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Metaplanet has launched a new venture firm to fund Bitcoin infrastructure startups in Japan as policymakers move toward recognizing Bitcoin as a regulated financial asset. The Tokyo-based company said Metaplanet Ventures K.K. will finance startups and developers building regulated Bitcoin infrastructure while strengthening Japan’s domestic ecosystem. The initiative arrives as the company expands its Bitcoin treasury strategy and raises new capital to increase holdings.
Metaplanet expects Japan to reclassify Bitcoin as a regulated financial asset by January 2028. The company plans to invest 4 billion Japanese yen, about $25.2 million, into venture programs over the next two to three years. Cash flows from its Bitcoin income business will fund the initiative.
The firm also named Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich and board director Shinpei Okuno as representatives for the venture unit. The venture strategy introduces three programs designed to support companies across different stages of development.
Metaplanet Ventures will operate through three channels: investment, incubation, and grants. Each program targets companies and developers that build Bitcoin financial infrastructure in Japan. The investment program will fund startups from the seed stage to the growth stage. These companies will build Bitcoin infrastructure on the Lightning Network and other payment or lending platforms.
The strategy also opens the door for startups focused on stablecoins, options trading, derivatives markets, custody solutions, and tokenization. This structure signals support for broader crypto infrastructure beyond Bitcoin alone.
Meanwhile, the incubator program will guide early-stage Bitcoin and crypto infrastructure startups. The program will focus on companies operating within Japan’s domestic ecosystem. The grants program will support open-source Bitcoin developers and researchers. It will also fund educators and community organizers who promote Bitcoin adoption and knowledge.
These initiatives aim to expand infrastructure development and strengthen Japan’s position in the global Bitcoin economy.
Metaplanet continues to expand its Bitcoin treasury strategy through a multi-layered capital structure. Recent funding moves have raised more than $237 million for the company. Earlier this month, Metaplanet raised $137 million through a sale of shares and warrants. The transaction issued 24.5 million common shares to investors.
The company structured the offering to limit immediate dilution. Warrant exercise prices were set above the current share price to spread dilution effects over time. Most proceeds from the offering will fund additional Bitcoin purchases. This strategy supports Metaplanet’s effort to grow its Bitcoin treasury. Soon after, the company secured a $100 million Bitcoin-backed loan. The loan uses more than 30,000 BTC as collateral.
The borrowed funds serve two purposes. First, Metaplanet will buy more Bitcoin. Second, the company will finance a $500 million share buyback program.
Also Read: Bitcoin News Today: Metaplanet Reports $619M Loss as BTC Holdings Slid
The buyback program will reduce the number of outstanding shares while the company increases Bitcoin holdings per share. The approach directs capital into both treasury growth and shareholder value.
If Bitcoin prices remain stable, the reduced share count could raise the value of each remaining share. At the same time, the treasury would expand through new Bitcoin purchases funded by the loan. This financing structure reflects a broader trend among Bitcoin treasury firms. Many companies now rely on preferred shares and debt instead of issuing common equity.
These strategies help companies avoid large dilution when share prices fall. Metaplanet adopted this structure after its stock declined from a 2025 peak of $15.35 to around $2.50.
A traditional equity offering at those levels would have diluted existing shareholders sharply. Instead, the company raised funds through preferred shares and secured loans. These capital tools allowed Metaplanet to continue expanding its Bitcoin treasury. They also preserved more value for existing shareholders.
As Japan moves toward possible Bitcoin financial asset classification, Metaplanet’s strategy raises a key question: Will venture funding accelerate Bitcoin infrastructure development across the country?
Metaplanet launched Metaplanet Ventures to fund Bitcoin infrastructure in Japan through investment, incubation, and grants. At the same time, the firm expanded its Bitcoin treasury strategy with fresh funding and a share buyback plan. The move shows how Bitcoin-focused firms are building for both growth and market strength.
