LibWork Shakes Up Japan’s Construction Sector with $3.4M Bitcoin Bet
Move over excavators—LibWork's digging into crypto. The Japanese construction firm just dropped $3.4 million on Bitcoin, swapping steel beams for Satoshis.
Why trad firms are flipping the script
Corporate treasuries aren't what they used to be. With yields collapsing faster than a poorly braced trench, even concrete-pouring giants are chasing digital scarcity. LibWork's move mirrors a growing trend—MicroStrategy without the PowerPoints.
The institutional FOMO is real
No hedging. No ETFs. Just cold, hard self-custody. While Wall Street dithers over 'approved' vehicles, pragmatic firms are cutting out middlemen. Pro tip: When construction companies outpace your hedge fund's crypto allocation, maybe rethink your 'risk management' model.
Bullish on blockchain, bearish on bureaucracy
One Tokyo-based exec quipped, 'We build things that last centuries—why not store value the same way?' Meanwhile, Japan's FSA still hasn't decided if Bitcoin is 'money' or a 'collectible.' Priorities.
LibWork Develops 3D Printer House NFT
LibWork, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth and Fukuoka Q-Board under ticker 1431, said the purchase serves as a hedge against domestic inflation and an entry point into emerging digital markets. The company plans to acquire Bitcoin gradually between September and December 2025 through a trusted exchange, aiming to mitigate risk.
In its announcement, the firm described bitcoin as “digital gold,” emphasizing that holding only cash and deposits exposes balance sheets to inflationary erosion. Management pledged to strengthen risk management, apply transparent accounting standards, and mark holdings to market each quarter. Any significant impacts on earnings would be disclosed promptly.
The company also tied the purchase to its broader innovation strategy. LibWork is developing a, which converts architectural design data into NFTs to protect intellectual property and issues ownership certificates linked to physical homes. The initiative aims to improve transparency and liquidity in housing markets. Bitcoin reserves, executives said, align with this effort to integrate blockchain technologies into Core business operations.
Corporate Bitcoin Trend in Asia
LibWork’s decision reflects a broader trend among Asian corporations. According to K33 Research, the number of public companies globally holding Bitcoin doubled in the first half of 2025, rising from 70 to 134 and collectively acquiring 244,991 BTC. Eight of those firms were Japanese, signaling the country’s growing presence in this movement.
Japanese corporations have increasingly framed Bitcoin as a defensive asset and a diversification tool. BeInCrypto has reported that rising inflation pressures and the desire to strengthen their financial foundations drive boardroom decisions.
The momentum extends across Asia. In August, the Financial Times reported that American Bitcoin, a US miner backed by Donald TRUMP Jr. and Eric Trump, is exploring acquisitions in Japan and Hong Kong to create MicroStrategy-style treasury companies. Meanwhile, Amina Group estimates that public companies worldwide now hold more than 962,000 BTC, valued at over $110 billion.
The BitMEX Blog has highlighted how treasury companies typically operate: they sign advisory agreements with specialized managers, raise funds in public markets, and deploy proceeds into Bitcoin. This structure appeals to investors by outsourcing custody and trading, but also introduces risks. Governance, leverage, and accounting practices vary widely.
BitMEX also warned about potential conflicts of interest:
“Advisory agreements can create conflicts of interest, as managers may earn fees regardless of outcomes, encouraging excessive risk-taking.”
Japan’s Market Response
Despite accelerating corporate adoption, retail participation in Japan remains muted. A survey by the Cornell Bitcoin Club, cited by DocumentingBTC, found that.
“In Japan, 88% have never owned bitcoin.”
“In El Salvador, 28% have never owned bitcoin.”
(New research by The @CornellBitcoin Club) pic.twitter.com/x0nla9MaHm
At the same time, BeInCrypto reported that Japanese firms such as Metaplanet and Remixpoint continue to expand their BTC holdings even during market pullbacks. This demonstrates how treasury strategies are gaining traction at the corporate level, even as consumer adoption lags.
LibWork’s Hybrid Being Watched
LibWork’s move underscores how Japanese firms are beginning to integrate digital assets into financial strategy. Domestic inflation and shifting regulatory debates add urgency to these decisions. Japan’s Financial Services Agency is reviewing whether corporate crypto holdings should be treated under securities law, while APEC member states have called for stronger governance frameworks across digital finance.
The key question is how LibWork executes its hybrid model — blending construction, NFTs, and Bitcoin reserves — and how investors will evaluate the strategy. Its success or failure could set a precedent for other Japanese corporations considering similar moves.
