Netstars to Conduct Second Phase of Stablecoin (USDC) Payment Service Demonstration in Physical Stores

Netstars Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Li Gang; hereinafter "Netstars") will commence a service demonstration on April 2, 2026, introducing the US dollar-denominated stablecoin "USDC" as a payment method at the trading card specialty store "TCG BW Himeji Store" (Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture). This demonstration is the second phase of a stablecoin payment service demonstration in physical stores, following the one conducted at Haneda Airport Terminal 3.

【About the Service Demonstration Store】

The "TCG BW Himeji Store," where this demonstration will take place, is a small store located near Himeji Castle, attracting many inbound tourists due to its location. Trading card transactions are globally popular, making this field highly compatible with stablecoin payments, which are gaining traction overseas. Through this demonstration, Netstars aims to improve convenience for inbound tourists in small stores and contribute to expanding sales opportunities for these stores.

【Flow of Service Usage】

Users will present a QR code for payment from their Wallet (MetaMask in this case) at the participating store, and the store will read it using a payment terminal to complete the stablecoin payment. Participating stores can read the payment QR code, hand over products, and settle sales, similar to other payment services. Stores can handle everything from entering the amount into the payment terminal to recording sales in Japanese Yen.

Netstars will verify the practicality of stablecoin payments in small stores and connect this to future expansion into various industries and business formats.

■ About Netstars Co., Ltd.

Since its establishment in 2009, Netstars has been developing gateway businesses. In 2015, it became the first company to introduce QR code payment services in Japan as an agent to cater to inbound visitors. Since then, it has developed "StarPay," a multi-cashless payment solution that allows stores to simultaneously introduce and manage cashless payments, including domestic and international QR code payments. Currently, based on the technical capabilities of "StarPay," Netstars is working on diversifying its service offerings.

*QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.