Japanese Bitcoin Initiative 'Aurora' Targets Global Anime Fans With New Payment Platform

Japan Bitcoin Industry Co., Ltd. has introduced a self-custodial Bitcoin payment system aimed at helping domestic companies sell to international fans who face barriers with conventional payment methods.

The company, often shortened to JPI, launched Aurora during the Bitcoin Asia conference in Hong Kong this week. The platform is designed to serve an audience that previously could not be reached.

The core idea is straightforward: Japanese content such as anime, manga and games attracts a huge worldwide following, but the payment infrastructure supporting that content has not kept up.

香港で開催中のbitcoinasiaに当社取締役の加藤( @btc_dakara ) が登壇します。ビットコインとステーブルコインの関係について登壇者の方々とお話しいたします。 https://t.co/8e1aKAvjgv

— 日本ビットコイン産業株式会社 (@JBIinc_bitcoin) August 27, 2026

Aurora intends to bridge that gap by enabling international customers to pay with Bitcoin via the Lightning Network. At the same time, it offers Japanese merchants a straightforward point-of-sale system and an API layer for handling invoicing, payment tracking and integrations.

JBI reports that the overseas market for Japanese anime content was worth ¥2.17 trillion in 2024, a 26% increase from the previous year. Despite this, many fans abroad still cannot pay for streaming subscriptions, digital merchandise and limited-edition releases because of geographic payment restrictions.

The platform was built on the principle that JBI never holds the funds. Every merchant operates its own self-custodial Lightning node, receiving Bitcoin directly from customers.

According to JBI, this arrangement gives businesses a cleaner regulatory standing because the firm does not act as a custodian. Meanwhile, JBI still handles the more demanding operational tasks — node uptime, liquidity, accounting, auditing and conversion to fiat currency — that have historically prevented enterprises from adopting Bitcoin payments independently.

JBI says Aurora builds on experience gained from its existing consumer service, UseBitcoin.jp, which has allowed customers to purchase digital gift cards — such as au PAY, V-Preca and Kyash cards — using Lightning payments for the past two years.

The company is inviting media representatives, potential merchants and wallet providers to meet its team at Bitcoin Asia 2026 in Hong Kong.