Ripple-Partner SBI Joins Forces With ‘Japan’s MicroStrategy’ Metaplanet

As a seasoned researcher with over two decades of experience in the dynamic world of finance and technology, I find this partnership between SBI VC Trade and Metaplanet to be a significant stride towards the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin. With my roots deeply embedded in understanding the intricacies of Japan’s financial landscape, I can see how this collaboration will reshape the way corporate clients manage their digital assets.


In simple terms, SBI VC Trade, a subsidiary of the long-standing Ripple partner SBI Group from Japan, has formed a strategic alliance with Metaplanet Inc., a company based in Tokyo that’s been dubbed ‘Japan’s MicroStrategy’ due to its significant Bitcoin investments. This partnership, announced on September 2, 2024, is aimed at streamlining Bitcoin transactions, storage, and management, particularly for corporate clients.

SBI Supports Metaplanet With Its Bitcoin Strategy

As a crypto investor, I’m excited about our ongoing initiative with prominent industry players in Japan, as part of Metaplanet’s strategy to work closely with corporates who are proponents of Bitcoin accumulation. This partnership opens doors to a secure, compliant corporate custody service that emphasizes tax efficiency and provides an opportunity for us to leverage Bitcoin as collateral for financing. According to the official press release from Metaplanet, this is a significant step forward in our shared vision for the future of digital assets.

Metaplanet has been leading the charge by employing Bitcoin as a main financial resource, particularly as a safeguard against the weakening Japanese yen and excessive national debt. Their dedication to a Bitcoin-focused treasury is clear from their latest August disclosure, where they revealed holding approximately 360.368 Bitcoins, underscoring their assertive approach to boost shareholder value by continually acquiring more Bitcoin.

SBI VC Trade provides a powerful tool for trading cryptocurrencies, along with specialized services tailored for corporate users. These premium features encompass margin trading, allowing clients’ crypto assets to serve as collateral, and a cutting-edge funding rate system that adjusts according to market fluctuations, replacing the conventional leverage fees typically seen in Japan.

One notable aspect of this collaboration is the exemption provided for the end-of-period tax on unrealized cryptocurrency gains, known as mark-to-market tax. This benefit is especially beneficial for corporate clients since it enables them to take advantage of tax optimizations without sacrificing liquidity or the potential profits from staking.

Through our partnership, we’re proud to offer a tax-exempt service, demonstrating our dedication to creating a versatile and financially robust platform for handling cryptocurrencies. This is the message conveyed by SBI in their official statement.

On Metaplanet’s part, they stated, “This fits perfectly with our goal of being a contemporary financial services provider, providing us with adaptability for our business strategy. It dovetails with our current endeavors in equity and debt financing, while also broadening our financial options as our treasury grows. We are consistently assessing different tools and strategies that could boost our financial agility.”

The Ripple Link

The partnership addresses the demand for  crypto management solutions that include custody and operational management, aspects that are crucial for large-scale corporate participants who are integrating digital assets into their financial portfolios.

The unification of these services emphasizes SBI’s extensive dedication to the cryptocurrency industry, a commitment evident in its enduring partnership with Ripple, via SBI Ripple Asia. This collective endeavor aims to leverage Ripple’s blockchain technology for improving cross-border payment systems across Asia, involving more than 60 Japanese banks. Yoshitaka Kitao, CEO of SBI Holdings, has been an ardent supporter of expanding the use of Ripple’s technology and XRP within their financial processes.

At press time, BTC traded at $58,290.

Ripple-Partner SBI Joins Forces With ‘Japan’s MicroStrategy’ Metaplanet

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2024-09-02 19:41