Global Enterprise Expansion with Local Relevance | Featuring Wind River and Rakuten Cloud

April 13, 2026

Rakuten Symphony announced the global integration of Rakuten Cloud-Native Storage with Wind River Cloud Platform, delivering a pre-tested, enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure solution for customers seeking secure, scalable and highly available environments. Wind River and Rakuten Symphony executives discuss the important customer needs being addressed and benefits provided with this new partnership: secure environment, end to end solution, reduced cost of ownership and a lot more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ7W_j4jXmg
 

Japans E-Commerce-Gigant Rakuten integriert den Token XRP in seine Zahlungs- und Loyalty-Infrastruktur. Damit erhalten rund 44 Millionen Nutzer der Rakuten-Pay-App Zugang zu einer der größten Krypto-Implementierungen im globalen Einzelhandel.

Mit der Einführung von XRP als Zahlungsmethode können Kunden künftig bei mehr als fünf Millionen Händlern landesweit direkt mit der Kryptowährung bezahlen. Die Integration erfolgt über die mobile Wallet "Rakuten Pay" sowie die zugehörige Rakuten Wallet.

Die Neuerung geht jedoch über reine Zahlungsfunktionen hinaus. Nutzer können XRP künftig auch direkt innerhalb der App handeln, speichern und in das hauseigene Bezahlsystem "Rakuten Cash" übertragen. Damit verschmilzt Rakuten erstmals Trading, Wallet und Payment vollständig in einer Plattform.

Besonders bemerkenswert ist auch die Verknüpfung mit dem Rakuten-Punktesystem – eines der größten Bonusprogramme weltweit. Über drei Billionen Punkte, umgerechnet rund 23 Milliarden US-Dollar, befinden sich derzeit im Umlauf. Diese können nun direkt in XRP umgewandelt werden.

https://www.wallstreet-online.de/nachricht/...illionen-rakuten-nutzer
 

April 16, 2026

Rakuten Travel has announced the "Rakuten Travel Award 2025," recognizing the top registered accommodation facilities across Japan. Just 0.6% of around 40,000 facilities nationwide were selected for the exclusive gathering, where they celebrated their success alongside Rakuten employees. In addition to the awards, 2025 initiatives were shared at the ceremony, with many hotels emphasizing their focus on AI utilization and DX (digital transformation), with comments such as "switched to advance card payments for all booking sites" and "advanced operational efficiency using AI."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y8NwPl0qxk
 

that it make sence since month:

Rakuten Group Cashes In: Sells AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) Shares for $270 Million - only about 10% of the owner

Rakuten Mobile sold 3.04M shares of ASTS for $270M amid a 289% price surge, despite volatility and ongoing profitability concerns. Upcoming satellite launch noted.

The transactions were split into two separate actions: on April 14, 1,690,000 shares were sold at a weighted average price of $91.42, while the following day saw a further 1,350,000 shares sold at an average of $86.22. Despite the sale, Rakuten retains a considerable stake in AST SpaceMobile, holding 27,980,155 shares.

https://bizbrief.ie/investing/...emobile-asts-shares-for-270-million/
 

Excellent for Cabify – Rakuten has the biggest ownership

Latin America Ride Sharing Market Growth Analysis, Dynamics, Key Players and Innovations, Outlook and Forecast 2026-2034

Published on: 06 April 2026

Latin America Ride Sharing Market Insights

The Latin America ride sharing market size was valued at USD 4.31 billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 5.23 billion in 2025 to USD 17.85 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 19.3% during the forecast period.

Ride sharing involves the use of digital platforms to connect passengers with drivers using their personal vehicles for on-demand transportation services. This model provides a flexible and often more affordable alternative to traditional taxis and car ownership, primarily facilitated through smartphone applications that handle booking, routing, and cashless payments.

The market is experiencing rapid growth due to several factors, including high urbanization rates leading to traffic congestion, increasing smartphone and internet penetration, and a large young population comfortable with digital services. Additionally, economic factors such as the high cost of vehicle ownership and underdeveloped public transport in many cities are driving adoption. Initiatives by key players are also expected to fuel market growth. For instance, companies like Uber and Didi have heavily invested in localized payment solutions and safety features tailored for the region. Cabify, Beat (part of FREE NOW), and local operators like 99 (owned by Didi) are some of the key players that operate in the market with a wide range of service offerings.

https://www.intelmarketresearch.com/...de-sharing-market-market-40198
 

Rakuten Wallet hat XRP in seine Bezahl-App integriert

In Japan öffnet sich für XRP ein gigantischer Massenmarkt. Parallel tickt in Washington die Uhr für eine historische Regulierungsentscheidung. Zwei gewaltige Katalysatoren fallen im April zusammen.
Der Markt reagiert bereits. Aktuell notiert XRP bei 1,45 US-Dollar und verzeichnet auf Wochensicht ein Plus von gut acht Prozent. Damit hat der Token seinen 50-Tage-Durchschnitt bei 1,38 US-Dollar wieder hinter sich gelassen.

