Japanese E-commerce Giant Mercari to Give Away Bitcoin in Promotion Drive

In a recent announcement, the Japanese e-commerce heavyweight Mercari revealed its exciting plan to give away Bitcoin (BTC) as part of a new promotional campaign. The firm’s crypto subsidiary, Mercoin, is spearheading this initiative, aiming to boost adoption and attract more users to its Bitcoin trading service.

Invitation Campaign: Incentivizing Users

Mercari’s campaign, which runs until July 31, encourages users to invite others to the platform. Both the inviter and the invitee will receive 200 yen (approximately $0.12) worth of Bitcoin for each successful referral. There’s no limit to the number of people users can invite, making it an attractive opportunity for crypto enthusiasts.

Celebrity Endorsement and Rising Adoption

To promote the launch of its BTC services, Mercari enlisted top celebrities, including former pro wrestler Riki Choshu and actress-singer Haruka Shimazaki, in a captivating commercial. Despite being a relative latecomer to the Japanese crypto exchange sector, Mercari has achieved remarkable success. As of May 30, it boasts over 2.2 million cryptocurrency users—the highest number in the industry.

Integration with Online Flea Market Business

Mercari initially unveiled its Bitcoin trading service features in March 2023. However, this year, the company strategically integrated crypto services with its core “online flea market” business. Customers can now use their Bitcoin holdings to purchase goods directly on the Mercari platform, enhancing the overall user experience.

Ethereum (ETH) Features and Future Prospects

Not stopping at Bitcoin, Mercari has also introduced similar features for Ethereum (ETH). Users can swap loyalty points for Ethereum tokens, and vendors have the option to receive ETH instead of fiat currency during transactions.