Japan: what RedotPay's official notice says
RedotPay's help center carries a notice for Japan residents, "Notice to RedotPay users in Japan", written in Japanese (updated October 20, 2026; checked November 3, 2026). It says:
The notice gives no date for when cards stop working or how long balances can be withdrawn, and as of November 3, 2026 we found no follow-up notice with a schedule. Bloomingbit also reported the BTCBOX acquisition on October 24, 2026. We also could not find the RedotPay iOS app in the Japanese App Store on November 3, 2026, while it was still listed in the US and Hong Kong stores.
Japan is still absent from all four of RedotPay's restriction lists (see below). The Japan stop was announced in a separate notice, not by a list update, so a country missing from the lists does not mean you can sign up there.
If you already use RedotPay in Japan
RedotPay says existing services will be restricted step by step and then ended, without dates. These steps help you avoid being caught out when the schedule is announced:
- Watch the in-app notices and your registered email. RedotPay says details will follow and asks users with questions to contact support through the app or its website.
- Keep only the balance you need. Top up only what you plan to spend, and check now how withdrawals work and what they cost, since RedotPay has not said which features stop when.
- Save your balance and transaction history. You may lose access to the history in the app once service ends, and records of crypto sales and card payments can be needed for Japanese tax filings.
- Do not re-register with a foreign address or another person's identity. KYC details that do not match reality can lead to account restrictions or a freeze, which can leave your balance stuck.
The notice does not say whether already-registered Japan residents can still apply for a new card. If an application screen still appears, remember that RedotPay treats a paid card application as final and non-refundable, and the service is due to end.
What was reported about South Korea
Seoul Economic Daily reported the halt on September 15, 2026 in its Korean and English editions, citing financial industry sources, and the crypto outlet Bloomingbit carried it the same day. The reports say:
Seoul Economic Daily also reported about 25,000 RedotPay app downloads in South Korea between January 2025 and the end of July 2026, the most among the major crypto cards it tracked. As of November 3, 2026, we found no announcement of the Korea halt on RedotPay's website or help center, and no report that issuance has resumed.
Timeline: Japan, South Korea, the official lists and Apple Pay
"RedotPay stopped working" stories often mix the Japan notice, the Korea halt and the earlier Apple Pay change. This timeline keeps them apart and marks where each fact comes from.
| Date | Event | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | New physical cards paused in South Korea; virtual cards still available. Physical issuance resumed a few months later. | Media report (recounted on September 15, 2026) |
| August 22, 2025 | New Apple Pay additions suspended after Apple reviewed Hong Kong card programs; cards already in Apple Pay kept working. | RedotPay help center |
| July 21, 2026 | Last update of the Card Delivery Restrictions list. | RedotPay help center |
| July 26, 2026 | Last update of the Apple Pay card-upgrade article (app 3.0.1 or later). | RedotPay help center |
| August 28, 2026 | Last update of the Unsupported Countries, Card Issuance and Location-Based Access lists, before the Korea halt was reported. | RedotPay help center |
| September 7, 2026 | Korean affiliate program with partners and influencers ended. | Media report |
| September 15, 2026 | Reports that new physical and virtual card issuance has stopped in South Korea. | Media report |
| October 20, 2026 (help center update) | Notice to Japan residents: new registration and app distribution in Japan stopped; existing services to be gradually restricted and ended; BTCBOX acquisition announced. | RedotPay help center |
| October 24, 2026 | Reports of RedotPay's acquisition of BTCBOX Co., Ltd. | Media report |
| November 2, 2026 | Unsupported Countries/Regions list updated; neither Japan nor South Korea listed. | RedotPay help center |
| November 3, 2026 | We checked the Japan notice and all four lists: no end-of-service schedule; Japan and South Korea not listed. | Our check |
Why the official restriction lists did not show it
RedotPay publishes four country lists in its help center. We checked all four on November 3, 2026. Neither Japan nor South Korea is on any of them; the only entry containing "Korea" is North Korea. The Japan stop was published as a separate notice, and the Korea halt appeared in the app's application screen.
| Official list | What it blocks | Japan | South Korea | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unsupported Countries/Regions | KYC and service use for citizens of listed countries | Not listed | Not listed | November 2, 2026 |
| Card Issuance Restrictions | Virtual and physical cards for residents; billing addresses | Not listed | Not listed | August 28, 2026 |
| Location-Based Access Restrictions | App access from listed locations | Not listed | Not listed | August 28, 2026 |
| Card Delivery Restrictions | Physical card shipping | Not listed | Not listed | July 21, 2026 |
The Card Issuance Restrictions list includes the United States, Mainland China, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Turkey, Morocco, Nepal, Russia, Ukraine, Iran and a number of sanctioned or restricted jurisdictions. If you live in one of those, no invite or workaround changes that.
