
Bitcoin is the world’s first decentralized cryptocurrency, created in 2008 by an individual or group under the name Satoshi Nakamoto. Introduced via the whitepaper “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System,” it revolutionized traditional financial systems.
Bitcoin offers several important features:
Bitcoin enables users to transact directly, bypassing traditional financial institutions such as central banks and governments. Its system relies on advanced cryptography, making it exceptionally difficult to alter or counterfeit records.
With just an internet connection and a wallet, Bitcoin provides equal access to financial services—even for the unbanked or those without traditional bank accounts. Beyond its role as a financial asset, Bitcoin has the potential to reduce global financial inequality and is gaining attention as an asset capable of dramatically transforming the financial landscape.
Recently, the number of Japanese publicly listed companies holding crypto assets has grown rapidly. Over the past few years, more companies have entered the space, especially those in digital services and game development.
Several companies have recently announced new crypto asset acquisitions. For example, Remixpoint made purchases worth several hundred million yen. SBC Medical Group Holdings, a healthcare firm, has been making large-scale Bitcoin purchases through major exchanges. Game developer gumi has also decided to acquire Bitcoin on a similar scale.
MetaPlanet, which previously operated in the metaverse sector, now stands out for its large-scale Bitcoin investments—earning the nickname “Japan’s MicroStrategy”—with investments totaling tens of billions of yen. These actions reflect the trend of using crypto assets to diversify portfolios, hedge against yen depreciation and inflation risk, and as part of broader business strategies.
One key motivation for these holdings is investment for asset value appreciation. MetaPlanet is aggressively pursuing a Bitcoin accumulation strategy—often referred to as “Asia’s MicroStrategy”—with ambitious holding targets. The company’s CFO has stated, “By holding Bitcoin to hedge against yen depreciation, we’re protecting against inflation. In the future, we intend for Bitcoin to make up the majority of our balance sheet.”
Corporate crypto asset holdings now increasingly serve as hedges against yen weakness or as alternative financing sources. As the market nears previous peak levels, this underpins increased crypto holdings among companies. According to a survey by a major financial institution, over half of Japanese institutional investors plan to invest in crypto assets within the next few years, indicating that corporate adoption is set to grow further.
The following table summarizes the crypto asset holdings of major Japanese companies.
| Rank | Company Name | Total Crypto Assets Held (Estimated) | Main Assets Held | Overview / Latest Developments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MetaPlanet (3350) | 13,350 BTC | BTC | Pursuing an aggressive Bitcoin acquisition strategy with a long-term goal of substantial BTC holdings. No confirmed ETH or other asset holdings. |
| 2 | Remixpoint (3825) | 1,038 BTC + Others (ETH, SOL, XRP, etc.) | BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP | Holds multiple cryptocurrencies (ETH, SOL, XRP, etc.) with a diversified strategy. Estimated total equivalent to about 1,200 BTC. |
| 3 | Nexon (3659) | 1,717 BTC | BTC | Has held BTC for several years for inflation hedging and portfolio diversification. No other crypto holdings confirmed. |
| 4 | ANAP Holdings (3189) | 184.7 BTC | BTC | Continuing BTC purchases with a goal of significant holdings. No ETH or other asset holdings confirmed. |
| 5 | gumi (3903) | 80.352 BTC + Others (NFT-related assets) | BTC, NFT | Made substantial BTC purchases. Launched an NFT fund with SBI and holds NFT-related assets. Estimated total equivalent to about 100 BTC. |
| 6 | SBC Medical GHD | 66 BTC | BTC | Multiple BTC purchases for inflation hedging. No other crypto holdings confirmed. |
| 7 | Value Creation (9238) | 30.38 BTC | BTC | Made additional BTC purchases, utilizing surplus funds from its real estate business. No other crypto holdings confirmed. |
| 8 | enish (3667) | 30 BTC | BTC | Acquired BTC to support blockchain gaming initiatives. No other crypto holdings confirmed. |
| 9 | AI Fusion Capital (254A) | 24.6 BTC | BTC | Large-scale BTC purchase; introduced BTC as a shareholder benefit. No other crypto holdings confirmed. |
| 10 | Mac House (7603) | Currently fundraising (up to 1.7 billion yen) | Unknown | Announced plans to acquire crypto assets; establishing a new group to manage operations. Specific assets held remain unconfirmed. |
| — | S. Science (5721) | Preparing for purchase | Unknown | Plans to enter investment business, leveraging funds from nickel and real estate operations. |
Japan’s crypto asset ownership rate stands at approximately 13%, a relatively high level globally. This reflects the active integration of crypto assets into Japanese investors’ asset management strategies.
The table below displays crypto asset ownership rates by age group.
| Age Group | Crypto Asset Ownership Rate |
|---|---|
| 20s | About 19% |
| 30s | About 19% |
| 40s | About 15% (est.) |
| 50s | About 10% (est.) |
| 60s and above | About 7% |
Ownership rates are highest among younger generations (20s–30s), highlighting the proactive adoption of crypto assets by digital natives. In contrast, ownership declines with age, likely due to differences in technology adoption and risk perception.
Men hold crypto assets at roughly twice the rate of women, but female participation has been rising in recent years. Currently, men account for about 68% and women about 17% of holders, with men forming a clear majority. However, broader access to information and education about crypto assets is expected to further boost the number of female investors.
Roughly 19.76 million BTC are in circulation worldwide, and corporate holdings—especially Bitcoin—have grown substantially in recent years. According to asset manager analysis, Bitcoin holdings by public companies have surged over several quarters, reaching several hundred thousand BTC (worth tens of billions of dollars). Private company holdings are believed to be even higher, as they are not subject to public disclosure requirements.
