Bic Camera officially starts accepting Bitcoin, triggering a frenzy of media coverage in Japan

Last Friday (April 7), Japanese consumer electronics retail giant Bic Camera officially began accepting Bitcoin payments at two stores in Tokyo. According to reports, 28 media personnel were present to cover the important event. Bitflyer, the Bitcoin exchange that provides Bitcoin payment services for the two stores, also launched an event to give Bitcoin to customers who use Bitflyer wallets to pay for purchases.

Bic Camera officially starts accepting Bitcoin payments Image source: Golden Finance

Bic Camera becomes first store to accept Bitcoin payments

Bic Camera becomes the first Bitcoin payment store Image source: Golden Finance

Bitcoin.com recently reported on a partnership between Bitcoin exchange Bitflyer and Bic Camera, which have teamed up to allow two stores in Tokyo to accept Bitcoin payments. Starting last Friday, customers can use Bitcoin to pay at the Bic Camera store in Yurakucho and at the Bicqlo Shinjuku East Exit store. The latter is a comprehensive wholesale mall that Bic Camera has teamed up with the giant casual clothing designer, manufacturer, and retailer Uniqlo. Bic Camera executives said that more and more stores are also beginning to accept Bitcoin.

According to Bic Camera’s Bitcoin payment brochure:

“You can pay up to 100,000 yen worth of Bitcoin at a time. And you can pay with other payment methods along with Bitcoin payments.”

Just like paying with cash, customers can collect reward points by paying with Bitcoin.
The event has been picked up by major Japanese media outlets, including the Nikkei and Asahi newspapers, as well as numerous media publications around the world. In addition, Japan’s national public broadcaster NHK also ran a segment on the event. Bic Camera executives expect foreign tourists to be the first to use bitcoin payments, but the number of local users is expected to “eventually rise,” NHK reported.
Ken Shishiduo, organizer of the Tokyo Bitcoin meetup, described the Bic Camera store as a “sweet spot for electronics shopping.” During Friday’s event, Yuzo Kano, CEO of Bitcoin exchange Bitflyer, was speaking to the crowd and, according to Shishido, “was surrounded by 28 media outlets at Bic Camera.”
Bitcoin exchange Bitflyer is giving away Bitcoin

Bitcoin exchange Bitflyer gives away Bitcoins Image source: Golden Finance

Bitcoin exchange Bitflyer also launched a campaign to give away bitcoins to customers who use their Bitflyer wallets at the two Bic Camera stores starting last Friday. The company explained that from April 7 to 19, Bitflyer will give away 500 yen (RMB 31) worth of bitcoins to the first 200 customers who use their Bitflyer wallets.
In addition, at the same time, Bitflyer will also promote its "Bitwire Shop" e-commerce service, allowing customers to accept Bitcoin on their own websites. As long as you have an e-commerce website or blog, insert the Bitwire Shop URL and anyone can use Bitcoin to pay. During this event, the company will also give away 500 yen worth of Bitcoin to 200 people who register on Bitwire Shop ver2.1, and these winners will also have the opportunity to have their portraits drawn.
For both Bitcoin giveaways, winners will receive their Bitcoins within 5 business days of the end of the campaign.