SBI Group is set to launch a cashless payment project in Japan using USDC, a stablecoin from Circle, starting in spring 2026. The initiative, spearheaded by SBI VC Trade and APLUS, will enable users to make payments via USDC through QR codes, with funds being converted to yen for merchants. Despite SBI's longstanding relationship with Ripple, the project will utilize USDC instead of Ripple's RLUSD. A pro-XRP lawyer highlighted that RLUSD was not ready when SBI registered as Japan's first stablecoin operator in March 2025. If successful, the payment system could be expanded to more stores across Japan.