Compare
Furlpay vs Stripe (Japan)
Stripe is the standard for card payments in Japan. Furlpay is stablecoin-native: 0.5% USDC on Arbitrum, no chargebacks, instant settlement. Here's when each one fits a Japanese business.
For Japanese businesses, Stripe charges around 3.6% on cards, plus FX on international cards; Furlpay charges 0.5% for USDC on Arbitrum with no chargebacks and instant settlement. Stripe wins on card ubiquity; Furlpay wins on cost, finality, and inbound cross-border fares.
| Feature | Furlpay | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Japan card fee | 0.5% flat (USDC) | ~3.6% (cards) |
| International card fee | 0.5% flat | ~3.6% + FX |
| Settlement speed | ~1 second | Multi-day payout |
| Chargebacks | None (on-chain final) | Yes + dispute fees |
| FX on inbound guests | None (dollar-stable) | Conversion + markup |
| Payment methods | USDC stablecoin | Cards, wallets, konbini, bank |
| Japan ubiquity | Growing | Universal |
| AI / x402 payments | Yes | No |
The differences that matter
Different rails for different jobs
Stripe is unmatched for accepting Japanese cards, wallets, konbini and bank payments, with mature tooling. Furlpay isn't trying to replace that everywhere — it's the better rail when your customer can pay in USDC and you want to keep 0.5% instead of card interchange plus FX, especially on inbound international bookings.
Inbound is where it counts
Japanese hotels, ryokans and airlines take a large share of the country's 40M+ inbound visitors, where cards add FX and higher interchange. USDC is dollar-stable and borderless, so inbound cross-border is exactly where the 0.5% flat rate saves the most.
Finality and cash flow
Card payments settle over days and can be charged back. USDC on Arbitrum settles in about a second, is final, and has no rolling reserve — better cash flow and no dispute fees.
Use both
Most Japanese businesses keep Stripe for cards and add Furlpay for USDC — offering customers a cheaper option and capturing crypto-native inbound demand without changing their existing checkout.
Frequently asked questions
Is Furlpay cheaper than Stripe in Japan?
For payments a customer can make in USDC, usually yes: Furlpay is 0.5% versus Stripe's roughly 3.6% on Japanese cards plus FX on international cards, with instant settlement and no chargebacks. Stripe remains better for broad card, konbini and bank acceptance.
Should a Japanese business replace Stripe with Furlpay?
Usually not entirely. Many businesses keep Stripe for cards and add Furlpay for cheaper USDC payments, especially on inbound bookings. Use each rail where it is strongest.
Is Furlpay registered with the JFSA?
Not yet. Furlpay is not registered with Japan's Financial Services Agency as a Crypto-Asset Exchange or EPIESP. USDC is a legal Electronic Payment Instrument distributed via registered intermediaries such as SBI VC Trade; Furlpay is evaluating a licensed-intermediary pathway. Crypto assets can lose value.
Ready to switch?
Get started in under two minutes — no app download.
Comparison based on publicly available information as of July 2026 and may change. Stripe is a trademark of Stripe, Inc. Stripe Japan card fees shown are standard published rates and vary by method and region. Furlpay is not registered with the JFSA; crypto assets are high risk and are not legal tender.