Metaplanet to Acquire Siiibo Securities for $13 Million to Launch Bitcoin Yield Products in Japan

Tokyo-based bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet has announced its agreement to fully acquire Siiibo Securities for 2.1 billion yen ($13 million). The strategic acquisition of the licensed Type I securities firm is aimed at allowing Metaplanet to develop and distribute bitcoin-linked yield products directly to Japanese investors. Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich announced the deal on Friday, noting that the transaction is expected to close in July, after which Siiibo Securities will be rebranded as Metaplanet Securities.

The acquisition marks Metaplanet’s first major corporate purchase and serves as the initial phase of “Project Nova,” the company’s long-term strategy to establish a bitcoin-centric financial ecosystem in Japan. By integrating Siiibo’s existing Type I registration and online securities platform, Metaplanet plans to transition from merely accumulating cryptocurrency to offering investor-facing financial products. Gerovich stated that this expansion will be backed by the company’s substantial holdings of 40,177 BTC.

Metaplanet’s move comes at a time when Japanese households hold 1,140 trillion yen ($7.1 trillion) in cash and deposits, representing nearly half of their total financial assets. As the Japanese economy transitions from deflation to inflation, Gerovich noted that domestic capital has begun searching for yield. The company views this macroeconomic shift as an ideal opportunity to bridge traditional finance with digital assets, aiming to deliver new yield-generating opportunities through its updated platform.

Founded in 2019, Siiibo Securities operates as an independent financial instruments business that allows retail investors to access privately placed corporate bonds, a market traditionally dominated by institutions. To date, Siiibo has facilitated over 100 bond issuances for more than 40 companies. Despite its market presence, Siiibo reported a net loss of 175.4 million yen ($1.1 million) last year. Similarly, Metaplanet recorded a net loss of 114.5 billion yen ($715.4 million) in the first quarter, which the company attributed to mark-to-market valuation losses on its bitcoin holdings. Following the announcement, Metaplanet’s Tokyo-listed shares closed up 3.6% on Friday.