Metaplanet sets up bitcoin-ecosystem investment arm, steps up push into Japan

Metaplanet, a bitcoin (BTC) investment company, has established a venture investment firm to expand the bitcoin ecosystem in Japan.

According to Cointelegraph on the 12th (local time), Metaplanet said it launched “Metaplanet Ventures K.K.” to support companies building financial infrastructure related to bitcoin.

The newly formed venture firm plans to invest in and incubate Japan-based companies providing bitcoin-backed financial services. Its goal is to bolster Japan’s competitiveness by supporting the buildout of bitcoin financial infrastructure, including payments and lending.

Metaplanet said it is expanding related businesses “in light of the possibility that Japan could classify bitcoin as a regulated financial asset within the next two years,” adding that it expects bitcoin to be reclassified as a mainstream financial asset by January 2028.

Metaplanet Ventures will operate around three pillars: an investment program, an incubator program, and a grant program. Under the investment arm, it will provide funding from early to growth stages for bitcoin-related startups, focusing on Lightning Network-based payment infrastructure and lending platforms.

Metaplanet plans to deploy about 4 billion yen into the programs over the next 2–3 years. Funding will come from cash flow generated by the company’s bitcoin-yield operations.

Metaplanet aims to accumulate a total of 210,000 BTC by the end of 2027, targeting ownership of about 1% of bitcoin’s total supply.