Japan’s USDC Airport Pilot Beat Expectations 10x | Gen Adachi on Crypto Payments

In this episode of Bitcoin.com News Interviews, host speaks with Gen Adachi, CEO of NetSource, a Japanese payment gateway company pioneering real-world crypto adoption. The discussion centers on NetSource's successful pilot program at Haneda Airport, where USDC was accepted as a payment method via QR code—surpassing expectations by 10x the projected volume despite minimal marketing. The system allows merchants to accept USDC without handling crypto directly, converting payments to JPY automatically, making it seamless for businesses. Adachi explains their 'Web2.5' model: bridging traditional payment systems with Web3 technology by integrating stablecoins first, with plans to expand to multi-chain, multi-wallet, and eventually other cryptocurrencies and NFTs. The company already serves 700,000 merchants in Japan and has expanded to Qatar, Mongolia, and Cambodia through partnerships with national banks, targeting regions with low cash usage but high tourism potential. Looking ahead, NetSource aims to scale across Japan before expanding globally, with Africa, Europe, and the U.S. as future targets—especially where smartphone penetration and cashless adoption are rising. The episode highlights a major milestone in crypto’s real-world utility: a stablecoin being used in a high-traffic airport retail environment without requiring users or merchants to understand blockchain. Adachi emphasizes that the goal is not to replace traditional payments but to enhance them with faster, lower-cost Web3 infrastructure. The success of the Haneda POC and the upcoming Pokemon card shop pilot in Osaka demonstrate how even small businesses with limited tech literacy can adopt crypto payments through simple, familiar interfaces. With a focus on user experience and regulatory compliance, NetSource is positioning itself as a key enabler of mainstream crypto adoption—particularly in markets where cashless transitions are overdue.