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Tim Alper

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Tim Alper

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Tim Alper is a British journalist and features writer who has worked at Cryptonews.com since 2018. He has written for media outlets such as the BBC, the Guardian, and Chosun Ilbo. He has also worked…

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August 31, 2025

Major Japanese companies are continuing to buy Bitcoin (BTC) and altcoins with their balance sheets, with the mobile gaming firm Gumi poised to spend 2.5 billion yen ($17 million) on XRP purchases.

Per an official Gumi release and a report from the Japanese media outlet CoinPost, the Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed firm’s board of directors has signed off on the move.

The firm said it aims to complete the purchase before the end of February next year. Gumi’s largest shareholder is SBI Holdings.

Gumi: XRP and BTC Are ‘Two Pillars’ of Our Financial Strategy

SBI is a long-term partner of the XRP issuer Ripple, and an ardent advocate of the altcoin. But Gumi has also proven to be extremely Bitcoin-keen.

The firm announced plans to buy over $6.5 million worth of Bitcoin back in February. And in March this year, Gumi held a $106,000 BTC lottery event for its newest shareholders.

Gumi officials said that the future XRP buy is not purely speculative. Instead, it called the move a “strategic initiative” that would allow it to move into the financial sector.

The company claimed its move would help it participate in the XRP ecosystem. This ecosystem, officials aid, is now playing a central role in international remittances and liquidity networks.

Developing cross-border remittances and liquidity are values “at the core of” SBI’s operations, Gumi noted.

XRP will thus take on “great significance” as a medium- to long-term growth asset, Gumi believes.

Gumi has also unveiled plans to launch a multi-billion yen crypto management fund in conjunction with SBI.

SBI: Aiming for Crypto ETF

SBI wants to launch an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that incorporates BTC, XRP, and other tokens. The firm is currently waiting on approval from Tokyo, which continues to deliberate on crypto ETF appoval.

Gumi has also said that it will look to manage its Bitcoin holdings by using staking protocols.

The company has also explained that it sees BTC and XRP as two separate pillars of its growth strategy.

XRP, it said, is a “network asset that is rooted in real financial demand.” Bitcoin, meanwhile, is a “globally universal asset,” Gumi believes.

Crypto Journalist

Anas Hassan

Crypto Journalist

Anas Hassan

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Anas is a crypto native journalist and SEO writer with over five years of writing experience covering blockchain, crypto, DeFi, and emerging tech.

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August 30, 2025

Japanese nail salon operator Convano has officially launched its Bitcoin (BTC) acquisition strategy, following its ambitious plan to raise approximately ¥434 billion ($3 billion) to purchase 21,000 Bitcoin, equivalent to 0.1% of the total supply.

According to an August 30 Bloomberg report, the Tokyo-listed nail salon company plans to become one of the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holders.

In response, Taiyo Azuma, Director of Convano’s BTC Holding Strategy Office, outlined a three-phase Bitcoin acquisition plan, with a target of 2,000 BTC by the end of 2025.

The portfolio is expected to reach 10,000 BTC by August 2026, as Azuma stated, “Our goal is clear. By March 2027, we aim to acquire 21,000 BTC and become one of the world’s leading Bitcoin-holding companies.“

Convano Bitcoin Acquisition Strategy Is a Response to Japan’s Economic Pressures

Convano frames its BTC pivot as a strategic response to macroeconomic challenges.

A prolonged decline in the yen, approximately 21% weaker against the dollar over the past decade, has increased costs for wages and raw materials in its consumer services business.

“We started to think about Bitcoin because of persistent yen depreciation and geopolitical risks,” Azuma told Bloomberg. “Bitcoin is a long-term store of value.”

Of the funds Convano has raised to date, ¥4.5 billion came from corporate bonds, and it has acquired 365 Bitcoin with it.

The Bitcoin acquisition announcement has driven Convano’s stock higher, with shares climbing 223.27% in the past month and surging 1,414.68% YTD.

