NETSTARS Signs MOU with Kaia, a Blockchain with Access to More Than 250 Million Users

September 11, 2026

NETSTARS Signs MOU with Kaia, a Blockchain with Access to More Than 250 Million Users
Accelerating the “StarPay-X” Initiative Toward Real-World Stablecoin Payments for Inbound and Cross-Border Transactions in Asia

NETSTARS Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tsuyoshi Ri; “NETSTARS”) today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kaia DLT Foundation (Headquarters: Abu Dhabi; Chairman: Sam Seo; “Kaia”), which operates Kaia, a public blockchain with more than 420 decentralized applications (DApps) and a potential user base of more than 250 million people. Through the MOU, the two parties will work to expand the real-world use of stablecoin payments in Asia.

The MOU is part of NETSTARS’ efforts to put into practice “StarPay-X,” its next-generation payment initiative designed to connect existing payment infrastructure with Web3 and digital finance.

“StarPay-X” is an initiative to build an environment in which Web3 financial services, including stablecoins, blockchains and wallets, can be connected to NETSTARS’ merchant network and payment and settlement infrastructure, enabling their use at physical stores and in cross-border payments. By supporting multiple chains, wallets and coins, NETSTARS aims to provide a payment gateway that connects Japan with the global digital finance ecosystem.

Under the MOU, the two parties will work to connect stablecoins issued and circulated on Kaia with NETSTARS’ multi-cashless payment solution “StarPay” and “Stablecoin Pay,” with the aim of building an environment in which stablecoins from Asian countries can be used at physical stores in Japan.

Through “StarPay,” NETSTARS operates a payment network with annual transaction volume exceeding JPY 2 trillion, approximately 700,000 merchant locations and more than 15,000 client companies. By combining this merchant base, its technologies and operational expertise in in-store payments and settlement, and Kaia’s stablecoin infrastructure being developed across Asia, the collaboration will promote the creation of new payment services that connect Asia’s digital finance ecosystem with physical stores, starting from Japan.

■Background to the MOU
In Japan, since the amended Payment Services Act came into effect in June 2023, the regulatory framework for stablecoins has continued to develop, and initiatives toward the issuance and circulation of yen-denominated stablecoins are gaining momentum. At the same time, the number of places where stablecoins can actually be used for everyday purchases remains limited, making the development of usage environments at physical stores a key challenge for real-world adoption.

Under “StarPay-X,” its gateway initiative connecting Web2 and Web3 financial services, NETSTARS is promoting the development of a payment environment that supports multiple chains, wallets and coins. In July 2026, NETSTARS launched “Stablecoin Pay,” a service for merchants that enables the one-stop introduction and operation of multiple stablecoin payment methods. NETSTARS has also led efforts toward the social implementation of stablecoin payments, including USDC payment initiatives at Haneda Airport and a proof-of-concept at Lawson integrating stablecoin payments with POS registers at physical stores.

Kaia is an EVM-compatible public blockchain created through the integration of LINE’s “Finschia” and Kakao’s “Klaytn.” In addition to native USDT, Kaia is advancing the implementation of stablecoins linked to fiat currencies in Asian countries, including “JPYC,” a Japanese yen-denominated stablecoin, and “IDRX,” an Indonesian rupiah-denominated stablecoin. Kaia has also published a technical design proposal covering the lifecycle of issuance, settlement and circulation for a Korean won-denominated stablecoin, based on proof-of-concept work with major financial institutions in South Korea.

By collaborating with Kaia, which aims to serve as infrastructure connecting multiple countries, regions, currencies and stablecoins, NETSTARS will work to expand the future coverage of “Stablecoin Pay” and bring the real-world use of stablecoin payments to storefronts in Japan.

■Areas of Collaboration Under the MOU
1. Bringing Stablecoins on Kaia to Physical Store Payments in Japan
The two parties will promote the provision of in-store payments using stablecoins based on Kaia by leveraging the “StarPay” merchant network.
The parties will explore a framework premised on settlement to merchants in Japanese yen, aiming to build an environment in which merchants can accept new payment methods without directly holding stablecoins.

