[DigitalToday reporter Yoonseo Lee] XRP has been integrated into Japanese conglomerate Rakuten's digital payment network, linking it with a user base of about 100 million.

On Aug. 13 (local time), blockchain media outlet The Crypto Basic reported that Rakuten users can buy XRP with Rakuten Points and convert XRP they hold into Rakuten Cash for use at Rakuten affiliates and online markets.

The key change is that the path from holding XRP to using it has become shorter. Rakuten Wallet senior analyst Yasuo Matsuda (야스오 마쓰다) said on Ripple's "Onchain Economy" programme that the expansion provides users with a way to use XRP in everyday life.

Rakuten users can buy XRP with Rakuten Points without spending cash. This works to lower the barrier to entry for users who feel burdened about putting funds directly into cryptocurrencies. With a structure added in which users convert XRP into Rakuten Cash and then use it for payments, a flow has been created that links cryptocurrency holdings to the consumption stage.

Rakuten's scale of users is also in focus. Matsuda said Rakuten has more than 100 million members in Japan, about 80 percent of Japan's population. Even if only a very small number of customers are exposed to XRP, it can secure a significant exposure effect.

Matsuda said XRP's fast transaction speed is a feature that makes blockchain payments practical. He said stablecoins can supplement the issue of price volatility. He also said a combination of fast blockchain payments and stablecoins could hasten changes in the financial industry.

Tokenised real-world assets (RWA) and security tokens were also cited as markets where blockchain technology can expand. He said financial institutions are also reviewing opportunities to participate in new on-chain markets rather than taking a conservative approach as in the past.

XRP's own characteristics were also mentioned. Matsuda said XRP has liquidity and has long focused on payments, which could be an advantage in remittances and transactions. He said the linkage is meaningful in that it created a structure connecting Rakuten Points, Rakuten Cash and the payment network.

In this flow, a connection with the Rakuten ecosystem, which has more than 100 million users in Japan, can be seen as an example of providing XRP with a major consumer payment touchpoint. The next points to watch are how much actual user conversion takes place and how routine XRP-based payments become within Rakuten.

@Rakuten reaches more than 100 million users in Japan. Customers are able to use Rakuten Points to buy XRP, convert XRP to Rakuten Cash and spend it through @RakutenPay_App. Watch the full video: https://t.co/97ISzifPX7 In this episode of Onchain Economy, Rakuten Wallet Senior… pic.twitter.com/2zOQ7ntuO9