Metaplanet Races to Become Asia’s Largest Bitcoin Holder With Latest 108 BTC Acquisition

Metaplanet, a Tokyo-listed investment firm known as “Asia’s MicroStrategy,” has significantly ramped up its Bitcoin purchases so far in October. The firm acquired over 215 BTC this month, raising its total holdings to 639.5 BTC, valued at approximately $40.5 million. On October 1, the firm acquired 107.91 BTC and followed with another purchase of 108.78 BTC, at an average price of $61,904 per Bitcoin, according to a statement on October 7.

This aggressive accumulation is part of Metaplanet’s Bitcoin-first, Bitcoin-only treasury strategy, which aligns with its long-term vision of positioning itself as a leading player in the cryptocurrency market, following the path of MicroStrategy, the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin globally.

Metaplanet’s bold shift towards Bitcoin began on May 13, 2024 when it announced plans to adopt Bitcoin as its primary treasury asset. This decision came as a response to Japan’s ongoing economic struggles, characterized by a weakening yen, high government debt, and low interest rates. 

Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich stated that the firm believes Bitcoin offers a hedge against the yen’s depreciation, which hit its lowest level in 34 years. “Why hold JPY when it does nothing except depreciate? #Bitcoin solves this,” Gerovich said on the X platform, underscoring the rationale behind the shift to cryptocurrency​.

To finance its aggressive Bitcoin acquisitions, Metaplanet secured a ¥1 billion ($6.8 million) loan from MMXX Ventures at a 0.1% APR with a six-month term, according to an August 08 official statement. The firm also announced plans to raise ¥10 billion ($68 million) through the Gratis Allotment of Stock Acquisition Rights. 

According to Dylan LeClair, Metaplanet’s director of Bitcoin strategy, ¥7.5 billion ($50.4 million) of the raised funds will be allocated for additional Bitcoin purchases by the end of 2024.

Source: X

Metaplanet’s aggressive Bitcoin strategy is aimed not just at accumulating BTC, but also at transforming its entire corporate treasury. The firm’s Bitcoin-first approach positions cryptocurrency as superior to both fiat and other crypto assets. 

In addition to direct Bitcoin purchases, the Tokyo-listed company is employing advanced strategies like selling put options, earning a 23.97 BTC premium (around $1.4 million) through the sale of 223 Bitcoin put options, as disclosed in an October 3 post. 

The recent acquisitions sent Metaplanet’s stock price up by 11% in so far in October, contributing to a 517% year-to-date increase, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company’s Bitcoin-focused investment strategy.

Metaplanet aims to become Asia’s largest publicly traded Bitcoin holder, surpassing Hong Kong’s Meitu Inc., which currently holds 940.9 BTC. This aggressive acquisition reflects a broader trend of institutional adoption of Bitcoin, driven by its role as both an inflation hedge and a long-term investment.

With Bitcoin ETFs recently surpassing $1 billion in inflows in the last week of September, Metaplanet’s strategy aligns with growing institutional interest in digital assets.