Overturning the Common Sense of Payment Fees. Gaiax Launches EC and Flea Market Development Service Eliminating Payment Gateways Using Stablecoins

Gaiax Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Executive Officer: Yuji Ueda; Securities Code: 3775, hereinafter referred to as Gaiax) announces the start of custom development for a next-generation payment infrastructure that leverages the JPY-pegged stablecoin 'JPYC' to eliminate intermediary costs to the absolute limit.

This solution builds a mechanism that bypasses 'payment gateways', which were indispensable in traditional e-commerce operations, by implementing direct payments via smart contracts. By linking with the ecosystem of JPYC (https://jpyc.co.jp) — which has entered its 'social implementation phase' following a 1.78 billion yen funding in its Series B round — it offers a new payment and distribution experience that dramatically reduces fees and eliminates fund management risks for operators.

■ Background of Development: Limitations of Existing Payment Systems and the 'Real Demand' for Stablecoins

In traditional e-commerce sites and flea market apps, massive operational costs and fund retention risks have been significant barriers. These include the payment of several percent in fees to payment gateways, delays in sales deposit cycles, and the deposit/segregated management associated with the 'temporary holding of sales proceeds'.

On the other hand, the JPY-pegged stablecoin 'JPYC' has surpassed 1.3 billion yen in cumulative issuance (as of February 2026) and boasts a daily asset turnover rate exceeding 100%, indicating an explosive expansion of 'real demand' in settlements and remittances. Gaiax solves these issues using programs on the blockchain (smart contracts). Centered on JPYC, which is increasingly becoming a lifestyle infrastructure — such as its adoption in LINE NEXT's 'Unifi' — Gaiax strongly supports the payment digital transformation (DX) of enterprises.

■ Primary Benefits of the Provided Solution

### 1. E-Commerce Site Construction: Elimination of Payment Gateways and Realization of Extremely Low Fees

**Elimination of Intermediary Costs:** It establishes a mechanism where JPYC is remitted directly from the buyer to the seller without going through the networks of banks or payment gateways. Compared to existing credit card payments, it realizes drastically cheaper payment fees.

**Immediate Distribution (Automated Revenue Sharing):** The program automatically and instantly distributes sales to involved parties (producers, referrers, platform operators, etc.). This also eliminates the need for administrative work and transfer fees for affiliate reward payouts.

**Multi-Chain & Ecosystem Support:** It supports all chains that JPYC is compatible with, such as Polygon, Ethereum, and Avalanche. Development is also conducted with a view toward integration with the latest wallets utilized by LINE users, such as 'Unifi'.

https://gaiax-blockchain.com/stablecoin-ec

### 2. Flea Market App Construction: 'Autonomous Escrow' Reducing Operational Risk to Zero

**Safe Operation by 'Not Holding Money':** Unlike traditional point management or cash deposits, funds are temporarily locked on a smart contract. This technically resolves the risks associated with operators holding large amounts of cash (such as trust preservation costs).

**Automated Receipt Experience:** The smart contract automatically unlocks the funds and remits them to the seller in conjunction with the 'Shipping → Receipt Evaluation' process. It achieves a clean payment experience devoid of opacity.

https://gaiax-blockchain.com/stablecoin-market-place

■ Gaiax's Custom Development and Support System

Leveraging insights gained through information dissemination via 'Blockchain Biz' and support for launching numerous DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), Gaiax provides customized development optimized for a company's business model.

Responsible Person: Aramu Mine, Head of Development Department / Chief Web3 Officer at Gaiax / Board Member of the Japan Blockchain Association (JBA) / Representative Director of the Japan DAO Association

Value Provided: We propose practical configurations based on UX design for stablecoin integration, the safety of smart contracts, and the latest legal and regulatory trends (such as the revised Payment Services Act).

■ Comment from the Responsible Person, Aramu Mine

'The true value of stablecoin payments lies not simply in low fees, but in the fact that the 'nature of operations' itself can be changed through smart contracts. Since centralized platforms no longer need to hold onto funds, operational costs drop, and the return to users and creators can be maximized. We will implement this current of 'expanding real demand' demonstrated by stablecoins into concrete business areas like e-commerce and flea markets, shaping the democratization of payments alongside our corporate partners.'