The adoption of the 'Sailor Money' strategy has emerged as one of the major financial trends in 2025. From Japan's Metaplanet to European blockchain groups, listed companies are restructuring their capital structures to prioritize BTC accumulation.
Joe Burnett, former market research director of Unchained and Bitcoin strategy director at Semler Scientific, mentioned that these companies are not simply following the United States, but in some cases, are even ahead. In an exclusive interview with Beincrypto, Burnett deeply explained the reasons why companies are moving towards digital gold and how BTC is restructuring corporate reserves.
Bitcoin, a Stable Asset for Corporate Accounting
Beincrypto recently reported that at least 61 companies have adopted a Bitcoin financial strategy, with more companies joining this list. Companies like Meliuz in Brazil or ANAP Holdings in Japan are now adding BTC to their balance sheets.
Burnett argues that this is not just a temporary trend, but Bitcoin's rise as a corporate financial asset over the next decade.
"Beyond the scale of funding, the intention is crucial. Companies worldwide are optimizing their financial infrastructure around Bitcoin. Now, they are not just hedging balance sheets, but building a complete financial engine based on hard money principles," he said.
So what is driving this global transition? He explained that Bitcoin addresses critical gaps in financial infrastructure. In regions where inflation erodes cash reserves, dollar access is limited, or cross-border payments are slow and expensive, Bitcoin offers an attractive alternative.
Even in stable markets, the motivation is strategic. Companies are allocating Bitcoin as a long-term reserve asset, attracted by its unique monetary characteristics: fixed supply, global neutrality, transparent issuance.
"In two contexts, Bitcoin is not replacing the system but becoming a crucial hedge for companies thinking beyond short-term market cycles," Burnett told Beincrypto.
Management emphasized that while holding Bitcoin can protect capital, integrating it into the capital structure transforms it into an 'operating asset'. Bitcoin's global tradability, instant settlement, and immunity to capital controls allow companies to gain credit, improve liquidity, and reduce dependence on traditional financial systems.
This is particularly valuable in markets with limited credit or infrastructure.
"For forward-looking companies, Bitcoin adoption is not just about preserving value. It's about building a flexible and resilient balance sheet that can operate in both existing and emerging financial systems," he noted.
The Future of Bitcoin Holdings in Corporate Capital Structures
While companies are already using Bitcoin as a reserve asset and loan collateral, Burnett predicts this asset will become a foundational element of corporate capital structures in the next decade.
"More companies are likely to issue debt to acquire Bitcoin or use it as collateral in credit and liquidity strategies. This is a strategy pioneered by MicroStrategy, now being adopted in public and private markets," management said.
This approach is gaining attention as companies reconsider balancing stocks, debt, and cash reserves. According to Burnett, as Bitcoin's role as a financial tool grows, companies can create new methods of capital raising and financial operations management.
Thus, companies can begin operating outside traditional banking systems, managing finances and capital formation through Bitcoin-based strategies.
But what does this mean for traditional financial institutions? As BTC demand increases, traditional financial institutions will face significant challenges.
"Bitcoin challenges the core assumptions on which traditional financial institutions are built. It is a held asset with final settlement, which cannot be frozen, reversed, or intermediated," Burnett noted.
However, he added that some institutions are already adapting. Banks like BNY Mellon and BBVA are exploring custody and advisory services.
But Burnett believes these institutions still rely on traditional financial systems and infrastructure that do not suit digital assets. Therefore, unless they integrate more deeply into Bitcoin's native ecosystem, these institutions will struggle to fully support companies using Bitcoin as the center of their financial strategy.
Thus, banks will need to adopt more advanced Bitcoin-specific systems that operate within a decentralized digital currency framework.
"The gap is becoming increasingly clear: institutions that treat Bitcoin as core infrastructure versus those delaying. Early-moving institutions will be better positioned to support customers operating in a world where assets settle globally, transparently, without trusted intermediaries," Burnett mentioned.
How Companies Handle Bitcoin Reserve Risks
Bitcoin reserve strategies are not without challenges. Signum recently warned that companies could face bankruptcy risks and market instability.
Burnett acknowledged these concerns. He explained that the lack of execution, rather than Bitcoin itself, is the source of risk.
"If you are using short-term capital, cannot access liquidity, and lack internal processes to handle market volatility, this is a weak structure. Bitcoin is not causing the risk; rather, some companies are omitting the structure they would apply to other volatile assets," he told Beincrypto.
According to Burnett, the solution lies in a disciplined strategy. Companies that use long-term capital, establish clear policies, and avoid leverage can treat Bitcoin as a stable reserve rather than a speculative bet.
Robust infrastructure such as multi-institutional custody, credit access, and strong internal controls is crucial to ensuring that Bitcoin is seamlessly integrated into a broader financial strategy.