Two conclusions follow:
- Being absent from the lists does not guarantee that RedotPay will accept you. Japan's stop came in a separate notice and South Korea's halt appeared in the app's application screen, neither as a list update.
- The lists are still worth checking first, because if your country is on them the answer is already no.
For the full country and document checks, see RedotPay supported countries and KYC documents.
Earlier reports about Japan, and other countries
Before the October 2026 notice, Japanese blogs and social posts described a temporary pause and later resumption of physical cards for Japanese residents in 2025. We found no RedotPay announcement for that, and the posts disagree on timing and scope, so we treat it as unverified. The October 2026 notice is a different matter: it is an official announcement that Japan service as a whole is being ended. As of November 3, 2026, we found no report or official notice of a similar stop in another country besides Japan and South Korea.
Not the same as the Apple Pay problem
Some "RedotPay stopped" searches are really about Apple Pay. RedotPay's help center says that, after Apple reviewed Hong Kong "Cards-as-a-Service" programs, new Apple Pay additions were suspended from August 22, 2025, while cards already in Apple Pay kept working. RedotPay's later article (updated July 26, 2026) describes a free card upgrade: update the app to version 3.0.1 or later, open Card, tap Upgrade, and add the new card, which gets a new number, CVV and 3-year expiry, to Apple Wallet. The upgrade prompt is sent to eligible users gradually.
That is unrelated to the Japan notice and the South Korea issuance halt. If Apple Pay is your problem, follow RedotPay Apple Pay not working.
Three checks in the app before paying a card fee
Japan and South Korea show that a regional stop can arrive by notice or in the app before any list changes. If you live outside Japan and are still able to sign up, confirm these before you fund your balance. Japan residents can no longer register.
Open Card and see whether you can proceed with a virtual or physical card. If you get a message that applications are unavailable in your region, save the screen and ask RedotPay support.
Make your country of residence, address and ID document consistent and complete KYC before applying for a card. Mismatches are a common reason verification stalls.
The card fee (10 USD virtual, 100 USD physical) is deducted from your balance when the card is issued, the 5 USDs sign-up reward cannot pay it, and a paid virtual card application cannot be canceled or refunded.
If card issuance stops where you live
- If you have not applied yet: do not send funds just to pay a card fee. Wait for in-app notices or a reply from RedotPay support.
- If you live in Japan: new registration has stopped and existing service is due to end, so plan for another card now. See crypto cards for Japan residents.
- If you already have a card in South Korea: the Korean reports cover new issuance only. Watch the in-app notices for anything about existing cards and avoid keeping more balance than you need.
- Do not misstate your country or use someone else's identity: a mismatch between your KYC details and reality can lead to account restrictions or a freeze, and you may not be able to withdraw your balance.
- Do not rely on one card: compare an alternative such as the KAST card or Tria card so that one issuer's policy change does not leave you without a way to pay.
Before you fund or pay for Pro: pitfalls during a halt
A halt turns small, normally harmless steps into money you cannot get back. Each rule below is from RedotPay's help center, rechecked on October 19, 2026. They matter most to readers outside Japan who can still apply.
- The card fee is final. The 10 USD virtual or 100 USD physical fee is taken from your balance when the card is issued, the 5 USDs welcome reward cannot pay it, and a paid virtual card application cannot be canceled or refunded.
- RedotPay Pro is non-refundable. The monthly plan (12.90 USD) waives the 10 USD virtual card fee once; the annual plan (129 USD) waives the 100 USD physical card fee once. RedotPay says the free physical card voucher does not expire once issued, but it is only worth something if your Card screen lets you apply.
- Pro cashback needs a working card. The 3% cashback is paid in USDs, capped at 18 USDs a month, expires after 30 days and can only be used for card transactions.
- Auto-renewal charges 48 hours before expiry. If you are on Pro and cannot use a card, turn off auto-renewal under Manage membership; you keep the benefits until the current expiry date.
- Do not edit your identity details to get around a halt. RedotPay allows identity details to be updated only once every 180 days, and details that do not match reality can lead to account restrictions or a freeze.
