Rakuten Integrates XRP for 44M Users: Buy, Hold & Spend at 5M+ Merchants

On April 15, 2026, Japan’s e-commerce giant Rakuten introduced XRP integration...

Quick overview

  • On April 15, 2026, Rakuten integrated XRP into its Wallet and Pay systems, allowing 44 million users to buy, hold, and spend XRP.
  • Users can purchase XRP using Rakuten Points and convert it to Rakuten Cash for transactions at over 5 million merchant locations in Japan.
  • This integration is seen as a major step for mainstream crypto adoption in Japan, with Ripple's Tatsuya Kohrogi calling it a 'game-changer.'
  • The rollout has positively impacted XRP's price and reputation, highlighting Japan's innovative approach to cryptocurrency.

On April 15, 2026, Japan’s e-commerce giant Rakuten introduced XRP integration into its Rakuten Wallet and Rakuten Pay ecosystem. This update lets 44 million active Rakuten Pay users easily buy, hold, and spend XRP in daily transactions.

Key Features

  • Users can buy XRP directly with Rakuten Points from the company’s large loyalty program, which has over 3 trillion points valued at about $23 billion.
  • Users can hold XRP in Rakuten Wallet and instantly convert it to Rakuten Cash for spending.
  • XRP can be used at more than 5 million merchant locations across Japan, including convenience stores, restaurants, online retailers, and other businesses.
  • XRP is the only new token to receive full direct integration with Rakuten Pay, and it also supports in-app spot trading.

This is one of the biggest real-world utility expansions for XRP so far, connecting with Rakuten’s platform, which has over 100 million member IDs. Rakuten plans to link more closely with Rakuten Bank, which has 17 million customers, in the third quarter of 2026 to make fiat on-ramps easier.

Ripple’s Tatsuya Kohrogi called the rollout a “game-changer” for mainstream crypto adoption in Japan.

Market Impact

This news pushed XRP’s price up to around $1.38 to $1.40 in mid-April. It also boosts XRP’s reputation for payment use and sets the stage for wider testing in Japan’s advanced digital economy. Although other market factors affect the price, this integration gives XRP strong support.

2026 Outlook

Rakuten’s decision highlights Japan’s forward-thinking approach to crypto and gives XRP a level of real-world access that many institutional products lack. The outcome will depend on how many users adopt it, but the system is now ready for daily spending and loyalty point conversion.

This is one of the most significant XRP stories of 2026 so far and shows how mainstream use is growing in Asia.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Arslan Butt
Lead Markets Analyst – Multi-Asset (FX, Commodities, Crypto)
Arslan Butt serves as the Lead Commodities and Indices Analyst, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field. With an MBA in Behavioral Finance and active progress towards a Ph.D., Arslan possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics. His professional journey includes a significant role as a senior analyst at a leading brokerage firm, complementing his extensive experience as a market analyst and day trader. Adept in educating others, Arslan has a commendable track record as an instructor and public speaker. His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of cryptocurrency and forex markets, are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as ForexCrunch, InsideBitcoins, and EconomyWatch, solidifying his reputation in the financial community.

Related Articles

HFM

HFM rest

Pu Prime

XM

Best Forex Brokers