The famous design tool Figma has also announced a large investment of over 100 billion yen in Bitcoin!
Hello! I'm Jon, your blockchain expert.
Recently, IT companies that provide tools that are indispensable to our work and lives are stepping into the world of blockchain technology and crypto assets (virtual currencies) one after another. And now, the super-famous tool "Figma," which designers and those in the web industry may use every day, has announced that it will make a huge investment in Bitcoin, causing a big stir!
You may be wondering, "What, Figma?" or "Why is a design company involved in Bitcoin?" Today, I will explain this news in a way that anyone can understand, without using any technical jargon, and in a way that will make you think, "I see!"
First of all, what kind of company is Figma?
First, a quick introduction to Figma for those of you who are unfamiliar with it.
Figma is a cloud-based design tool for creating designs for websites and smartphone apps. Its biggest feature is that multiple people can edit one design file at the same time. It's like a "Google Docs for designers," and it's loved by designers and developers all over the world because it makes team collaboration so smooth.
Why did Figma, a company at the forefront of the creative industry, decide to invest its company assets in Bitcoin?
An astonishing amount of investment! Let's take a look at the breakdown
The investment plan announced by Figma this time is roughly divided into two parts. The total amount is1 million dollars (more than 157 billion yen in Japanese yen!)It also goes up.
- 1. Invested approximately $7,000 million in a Bitcoin ETF
First, Figma used part of the company's funds to purchase a financial product called a "Bitcoin ETF." An ETF (exchange-traded fund) is an official financial product that allows you to easily invest in Bitcoin in the same way as buying stocks on a stock exchange. For companies, the benefit is that they can invest in its value while avoiding the risk of directly managing Bitcoin. It's like a "Bitcoin beginner's pack." - 2. Exchange the digital dollars you hold for Bitcoin (approximately $3,000 million, or approx. 47 billion yen)
Figma also announced that it has been approved for a plan to exchange the company's digital assets, called "USDC," for real Bitcoin. The USDC mentioned here is a special digital currency (called a stablecoin) designed to always be priced at $1. It's easier to understand if you think of it as a "digital US dollar." Figma plans to use this digital dollar to directly purchase Bitcoin itself.
This means that Figma is looking to incorporate Bitcoin as a key asset for the company, both through indirect investments (ETFs) and direct purchases.
Why are big companies turning their attention to Bitcoin now?
There are a few reasons why a forward-thinking company like Figma would invest such a large amount of money in Bitcoin.
Reason 1: To protect asset value (anti-inflation measures)
As prices rise worldwide and the value of money gradually declines, companies face the risk of losing the value of their cash. Bitcoin has a set limit on the number of coins it can issue, so it is considered to be a scarce asset like gold and resistant to inflation. For this reason, there is a growing trend to purchase it as "digital gold" to protect company assets.
Reason 2: Future Prospects
Blockchain technology and the Bitcoin that runs on it have the potential to dramatically change the future of finance and the economy. With an eye on the future digital economy, an increasing number of companies are considering holding Bitcoin, the central asset, as an investment in the future.
Reason 3: Increased social trust
In particular, the approval of a Bitcoin ETF by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC, a national agency that regulates financial products) in 2024 was a major turning point. This changed Bitcoin from a "suspicious thing" to a "trusted investment target recognized by the government," and even large companies like Figma were able to invest their assets with confidence.
A word from Jon
What I felt most about this news was that "Blockchain and Bitcoin are no longer just for a few technology enthusiasts and investors." I think it is very significant that a company like Figma, which supports people all over the world in the creative field, has chosen Bitcoin as the asset to which it will entrust its future. This trend will likely spread to other industries in the future. I'm really looking forward to what the future holds!
This article is based on the following original articles and is summarized from the author's perspective:
Figma Reveals $70M Bitcoin ETF Holdings, Plans to Buy $30M
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