Bitcoin market today: Metaplanet Plans to Acquire 21,000 Bitcoins

Bitcoin market today: Metaplanet, Japan's leading Bitcoin treasury firm, has announced its intention to acquire 21,000 Bitcoins, which are valued at approximately $2 billion.

Metaplanet, Japan's leading Bitcoin treasury firm, has announced plans to acquire 21,000 Bitcoins, worth approximately $2 billion, by the end of 2026. This announcement marks the launch of their 2025-2026 Bitcoin Plan, reinforcing their position as a significant corporate holder of Bitcoin.

The Tokyo-based company intends to purchase 10,000 Bitcoins by the end of 2025, with plans to increase its total holdings to 21,000 by the following year. CEO Simon Gerovich emphasized that this initiative aims to establish the world’s largest Bitcoin reserve, positioning Metaplanet as a key player in the market, independent of other major entities like MicroStrategy.

Following a record year, Metaplanet’s shift to a "Bitcoin-first" strategy in April 2024 has significantly contributed to its success. Like other leading firms, Metaplanet has moved away from traditional performance metrics, focusing instead on the growth of its Bitcoin assets.

This strategic decision coincides with a surge in demand driven by favorable crypto policies under US President Donald Trump and shifts in Japan's investment landscape. Notably, Bitcoin reached an all-time high of $109,241 on January 20, shortly after Trump assumed office.

A Year of Remarkable Growth

By the end of 2024, Metaplanet's holdings included 1,761 Bitcoins, purchased at an average price of ¥11.85 million each. These assets have since skyrocketed in value, exceeding ¥27.7 billion ($206 million). The company achieved an impressive 309.82% yield on Bitcoin in the fourth quarter alone, compared to 41.7% in the previous quarter.
Metaplanet's market capitalization surged by 7,000% throughout 2024, with stock trading volumes increasing by 430 times in yen terms. The company also expanded its shareholder base by 500%, surpassing 50,000 investors, positioning it among the top 15 publicly traded companies holding Bitcoin globally.

Much of this success is attributed to Japan’s growing acceptance of Bitcoin. Over the past year, Metaplanet’s shares have surged by more than 4,000%, making it the largest gainer on the Japanese stock market and one of the best-performing stocks worldwide.

The "21 Million Plan"

Metaplanet's acquisition strategy, dubbed the "21 Million Plan," will be funded through the issuance of 21 million shares via moving strike warrants. The company is aiming to raise ¥116.65 billion ($870 million) in capital. A distinguishing feature of this approach is its focus on protecting shareholder value.

Unlike traditional equity raises in Japan that often lead to dilution by issuing shares at discounted prices, Metaplanet ensures that its warrants are linked to 100% of the previous day’s closing price, preventing new shares from being sold below market value.
Dylan LeClair, Metaplanet’s Director of Bitcoin Strategy, stated that the company's goal is to maximize Bitcoin per share without disrupting the market. “This plan is designed to safeguard our shareholders,” he noted, highlighting their flexibility to adjust share issuance based on market conditions.

CEO Gerovich mentioned that he was inspired by Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, after listening to him on a podcast. Previously known as Red Planet Japan, Metaplanet transitioned from hotel development to focusing on Bitcoin after the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the hospitality sector.

By investing all capital from rights issues and debt into Bitcoin, Metaplanet has yielded substantial returns for its shareholders. While substantial investors like Capital Group have shown interest, the majority of Metaplanet's investors are retail traders, many of whom are relatively new to cryptocurrency.

Metaplanet’s ambitious plans and strategic focus on Bitcoin position it for continued growth in the evolving digital asset landscape.

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