Below are the largest Bitcoin holdings among public companies:
The approach of raising capital to acquire more BTC, as pioneered by Strategy, has gained traction with other firms and remains a focal point in the market.
Leading asset managers and financial institutions also hold Bitcoin via ETFs, and institutional holdings are on the rise.
Recently, Bitcoin ETF assets under management have exceeded $137 billion, with ETFs holding about 5.94% of the total BTC supply. Governments collectively hold around 460,000 BTC (about 15.2%).
The table below details the holdings of leading Bitcoin ETFs.
| ETF Name | BTC Held | Share of Total Supply |
|---|---|---|
| iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)–BlackRock | 696,874 BTC | Approx. 3.32% |
| Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) | 201,349 BTC | Approx. 0.96% |
| Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) | 183,950 BTC | Approx. 0.88% |
| ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) | 46,467 BTC | Approx. 0.22% |
| Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) | 44,025 BTC | Approx. 0.21% |
| Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) | 39,888 BTC | Approx. 0.19% |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL) | 15,661 BTC | Approx. 0.07% |
| Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund (BRRR) | 5,852 BTC | Approx. 0.03% |
| Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF (BTCO) | 5,292 BTC | Approx. 0.03% |
| Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC) | 5,242 BTC | Approx. 0.03% |
| WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW) | 1,547 BTC | Approx. 0.01% |
Collectively, ETFs hold about 1,246,283 BTC—roughly 5.94% of Bitcoin’s fixed supply—demonstrating the prominence of Bitcoin as an institutional investment.
Bitcoin has garnered significant attention from institutional investors and global corporations, with prices surging over recent years. Early corporate adopters have seen major gains in asset value. For example, when large companies made substantial Bitcoin acquisitions, their asset valuations climbed notably.
Bitcoin’s capped supply (21 million BTC) and rising demand are projected to drive long-term price appreciation. The reduced issuance following each halving event further constrains supply, bolstering upward price potential.
By accepting Bitcoin as a payment method, businesses can facilitate swift, low-cost international transfers and tap into new customer segments worldwide. Leading IT and payment companies have implemented Bitcoin payments, broadening their user base by enhancing convenience.
Furthermore, innovative business models—such as those leveraging DeFi (decentralized finance) and NFTs (non-fungible tokens)—have emerged, enabling companies to create new revenue streams in these sectors.
Traditional assets like stocks and bonds can lose value during economic crises or inflation. Bitcoin, being less susceptible to central bank or government intervention, enables companies to diversify and hedge portfolio risks. Historically, Bitcoin prices have risen during periods of financial instability.
Often called “digital gold,” Bitcoin is expected to serve as an inflation hedge. In countries or regions with unstable fiat currencies, it is increasingly viewed as a vital means for asset protection.
Bitcoin prices are highly volatile, and asset values can drop sharply in a short time. There have been periods when Bitcoin’s price fell significantly within just a few weeks. Such volatility can destabilize corporate finances and erode trust among shareholders and investors.
If a company holds significant amounts of Bitcoin, losses during downturns can substantially impact its financial statements. Companies must therefore develop robust risk management strategies.
Government regulations can suddenly restrict Bitcoin holdings or transactions. Some countries have previously imposed outright bans on Bitcoin trading, forcing companies to revise business plans. Abrupt regulatory changes can seriously affect financial planning and investment strategy.
Changes in tax laws or accounting standards can also impact corporate Bitcoin holdings. Companies should closely monitor regulatory trends and maintain agile compliance frameworks.
Corporate crypto asset purchases have outpaced ETFs for several consecutive quarters, as more companies adopt Bitcoin investment strategies similar to MicroStrategy’s. According to data providers, public companies have made significant BTC acquisitions in recent quarters, growing their holdings rapidly. While ETFs are also buying in volume, corporate buying is even more robust.
Although future adoption rates are difficult to predict, Bitcoin research firms project several possible scenarios for cumulative corporate holdings in the years ahead.
These scenarios point to the possibility of accelerated corporate Bitcoin adoption. Increasing institutional participation and ETF growth are improving Bitcoin’s liquidity and credibility, bolstering corporate investment interest.
Holding crypto assets has become an essential tool for asset management and risk mitigation among companies worldwide. Amid yen depreciation and market uncertainty, corporate holdings of Bitcoin and other crypto assets have been increasing rapidly.
In Japan, many companies—including MetaPlanet—are shifting assets into Bitcoin, a trend expected to continue. Despite market volatility and regulatory shifts, corporate crypto asset holdings are set to remain a vital strategic option.
As Bitcoin awareness grows, further increases in corporate holdings are anticipated. As more companies include Bitcoin in their portfolios, the broader crypto asset market is likely to mature and stabilize.
Block Inc. and Riot Platforms are among the world’s largest Bitcoin holding companies. Block Inc. holds approximately 8,027 BTC, while Riot Platforms owns around 7,327 BTC. Both are leading U.S. firms with significant market presence.
Companies are seeking higher returns and greater portfolio diversification. Improved regulatory environments have enhanced trust, and the market’s acceptance of digital assets is growing. Bitcoin is increasingly recognized as a hedge against inflation and a long-term store of value.
The main crypto assets held by companies are Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Some also hold Ripple (XRP), Litecoin (LTC), and other tokens as part of their asset management strategies.
You can check the Bitcoin holdings of listed companies and governments on CoinGecko’s Bitcoin Reserves page. As of February 5, 2026, the page provides information on holdings, total cost, market value, and more.
When companies hold Bitcoin, market values are reflected in their financial statements using fair value accounting. This increases asset transparency, but also makes reported profits more volatile due to price fluctuations.