Japan has become an unexpected hub for Bitcoin accumulation through publicly listed companies.

Metaplanet Inc., a former hotel operator, now holds nearly 19,000 Bitcoin, ranking among the top 10 global holders.

According to Bitcoin Treasuries, seven Japanese companies now rank among the top 100 public firms holding BTC.

However, the sustainability of crypto treasury strategies remains a topic of debate.

Bitcoin acquisition leaders like StrategyB (formerly MicroStrategy) face challenges as MSTR stock has declined 15.35% over the past 30 days while Bitcoin trades 12.85% below its two-week high of $124,457.

If StrategyB could face this risk, a heavy drop in Convani stock means its financing model can collapse.

When asked about concerns regarding Bitcoin price volatility, Azuma believes the perceived risk is actually beneficial.

According to him, Convano welcomes Bitcoin price drops for four reasons.

First, lower prices allow the company to acquire more Bitcoin. Secondly, higher volatility increases the company’s revenue.

He added that the combination of “low rates and high volatility” creates optimal conditions for reaching the 21,000 BTC goal. Lastly, the company can effectively manage associated risks.

Experts Warn Bitcoin Acquisition Strategy Built on “Shaky Ground”

However, experts like VanEck’s head of digital assets research Matthew Sigel argue that Bitcoin treasury strategies adopted by public companies rest on “shaky ground”, with rising risks that could wipe away shareholder value.

According to Sigel, when stocks trade significantly above their Bitcoin net asset value (NAV), issuing new equity generates premiums.

However, once stock prices approach parity with the value of Bitcoin holdings, dilution occurs.

“That is not capital formation. It is erosion,” Sigel wrote.

He suggests that companies using Bitcoin as a treasury asset should implement safeguards, such as pausing ATM programs and prioritizing stock buybacks while premiums exist.

Glassnode lead analyst James Check shared similar concerns about the longevity of corporate Bitcoin treasury strategies.

“My instinct is the Bitcoin treasury strategy has a far shorter lifespan than most expect,” Check posted on X in July.

Check argued that while early adopters, such as MicroStrategy, which holds nearly 600,000 BTC, have established their dominance, newer treasury firms face steeper challenges.

“Nobody wants the 50th treasury company,” he noted, warning that investors increasingly demand clear differentiation rather than another firm simply adding Bitcoin to its balance sheet.

Japan is sitting $14.9 trillion In domestic financial assets, its bond markets offer some of the lowest returns in developed countries. 10 years of Japanese government bonds are just harvested ~1%and corporate bonds often have a hard time clearing 2%. For decades, pension funds, insurance companies and banks have been locked in low-turn allocations simply because they had no compliant and familiar options.

Metaplanet’s second quarter earnings announcement aims directly at this gap. The company announced:

• “Metaplanet is Plays” – A Bitcoin Support Preferred Stock Program designed to expand the operations of the Bitcoin Ministry of Finance.
• Plans to build a yield curve for Bitcoin support Japanese bond market.

In markets that even “high yields” mean low single digits, 7-12% are provided with well-structured Bitcoin-assisted preferred stocks to provide serious attention and serious capital.

Record Q2 Growth Fuel Bitcoin Support Priority Share Strategy

Metaplanet’s second quarter not only unveiled a new funding model, but also provided one of the most powerful quarters in the company’s history. Both revenue and profitability have skyrocketed, but assets and net assets have increased, highlighting the size currently operating.

Metaplanet Q2 Revenue Results:

• Revenue: ¥1.239B ($84 million) +41%
• Gross profit: ¥816m ($5.5 million) +38%
• Normal benefits: ¥17.4b ($117.8m) vs ¥6.9b
• Net profit: ¥11.1.B ($75.1M) vs ¥5.0B
• assets: ¥238.2b ($1.61b) +333%
• Net worth: ¥201.0b ($13.6 billion) + 299%

This surge in financial performance will strengthen Metaplanet’s reliability with investors and use its momentum to deploy Bitcoin-backed preferred stocks on a large scale to gain shares in Japan’s vast but yielding bond market.

