Last updated on May 12th, 2026 at 08:19 pm
Tokyo-based Bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet has launched a new venture arm aimed at accelerating the development of Bitcoin-focused financial infrastructure in Japan, positioning itself for a future where the country could formally recognize Bitcoin as a regulated financial asset.
The company announced Thursday that it has established Metaplanet Ventures, a dedicated venture firm designed to fund, incubate and scale startups building infrastructure around Bitcoin and the broader crypto ecosystem in Japan.
*Notice Regarding Establishment of Metaplanet Ventures K.K.* pic.twitter.com/PlaaRJ220M
— Metaplanet Inc. (@Metaplanet) March 12, 2026
Metaplanet said the initiative aligns with expectations that Japan could reclassify Bitcoin as a regulated financial asset by January 2028, a move that could significantly expand institutional participation and innovation in the sector.
The venture arm will operate through three core programs: investment, incubation and grants, targeting companies developing regulated financial tools and services within the digital asset ecosystem.
$25M fund to back Bitcoin infrastructure startups
Metaplanet plans to allocate 4 billion Japanese yen (around $25.2 million) over the next two to three years to support early and growth-stage companies building Bitcoin-related infrastructure.
The investment program will primarily target startups developing payment, lending, and financial services solutions on the Lightning Network, a layer-2 protocol that enables faster, cheaper Bitcoin transactions.
Beyond Bitcoin-native applications, the firm signalled openness to backing companies working on stablecoins, derivatives trading platforms, digital asset custody solutions and tokenization infrastructure.
Metaplanet said the funding will come from cash flows generated through its Bitcoin income strategy. The company operates a derivatives-based approach that generates revenue by writing cash-secured put options, allowing it to collect premium income while committing to purchase Bitcoin at predetermined prices if the market declines.
According to the company, this strategy generated around $58 million in revenue in FY2025, helping fund expansion initiatives such as the new venture program.
Bitcoin accumulation strategy remains core focus
Despite the expansion into venture investment, Metaplanet emphasized that accumulating Bitcoin remains central to its long-term strategy.
The company currently holds 35,102 BTC, valued at roughly $2.44 billion, making it one of the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holders. Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich and board director Shinpei Okuno will serve as representatives of the new venture arm. Earlier this year, the company outlined an ambitious goal to accumulate 210,000 BTC, about 1% of Bitcoin’s maximum supply by the end of 2027.
Enjoyed this piece? Bookmark DeFi Planet, explore related topics, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and CoinMarketCap Community for seamless access to high-quality industry insights.
“Take control of your crypto portfolio with MARKETS PRO, DeFi Planet’s suite of analytics tools.”
