Bitcoin News Today: Bakkt Acquires 30% Stake in Japan's Marusho Hotta to Launch Bitcoin Treasury Strategy

Bakkt Holdings has moved to solidify its position in the global digital asset market by acquiring a 30% stake in Japan's Marusho Hotta Co., a publicly listed firm on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, from the RIZAP Group. This acquisition positions Bakkt as the largest single shareholder of the company, granting it control over strategic direction and operational oversight [1]. As part of the agreement, Marusho Hotta is expected to be rebranded under the name “bitcoin.jp,” though the formal rebranding still requires shareholder approval [2].

Phillip Lord, Bakkt’s president of international operations, will assume the role of CEO at the newly restructured entity, marking a definitive shift toward Bitcoin-centric operations [3]. Bakkt’s co-CEO, Akshay Naheta, stated that the move leverages Japan’s favorable regulatory landscape and advanced financial infrastructure, making it an “ideal platform” for building a Bitcoin-focused business [4].

The rebranded entity is expected to begin incorporating Bitcoin into its corporate treasury, a move that aligns with Bakkt’s broader $1 billion global Bitcoin treasury initiative. The company aims to transform traditional corporate balance sheets by integrating digital assets as a hedge against macroeconomic volatility and a store of value. This strategy diverges from Bakkt’s earlier efforts in crypto derivatives and payment solutions, instead focusing on institutional-grade custody and management of digital assets [5].

Marusho Hotta’s financial stability, including a strong current ratio of 4.96 and more cash on hand than debt, provides a solid foundation for the transition [6]. The company will now be expected to reallocate portions of its treasury into Bitcoin and possibly other digital assets, reflecting a broader trend among corporations exploring blockchain-based diversification strategies.

Bakkt’s expansion into Japan underscores the increasing convergence between traditional finance and the crypto market, as institutional players seek to bridge the gap through strategic acquisitions and operational overhauls [7]. The company faces the challenge of maintaining stakeholder confidence amid past market skepticism, particularly following a recent $75 million public offering that saw its stock price decline [8]. However, by leveraging Japan’s robust financial infrastructure and supportive regulatory framework, Bakkt aims to strengthen its institutional credibility and scale its global digital asset treasury model.

This initiative represents more than a rebranding—it is a strategic signal of Bakkt’s intent to lead the institutional adoption of Bitcoin in the corporate sector. As it moves forward with the restructuring of Marusho Hotta, the success of this venture could set a precedent for similar moves in other markets, further embedding digital assets into traditional financial systems.

Sources:

[1] Bakkt to buy 30% of Japan's Marusho Hotta, rename it 'bitcoin.jp' in multinational BTC treasury push (https://www.theblock.co/post/365807/bakkt-japans-marusho-hotta-bitcoin-treasury)

[2] Bakkt Holdings to Acquire Shares of Japanese Company Marusho Hotta; Company to be Renamed bitcoin.jp; Transaction Expected to Kick Off Bakkt’s Multinational Bitcoin Treasury Strategy (https://www.businesswire.com/newsroom/subject/merger-acquisition)

[3] Bitcoin News Today: Bakkt Acquires 30% of Marusho Hotta, Appointing CEO Phillip Lord and Rebranding It as "bitcoin.jp" for Bitcoin-Focused Operations (https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-bakkt-acquires-30-marusho-hotta-launch-bitcoin-jp-expand-global-bitcoin-treasury-strategy-2508/)

[4] Bakkt Buys Into Japan to Launch Global Bitcoin Treasury Push (https://blockonomi.com/bakkt-buys-into-japan-to-launch-global-bitcoin-treasury-push/)

[5] Bakkt to become largest shareholder in Japan's Marusho Hotta (https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/bakkt-to-become-largest-shareholder-in-japans-marushohotta-93CH-4173179)

[6] Bakkt Targets Japan With Marusho Hotta Deal and Domain Acquisition (https://news.bitcoin.com/bakkt-targets-japan-with-marusho-hotta-deal-and-domain-acquisition/)

[7] Bitcoin Treasury News: Bakkt and BitBridge Move Ahead (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/08/06/bakkt-expands-global-bitcoin-play-with-30-stake-in-japan-s-marusho-hotta)

[8] Bakkt Buys Into Japan to Launch Global Bitcoin Treasury Push (https://cointelegraph.com/news/bakkt-acquires-marusho-hotta-rebrand-bitcoin-jp)