Bitcoin News Today: Bakkt Acquires 30% Stake in Marusho Hotta to Build Bitcoin-Focused Treasury Business

Bakkt, a digital asset custodian and trading platform, is finalizing a 30% stake acquisition in Japan’s publicly traded Marusho Hotta, signaling a strategic shift toward becoming a Bitcoin-focused treasury business. Marusho Hotta, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the ticker 8105, will be rebranded as “bitcoin.jp,” indicating a likely transformation from its traditional role as a manufacturer of specialty yarns into a corporate structure centered on Bitcoin [1].

The stock of Marusho Hotta saw a significant jump of over 36% on Wednesday following the announcement, reflecting strong investor enthusiasm for the new direction. Prior to the deal, the company had traded as a near-penny stock, with share prices rarely exceeding 60 yen. The rebranding and strategic pivot represent a bold move by Bakkt to align with the growing trend of corporate entities adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset [1].

Bakkt’s strategy aligns with its broader vision to transition into a pure-play crypto infrastructure company. In June, the firm announced plans to raise up to $1 billion through securities offerings, which would support future Bitcoin acquisitions. Shortly after, Bakkt sold its loyalty business to fully focus on core crypto initiatives, as stated by co-CEO Andy Main. This restructuring is a continuation of the company’s evolving approach, which began in 2018 as a digital asset trading and storage platform under Intercontinental Exchange [1].

The shift by Bakkt is part of a larger movement in which public companies are increasingly allocating Bitcoin to their balance sheets. Pioneered by firms like MicroStrategy—now rebranded as Strategy—this trend has gained momentum since 2020. Today, hundreds of public companies hold Bitcoin as part of their treasury strategies. According to data from Bitbo, public companies collectively hold over 932,000 BTC, or approximately 4.4% of the total supply, with an additional 426,000 BTC held by private entities [1].

Corporate treasury strategies are also broadening to include altcoins such as Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP, with firms across sectors like agtech and consumer goods beginning to allocate capital to these digital assets. This diversification highlights the expanding role of cryptocurrencies in traditional financial portfolios [1].

Bakkt’s strategic evolution reflects both market opportunity and the need to adapt operationally. Originally founded to facilitate institutional trading and storage of digital assets, the company has navigated multiple strategic shifts in response to financial challenges. Its current direction positions it to benefit from the increasing demand for digital assets among both traditional and crypto-native businesses [1].

Source: [1] Bakkt Acquires Marusho Hotta, Rebrand Bitcoin.jp (https://cointelegraph.com/news/bakkt-acquires-marusho-hotta-rebrand-bitcoin-jp)