Millionenmarkt in Japan

Rakuten Wallet hat XRP in seine Bezahl-App integriert. Damit erhalten 44 Millionen Nutzer direkten Zugang zu der Kryptowährung. Sie können den Token ab sofort an über fünf Millionen Händlerstandorten im Land einsetzen.

Nutzer wandeln ihre Rakuten-Treuepunkte direkt in XRP um. Daraus laden sie ihr digitales Guthaben auf. Der Händler erhält beim Bezahlen automatisch Yen. Er hat somit kein direktes Krypto-Risiko.
Bis zum dritten Quartal 2026 plant Rakuten den nächsten Schritt. Eine direkte Anbindung der eigenen Bank soll den Tausch von Fiatgeld in Krypto für Millionen Bankkunden nahtlos machen.

https://www.kapitalmarktexperten.de/xrp-rakuten-allianz-steht/
 

Rakuten Adds Bank Of America Cards To Portal – Up To $250 ($500 Total On Travel Rewards)

April 17, 2026

Rakuten launched something similar with Chase that was at one point offering $300/30,000 additional points.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/...-america-cards-to-portal-up-to-150/
 

Shiba Inu Gains Ground in Japan as Rakuten Wallet Opens Payment Integration

Shiba Inu expands in Japan as Rakuten Wallet adds SHIB trading and payments, reaching 44M users despite listing delay.

15 April 2026, 06:45 PM

Shiba Inu is moving closer to everyday use in Japan through a major platform expansion. The development links the token to a large consumer ecosystem with millions of active users. It signals a shift from speculative trading toward real-world payments.

Rakuten Wallet Expands SHIB Access to Millions

Rakuten Wallet announced it will list Shiba Inu alongside XRP and XLM. The platform will support SHIB trading against the Japanese yen. It will also enable SHIB as a payment method across its ecosystem.

The company stated that users can buy SHIB using Rakuten Points. They can also convert Rakuten Cash into SHIB for spending. This feature connects the token to over five million merchant locations in Japan.

Rakuten Pay, the firm’s commerce platform, serves about 44 million users. This integration exposes SHIB to a broad audience unfamiliar with crypto. The integration also links SHIB to one of Japan’s largest loyalty systems. Reports indicate that over $23 billion worth of Rakuten Points are in circulation. Users will now be able to earn and spend SHIB through this system.

The Rakuten integration positions Shiba Inu within a real-world payments framework. It combines trading access with practical usage across Japan. While the delayed rollout slows immediate impact, the broader adoption narrative remains active.

https://coinpaper.com/16274/...kuten-wallet-opens-payment-integration

 

The artificial intelligence (AI) in 5G networks market is witnessing significant growth, projected to expand from $3.66 billion in 2025 to $4.85 billion by 2026, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.5%. This surge is driven by the accelerated deployment of 5G infrastructure, heightened demand for network automation, and increased adoption of AI-based traffic management solutions.

The future looks promising, with expectations for the market to reach $14.88 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 32.3%.

Key factors fueling this growth include AI integration for autonomous network operations, the rising need for intelligent network slicing, and investments in AI-driven predictive maintenance and low-latency networks.

Companies: AWS, Google, Microsoft, Samsung, Huawei, IBM, NVIDIA, Cisco, Intel, Oracle, Qualcomm, Ericsson, NEC, Nokia, ZTE, Rakuten, Juniper Networks, Amdocs, Ciena, Splunk, Mavenir, Palantir, AsiaInfo, Spirent, Subex.

