Africa's First Bitcoin Treasury Firm Aims to Redefine Institutional Investment

South African investment firm Altvest Capital Ltd., now rebranded as Africa Bitcoin Corp., has announced plans to raise $210 million to invest in Bitcoin, positioning itself as the first listed company in Africa to adopt the cryptocurrency as its primary treasury reserve asset [1]. The firm will hold Bitcoin directly on its balance sheet, treating it as a long-term store of value akin to cash or gold [6]. This approach is intended to offer institutional investors in Africa an indirect, yet regulated, means of gaining exposure to Bitcoin through equity investments [7].

Founder and CEO Warren Wheatley emphasized that Altvest’s strategy aligns with global trends where corporations increasingly view Bitcoin as both an inflation hedge and a potential driver for stock market revaluation [7]. Altvest aims to mirror the playbook of companies like MicroStrategy and Japan’s Metaplanet, which have seen significant valuation increases through Bitcoin accumulation [6]. The firm will manage its Bitcoin treasury through a licensed unit, Altvest Bitcoin Strategies Pty Ltd., operating under the oversight of South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority [1].

Altvest’s move comes amid a surge in corporate adoption of Bitcoin as a treasury asset. Publicly listed companies now hold over 1 million Bitcoin collectively, with Strategy Inc.—formerly MicroStrategy—leading the pack with 636,505 BTC [1]. Companies like MARA Holdings and XXI are also accumulating Bitcoin, reflecting a broader shift in corporate finance strategy [1]. This trend is not limited to the U.S. or Japan; companies across Europe and Asia are also integrating Bitcoin into their balance sheets, with Metaplanet recently increasing its holdings to over 20,000 BTC [4].

The firm’s strategy is further supported by the growing demand for alternative investment vehicles in the African market. With the use of cryptocurrencies rising by 52% in Sub-Saharan Africa between July 2024 and June 2025, Altvest’s formalized approach may signal a broader transition from informal to institutional adoption [6]. The company is also seeking cross-border listings in Namibia, Botswana, and Kenya to expand regional access and is considering an international listing to broaden its investor base [6]. Altvest is currently valued at approximately $3 million, but its ambitious capital raise underscores the high-stakes nature of its Bitcoin-centric strategy [6].

Bitcoin’s price has surged over the past year, reaching nearly $111,000 at the time of the report [1]. Institutional investors, particularly those constrained by regulatory limitations, are increasingly seeking indirect exposure to Bitcoin through equity-linked structures like Altvest’s. This reflects a broader trend where corporate treasurers are reevaluating traditional reserve asset models to include digital assets in response to macroeconomic uncertainties and inflationary pressures [5]. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, Altvest’s strategy may set a precedent for how African companies manage their reserves in a rapidly changing financial environment [7].

Source: [1] South Africa's Altvest to Raise $210M for Bitcoin Treasury (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/south-africa-altvest-raise-210m-092602125.html) [2] Altvest Capital Becomes Africa's First Bitcoin Treasury Company Set for Rebrand (https://coinpedia.org/news/altvest-capital-becomes-africas-first-bitcoin-treasury-company-set-for-rebrand/) [3] Strategy Buys $217 Million More In Bitcoin After S&P 500 Snub (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/strategy-buys-217-million-more-130656042.html) [4] Metaplanet Grows Bitcoin Treasury With Additional 136 (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/09/08/metaplanet-brings-bitcoin-holdings-to-more-than-20k-with-latest-purchase) [5] Corporate Crypto Treasuries From MicroStrategy to (https://www.fintechweekly.com/magazine/articles/corporate-crypto-treasuries-bitcoin-mainstream-adoption) [6] South African Firm Plans $210 Million Raise to Back (https://www.ecofinagency.com/news/0809-48499-south-african-firm-plans-210-million-raise-to-back-treasury-with-bitcoin) [7] Africa's First Bitcoin Treasury Firm Targets $210M Raise as Altvest Rebrands to Africa Bitcoin Corp (https://www.cryptoninjas.net/news/africas-first-bitcoin-treasury-firm-targets-210m-raise-as-altvest-rebrands-to-africa-bitcoin-corp/)