Japan’s Lib Work Adds Bitcoin to Treasury After Venturing Into NFT Sector

Japan-based 3D printed housing firm Lib Work Co. has announced plans to purchase Bitcoin for its corporate treasury, joining a growing list of non-crypto companies embracing digital assets. 

The decision comes just a month after the company revealed its blockchain-based initiative to safeguard 3D printed house designs through non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Lib Wok Plans for $3.3M Bitcoin Purchase

In a statement released on Monday following its board meeting, Lib Work said it will acquire 500 million yen ($3.3 million) worth of Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and the risks of relying solely on cash reserves. The firm explained that the phased purchases will begin in September and continue until December, with transactions executed via cryptocurrency exchanges.

At current prices of around $115,377 per Bitcoin, the investment equates to roughly 28 BTC, placing Lib Work 105th on the list of corporate Bitcoin treasuries, just ahead of French payment provider BD Multimedia.

The company noted that its adoption of Bitcoin was part of a broader strategy to prepare for “future growth areas with overseas operators” and to strengthen its financial resilience against macroeconomic risks in Japan. A risk management framework will also be implemented to oversee the purchases.

NFT Blueprints for 3D Printed Homes

The move into Bitcoin comes shortly after Lib Work expanded its blockchain strategy into housing design. On July 25, the firm announced that its Lib Earth House Model B had been issued as an NFT, enabling the design’s ownership rights, history, and identification details to be stored on-chain. This allows buyers to hold exclusive rights to a physical house blueprint while preventing plagiarism or unauthorized use of its design.

Lib Work emphasized that blockchain and NFTs are moving beyond the creative industries and becoming essential tools for protecting intellectual property in real estate and construction. 

With labor shortages and rising material costs pressuring traditional building methods, the firm believes that 3D printing and digital asset integration could help lower costs, reduce construction time, and create entirely new housing markets, including those tied to the metaverse and Web3.

Founded in 1997 and renamed in 2018, Lib Work has built a reputation for detached homes and real estate solutions enhanced by internet and virtual reality tools.