JPYC launched through the My Number card on-site (physical card or iPhone).

Future Prospects: Inbound Capabilities

Initially, the program primarily targets domestic residents utilizing My Number cards for stablecoin payments. However, there are ambitions to enable foreign visitors to use stablecoins (e.g., USDC) through the Stera terminal for transactions in Japanese stores. This shift aims to establish a dual pathway—a domestic payment method utilizing My Number cards and an inbound system leveraging crypto assets and stablecoins—for developing a next-generation digital payment infrastructure on the Stera platform.

About MynaWallet

MynaWallet aims to create a world where everyone can access digital assets without barriers. It focuses on developing digital asset wallets and surrounding systems using My Number cards and public personal authentication.

About Sumitomo Mitsui Card

Since its inception in 1967, Sumitomo Mitsui Card has led Japan’s cashless payment solutions, addressing challenges for both users and businesses in the evolving payment landscape.