Newly licensed Japanese cryptocurrency exchange DeCurret has revealed a new design for a cryptocurrency payment system, and hinted that the country’s largest rail operator East Japan Railway Company (commonly known as JR East) is considering crypto capabilities for Suica – its contactless smart card for public transport and electronic purchases.

DeCurret’s president, board member, and representative director Kazuhiro Tokita was reported by Japanese crypto media as having made a business presentation on its new payment system in Tokyo on March 27. It is understood that the system will allow Suica users the option to top it up through crypto.

DeCurrent is one of the latest companies in Japan to be licensed as a virtual currency exchange service provider, TheCryptoSight reported, along with online retail giant Rakuten. DeCurret began accepting account openings on March 27, and will launch spot trading services from April 16.

At present, there are no known firm plans or further details about the possibility of incorporating DeCurret’s payment system into Suica. JR East is supposedly only at the consideration stage on the idea.

The company is Japan’s largest of seven rail operators in the country. Its portfolio has expanded over time to include retail, corporate, and hotel operations, while its subsidiaries also run buses, and food kiosks for train stations.

JR East’s 2018 annual report noted that (as of March 31, 2018) 69.4 million Suica cards have been issued. Its highest number of transactions made in a single day stands at 6.6 million.

Suica first began as Tokyo’s public transport smart card, but has since expanded in use and scope virtually nationwide. It is commonly used for making quick purchases at places like convenience stores, food kiosks, and vending machines. Almost half a million stores in Japan (476,300 to be exact) accept Suica payments.

With such large circulation and wide acceptance, this can only majorly drive common, everyday use of crypto in Japan should Suica indeed take on crypto capabilities in a country that has been open towards blockchain.