If you can apply: 129 − 100 = 29 USD for the rest of the year's Pro benefits. If the Card screen says applications are unavailable: 129 USD paid, nothing to apply the voucher to until issuance resumes.
12.90 − 10 = 2.90 USD more than paying the fee directly, and only if you can apply that month.
Screenshot it with the app version and date, keep the support ticket number, and note your balance before and after any payment.
How solid is each fact on this page?
The Japan notice and the four restriction lists were checked on November 3, 2026; card fees and RedotPay Pro terms on October 19, 2026; the Apple Pay articles on October 1, 2026.
FAQ
Has RedotPay stopped in Japan?
In stages. RedotPay's help center notice "Notice to RedotPay users in Japan" (updated October 20, 2026) says new member registration in Japan has stopped and the RedotPay app has been removed from the Japanese App Store and Google Play. Services for existing Japan-resident users will be gradually restricted and eventually ended. RedotPay says details will follow; as of November 3, 2026 we found no announced dates.
Can I still sign up for RedotPay from Japan?
No. New member registration for Japan residents has stopped, so a Japan resident cannot open a new RedotPay account or get a new card. Japan is still not on any of RedotPay's four restriction lists as of November 3, 2026, but the Japan notice applies regardless of the lists. Do not register with a foreign address or someone else's identity: KYC details that do not match reality can lead to a restricted or frozen account.
Why is RedotPay ending its service in Japan?
RedotPay says the RedotPay group does not hold Japan's crypto-asset exchange registration or other required business registrations, and that its current service for Japan residents does not meet Japanese regulatory requirements. It says it has acquired BTCBOX Co., Ltd., a registered Japanese crypto exchange, which is preparing services that comply with Japanese law. No details or start date had been given as of November 3, 2026.
I already use RedotPay in Japan. What should I do?
RedotPay says existing services will be gradually restricted and eventually ended, with details to follow. Watch the in-app notices and the email linked to your account, keep only the balance you need, check how to withdraw, and save your balance and transaction history, which you may need for tax records. RedotPay asks users with questions to contact support through the app or its website.
Did RedotPay stop issuing cards in South Korea?
According to Korean media, yes. Seoul Economic Daily and Bloomingbit reported on September 15, 2026 that RedotPay had stopped issuing both physical and virtual cards to users in South Korea, and the app tells applicants that card applications are temporarily unavailable in their region. RedotPay has not explained why, and as of November 3, 2026 we found no official announcement or report of a resumption.
Can existing RedotPay cards in South Korea still be used?
The reports describe a halt to new card issuance and do not say whether cards already issued are affected. We could not confirm the status of existing Korean cards from an official source as of November 3, 2026, so check the in-app notices if you already hold a card.
Are Japan or South Korea on RedotPay's restricted country lists?
No. As of November 3, 2026, neither appears on RedotPay's four official lists: Unsupported Countries/Regions (updated November 2, 2026), Card Issuance Restrictions, Location-Based Access Restrictions and Card Delivery Restrictions. The only Korea entry is North Korea. The Japan stop was announced in a separate notice and the Korea halt appeared in the app's application screen, so the lists alone do not show whether you can sign up.
Should I buy RedotPay Pro to get a free card while issuance is paused?
Not for the card alone. RedotPay says membership fees are non-refundable. The monthly plan (12.90 USD) waives the 10 USD virtual card fee once and the annual plan (129 USD) waives the 100 USD physical card fee once. The physical card voucher does not expire, but it only has value if your Card screen lets you apply. For Japan residents, whose service is due to end, paying for Pro to get a card makes little sense.
Is the RedotPay Apple Pay problem related to the Japan or Korea stop?
No. It is a separate issue. RedotPay says new Apple Pay additions were suspended from August 22, 2025 after Apple reviewed Hong Kong card programs. Its help center, updated July 26, 2026, describes a free card upgrade in app version 3.0.1 or later that issues a new card which can be added to Apple Wallet.
Sources checked
Japan notice and restriction lists checked on November 3, 2026; card fees and RedotPay Pro terms on October 19, 2026; Apple Pay articles on October 1, 2026. The Japan notice, restriction lists, Apple Pay changes and card fees come from RedotPay's help center. The South Korea halt comes from media reports, not an official RedotPay announcement. If RedotPay publishes an official notice, it takes precedence over this page.