SoftBank-Backed PayPay Acquires 40% of Binance Japan to Bring Seamless Crypto Access to Millions of Users

PayPay Takes 40 Percent Stake in Binance Japan to Merge Cashless Payments With Crypto

PayPay, Japan’s leading cashless payments provider backed by SoftBank, has acquired a 40% equity stake in Binance Japan, signalling one of the country’s most significant partnerships between traditional finance and cryptocurrency services.

The deal, announced on 9 October 2025, integrates PayPay balances directly with digital asset transactions, aiming to simplify crypto access for millions of Japanese users while enhancing Binance Japan’s domestic market presence.

How Will Cashless Payments Work With Crypto in Japan

Through this partnership, Binance Japan users will be able to use their PayPay balances to purchase cryptocurrencies and withdraw proceeds from crypto sales into their PayPay wallets.

With over 70 million users, PayPay’s digital money infrastructure is now directly linked to Binance’s regulated crypto exchange in Japan, providing a seamless bridge between fiat and digital currencies.

Takeshi Chino, General Manager of Binance Japan, said,

“This strategic alliance is a significant step toward making Web3 more accessible and delivering secure digital asset services across the country.”

Combining Strengths to Build a Seamless Digital Experience

The collaboration brings together PayPay’s extensive user base and trusted payment network with Binance’s global blockchain expertise.

The companies plan to co-develop innovative services that merge cashless payments with digital assets, such as crypto-linked rewards, instant settlement features, and merchant tools backed by blockchain technology.

Masayoshi Yanase, Corporate Officer of PayPay Corporation, said,

“By investing in Binance Japan, the Japanese subsidiary of Binance, the world’s largest digital asset exchange by trading volume, we will provide Binance users with solutions that combine the convenience and security of PayPay. We will continue contributing to the development of Japan’s financial infrastructure by enabling a wide range of financial services tailored to user needs.”

Will This Accelerate Crypto Adoption in Japan?

Japan’s digital economy is rapidly evolving, with growing demand for integration between traditional finance and digital assets.

The PayPay–Binance Japan partnership aims to respond to this demand by making cryptocurrency transactions easier and more accessible for everyday users.

Analysts suggest the integration could increase liquidity and trading activity within Binance Japan, strengthening its domestic footprint while aligning with Japan’s strict regulatory oversight by the Financial Services Agency.

Integration Steps Already in Motion

Initial steps in the collaboration include enabling crypto purchases within the Binance Japan app using PayPay Money and allowing users to select PayPay Money as a withdrawal option.

The move leverages PayPay’s existing cashless ecosystem, including merchant payments, peer-to-peer transfers, and point investments, to simplify access to digital assets for a broader audience.

Chino added, highlighting the ambition to expand the reach of digital finance in Japan:

"By combining PayPay’s extensive user scale with Binance’s innovative technology, we will be able to make Web3 more accessible to people across the country and deliver secure, seamless digital asset services.”

This alliance positions Binance Japan and PayPay at the forefront of integrating cashless payments with cryptocurrency, potentially reshaping Japan’s digital finance landscape and setting a precedent for future collaborations between fintech and blockchain platforms.