Shiba Inu Coin Gets Premium Physical Makeover In Japan

Rakuten Wallet Adds Shiba Inu to Its Physical Collectible Lineup

Japanese tech giant Rakuten Wallet has unveiled a physical Shiba Inu ($SHIB) commemorative coin, marking the fifth entry in its branded Real Coin series. Unlike previous releases in the series, which included Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP, the Shiba Inu coin is the first to use sandblasting technology, known as a blast finish. The result is a premium matte texture and unique tactile properties that earned the souvenir 100% approval from the company's employees during internal office testing.

The coin is a souvenir item, not a blockchain asset. Rakuten Wallet framed it as part of its offline engagement strategy, where users can see and handle crypto-themed replicas at events.

A Retail Push Aimed at 44 Million Users

Rakuten Wallet is launching the physical Shiba Inu souvenir coins for its 44 million users to promote offline retail interaction, with the metal coins set to be given away for free at events. The firm believes that introducing metal keepsake coins could help cautious Japanese consumers become more comfortable with crypto assets.

Millions of Japanese users can also convert their loyalty points, known as Rakuten Points, into SHIB and spend them through the Rakuten Pay payment system at 5 million retail locations across the country. Rakuten is seeking to establish itself as the country's leading retail gateway before major investment funds are legally allowed to enter the market.

The physical coin campaign also sharpens Rakuten's rivalry with domestic competitors. Mercari has already integrated SHIB trading into its consumer-to-consumer app, allowing 23 million customers to buy the token from as little as 1 yen. According to Mercoin's financial reporting, this approach helped it attract 4 million users, and for 85% of them, it was their first experience with digital assets.

The broader push into meme token retail sits on firm regulatory ground. Japan's Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association (JVCEA) officially recognised SHIB as an approved asset in November 2025, clearing the way for broader commercial and promotional usage of the token. Last month, Japan's House of Representatives also passed a bill that moves crypto regulation from the Payment Services Act to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.

Sources:
U.Today: Japan's E-Commerce Giant Rakuten to Give Away Physical Shiba Inu Coins to 44 Million Users
Crypto.news: SHIB Gains Japan Retail Push Through Rakuten Wallet
CoinTurk: SHIB Enters the World of Physical Coins in Japan