BTC-backed priority equity: How Metaplanet Play Works

Preferred shares are between obligations and common stock in the company’s capital structure. Provides dividend priorities, higher liquidation claims and predictable payments.

Metaplanet Bitcoin-backed preferred stocks It is designed as follows:

• It offers significantly higher yields than JGB, while retaining a format familiar to Japanese institutions.
• Avoid refinancing risks related to the maturity of your obligation.
• Diversify funding sources for BTC accumulation beyond the issuance of Common Equity.

Precedent: Multiclass stack of strategies

Strategy (previous micro-strategy) It already shows what is possible. The company has built a stack of Bitcoin-backed priority equity classes.

• A low volatility, income-focused class for conservative buyers.
• Convertible priority combining bonds and BTC upside down.
• A high yield class aimed at risk-resistant investors.

By matching each issue to market demand, the strategy has raised billions and has increased its Bitcoin holdings more than 500,000 BTC– Without relying solely on general stock dilution.

Metaplanet incorporates the same multi-class concept into a market where preferred stock issuance is rare, investor bases are yielded, and Bitcoin-backed preferred stocks can see rapid adoption.

Japan’s capital market: $14.9 trillion opportunities

Japan’s bond market faces decades of zero yields, with fewer options to generate income, leaving trillions in capital. This rarity makes it uniquely prepared for high-yield devices like Bitcoin-backed preferred stocks.

Japan’s household financial assets collapse as follows:

• $9.5 trillion Bonds
• $6.8 trillion In stocks
• $7.6 trillion Cash and deposits

The preferred stock market listed is exactly what $2.7 billion– Less than 0.02% of total financial assets. However, the demand for stable, revenue-oriented products is immeasurable.

The gaps are as follows: 8% Offer 8x 10-year JGB return and 4x most luxury corporate bonds return. In a familiar structure that complies with regulations, its spread can attract both domestic institutions and retail allocators looking for yields without leaving the bond universe.

Engineering Bitcoin Support Yield Curve

Metaplanet plans to issue multiple classes of Bitcoin Support Priority Shares.

• Short-term variable dividends forever It is pinned in a short-term JGB spread for conservative buyers.
• Medium Duration Variable Dividend Permanent As a medium-distance corporate credit alternative.
• Senior fixed dividend perpetual (Class A) For long-term portfolios focused on stability.
• Fixed dividend convertible (Class B) Combine predictable revenue with BTC’s upside potential.
• High yield fixed dividends forever For investors willing to take on more risk in exchange for higher returns.

This is not just a product lineup, it is a construction of an investable BTC-backed yield curve. Strategies built in the US. Metaplanet does the same thing in Japan, but with the added tailwind of the market, the yield is desperate.

Impact on corporate Bitcoin strategies

Metaplanet’s approach offers corporate strategists three distinct takeaways.

• Capital efficiency: Bitcoin-backed preferred stocks acquire capital that acquires yield capital to the Ministry of Finance without relying on a common stock. They provide permanent capital without the same maturity constraint as debt.
• Market Compliance: The strategy was successful in the US, where convertible debt and equity rise, as their markets are deeply and liquid. The norms of Japan’s capital structure are different, with Metaplanet adapting its playbook to local investor behavior. This is an important step in hiring.
• Justification of Bitcoin as collateral: With each Bitcoin-backed preferred stock issue that finds a regulated yield-hungry portfolio home, we abandon Bitcoin recognition as speculative only. Normalised in one major economy makes it easier to replicate other major economies.

The big picture: Bitcoin bond age

Metaplanet’s Q2 announcement serves as a blueprint for how Bitcoin is integrated into domestic capital markets.

By combining a proven capital structure model with one of the world’s most harvest-limiting environments, Metaplanet positions Bitcoin as the legitimate and income-generating collateral base for sovereign scale bond markets.