2. Support for Stablecoins Denominated in Asian Currencies
The two parties will examine the possibility of supporting stablecoins linked to the Korean won, Hong Kong dollar, Taiwan dollar and the currencies of major Southeast Asian countries.
By building a mechanism that enables inbound visitors to pay with stablecoins linked to their home currencies while merchants receive payments in Japanese yen, the parties aim to provide a new payment option for inbound transactions.

3. Technical Collaboration on Exchange, Liquidity and Settlement
Kaia and NETSTARS will jointly examine exchange, liquidity provision and merchant settlement schemes for multi-currency stablecoins, including the potential use of “Ratio,” Kaia ecosystem’s on-chain foreign exchange orchestration layer.

■Positioning Within NETSTARS’ Business Strategy
NETSTARS regards stablecoins as one of its growth areas, through which it can expand its business domains by leveraging the merchant network, payment connectivity, store operations and settlement expertise it has cultivated to date.
Through this collaboration, NETSTARS will expand the coverage of “StarPay” and “Stablecoin Pay” while enhancing the added value it provides in inbound and cross-border payments. Over the medium to long term, NETSTARS aims to develop these services into a payment infrastructure connecting Japan and Asia and to create new business opportunities.

■Future Development
Based on the MOU, the two parties will verify feasibility from technical, regulatory and business perspectives. As an initial step toward building a usage environment in Japan, they will examine target stablecoins, merchants, service delivery methods, and exchange and settlement schemes.

■Executive Comments
Sam Seo, Chairman, Kaia DLT Foundation
“We are very pleased to collaborate with NETSTARS, a company that has supported Japan’s payment market.
For stablecoins to become widely adopted in society, it is important not only to build infrastructure on blockchain networks, but also to connect that infrastructure with real-world payment environments. By combining the broad merchant network NETSTARS has built in Japan with the stablecoin infrastructure Kaia has developed across Asia, we believe we can expand the possibilities for new payment experiences connecting Japan and Asia. We see this collaboration as a major step forward, and together with NETSTARS, we will work to create an environment in which stablecoins can be used in everyday settings across countries and currencies.”

Tsuyoshi Ri, President and CEO, NETSTARS Co., Ltd.
“For stablecoins to be implemented in society, it is essential not only that they are issued on blockchain networks, but also that there are merchants where they can actually be used, as well as payment and settlement infrastructure that users and businesses can rely on.
By connecting Kaia’s expansive user and stablecoin infrastructure in Asia with NETSTARS’ merchant network of approximately 700,000 locations in Japan, we aim to transform stablecoins from something people hold into something they use in everyday life.
This collaboration is an important step toward the realization of our ‘StarPay-X’ initiative. We will work to build new payment infrastructure connecting Japan and Asia, creating new business opportunities in areas such as inbound and cross-border payments and supporting our medium- to long-term growth.”

■About Kaia
Kaia is one of Asia’s largest EVM-compatible public blockchains, launched in 2024 through the integration of Kakao’s “Klaytn” and LINE’s “Finschia.” Through messaging platforms such as LINE and KakaoTalk, Kaia has the potential to reach hundreds of millions of users across Asia. Centered on fiat currency-linked stablecoins such as native USDT, JPYC and IDRX, Kaia is building infrastructure for payments, remittances and on-chain finance.
Name: Kaia DLT Foundation
Headquarters: Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
Chairman: Sam Seo
URL：https://www.kaia.io/

■About NETSTARS Co., Ltd.
NETSTARS is a fintech company that provides end-to-end support for payments and digital transformation, centered on its multi-cashless payment solution “StarPay.” In 2015, the company launched Japan’s first multi-QR code payment service. Today, NETSTARS supports transactions with annual payment volume exceeding JPY 2 trillion, approximately 700,000 merchant locations and more than 15,000 client companies. NETSTARS listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in September 2023.
Company name: NETSTARS Co., Ltd.
Address: Sumitomo Fudosan Hatchobori Building, 3-3-5 Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Tsuyoshi Ri, President and CEO
Established: 2009
URL：https://www.netstars.co.jp/