Bitcoin News Today: Bakkt Invests $115M in Japan Firm to Launch Bitcoin Treasury Operations

Bakkt Holdings, a New York-listed cryptocurrency infrastructure firm, has made a strategic investment in Japan by acquiring a 30% stake in Marusho Hotta Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-listed yarn manufacturer, for $115 million. The investment positions Bakkt as the largest shareholder in Marusho Hotta and sets the stage for a major rebranding of the company into a Bitcoin and digital asset-focused business. The newly rebranded entity will operate under the name Bitcoin.jp, reflecting its pivot from textiles to a digital treasury model centered on Bitcoin [1].

The move is part of Bakkt’s broader strategy to expand its presence in the global Bitcoin ecosystem. The firm has also acquired the web domain www.bitcoin.jp, further emphasizing its intent to rebrand and reposition the company. Phillip Lord, President of Bakkt International, will transition to the role of CEO at Marusho Hotta, overseeing the integration of Bitcoin into the company’s treasury operations. This shift requires shareholder approval and will take time to fully implement [2].

Bakkt’s investment aligns with its recent financial activities, including a $75 million public equity offering and a multi-security shelf registration allowing it to issue up to $1 billion in securities. These funds are explicitly allocated to support its Bitcoin treasury ambitions. Despite the firm’s aggressive fundraising, its share price has experienced a dip following the announcements [3].

Akshay Naheta, co-CEO of Bakkt, has highlighted the potential of the partnership, noting that Japan’s regulatory environment offers a favorable setting for developing a premier Bitcoin treasury firm. “We look forward to partnering with MHT to develop a premier Bitcoin treasury firm,” Naheta stated, emphasizing the strategic significance of the acquisition [4].

The rebranding of Marusho Hotta to Bitcoin.jp represents an innovative approach to corporate transformation in the digital asset space. By leveraging an existing industrial company, Bakkt is testing a model that could serve as a blueprint for traditional firms entering the crypto market. The new entity is expected to offer services such as Bitcoin custody, treasury management, and potentially lending solutions to corporate clients, addressing the growing demand for institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure [5].

This acquisition underscores Bakkt’s commitment to expanding its footprint in Asia and leveraging strategic investments to drive growth in the digital asset sector. The move reflects a broader trend of traditional firms exploring opportunities in the Bitcoin market, particularly in markets with progressive regulatory frameworks like Japan [6].

Source:

[1] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4479819-bakkt-holdings-to-acquire-shares-of-japanese-company-marusho-hotta

[2] https://www.cryptotimes.io/2025/08/07/bakkt-to-rebrand-japanese-firm-marusho-hotta-as-bitcoin-jp/

[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-bakkt-acquires-30-stake-japan-marusho-hotta-launch-bitcoin-treasury-strategy-2508/

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

[5] https://www.theblock.co/post/365807/bakkt-japans-marusho-hotta-bitcoin-treasury

[6] https://blockonomi.com/bakkt-buys-into-japan-to-launch-global-bitcoin-treasury-push/