Diamond Hands and Blockstream Form Strategic Partnership to Advance Bitcoin Business in Japan
Diamond Hands, the Japan’s premier Bitcoin consulting and business development firm, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with Blockstream, a global leader in Bitcoin infrastructure development headquartered in Victoria, Canada, and led by CEO Adam Back. This partnership aims to facilitate Blockstream’s business expansion in Japan.
Blockstream’s business operations in Japan will also be conducted in collaboration with Fulgur G.K., the Japanese entity of Fulgur Ventures, Blockstream’s largest shareholder.
As part of this partnership, Diamond Hands CEO Koji Higashi has been appointed as Blockstream’s Brand Ambassador in Japan. In this role, he will lead initiatives to enhance Blockstream’s brand recognition in the Japanese market and expand partnerships with domestic companies.
About Blockstream
Founded in 2014, Blockstream is recognized as a global leader in Bitcoin and blockchain development, with operations spanning multiple regions worldwide.
As a full-stack Bitcoin company, Blockstream is home to some of the most renowned developers and business leaders in the industry. In addition to contributing to Bitcoin’s core protocol research and development, Blockstream provides cutting-edge solutions, including the implementation of Core Lightning for the Lightning Network, the development of Liquid Network, a Bitcoin sidechain for token issuance, and a range of other Bitcoin ecosystem innovations.
Japan Market Strategy
Blockstream has identified several key opportunities in Japan:
Growing Interest in Bitcoin Among Domestic Companies: With the approval of Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S., global interest and demand for Bitcoin are surging. In Japan, corporate Bitcoin adoption and business involvement in the Bitcoin space are expected to accelerate.
The Rise of Bitcoin Layer 2 (L2) Solutions: Adoption of L2 technologies such as the Lightning Network and Liquid Network is gaining momentum, with increasing implementation by exchanges and enterprise businesses in Japan.
Rising Focus on Real-World Assets (RWA): Japan is seeing heightened interest in RWA, including stablecoins. As part of this trend, Bitcoin-based token issuance is expected to gain traction.
Collaboration with Tokyo Bitcoin Base (T₿B): Blockstream will establish its Japanese base at Tokyo Bitcoin Base (T₿B), a dedicated Bitcoin coworking and event space set to open in Yotsuya this spring. This move will reinforce Blockstream’s commitment to fostering the local Bitcoin community.
Blockstream’s Services in Japan
Blockstream plans to collaborate with Japanese enterprises and regulators, focusing on three main areas:
Bitcoin-Powered RWA Token Issuance: Supporting the issuance and implementation of stablecoins and RWA tokens on the Liquid Network. With over $2 billion worth of tokenized assets already on Liquid, Blockstream aims to establish it as a secure financial platform for tokenized RWA solutions in Japan.
Bitcoin Technology Advisory & Implementation Support: Leveraging its world-class technical expertise, Blockstream will provide consulting and implementation support for secure Bitcoin custody, L2 development, and enterprise Bitcoin infrastructure.
Self-Custodial Product Offerings: Blockstream will expand the distribution of its self-custodial Bitcoin products in Japan, including the feature-rich mobile wallet Blockstream Green and the Jade hardware wallet, designed for long-term asset storage. These solutions will be tailored for both individual and enterprise users.
Statements
Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream
“With regulatory clarity improving and institutional interest in Bitcoin growing, now is the perfect time for Blockstream to strengthen its presence in Japan. Japan is one of our most important markets, and by partnering with trusted allies like Fulgur Ventures and Diamond Hands, we aim to support Japanese businesses and individuals in leveraging Bitcoin to build a secure, scalable, and decentralized financial future.”
Koji Higashi, CEO of Diamond Hands
“I am thrilled to lead Blockstream’s business development in Japan alongside Blockstream and Fulgur G.K. Blockstream is a unique company with globally renowned developers and a deep commitment to Bitcoin’s ethos. By leveraging my experience, knowledge, and connections in the Japanese Bitcoin industry, I am committed to delivering tangible results in the market.
This partnership marks a significant milestone not just for our companies but for Japan’s entire Bitcoin and crypto asset ecosystem. I am confident that it will accelerate Bitcoin adoption among Japanese enterprises and drive new entrants into the industry.”
Rintaro Kawai, Representative of Fulgur G.K.
“With the anticipated return of the Trump administration, Bitcoin and its underlying blockchain technology are gaining momentum globally, including in Japan. Having Diamond Hands—a leading force in Japan’s Bitcoin industry—join as Blockstream’s local partner is both exciting and reassuring. Our co-hosted Bitcoin Tokyo 2024 conference was a resounding success, and I have no doubt that Blockstream’s expansion in Japan will also be a great success.”