The Bitfury Group, the world’s leading full-service blockchain technology company, has expanded its global operations into Japan, opening a Tokyo office to be led by veteran finance and technology expert Katsunori Aonuma.
Bitfury’s expansion was scheduled to be announced today at the Rakuten Fintech Conference by George Kikvadze, Vice Chairman of The Bitfury Group. Kikvadze spoke on the conference’s “Evolution of Blockchain and Digital Currency” panel.
Aonuma’s appointment as Head of Japan underscores Bitfury’s deep commitment to develop cutting-edge Blockchain technology solutions for businesses, governments, organizations and individuals across Japan.
“We are honored that Katsunori has joined The Bitfury Group,” said Valery Vavilov, CEO of The Bitfury Group. “Japan is an extraordinarily innovative place and a crucial area of growth for Blockchain technology. We look forward to building new customer relationships and designing the products they need to make their enterprises run more securely and efficiently.”
“I am thrilled to play a key role leading Bitfury’s business growth in Japan,” said Aonuma. “Blockchain technology will fundamentally change many aspects of our society and may be the most important invention since the Internet. As the foundational full-service Blockchain company, Bitfury will become a huge advocate in Japan. I am honored to be their Head of Japan, and I look forward to bringing Bitfury’s state-of-the-art Bitcoin Blockchain products to new customers here.”
Aonuma brings 13 years of experience to Bitfury in finance, focusing on technology and media in investment banking, private equity and venture capital.
Aonuma served more than six years with the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan, the nation’s quasi-sovereign investment fund backed by the government. In this role, he completed 11 investments with numerous profitable exits. Previously, he served as the chief financial officer of a C2C ticketing startup and successfully closed two rounds of financing, including one round from Nikkei Inc.
Aonuma completed a number of M&A transactions at Deutsche Bank involving major Japanese semiconductor and internet media companies. He also has served on the boards of the Digital Publishing Initiatives Japan, Royalgate Inc., and a Kinokuniya Bookstore EC business subsidiary.
The new Bitfury office will be located in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo.
