Key Points
- Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) is exploring the inclusion of Bitcoin and other illiquid assets in its investment portfolio.
- The GPIF is conducting a five-year research project to innovate its investment strategies in response to evolving economic, social, and technological landscapes.
Japan’s GPIF, a $1.5 trillion government fund, is considering the possibility of diversifying its portfolio by including Bitcoin and other illiquid assets.
The fund made a public request on Tuesday for information on low-liquidity assets, including Bitcoin, gold, and farmland. This move is part of a broader five-year research initiative aimed at updating its investment strategies in response to societal, economic, and technological changes.
Understanding the GPIF’s Interest in Bitcoin
However, this recent announcement does not necessarily suggest that the pension fund is leaning towards Bitcoin. The GPIF is currently in the data collection phase, which will be followed by a thorough discussion.
As of the third quarter of 2023, the GPIF managed approximately 224.7 trillion yen (US$1.5 trillion), making it the largest known pension fund globally, as reported by Bloomberg.
This news comes as Bitcoin‘s price experienced a 5.43% drop in the past 24 hours, falling to $64,005. This dip followed a period of record-breaking gains last week. Despite this recent decline, Bitcoin’s value has increased by over 50% since the beginning of the year.
