Asian Gaming Giant Adds Bitcoin to Balance Sheet

1 min readUpdated May 30, 2025Apr 30, 20216:03 AM

In this article (4)

Nexon has joined other publicly listed companies such as Microstrategy and Tesla in holding the cryptocurrency as a hedge against inflation.

The South Korean-Japanese video game publisher purchased some 1,707 bitcoin for about $100 million, equivalent to less than 2 percent of the company’s total cash and cash equivalents on hand, it said in an announcement this week.

Nexon owns major gaming franchises including Maple Story, Kart Rider and Dungeon & Fighter. It is listed in Tokyo and is part of the Nikkei 225.

Our purchase of bitcoin reflects a disciplined strategy for protecting shareholder value and for maintaining the purchasing power of our cash assets, Owen Mahoney, president and CEO of Nexon, explained in the statement, saying the company needs to think seriously about the future purchasing power of our cash in a world of potential currency debasement.

In the current economic environment, we believe bitcoin offers long-term stability and liquidity while maintaining the value of our cash for future investments, he added.

AdvertisementAdvertise with usMobile 320×100

What this means

Nexon’s strategic Bitcoin acquisition, representing under two percent of its cash, is a cautious yet bold bet on cryptocurrency as a stable, long-term asset. This proactive hedging against inflation puts pressure on other cash-rich Asian companies, particularly those in the tech sector, to review their treasury management. Unlike many retail players expanding physical footprints, Nexon is innovating its financial strategy. This move echoes the broader Asian market trend of exploring new growth vectors, from Panpuri's store expansion to Chipotle's new partnerships. The principal risk is Bitcoin's volatility, yet Nexon's modest allocation mitigates immediate balance sheet exposure. Watch for any subsequent Bitcoin purchases announced by Asian public companies.

Aiko Tanaka · Retail News Asia newsroom

Questions & Answers

Why did Nexon choose to purchase Bitcoin?

Nexon stated their purchase reflects a disciplined strategy to protect shareholder value and maintain the purchasing power of their cash assets. They believe Bitcoin offers long-term stability and liquidity in the current economic environment.

How much Bitcoin did Nexon buy and what was the cost?

Nexon purchased approximately 1,707 Bitcoin. The total cost of this acquisition was about $100 million, which they announced this week.

What proportion of Nexon's total cash assets does this Bitcoin purchase represent?

The Bitcoin purchase is equivalent to less than 2 percent of the company’s total cash and cash equivalents on hand. This indicates it is a relatively small portion of their overall assets.

Reader pulse

Nexon's Bitcoin purchase:

20,807 votes so far