Bakkt acquires 30% of Marusho Hotta for $115M, rebranding as "bitcoin.jp"

Bakkt acquires 30% of Marusho Hotta for $115M, rebranding as "bitcoin.jp"

Digital asset custodian and trading company Bakkt has finalized a significant acquisition, taking a 30% stake in Marusho Hotta, a publicly listed Japanese company. The acquisition, valued at approximately $115 million, marks a strategic pivot for Bakkt as it seeks to transform into a dedicated crypto treasury company [1].

Marusho Hotta, which trades under the ticker symbol 8105 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, specializes in manufacturing specialty yarns for domestic and international markets. The acquisition will see the company rebranded as "bitcoin.jp," signaling a shift toward Bitcoin (BTC) treasury operations [1, 2]. The deal has led to a significant surge in Marusho Hotta's stock, with shares rising by more than 36% following the announcement [1, 2].

The acquisition is part of Bakkt's broader strategy to expand its crypto treasury capabilities and international footprint. The company has been repositioning itself as a pure-play crypto infrastructure provider, with a focus on Bitcoin and other digital assets [1, 3]. This move aligns with the growing trend of corporate treasury strategies that include Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets [1, 3].

Bakkt's acquisition of Marusho Hotta is not an isolated event. The company has been undergoing several strategic pivots, including the sale of its loyalty business to redirect all resources toward its core crypto offerings [1]. In June, Bakkt announced plans to raise up to $1 billion through various securities offerings to support future Bitcoin purchases [1].

Phillip Lord, President of Bakkt International, will take over as CEO of the newly rebranded bitcoin.jp, further integrating Bitcoin into the company's corporate treasury operations [3]. The rebranding and acquisition signify a broader strategic expansion into Asian crypto markets, positioning Bakkt as a leader in the crypto treasury space [3].

The acquisition of Marusho Hotta is part of a larger trend where companies are increasingly adopting crypto treasury strategies. According to data from Bitbo, public companies collectively hold over 932,000 BTC, accounting for roughly 4.4% of Bitcoin's total supply [1]. This trend is not limited to Bitcoin; companies are also beginning to add altcoins such as Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP (XRP) to their balance sheets [1].

The market's reaction to Bakkt's acquisition of Marusho Hotta reflects positive investor sentiment and growing interest in crypto treasury operations. The stock surge of Marusho Hotta underscores this confidence in Bakkt's strategic direction and the potential of crypto assets in corporate finance [1, 2].

In conclusion, Bakkt's acquisition of Marusho Hotta and its rebranding as "bitcoin.jp" represent a significant step in the company's evolution toward a dedicated crypto treasury business. As the market continues to adapt to these changes, the role of Bitcoin in corporate finance is expected to expand, paving the way for future innovations in the crypto space [1, 2, 3].

References:
[1] https://cointelegraph.com/news/bakkt-acquires-marusho-hotta-rebrand-bitcoin-jp
[2] https://en.coinotag.com/bakkts-strategic-acquisition-of-marusho-hotta-signals-potential-shift-toward-bitcoin-treasury-operations/
[3] https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/08/06/bakkt-expands-global-bitcoin-play-with-30-stake-in-japan-s-marusho-hotta