Metaplanet bets on Japan's first licensed yen stablecoin with new VC and asset management launch

Simon Gerovich, CEO of the Japan-based publicly listed investment firm Metaplanet (TYO: 3350), announced the launch of Metaplanet Ventures and Metaplanet Asset Management in an X post on Thursday. Metaplanet’s expansion into funding and financial services highlights its active planning to boost Japan’s Bitcoin (BTC) ecosystem. 

The announcement revealed that the Metaplanet Ventures arm will invest ¥4 billion into companies focused on Bitcoin-based financial infrastructure to boost BTC adoption, including lending, payments, custody, stablecoins, derivatives, and compliance. 

Japan's regulatory framework focuses on reclassifying Bitcoin under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) for a flat 20% capital gains tax rather than the current miscellaneous income tax of up to 55%. Ahead of the upcoming regulatory landscape changes, Metaplanet aims to provide an incubator for early-stage Bitcoin-focused companies and grants to open-source developers and researchers.

To bridge the gap between traditional finance and crypto, Metaplanet Ventures has announced a ¥400 million investment in JPYC, Japan’s first licensed yen stablecoin, betting on the growing demand for stablecoins seen in the US. 

JPYC was launched in October 2025 using bank deposits and government bonds as collateral to support the 1:1 peg to the Japanese Yen. JPYC primarily operates across popular Asian blockchain networks, including Avalanche, Ethereum, and Polygon.

Meanwhile, Metaplanet Asset Management, based in Miami, US, is focused on digital credit and a Bitcoin capital markets platform. The firm plans to launch additional, specific products under its asset management subsidiary, aiming to bridge the Asian and Western capital markets across yield, equity, credit, and volatility strategies.

The Japan-based investment firm currently holds 35,102 BTC, worth $2.43 billion as of Thursday, after purchasing 4,279 BTC on December 30.