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/...5-2030F-2035F.html
 

AST SpaceMobile sets BlueBird 7 satellite launch for april 19

AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) announced its BlueBird 7 satellite is scheduled to launch April 19 from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch window is set for 6:45 a.m. through 8:45 a.m. EDT on Blue Origin's New Glenn-3 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

https://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/...pril+19/26325620.html

 

Rakuten Product Conference 2026: The Agentic Enterprise Unveiled

There is a subtle shift underway in how we speak about AI. For years, the language was about efficiency. Tools that help write, recommend, optimize. Systems that sit alongside human effort, speeding things up, making things smoother. Lately, that framing feels insufficient.
The question today is no longer what AI can do for us. It is what it can do together with us as a proactive assistant.

This is the idea at the heart of the Rakuten Product Conference 2026, the flagship event from Rakuten India, set to take place in Bengaluru, India on April 22, 2026. Framed around what is being called “The Agentic Enterprise,” the conference moves the conversation away from AI as a layer, towards its role as an active participant in decision-making.

At RPC 2026, leaders like Tsubasa Shiraishi, CEO of Rakuten India and Sekhar M K, VP of Rakuten India, will outline how AI is being built not just to respond, but to anticipate and act to support humans. Extending that lens, Anshumani Ruddra of Google will explore what “agentic AI” means in practice, grounding the idea in systems that are beginning to move from instruction to supervised autonomy.
What the Agentic Enterprise looks like in practice
The implications of this shift become clearer in domains where decisions carry weight. In travel, for instance, Dr. Shakti Goel of Yatra Online will examine how the journey from search to booking is being condensed into a single interaction. In entertainment, conversations led by Prashant Paulose, Head of Apps at Google Play and Google TV will unpack how platforms are rebuilding their core around AI that better anticipates what their audience wants, curates what they see and converts interests into engagement.

Infrastructure, too, is part of this evolving story. With participants such as Dr. Shivani Gupta of Reliance Jio and Santhosh Kumar of Mavenir, the conversation will turn to what emerging technologies like 6G might enable, and how latency and scale could redefine how intelligent systems operate.

There is also a distinctly Indian dimension to the proceedings. Ankit Bose of NASSCOM is expected to speak about homegrown AI and the building of national-scale ecosystems, while practitioners like Kaushik Mukherjee of Super.money bring in the realities of taking AI from prototype to production.
Discussing the future of Agentic AI

What binds these threads is a shared direction. Systems are no longer waiting for instructions. AI agents are beginning to act to achieve organization goals.

This shift brings with it critical conversations around accountability, governance and trust. Who is responsible and what is the playbook when decisions are made at scale? Where should the boundaries of responsible AI autonomy sit?

The structure of the conference reflects this shift, moving from a broader view of AI within ecosystems to more focused discussions across sectors. It culminates in a leadership huddle featuring voices such as Mukund Seetharaman of Adani Group and Suvro Shankar Ghosh of Mahindra Group, who will ask what may be the most important question of all: what happens to the organization itself when intelligence is no longer entirely reliant on humans?

https://rakuten.today/blog/...26-the-agentic-enterprise-unveiled.html
 

Insurance coverage is expected to address the loss

AST SpaceMobile (NasdaqGS:ASTS) reported that its BlueBird 7 satellite was deployed into an incorrect orbit on its first commercial launch.

The mission was flown by Blue Origin, and the off target deployment has rendered the satellite unusable for its intended service.

The company stated that BlueBird 7 will be de orbited and that insurance coverage is expected to address the loss.

Management reiterated its broader launch cadence and constellation targets despite the setback.

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/...s-050451324.html
 

Rakuten sold 4,84 million shares April 14 - 16

Except as described in this Schedule 13D/A, during the past 60 days, the Reporting Persons effected the following transactions with respect to Class A Common Stock:

Date: April 14, 2026
Transaction: Sale
Number of Shares: 1,690,000
Average Price Per Share: $91.4194

Date: April 15, 2026
Transaction: Sale
Number of Shares: 1,350,000
Average Price Per Share: $86.2211

Date: April 16, 2026
Transaction: Sale
Number of Shares: 1,900,000
Average Price Per Share: $89.4191

The sales set forth above were effected pursuant to the Trading Plan in open market transactions.

