worldcoinindex.com
Tokyo-listed Metaplanet is expanding its Bitcoin strategy by launching a venture investment arm and an asset management platform aimed at strengthening Japan’s growing Bitcoin ecosystem.
The company announced Thursday that its board approved the creation of Metaplanet Ventures and Metaplanet Asset Management, along with a plan to deploy approximately $25 million (¥4 billion) over the next two to three years. The funding will target companies developing key Bitcoin financial infrastructure, including lending platforms, payment systems, custody solutions, derivatives tools, and regulatory compliance technology.
According to a corporate filing, the initiative will focus on several programs designed to accelerate the local Bitcoin ecosystem. These include venture investments in early- and growth-stage startups, an incubator aimed at supporting Japanese founders building Bitcoin-focused products, and grants for open-source developers and educational initiatives.
The company said Japan already has a strong regulatory environment for digital assets but now requires a deeper network of companies and builders to develop the underlying infrastructure that can support broader adoption.
Expansion comes amid Bitcoin-driven financial pressure
The move represents a strategic shift for Metaplanet, which has become widely known for aggressively accumulating Bitcoin as part of its treasury strategy.
The firm currently holds roughly 35,102 BTC valued at about $2.4 billion based on recent market prices. However, the value of its holdings has fluctuated alongside the cryptocurrency’s volatility.
Financial disclosures from the company show that Metaplanet reported a full-year loss of approximately $605 million (¥95 billion) on revenue of about $58 million (¥8.9 billion). Much of the decline was tied to a sharp drop in the value of its Bitcoin reserves during the final quarter of the year.
In total, the company has spent nearly $3.8 billion acquiring Bitcoin at an average purchase price of roughly $107,000 per coin, leaving its holdings significantly below cost basis at current prices.
The pressure from falling crypto valuations has also weighed on its stock performance. Shares of Metaplanet recently traded around ¥357 ($2.20), extending a decline of more than 60% over the past six months.
First investment targets Japanese stablecoin issuer
As part of the new venture strategy, Metaplanet Ventures has already signed a letter of intent for its first investment.
The firm plans to invest up to $2.6 million (¥400 million) in JPYC Inc., a Japanese company issuing a yen-backed stablecoin regulated by the country’s Financial Services Agency. The stablecoin is primarily backed by Japanese government bonds.
The investment is expected to close in April, subject to due diligence and final agreements, and will form part of JPYC’s Series B funding round.
New asset management platform
Alongside its venture arm, Metaplanet is also launching Metaplanet Asset Management, a Miami-based platform intended to bridge Asian and Western capital markets. The platform will focus on digital asset credit markets, yield strategies, and derivatives tied to cryptocurrencies.
By expanding into venture investing and asset management, the company aims to diversify its revenue streams while supporting the development of services that could increase activity across the broader Bitcoin network.
If successful, the strategy could position Metaplanet not only as a major corporate Bitcoin holder but also as a key investor in the infrastructure supporting the digital asset economy.