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Green SM changes its brand from Xanh SM to Green SM. The Green Smart Mobility and Intelligent Transport Joint Stock Company (GSM) announced the brand change from Xanh SM to Green SM. The change aims to unify brand identity across the entire system and marks the company's three-year operation. In…
Rakuten is expanding its digital payments ecosystem by introducing XRP to its widely used Rakuten Pay platform, connecting millions of users with a cryptocurrency designed for fast and low-cost transactions.
Starting April 15, users will be able to access XRP as both a tradable asset and a payment method within the Rakuten Pay app. The update allows customers to convert Rakuten Points into XRP, hold the asset in Rakuten Wallet, and use it for payments across a network of more than 5 million merchants nationwide.
The rollout also links XRP to a loyalty program with over 3 trillion points in circulation, equivalent to roughly $23 billion. By enabling direct conversion between points and crypto, Rakuten aims to reduce barriers for new users entering the digital asset space.
Rakuten will also offer in-app spot trading, allowing users to gain exposure to XRP without needing to use external exchanges.
Rakuten previously introduced support for bitcoin, ether, and bitcoin cash in 2023, positioning the company early within Japan’s regulated crypto environment. The addition of XRP builds on that foundation and reflects growing interest in payment-oriented digital assets.
Japan is described as one of the most structured markets for crypto adoption, supported by clear regulations and consumer protections. Within this environment, integrating XRP into a widely used platform like Rakuten Pay may encourage broader usage beyond trading.
Embedding XRP into everyday payment flows aligns with the cryptocurrency’s original design as a bridge currency. The article highlights faster settlement times and lower transaction costs compared with traditional systems as key advantages, particularly in high-volume settings.
Rakuten’s consumer scale is also presented as a factor in the integration’s reach. Its ecosystem spans e-commerce, fintech, and mobile services, enabling XRP to be accessed across multiple customer touchpoints rather than being limited to an investment product.
Overall, Rakuten’s XRP rollout is framed as a shift toward practical crypto use cases integrated into familiar consumer platforms.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
