Metaplanet Expands Its Bitcoin Strategy by Funding Japan’s Next Wave of Crypto Startups

Japan’s corporate embrace of Bitcoin is entering a new phase as Metaplanet moves beyond accumulation and into venture investment. The Tokyo-based company, already one of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin globally, has launched a dedicated venture capital arm aimed at accelerating the development of Bitcoin infrastructure and startups within Japan’s growing digital asset ecosystem.

The new entity, Metaplanet Ventures K.K., will focus on supporting companies and developers building financial products and services tied to Bitcoin. The initiative reflects a broader strategic vision inside the company, which believes that regulatory shifts could soon redefine Bitcoin’s place in Japan’s financial system. Executives anticipate that the cryptocurrency could be formally classified as a regulated financial asset by early 2028, a move that would reshape how institutions participate in the sector.

Rather than operating as a traditional venture capital firm alone, the initiative will combine several pathways for supporting innovation. Metaplanet Ventures plans to run three complementary programs. One will provide direct investments to startups ranging from early seed stage to more mature growth companies. Another will operate as an incubator designed to help very early-stage projects refine their technology and business models. A third initiative will distribute grants to open-source developers, researchers and community contributors who are helping expand Bitcoin’s technical and social infrastructure.

Company leadership believes that nurturing builders across the ecosystem will strengthen Bitcoin adoption and financial innovation in Japan. Chief executive Simon Gerovich and board director Shinpei Okuno will oversee the new venture arm, guiding its investment strategy as the domestic market evolves.

The first wave of funding will prioritize startups working on Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, a layer-2 technology designed to enable faster and cheaper transactions. Payments infrastructure and lending platforms are also expected to attract early attention from the venture program, areas where Bitcoin-based financial services could gain broader adoption if regulatory clarity improves.

At the same time, Metaplanet signaled that its ambitions extend beyond pure Bitcoin applications. Companies working in related digital asset sectors—including stablecoins, derivatives and options trading platforms, custody services and tokenization infrastructure—may also qualify for investment. This suggests the firm sees value in supporting the broader financial architecture developing around blockchain technology.

Over the next two to three years, the venture arm is expected to deploy approximately 4 billion Japanese yen, equivalent to roughly $25 million, across investments, incubation and grants. Rather than raising external capital for the initiative, Metaplanet plans to fund the program through revenue generated by its Bitcoin-focused operations.

Despite the expansion into venture capital, the company’s core strategy remains unchanged. Metaplanet continues to aggressively accumulate Bitcoin as a long-term treasury asset. The firm currently holds more than 35,000 Bitcoin, placing it among the world’s largest corporate holders. Earlier this year it announced an ambitious target of acquiring 210,000 Bitcoin by the end of 2027, an amount representing roughly one percent of the cryptocurrency’s total supply cap.

By launching its venture arm, Metaplanet is signaling a shift in how it intends to influence the digital asset economy. The company is no longer positioning itself solely as a corporate Bitcoin treasury. Instead, it aims to become a catalyst for the broader ecosystem—funding startups, encouraging developers and helping Japan remain competitive as global financial markets adapt to the growing role of Bitcoin.