Altvest Capital Limited, a Johannesburg-based investment firm, has become the first publicly listed company in Africa to adopt Bitcoin (BTC) as a strategic treasury asset. On February 21, 2025, Altvest announced the purchase of approximately 1.00464 BTC for 1.81 million South African Rand (approximately $98,491).
This move is part of Altvest’s broader treasury management strategy aimed at strengthening financial resilience, preserving shareholder value, and gaining exposure to a globally recognized store of value. The company emphasized that it currently has no plans to invest in alternative cryptocurrencies, viewing Bitcoin as the only digital asset that meets its stringent investment criteria for long-term treasury allocation.
Altvest’s decision aligns with a growing trend of corporations worldwide incorporating Bitcoin into their treasury holdings. Notably, companies like Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) in the U.S. and Metaplanet in Japan have made significant Bitcoin acquisitions, holding 478,740 BTC and 2,031 BTC respectively.
As of February 23, 2025, Bitcoin is trading at $96,037, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.59% from the previous close. The intraday high reached $96,812, with a low of $95,681.
Bitcoin (BTC)
$96,037.00
-$571.00(-0.59%)
Today
Altvest’s strategic investment in Bitcoin underscores a broader acceptance of cryptocurrency as a legitimate asset class, particularly in regions like Africa where currency depreciation risks are a concern. The company’s board conducted a comprehensive risk assessment before making this investment, concluding that Bitcoin aligns with its alternative asset philosophy, which prioritizes long-term growth and macroeconomic risk mitigation.
This landmark move by Altvest Capital may pave the way for other African firms to consider similar strategies, reflecting a growing confidence in Bitcoin’s role as a hedge against economic instability and currency depreciation.