If they succeed, Japan’s first Bitcoin support priority sharing program will not be the last. A case study of the beginning of the Bitcoin bond age and how companies’ Bitcoin strategies evolve could mark them fit the market they enter.

Disclaimer: This content was written on behalf of Bitcoin for businesses. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an invitation or solicitation to acquire, purchase, or subscribe to a security.

Most Japanese say they would buy more Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and altcoins if the government agrees to reform the nation’s strict crypto tax rules.

This was the main takeaway from a survey of 1,500 adults conducted in April and commissioned by the Japan Blockchain Association (JBA).

Japanese Crypto Tax Reforms Would Drive Volumes Up, Says JBA

In response to the question: “Do you own BTC or other cryptoassets?” 13% of respondents responded in the affirmative.

However, their response to the follow-up question was telling. The question was: “Would you buy crypto/more crypto if the government were to set a flat 20% tax rate on crypto profits?”

To this, 84% of the 191 respondents who said they hold crypto answered “yes.”

And 12% of the 1,309 non-crypto holders also agreed that they would start buying coins if Tokyo green-lights tax reforms.

Capital Gains Tax Request

The JBA suggested that the survey shows that tax reforms would have a very noticeable effect on the trading volumes of domestic exchanges.

At present, Japanese investors must declare their crypto-related profits on income tax returns, in the “other income” category.

That means that depending on their tax brackets, crypto investors may have to pay taxes of up to 55% on their profits.

In many other nations, crypto is instead subject to capital gains tax. That means that, after a certain threshold, traders are taxed at a flat rate of (typically) 10-20%.

Reform advocates want Tokyo to approve a plan to scrap crypto income tax laws. In their place, they want a flat 20% capital gains levy.

The JBA supports this proposal, as do many key members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in addition to opposition lawmakers.

However, the regulatory Financial Services Agency (FSA) effectively has the final say on all Japanese crypto policy.

Thus far, all of the FSA recommendations to the Cabinet have been enshrined into law.

The association said: “Cryptoassets are changing from a means of payment for the public to a means of asset accumulation.”

This is in line with the FSA’s own plans to reclassify crypto as a payment tool to an investment vehicle.

The industry body says it is “stepping up its efforts” to convince Tokyo to approve tax reform starting next year.

The JBA is an industry group that comprises some of the nation’s biggest crypto exchanges and blockchain firms.

JBA Submits Petition

The association also announced on July 18 that it has submitted a petition to the FSA calling for it to approve tax reform for crypto profits.

The survey was conducted on April 24 and April 25 this year. Respondents were all Japanese residents aged 20 to 69. Respondents were 60% male and 40% female, with an average age of 38.

The JBA also asked further questions. And 75% of respondents said they would prefer tax bodies to withdraw their payable taxes at source, rather than make separate tax declarations.

The JBA has also asked Tokyo to let crypto traders choose how they want to pay taxes: at source when they sell coins, or after filing declarations.

The survey’s authors also asked the respondents who do not currently hold any coins why they have not invested yet.

To this, 8% of respondents said that they thought that tax levels were too high. But 61% said they thought they lacked sufficient understanding of crypto.

The Japanese media outlet CoinPost reported that the FSA is now “deliberating a proposal to transition cryptoassets to the framework of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.”

“If the transition is approved, cryptoassets will be officially classified as financial products,” the media outlet explained.

Most of the respondents said they work in the private sector. Students made up 5.3% of the respondent pool. And 213 unemployed individuals also submitted responses.

At the time of writing, ETH trading accounts for almost half of the trading volume on bitFlyer, one of the nation’s biggest crypto exchanges.

Author

Tim Alper

Author

Tim Alper

About Author

Tim Alper is a British journalist and features writer who has worked at Cryptonews.com since 2018. He has written for media outlets such as the BBC, the Guardian, and Chosun Ilbo. He has also worked…

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Last updated: 

June 7, 2025

The Japanese Senate, the House of Councilors, has approved a legal amendment that will give crypto brokerage firms more freedom to operate in the country.

