Bakkt Makes Bold Move into Japan with 30% Stake in Public Firm

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Maxwell Mutuma
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Bakkt Makes Bold Move into Japan with 30% Stake in Public Firm
  • Bakkt uses the advantage of the regulations in Japan to spearhead its campaign to expand its bitcoin treasury.
  • The name change to bitcoin.jp is a transition from traditional retail to a crypto-based infrastructure.
  • The appointment of Phillip Lord as CEO of Bakkt can also be an indication of increased integration in operations with Marusho Hotta.

Bakkt Holdings Inc., which is a crypto infrastructure company has announced that it is intent on acquiring a 30 percent stake in a Japanese-based company known as Marusho Hotta Co Ltd with a buyout offer. In the course of the acquisition which was settled between RIZAP Group Inc. and Bakkt, the latter will become the biggest investor in the Tokyo-listed group company.

Phillip Lord, whose firm Bakkt International will receive a 10 percent stake in the deal, will also be appointed to the top management position of Marusho Hotta as Chief Executive Officer, as per the agreement made between them. A rebranding is also in progress, and the company is likely to be renamed bitcoin.jp, subject to shareholder approval.

The plan is a strategic move that represents the larger interest of harmonizing with the tough regulatory regime in Japan and developing a global model of bitcoin treasury.

Plans to Rebrand as bitcoin.jp Announced

According to Bakkt, Marusho Hotta’s corporate mandate will be diverted to incorporating bitcoin and other online currencies into its treasury practice. Besides the acquisition of equity, Bakkt has also acquired the domain www.bitcoin.jp, which is set to be the company’s new identity.

This rebrand is based on an announcement by Bakkt, one that shows a significant shift towards digital asset infrastructure. The company noted that Japan is an attractive market because its environment is clear, with the legal and regulatory framework giving it an opportune market to enter into its global expansion.

The appointment of Lord as CEO indicates serious opposition to the idea of integrating operations. The company will cooperate with the Marusho Hotta team to integrate crypto into intensive financial planning.

Crypto Treasury Strategy Gains Global Momentum

This purchase is in line with the recent announcement that Bakkt plans to do a $75 million initial public offering, with the proceeds to be used to buy Bitcoin. The organization has further submitted a wider strategy to receive up to $1 billion to develop its crypto treasury program.

Although its stock plunged significantly after it priced the offering, Bakkt still aims to exercise its long-term strategy. Akshay Naheta, co-CEO, said that Japan was one of the sources that helped build a growth-focused business model based on bitcoin.

The company statement referred to subsequent developments regarding the transaction, which were expected after it obtained shareholder approval. However, details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Leadership Shift Reflects Strategic Repositioning

Bakkt is not the first occasion the organization has triggered strategic speculation. In November 2024, other sources indicated that Trump Media & Technology Group was looking to be acquired. Although a transaction was not closed, it strengthened Bakkt’s presence in the industry.

Established in 2018, Bakkt is an institutional-grade product whose focus is to enable businesses to interact with the crypto economy through the provision of tools. The company’s infrastructure facilitates sustainable and regulated crypto participation on a global business scale.

This Marusho Hotta acquisition may serve as an example of how traditional companies can turn into bitcoin-oriented ones with the help of professional supervision and financial support.

The move of Bakkt into Japan could also be used as a blueprint in any other crypto-friendly jurisdiction worldwide.

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