Japan Anime Industry Gets Bitcoin Payment Platform
Japan Bitcoin Industry has launched Aurora, a Lightning Network payment platform for Japanese anime, manga, and gaming merchants selling to international customers. The self-custodial platform debuted at Bitcoin Asia 2026 in Hong Kong.
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Japan Bitcoin Industry (JBI) has unveiled Aurora, a $BTC payment platform aimed at helping Japanese content creators and merchants sell to international audiences, without the friction of traditional cross-border payment systems. The platform was introduced at Bitcoin Asia 2026 in Hong Kong.
Targeting Anime, Manga, and Gaming
Aurora is designed specifically for Japanese merchants selling anime, manga, video games, and other digital content overseas. JBI says conventional payment infrastructure has long left international fans underserved, creating a gap between global demand and the ability of Japanese sellers to capture it.
That gap is growing. Japan's overseas anime revenues surged 26% year-on-year to JPY 2.17 trillion ($14.27 billion) in 2024. Overseas revenue accounted for 56% of the industry's total 2024 sales. Aurora positions itself as a direct solution for merchants looking to convert that international interest into sales.
Self-Custodial Lightning Payments
Payments on Aurora run through the Bitcoin Lightning Network, a layer-two protocol that settles transactions off-chain, enabling faster processing and significantly lower fees than on-chain Bitcoin transfers. JBI describes its infrastructure as fast, low-cost payment rails on the Lightning Network, usable in more than 150 countries.
Each merchant on Aurora operates its own self-custodial Lightning node, meaning JBI handles operational tasks but never takes custody of merchant funds. Buyers transact directly with the seller's node, keeping control of funds on the merchant side throughout.
The platform includes a point-of-sale system and an API, allowing merchants to manage invoices, track payment status, and integrate Aurora into their existing technology stack. JBI invited potential merchants, media, and wallet providers to connect with its team during the Hong Kong conference.
The launch adds to a broader push toward Bitcoin adoption in Japan, where Lightning Network use among exchanges and enterprises has been expanding in recent years.
Sources
Japan Bitcoin Industry (JBI) Official Site
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Soumen DattaSoumen has been a crypto researcher since 2020 and holds a master’s in Physics. His writing and research has been published by publications such as CryptoSlate and DailyCoin, as well as BSCN. His areas of focus include Bitcoin, DeFi, and high-potential altcoins like Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Chainlink. He combines analytical depth with journalistic clarity to deliver insights for both newcomers and seasoned crypto readers.