Per the Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun, senators approved several revisions to the Payment Services Act on June 6.

Japanese Crypto Brokerages: Deregulation on The Way

The revised act contains several crypto-related clauses. But arguably the most significant of these pertains to brokerages.

Currently, brokerages need to apply to the regulatory Financial Services Agency (FSA) for operating permits. These permits are the same, highly restrictive, stringent licences required by crypto exchanges and wallet operators.

The new amendment, however, creates a new legal category in the crypto sector called “intermediary businesses.”

The regulatory barriers for this category will be much easier to overcome. And firms falling into this category will not have to adhere to the same level of regulatory compliance.

The FSA and the government approved the new measures in March this year, submitting the amendments to the National Diet the same month.

The bill passed the lower house without major opposition. Following its approval by the House of Councilors, the bill is now set to promulgate in June 2026.

Bill Will Create New Customer Safeguards, MPs Claim

Lawmakers said the amendment was a response to the rapid rise of digital finance. They also said the bill would help boost customer protection and promote innovation throughout the country.

Japanese media outlets claim that major businesses think the measures will significantly lower the barriers for gaming firms looking to move into the web3 and crypto spaces.

The bill also allows the Prime Minister’s office to order individual crypto exchange operators to hold a portion of their assets in Japan.

The exact amount may be specified by a Cabinet Order. This clause is a response to the collapse of the crypto exchange FTX in 2022.

At the time of its bankruptcy, FTX operated the FTX Japan subsidiary, which was unable to access its overseas funds. This left users unable to withdraw their coins from the FTX Japan platform after the collapse.

The new rules will also prevent overseas operators or subsidiaries from sending their funds overseas if they go bankrupt.

In bankruptcy cases, the government will instead have the power to force crypto operators to issue customer refunds via approved guarantor companies like trust banks.

The Japanese hotel and investment firm Metaplanet has gobbled up another $115.6 million worth of Bitcoin (BTC).

The firm announced over the weekend that it had acquired another 1,088 Bitcoin, bringing its total holdings to 8,888 BTC.

With Bitcoin trading at $106,309 at time of writing, that means Metaplanet now holds nearly $945 million worth of the top crypto asset. The Japanese firm’s stock is up 263.48% year-to-date.

Metaplanet chief executive Simon Gerovich says the firm’s 8,888 BTC are a “symbol of abundance” and a “number of fortune.” The CEO has said previously that he “worries every day” that the company doesn’t own enough Bitcoin.

“The window to buy won’t stay open forever. Soon, there will be two kinds of people: those who own Bitcoin and those who regret not buying it. At Metaplanet, we’re accumulating as much as we can so our shareholders can relax.”

Gerovich also said earlier this year that he thinks more financial institutions will show interest in adopting BTC. Metaplanet aims to acquire 10,000 Bitcoin by the end of 2025 and 21,000 BTC by the end of 2026.

The firm, which is the 11th-largest corporate holder of BTC, also continues to operate a Tokyo hotel, which it plans to renovate and rebrand into “the Bitcoin Hotel.”

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Immutable has announced a partnership with Japan’s leading mobile gaming developer to bring Tokyo Beast to web3.

This strengthens Immutable’s presence in Asia’s blockchain gaming sector and marks its third partnership with a unicorn developer. Tokyo Beast will integrate blockchain mechanics with traditional mobile gameplay, aiming to engage both blockchain-native and traditional gaming audiences.

Immutable will provide the underlying blockchain infrastructure, supporting in-game transactions, digital asset liquidity, and tournament management.

What is Tokyo Beast?

Tokyo Beast is a futuristic combat game set in Tokyo in the year 2124, where android fighters, known as BEAST, compete in martial arts tournaments.

