TLDR
- Animoca Brands Japan and RootstockLabs have partnered to develop Bitcoin-native treasury products for Japanese corporations.
- The initiative aims to help companies manage digital assets using Rootstock’s secure Bitcoin sidechain infrastructure.
- Japanese firms will access tools for Bitcoin-backed borrowing and yield strategies aligned with local compliance standards.
- Animoca Brands may integrate these features into its existing Digital Asset Treasury Management Support Service.
- The project focuses on meeting strict governance, legal, and risk requirements expected by Japanese institutional users.
Animoca Brands Japan and RootstockLabs have launched a joint initiative to develop Bitcoin-native treasury solutions tailored for Japanese corporations, aiming to support digital asset strategies, treasury optimization, and Bitcoin-based yield operations through Rootstock’s infrastructure and rBTC.
Bitcoin-native treasury tools to target Japanese corporate needs
Animoca Brands Japan and RootstockLabs announced their collaboration on January 27 through a joint statement shared with local and global stakeholders. The two firms will work together to localize Rootstock’s Bitcoin-based infrastructure to serve Japanese institutions. The project will align with Japan’s legal standards and corporate governance frameworks.
Japanese companies are gradually increasing their Bitcoin exposure, seeking more control over digital asset management on corporate balance sheets. Most strategies have centered on holding Bitcoin without using it within decentralized financial systems. This partnership aims to introduce on-chain treasury management tailored to regulatory and operational demands.
Rootstock, a Bitcoin sidechain secured by merged mining, supports Ethereum-compatible smart contracts and has maintained consistent uptime since 2018. It is designed to offer a secure environment for institutions seeking blockchain functionality with Bitcoin’s proof-of-work foundation. The platform is backed by over 80% of Bitcoin’s hash power.
Animoca Brands expands its institutional focus with Rootstock
Animoca Brands Japan may integrate Rootstock’s capabilities into its existing Digital Asset Treasury Management Support Service. The service, launched in September 2025, assists Japanese corporations with developing crypto strategies under strict internal controls. It does not involve crypto exchange or advisory services.
Rootstock Institutional will be evaluated for its ability to support borrowing, yield strategies, and Bitcoin-backed operations under Japanese compliance standards. Animoca Brands Japan will assess the integration of these features into structured frameworks. These frameworks must match internal governance models used by listed companies in Japan.
Kensuke Amo, CEO of Animoca Brands Japan, emphasized the importance of strict risk controls for digital asset use by enterprises. “Japanese companies expect clear structure and compliance when using crypto for treasury,” he said in the announcement. Therefore, the project focuses on security, governance, and technical compliance from the start.
Bitcoin-based strategies to support regulated treasury optimization
The joint effort includes exploring Bitcoin-backed financial tools built on Rootstock’s infrastructure and its token, rBTC, pegged 1:1 to Bitcoin. These tools will allow corporations to manage yield, liquidity, and asset allocation while staying within Japan’s legal boundaries. rBTC is used widely within Rootstock’s DeFi ecosystem.
Rootstock’s sidechain architecture allows institutions to benefit from Bitcoin’s security while using smart contracts for financial operations. This structure supports advanced treasury strategies without exposing firms to unnecessary on-chain risk. It also enables access to a growing ecosystem of DeFi tools on Bitcoin.
The two companies plan to tailor these services for Japan’s business environment, which demands reliable, legal, and technically sound solutions. The platform will focus on supporting structured treasury models rather than speculative or retail-focused crypto use. This approach meets the rising demand for asset-backed operations among local firms.
