Japanese e-commerce titan Mercari is set to permit Bitcoin transactions starting in June.

Japanese e-commerce giant  Mercari is set to introduce Bitcoin payments for its flea market app-listed products, starting from June.

The move positions Mercari as a key player in fostering crypto adoption in Japan, with the platform enabling Bitcoin transactions through its Tokyo-based crypto exchange subsidiary, Melcoin. In this upcoming feature, product prices on the flea market app will be presented in Japanese yen, offering users the option to pay using Bitcoin.

However, vendors and sellers will still receive the payment in the local fiat currency, as the platform plans to convert the Bitcoin through its exchange partner in real time. As one of Japan’s largest consumer-to-consumer e-commerce marketplaces, boasting 22 million monthly users, Mercari has been at the forefront of embracing cryptocurrency.

The company recently introduced the Mercari Bitcoin crypto trading service, allowing users to buy and sell BTC using the proceeds from their platform sales. Furthermore, Mercari’s loyalty program is centered around cryptocurrency, allowing users to exchange their points for digital assets.

The move to incorporate Bitcoin payments aligns with Mercari’s innovative approach to technology and could potentially contribute to the broader adoption of BTC in Japan. The platform, which achieved a 94% usage rate within five years of its 2013 launch, reported a profit of 2.8 billion yen ($19.4 million) in the third quarter of 2023.

Japan, recognized as a pro-crypto nation with favorable regulations, has witnessed e-commerce platforms like Mercari and Rakuten act as crucial gateways for cryptocurrency adoption. Rakuten, another major e-commerce player, has long supported cryptocurrencies, allowing users to convert loyalty points into crypto and even developing its native non-fungible token (NFT) platform.