Metaplanet launches VC and asset management subsidiaries, bets on Japanese stablecoin JPYC

Bitcoin (BTC) treasury firm Metaplanet announced the launch of two new subsidiaries alongside a strategic investment in stablecoin firm JPYC.

Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich said in a Thursday post on social media platform X that the company's board of directors approved the establishment of two wholly owned subsidiaries — Metaplanet Ventures and Metaplanet Management.

Gerovich said that Metaplanet Ventures reflects the firm's commitment to Japan's bitcoin ecosystem and will deploy 4 billion Japanese yen ($25.2 million) over the next few years to companies building financial infrastructure around bitcoin in Japan. These investments will focus on areas including lending, payments, custody, stablecoins, derivatives, compliance, the CEO noted.

The 4 billion yen investment will also be accompanied by an incubator and grants program for early-stage founders, developers, educators, and researchers.

"Japan has built the best regulatory framework in the world for digital assets," Gerovich said. "Now it needs the companies, the builders, and the infrastructure to match. We want to help make that happen."

JPYC investment

As the venture capital subsidiary's first investment, Metaplanet is deploying 400 million yen ($2.5 million) into JPYC Inc., the issuer of yen-denominated stablecoin JPYC. The investment is part of JPYC's Series B financing round, according to the company's disclosure.

JPYC, known as Japan's first licensed stablecoin, launched in October 2025 and maintains its 1:1 peg to the yen through bank deposits and government bonds. The stablecoin operates across several blockchain networks, including Avalanche, Ethereum, and Polygon. 

Earlier this month, JPYC partnered with Sony Bank to expand its usage to support creators in the country's music and entertainment sectors, according to a report from Nikkei Asia.

"Every Bitcoin transaction has two sides: Bitcoin and a currency," Gerovich said. "As this market goes institutional, that currency side goes digital. JPYC is building that rail in Japan and we want to be part of it."

US asset manager

Meanwhile, Metaplanet Asset Management will operate as a Miami-based subsidiary serving as a "digital credit and bitcoin capital markets platform" that brings together Asian and Western capital markets. 

According to the company's disclosure, the unit will focus on asset management activities, including bitcoin-related investment products, capital markets advisory services and related regulatory infrastructure.

"The company intends to announce specific funds, managed strategies, and structured products as they are launched, spanning the full spectrum of bitcoin capital markets from yield instruments and fixed income to actively managed equity, credit, commodity, and volatility strategies," the disclosure statement said.

'Not underperforming'

Last month, Metaplanet reported a net loss of 95 billion yen ($598 million) for 2025, driven primarily by unrealized valuation loss on its bitcoin holdings.

Despite the headline loss, Gerovich said operating profit surged 1,695% year-over-year, which he said demonstrates the strength of Metaplanet's strategy. He added that unrealized losses on long-term bitcoin holdings are not meaningful, as the company has no intention of selling them.

"Even in this year's down market, our stock fell 23% while bitcoin fell 24% — we have not underperformed," Gerovich said at the time. "Every yen we've raised has been deployed exactly as disclosed and in line with the strategy we've clearly outlined."

According to Metaplanet's official website, the company currently holds 35,102 BTC, worth $2.45 billion as of today. Metaplanet's Tokyo-listed stock fell 1.9% intraday Thursday to 362 yen, while its U.S.-listed shares MTPLF closed up 5.53% on Wednesday at $2.29.