Share this article
Hitachi Tests Private Blockchain for Rewards Points
Japan's Hitachi is working on a new blockchain test, one that explores how the tech could power its rewards points program.
By Pete Rizzo
Updated Sep 11, 2021, 1:06 p.m. Published Feb 23, 2017, 4:00 p.m.
One of Japan's oldest and largest conglomerates is now testing blockchain for rewards points.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
According to a blog post from project partner Tech Bureau today, the new trial finds Hitachi exploring how blockchain could be incorporated into its 'PointInfinity' program, a product launched in 2006 that enables its merchants to incentivize and collect data on avid customers.
The test began on 9th February, and will progress with the goal of determining whether a private blockchain could meet the demands of a high-volume transaction system, the post said.
In statements, Tech Bureau CEO Takao Asayama said that he believes the trial could help boost the perception of what he believes could be a powerful use case in Japan, one that he believes appeals to customers and corporates.
Asayama told CoinDesk:
"Since our Mijin blockchain has been tested by banks and other financial services, and proven that it can be applied for ledger systems, Hitachi decided to test our mijin to use it as a ledger engine for their own product."
Asayama went on to project that the use of a blockchain as a distribution mechanism for rewards points could yield big results for enterprise users.
"Our blockchain would help their product to reduce its running cost by over 90%," he said.
For Hitachi, the move marks its latest foray into the industry, following its 2016 announcement that it would explore blockchain applications for its various business lines.
Since then, Hitachi has teamed with Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ on a blockchain e-check trial.
For Tech Bureau, this marks the firm's latest enterprise partnership following its $6.5m funding Series A in 2016. The Osaka-based startup oversees a cryptocurrency exchange (Zaif) permissioned blockchain platform (Mijin), aimed at enterprise markets.
Metal keys image via Shutterstock
More For You
What to know:
- As of October 2025, GoPlus has generated $4.7M in total revenue across its product lines. The GoPlus App is the primary revenue driver, contributing $2.5M (approx. 53%), followed by the SafeToken Protocol at $1.7M.
- GoPlus Intelligence's Token Security API averaged 717 million monthly calls year-to-date in 2025 , with a peak of nearly 1 billion calls in February 2025. Total blockchain-level requests, including transaction simulations, averaged an additional 350 million per month.
- Since its January 2025 launch , the $GPS token has registered over $5B in total spot volume and $10B in derivatives volume in 2025. Monthly spot volume peaked in March 2025 at over $1.1B , while derivatives volume peaked the same month at over $4B.
More For You
ETH, ADA, XRP Lead Gains as Bitcoin Edges Higher on Fed Rate Cut Expectations
Asian equities opened the week slightly higher ahead of a heavy run of central bank decisions, including a Federal Reserve meeting where markets have largely priced in a 25-basis-point rate cut.
What to know:
- Bitcoin traded above $91,300 as Asian equities opened higher, with markets anticipating a Federal Reserve rate cut.
- Bitcoin rose 2% in 24 hours, facing resistance near $94,000, while Ether gained 3% to $3,135.
- Despite crypto market gains, sentiment remains cautious, with potential for a deeper slowdown without new liquidity.
Top Stories