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1780312/...02/primary_doc.xml

 

Rakuten Mobile sold 4.94 million shares

AST SpaceMobile | SCHEDULE 13D/A: Others
SEC· Apr 17 03:24

Summary by Moomoo AI

On April 14, 2026, Rakuten Mobile, Inc. entered into a trading plan with BofA Securities to sell up to 15.5 million shares of AST SpaceMobile Class A Common Stock through open market transactions. The Sale Shares represent approximately 5.3% of outstanding Class A Common Stock and roughly half of Rakuten Mobile's total holdings. Rakuten Mobile currently holds 26.08 million shares (8.9% of outstanding shares) and retains the right to terminate sales at any time, with no assurance that all shares will be sold. Between April 14-16, 2026, Rakuten Mobile sold 4.94 million shares at average prices ranging from $86.22 to $91.42 per share pursuant to the Trading Plan.

https://www.moomoo.com/news/notice/306951601/...cket=1776702728404550
 

Rakuten: Value Hidden Behind A Telecom Overhang

Apr 02, 2026

https://seekingalpha.com/article/...-hidden-behind-a-telecom-overhang
 

Panel Discussion: Rakuten Open Partner Ecosystem

April 20, 2026

Rakuten Symphony's SVP, Partner and Portfolio Management, SK is joined by leaders from Tech Mahindra and TCS in a panel discussion as they discuss some of the many benefits they are able to deliver to end consumers by utilising Rakuten's Open Partner Ecosystem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvhwjPbYd9I
 

Rakuten Symphony Selected for METI Grant to Accelerate Open RAN and RIC Deployment in the Global South
- Implementing large-scale Open RAN and RIC demonstrations in seven Global South countries

Tokyo, April 21, 2026 – Rakuten Symphony today announced its selection for a grant from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), designed to accelerate the deployment of Open RAN and RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) technologies and address critical infrastructure challenges across the Global South. The grant was awarded with funding through contributions to the AEM-METI Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC) under METI’s Subsidy Program for Future-Oriented Co-creation Projects with the Global South (Large-Scale Demonstrations in ASEAN Member Countries) and the METI-subsidized program, Future-Oriented Co-creation Projects with the Global South (Large-Scale Demonstrations in Non-ASEAN Member Countries). Rakuten Symphony’s selection was made during the second public offering of the program for its Demonstration Project on Radio Access Network (RAN) Control Optimization Technology Using AI and Machine Learning.

Under this project, Rakuten Symphony will lead extensive demonstrations of Open RAN and RIC, its AI-driven management and control component, in the Global South, which includes countries in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa. The goal is to test and validate the effectiveness and reliability of these advanced network solutions within diverse commercial environments, accelerating the global adoption of Open RAN and RIC. Rakuten Mobile will participate as a key collaborating partner.

The Global South currently faces a range of challenges in telecommunications infrastructure. These include significant disparities in network access, delayed development in geographically complex areas such as islands and mountainous regions, escalating recovery costs from natural disasters, aging legacy infrastructure, substantial investments required for 5G migration and insufficient power infrastructure. Through this project, Rakuten Symphony is committed to addressing these critical issues and fostering more resilient and efficient communication networks.

Project Title: Demonstration Project on Radio Access Network Control Optimization Technology Using AI and Machine Learning

Demonstrations in ASEAN Member Countries and Non-ASEAN Member Countries

The demonstration project will span a total of seven countries: three ASEAN member states (Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia) and four non-ASEAN nations (India, Kuwait, Bolivia and Paraguay). In each country, Rakuten Symphony will deploy virtualized Open RAN networks comprising approximately 100 base stations. These networks will then be utilized for comprehensive RIC validation.

METI has allocated a maximum subsidy of 8 billion yen in total for demonstrations within ASEAN and non-ASEAN member countries. This substantial government funding will enable large-scale demonstrations to be implemented simultaneously, with around 100 base stations deployed in each participating nation. By conducting trials of this scale, Rakuten Symphony aims to quantitatively demonstrate the benefits of deploying RIC, thereby facilitating early commercialization in these markets. This marks Rakuten Symphony’s first such large-scale demonstration in an overseas market.

Rakuten Mobile, in close collaboration with Rakuten Symphony and with the ongoing support of the Japanese government, has been at the forefront of advancing virtualized Open RAN network capabilities. By conducting large-scale overseas demonstrations that include RIC, this project will significantly enhance Open RAN integration*5, advance the "co-creation with the Global South" initiative promoted by the Japanese government, and expand Open RAN adoption and market share globally. Additionally, the project is anticipated to generate new business models for foreign investment in communication infrastructure, enhance international competitiveness, strengthen economic security and improve the autonomy of essential social infrastructure.

