Japanese consulting company Remixpoint Inc. has become the first publicly listed company in Japan to pay its CEO’s full compensation in Bitcoin (BTC), in a move designed to strengthen alignment between executive leadership and shareholders.
The company’s president and CEO, Yoshihiko Takahashi, voluntarily chose to receive his entire salary in Bitcoin, according to an official press release. Takahashi cited his intention to demonstrate loyalty to the firm’s Bitcoin-focused strategy and to signal confidence in its future. My decision to receive my entire compensation in Bitcoin is a clear signal that I am ‘in the same boat’ as our shareholders, Takahashi comment in press release.
Aligning incentives through crypto
Shareholders had previously urged Remixpoint’s management to hold company shares to ensure stronger alignment of financial interests. However, due to regulatory constraints in Japan including potential insider trading concerns Remixpoint could not facilitate direct stock ownership by executives.
As an alternative, the company implemented a Bitcoin salary payment model for its CEO. According to the firm, this approach allows leadership to share the economic outcomes faced by investors. By receiving compensation in Bitcoin, the company’s leadership will share the same economic fate as shareholders,” Remixpoint stated.
The initiative positions Remixpoint as a pioneer in executive compensation using cryptocurrency. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $108,461, reflecting a 0.45% dip in the past 24 hours, though it has risen 1.59% over the past week and 3.3% over the last two weeks, according to crypto.news.
BTC treasury and early adoption
Remixpoint is not new to Bitcoin. The firm began accumulating BTC in September 2024, making it an early adopter compared to companies that have only recently started building corporate Bitcoin treasuries.
According to Bitcoin Treasuries data, the company currently holds 1,051 BTC, valued at approximately $114.03 million. This positions Remixpoint among a growing list of firms integrating Bitcoin into their balance sheets but with the added distinction of using it for executive compensation.
The move comes as corporate interest in Bitcoin continues to intensify globally, with firms raising capital through share offerings and subscription sales to fund BTC acquisitions. However, Remixpoint’s salary strategy marks a new frontier in corporate Bitcoin utility, potentially setting a precedent for crypto compensation in executive pay structures.