3PL operator Maruwa forms capital and business alliance with JPYC provider to reduce payment costs through stablecoin payments

AZ-COM丸和ホールディングス announced that it will invest approximately ¥1 billion in JPYC, the provider of JPYC, a Japanese yen-denominated stablecoin, and form a capital and business alliance. The companies aim to build a JPYC-based payments platform focused mainly on small-value payments in logistics operations.

Through the alliance, the companies aim to reduce bank transfer fees and shorten processing times for payments to member companies of the AZ-COM network, which had approximately 2,968 member companies as of the end of June 2026, as well as outsourced delivery drivers, employees and business partners. AZ-COM丸和ホールディングス is expected to hold approximately 2.9% of voting rights, and the payment date is scheduled for 30 July.

JPYC is a Japanese yen-denominated stablecoin exchangeable for Japanese yen on a 1:1 basis and is classified as an electronic payment instrument under the Payment Services Act. Assets backing the issued value are secured by Japanese yen deposits and government bonds, and the company describes JPYC as having a legal status distinct from that of crypto-assets.

AZ-COM丸和ホールディングス has outlined plans to provide its own wallet and use smart contracts to link delivery completion confirmation with payment, enabling loyalty programs and immediate rewards at low cost. The companies also envision expanding into payment agency services and services for external companies in the future.

Developments involving JPYC are expanding beyond logistics, including Lawson's demonstration project, CAICA Technologies' e-commerce payment solution, and contract development by Gaiax of payment infrastructure for e-commerce and online flea-market platforms. The government is also advancing the development of the payments environment as part of its policy initiatives.