Through this pioneering project, Rakuten Symphony is dedicated to leveraging innovative technologies to address critical challenges in communication infrastructure, ultimately enhancing network efficiency and quality worldwide.

https://symphony.rakuten.com/newsroom/...ployment-in-the-global-south

 

Rakuten Group will hold the “Special Coupon WEEK” campaign on its  travel booking website “Rakuten Travel” from 10:00 a.m. on April 20 to 9:59 a.m. on May 1 (Japan time).

Travel & Transportation

Domestic hotel stays will be discounted by up to 30%, leisure activities and experiences by up to 10%, and the “Raku Pack” transportation plus accommodation package by 4,000 yen.

The eligible stay period for domestic accommodation is from April 20, 2026 to March 31, 2027, and the eligible travel period for “Raku Pack” is from April 21, 2026 to January 31, 2027 (return date).

https://en.traicy.com/posts/2026042034863/
 

Japan Quick Commerce Databook Report 2026: Market to Reach $11.09 Billion by 2029 - Uber Eats, Demae-can, and Rakuten Lead as Major Retailers Scale Hyper-Local Fulfillment Partnerships

Mon, April 20, 2026

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/...t-152200607.html
 

Rakuten Medical hat die Serie-F-Finanzierung in Höhe von 100 Millionen US-Dollar abgeschlossen

2026-04-10 06:44

https://eu.36kr.com/de/p/3739134628020484
 

Japanese technology company, Rakuten, is investing in Northern Ireland

20 April, 2026

The company is establishing a new Global Cybersecurity Operations team in Belfast to safeguard its digital infrastructure and customer data across its worldwide operations.

Rakuten decided to locate the team in its existing Belfast office thanks to our world class talent pool and strong track record of its team in Belfast.

This project aligns with our business strategy, building a strong and prosperous local economy through business investment.

https://www.investni.com/media-centre/news/...esting-northern-ireland
 

Pros and Cons of Switching to Rakuten Mobile: The 2026 Ultimate Guide

April 18, 2026

Are you worried about switching to Rakuten Mobile? As of 2026, with the full-scale deployment of the Platinum Band, the “poor connectivity” stigma is a thing of the past.

https://mobile-contract-guide.com/en/...uten-mobile-pros-cons-2026-en

 

Der größte Aktionär von AST SpaceMobile, Rakuten Mobile, hat seine Meldung zur Beteiligung aktualisiert, um einen neuen Handelsplan sowie kürzlich erfolgte Aktienverkäufe offenzulegen. Rakuten Mobile hält wirtschaftlich 26.080.155 Aktien der Class A Common Stock, was 8,9% des Unternehmens entspricht, basierend auf 292.637.039 ausstehenden Aktien per 26. Februar 2026.

Im Rahmen eines Handelsplans vom 14. April 2026 mit BofA Securities kann Rakuten Mobile bis zu 15.510.077 Aktien in Transaktionen im offenen Markt verkaufen, also etwa 5,3% der ausstehenden Class-A-Aktien und ungefähr die Hälfte seiner Bestände. Die ersten Verkäufe im Rahmen dieses Plans beliefen sich auf 4.940.000 Aktien über drei Tage zu durchschnittlichen Preisen zwischen $86,2211 und $91,4194 je Aktie.
https://www.stocktitan.net/sec-filings/ASTS/...port-30a640a9acab.html
 

Rakuten Mobile’s journey to autonomy traces back to 26 year old academic research

By Elizabeth Coyne  Apr 21, 2026

https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/...year-old-academic-research
 

Rakuten Mobile is cheap, but signal isn’t poor

Is “Rakuten Mobile Doesn’t Connect” a Thing of the Past? A Thorough Verification of 2026 Platinum Band Data and Connectivity in Subways and Rural Areas

April 20, 2026

“Rakuten Mobile is cheap, but isn’t the signal poor?” Many people hesitate to switch due to this concern. However, as of 2026, Rakuten Mobile’s communication environment has undergone a dramatic evolution.

The area coverage issue, long considered its “weak point,” is becoming a thing of the past thanks to the full-scale operation of the Platinum Band and the groundwork for satellite communication. In this article, we thoroughly verify the latest 2026 signal conditions based on actual measurement data and user reviews.

Summary: Time to Let Go of the “Doesn’t Connect” Stereotype

In conclusion, Rakuten Mobile in 2026 has completely shed its former label of “not connecting.” If you are paying high fees to other companies just because you are worried about the signal, it might be a wasted choice. First, check the official area map to see if your living area is covered.

https://mobile-contract-guide.com/en/...g%2520area%2520is%2520covered