Players build teams of four BEAST characters and engage in daily PvP battles leading up to a weekly championship event. The game incorporates a shared NFT system, where new players can participate without purchasing NFTs, whilst existing holders retain asset value.

A key feature of Tokyo Beast is its breeding mechanic, which allows players to generate new BEAST fighters with unique traits. This system adds an element of long-term strategy, encouraging players to develop and refine their teams over time.

What can we expect from this partnership?

Tokyo Beast will feature daily arena battles culminating in a weekend championship tournament, where the top 20 players compete for in-game rewards. Matches will be globally livestreamed, and real-time data on team composition, performance, and betting odds will be made publicly available, allowing players to make informed strategic decisions.

Immutable will support the game’s blockchain infrastructure, ensuring transparency in rankings and asset ownership.

“Tokyo Beast, exemplifies a game that can drive mainstream adoption of blockchain gaming,” said Robbie Ferguson, Co-founder of Immutable. “With its large fanbase and solid game design, we believe the TOKYO BEAST, Championship tournaments will engage millions of new players.”

The partnership follows Immutable’s success in onboarding web3 gaming projects across Asia, including collaborations with MARBLEX and over 235 games.

Two large corporate entities are pouring big money in cryptocurrencies, and the corporate surge into Bitcoin doesn’t appear to be slowing down. With its bold 1 billion yen ($6.7 million) Bitcoin acquisition, Japanese game producer Gumi is creating waves. Meanwhile, KULR Technology Group is also growing its already considerable cryptocurrency holdings.

The way traditional businesses perceive digital assets has changed significantly as a result of this spike in institutional interest.

Japanese Mobile Gaming Publisher Gumi (3903, mkt cap $150M) announces plan to buy 1b Yen Worth of Bitcoin.

Becomes first listed company in Japan (world?) to participate in Bitcoin staking protocol Babylon as a validator. pic.twitter.com/37nhunaIiX

— matthew sigel, recovering CFA (@matthew_sigel) February 11, 2025

Japanese Gaming Giant Makes Historic Leap In Crypto

Gumi has revealed its intentions to stake Bitcoin via the Babylon protocol, a bold move that is drawing attention in the Japanese business community. The company is using Bitcoin rather than merely purchasing it.

Gumi will systematically buy 1 billion yen worth of Bitcoin between February and May 2025, becoming the first Japanese publicly traded entity to engage in crypto staking. This calculated move demonstrates how corporate crypto efforts are becoming more complex.

Storage To Yield: Development Of Corporate Bitcoin Strategy

The days of companies simply holding Bitcoin in their treasuries are fading fast. This new strategy is best demonstrated by KULR Technology Group, which has increased its Bitcoin holdings to an astounding 610 tokens, or over $60 million.

The company’s bold plan to invest up to 90% of its excess cash reserves in Bitcoin by 2024 has paid off handsomely. The company cautions investors against using this number as a direct measure of financial performance, but its reported 167% BTC Yield year-to-date offers a compelling story of achievement.

Crypto Renaissance In Japan

One could describe the current state of affairs in the Land of the Rising Sun as a corporate crypto awakening. Following Gumi’s disclosure, Metaplanet, often known as the “Japanese MicroStrategy,” has revealed a bold mission to buy 21,000 Bitcoin by 2026.

The business isn’t thinking small; it currently has 1,761 BTC worth 27 billion yen, and intends to issue a staggering 116.65 billion yen worth of shares. This would be the biggest equity offering for Bitcoin in Asia to date.

Beyond Yield Generation

The transition from basic Bitcoin ownership to complex yield-generating schemes is what makes these developments so intriguing. Businesses are finding new ways to increase the performance of their cryptocurrency holdings using platforms like Babylon.

The straightforward “buy and hold” approach to corporate Bitcoin adoption is evolving. Businesses are currently looking into a number of strategies to increase profits while preserving their long-term exposure to the possible growth of the world’s top crypto asset.

Featured image from Gemini Imagen, chart from TradingView