LeapRate has learned that digital cross-border payments provider Payoneer has hired the CEO of the Groupon Japan unit of Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN), Satoru Nemoto, to be its new Japan Country Manager.
Payoneer recently raised a $180 million VC round led by late stage venture capital investor Technology Crossover Ventures (TCV), aimed at expanding the company’s cross-border payments platform and accelerating global growth.
Payoneer had already teed up its expansion in Japan last year, via a partnership announced with Japanese eCommerce giant Rakuten, allowing merchants from all over the world to sell on Rakuten.com and get paid in their local currency.
Under Mr. Nemoto’s direction, Payoneer apparently plans a fairly aggressive expansion in the Japanese market, serving both importers to and exporters from the country, making it easier for them to receive and make payments internationally.