Bitcoin News Today: Bakkt Acquires 30% Stake in Marusho Hotta to Expand Bitcoin Treasury Operations in Asia-Pacific

Bakkt has announced its acquisition of a 30% stake in Japan’s Marusho Hotta, a publicly listed company, marking a significant step in its transformation into a dedicated crypto treasury business. The move, disclosed on August 4, 2025, positions Bakkt as the largest shareholder in the firm, which will be rebranded as “bitcoin.jp” to reflect its new strategic direction [1]. The acquisition aligns with the growing trend among institutional investors to allocate digital assets, particularly Bitcoin, to corporate treasuries as a hedge against macroeconomic volatility and a store of value [2].

The rebranding of Marusho Hotta signals Bakkt’s intent to leverage Japan’s well-developed crypto infrastructure to expand its Bitcoin treasury operations into the Asia-Pacific region. The company is now looking to integrate the firm into its global network of crypto services, including custody, trading, and institutional-grade digital asset management [3]. The investment is estimated to total approximately $235 million, underscoring the scale of Bakkt’s commitment to this strategic pivot [4].

Market reactions to the acquisition have been swift and positive. Marusho Hotta’s stock, which trades on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the ticker 8105, surged over 36% following the announcement [5]. The strong market response suggests that investors view the deal as a validation of Bakkt’s long-term vision and the broader potential of Bitcoin as a corporate asset class [6].

This strategic shift reflects a larger trend in corporate finance, where an increasing number of public companies are adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets. According to recent data, over 932,000 BTC are currently held by public companies globally, accounting for roughly 4.4% of the total supply [7]. These include a range of businesses from traditional enterprises to crypto-native firms, all signaling a structural change in how companies approach treasury management [8].

Bakkt’s move also highlights the competitive landscape emerging in the crypto treasury space. While new entrants continue to enter the market, Bakkt’s institutional expertise and regulatory compliance advantages may position it to capture a significant share of institutional demand in the region [9]. By integrating Marusho Hotta into its operations, Bakkt is not only expanding its regional footprint but also reinforcing its credibility as a trusted player in the institutional crypto sector [10].

The rebranding to “bitcoin.jp” is more than a name change—it represents a full-scale operational shift toward providing scalable, secure, and institutional-grade crypto services in Japan. With the country’s crypto regulatory framework becoming increasingly supportive, Bakkt’s presence could catalyze further institutional adoption and innovation in the region [11].

Source:

[1] Bakkt’s Strategic Acquisition of Marusho Hotta Signals Potential Shift Toward Bitcoin Treasury Operations August 6, 2025

Url: https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/08/06/bakkt-expands-global-bitcoin-play-with-30-stake-in-japan-s-marusho-hotta

[2] Unveiling Bitcoin.jp For Strategic Expansion In Japan

Url: https://bitcoinworld.co.in/bakkt-bitcoin-japan-expansion/

[3] Bakkt Expands Global Bitcoin Play With 30% Stake in Japan's ...

Url: https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/bakkt-expands-global-bitcoin-play-153218311.html

[4] Bakkt Acquires 30% of Japan's MarushoHotta, Plans ...

Url: https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/08/06/bakkt-acquires-30-of-japans-marushohotta-plans-bitcoin-pivot/

[5] Bakkt's Strategic Bitcoin Treasury Expansion and Global ...

Url: https://www.ainvest.com/news/bakkt-strategic-bitcoin-treasury-expansion-global-market-positioning-catalyst-institutional-adoption-2508/

[6] Bitcoin News Today: Bakkt Acquires 30% of Marusho Hotta ...

Url: https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-bakkt-acquires-30-marusho-hotta-launch-bitcoin-jp-expand-global-bitcoin-treasury-strategy-2508/

[7] Bakkt Holdings, Inc. (BKKT) Stock: Gains Momentum After ...

Url: https://coincentral.com/bakkt-holdings-inc-bkkt-stock-gains-momentum-after-235m-deal-to-transform-mht-into-bitcoin-jp/

[8] Bakkt Expands Global Bitcoin Play With 30% Stake in Japan's Marusho Hotta - Amid a sea of new crypto treasury companies popping up, Bakkt

Url: https://www.coinbase.com/price/bitcoin

[9] Bakkt to buy 30% of Japan's Marusho Hotta, rename it 'bitcoin.jp' in multinational BTC treasury push

Url: https://www.theblock.co/post/365764/derive-options-bearish-tilt-btc-eth-august-pullback