WEA Plan Private Stablecoin Payments Wit Midnight

WEA Japan don outline plans to use Midnight to protect merchant settlement and sales data for Midnight Cafe during TOKEN2049 for Singapore. CEO Yoshimoto Bansho present di proposed integration after payment pilots for Haneda Airport and one Lawson convenience store.

From Haneda Airport to Lawson Checkout

WEA dey develop technology wey dey link crypto wallets and stablecoins to retail point-of-sale systems. Dem Japanese payment partner, NETSTARS, dey operate StarPay, wey allow merchants accept multiple payment methods.

For Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal 3, one pilot wey launch for January 2026 allow travelers pay with USDC by showing wallet QR code make di store scan am. Merchants collect yen without need to manage crypto assets.

On August 17, NETSTARS announce say dem don complete one trial for di Lawson Gate City Osaki Atrium store. Stablecoin Pay connect to di existing checkout system, supporting multiple blockchain networks, dollar stablecoins and di yen-pegged JPYC. Di trial assess processing speed, error handling and how e take affect store operations.

Midnight Privacy for Merchant Data

Bansho talk say privacy na business requirement for retailers, because their settlement and sales records get commercially sensitive information.

Midnight na blockchain for applications with programmable privacy, wey connect to di wider Cardano ecosystem. E allow applications verify conditions while dem limit disclosure of di underlying data. WEA plan use those capabilities to protect merchant information inside their payment process.

Di completed trials use existing payment infrastructure and networks including Solana, Morph and Polygon. Midnight integration still dey as planned development.

Charles Hoskinson request follow-up discussion with WEA team about their technology and business model, with questions wey cover everyday purchases and yen-denominated stablecoins.

Lower Fees and Faster Stablecoin Checkout

Bansho compare card fees of approximately 3% with fee below 1% for WEA proposed model. Merchants fit keep part of di savings and offer di rest as discounts or cashback. E suggest 1% customer incentive to encourage stablecoin payments.

Checkout speed still be development priority. According to Bansho, processing take more than 10 seconds for di trials, wey e describe as too slow for retailers. Di team dey aim to reduce that delay and simplify di wallet experience so shoppers no go need select blockchain network by themselves.

Bansho talk say commercial expansion dey planned from fall 2026. WEA target na to enable stablecoin payments for 36,000 terminals by 2028.