A biotech company made a bold move. Based on reports, MEI Pharma announced a $100 million investment in Litecoin as part of its corporate treasury, backed by Titan Partners Group and broker firm GSR.
Bold Bet For Litecoin
According to a recent SEC filing, MEI Pharma acquired 29.24 million shares at $3.42 apiece through a PIPE deal, and it plans to funnel 100% of its net proceeds into LTC.
The company also named Charlie Lee, Litecoin’s creator, to its board, a step that suggests MEI wants expert help building crypto use cases in its finance arm.
Litecoin has often been overshadowed by Bitcoin and Ethereum. But its lower fees—often under $0.05 per transaction—and average confirmation times of about 2.5 minutes are catching the eye of firms that need quick moves.
Companies search for a way to pay employees using crypto? ‘Litecoin’s Rise in Corporate Finance: The Key to Crypto Payroll Adoption’https://t.co/7q16fpOe4S
— Litecoin Foundation
(@LTCFoundation) July 20, 2025
Fintech Firms Eye Crypto Payroll
Based on reports, several fintech start‑ups are exploring ways to pay staff in crypto without the wild swings of Bitcoin.
They see Litecoin as a smoother option because its price tends to move less on a daily basis, and they’re testing models that let workers get paid in LTC before it converts into local currency. If those tests succeed, some experts say paying salaries in crypto by 2025 won’t be a surprise.
Volatility still poses a challenge for straight crypto wages. Some firms are trying a mix of Litecoin for settlement speed and stablecoins like USDC for value stability at payout.
That strategy reduces risk without introducing too many steps, but it does involve dealing with two or more currencies in a single pay cycle. Businesses have to cope with additional tech and additional compliance verifications in order to keep the wheels turning.
Regulatory Obstacles And Hybrid Solutions
EU regulation under the MiCA regime requires strict licenses for any crypto service, which can be overwhelming for small and medium businesses.
Yet following those rules may help a firm look more trustworthy to investors and lenders. It can also unlock better funding terms, even if the path to compliance feels long and costly.
Questions Remain About Execution
MEI Pharma’s choice to hold Litecoin on its balance sheet is a clear vote of confidence. But the real test will be how the company handles price swings, treasury management, and on‑ramps for converting LTC into everyday cash.
If MEI’s strategy works, other public firms and large start‑ups could follow, pushing Litecoin into broader use as a corporate finance tool. For now, the industry is watching closely.
At the time of writing, Litecoin (LTC) was trading at $119.90, up 24% in the last seven days, data from CoinMarketCap shows.
Featured image from Zebpay, chart from TradingView
