Japanese investment firm, Metaplanet, has announced bold plans to expand its Bitcoin holdings to 10,000 $BTC in 2025. This would be more than five times its current stash of 1,762 Bitcoin, which is worth about $173.4 million.
Company CEO, Simon Gerovich, shared the plan in a 5 January post, saying the company will use “the most effective financial tools available” to reach this target.
Metaplanet began its Bitcoin investments in 2024 and has quickly become a major player. It is now Asia’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder and ranks 15th globally, according to Bitcoin Treasuries.
The company’s biggest purchase so far came on 23 December 2024, when it bought 619.7 Bitcoin for around $60 million.
Experts predict Bitcoin prices could rise significantly in 2025, possibly reaching $200,000. Gerovich believes this could lead to more countries adopting Bitcoin as a reserve asset, especially if the United States takes the lead.
Speaking at an event hosted by MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor, he said, “If the US adopts Bitcoin as a strategic reserve, Japan and other countries in Asia will follow”.
To fund its plan, Metaplanet will use a mix of loans, equity, and convertible bonds. The company is also forecasting a strong financial year for 2024, with revenue expected to reach 890 million yen ($5.8 million) and an operating profit of 270 million yen—its first profit since 2017.
Building the Bitcoin ecosystem
Metaplanet is also working to grow the Bitcoin community in Japan. In November, it partnered with BTC Media to launch a Japanese edition of Bitcoin Magazine.
This new publication will offer localised content and feature interviews with key figures in Japan’s Bitcoin space. Special editions and online events are also planned to engage the community further.
The company’s income sources are diverse. It earns a significant amount by selling Bitcoin put options, which brought in 520 million yen last year.
Additionally, Metaplanet owns the Royal Oak Hotel in Tokyo’s Gotanda district, which contributes to its revenue through its hospitality business.
“Last year was a turning point for us”, said Gerovich. “We broke records, expanded our Bitcoin treasury, and strengthened our position as Asia’s leading Bitcoin company. This year, we are focused on delivering even more value for our shareholders”.
MicroStrategy’s big Bitcoin goals
Meanwhile, US-based MicroStrategy is continuing its aggressive Bitcoin investment strategy. The company, led by co-founder Michael Saylor, aims to buy $42 billion worth of Bitcoin as part of its “21/21 plan”.
This involves raising $21 billion through equity and another $21 billion through fixed-income securities.
Saylor recently hinted at another large Bitcoin purchase in a 5 January post. Sharing a chart from the SaylorTracker website, he wrote, “Something about SaylorTracker.com is not quite right”. This type of post has often preceded major announcements.
For example, on 29 December 2024, Saylor made a similar comment before the company revealed it had bought 2,138 Bitcoin the next day.
MicroStrategy now holds the largest corporate Bitcoin stash in the world. Its consistent buying reflects the company’s strong belief in Bitcoin as a long-term investment and a hedge against inflation.
The company’s efforts have also gained attention in traditional financial markets. On 23 December 2024, MicroStrategy was added to the Nasdaq 100 index, giving traditional investors indirect exposure to Bitcoin.
To further support its strategy, the company proposed increasing its authorised shares in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
This includes raising its Class A common stock from 330 million to 10.3 billion shares and its preferred shares from 5 million to over 1 billion.
As Bitcoin gears up for a potentially record-breaking year, both Metaplanet and MicroStrategy are doubling down on their investment strategies. Their actions could shape the future of Bitcoin in corporate finance and global adoption.
At the time of press, the top cryptocurrency was changing hands for $98,770, up by over 1% in the last day but down by about 8% from its all-time high of $108.135, achieved on 17 December 2024.
