A digital asset

investment fund

Viska is an alternative investment fund based in Iceland that invests in digital assets.

Published on

Metaplanet: Asia's MicroStrategy


Metaplanet, a Japanese company originally focused on hotel management, has garnered significant attention for its strategic pivot toward Bitcoin acquisition, drawing parallels to MicroStrategy's approach in the United States. This shift has not only redefined Metaplanet's business model but also led to a remarkable surge in its stock value.

Metaplanet's Bitcoin Acquisition Strategy

In 2024, under the leadership of CEO Simon Gerovich, a former Goldman Sachs derivatives trader, Metaplanet transitioned from its traditional hotel management operations to become a Bitcoin treasury-focused company. This decision was inspired by MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor, who had previously adopted Bitcoin as a primary treasury reserve asset. Metaplanet's strategy involves accumulating Bitcoin through various financial instruments, including the issuance of zero-interest bonds. Recently, the company raised 4 billion Japanese yen (approximately $26.1 million) through zero-interest, unsecured bonds to fund additional Bitcoin purchases.

An announcement was made from MetaPlanet on X, stating that 4 Billion JPY had been raised, as of Feb 13th 2025.

Impact on Stock Performance

Metaplanet's aggressive Bitcoin acquisition strategy has had a profound impact on its stock performance. Over the past 12 months, the company's shares have soared by approximately 4,800%, marking the largest gain among all Japanese equities during this period. This surge reflects investor confidence in Metaplanet's strategic direction and its alignment with the growing acceptance of Bitcoin as a valuable asset.

MetaPlanet sees their stock valuation reach new highs. This also coincides with the Trump administration creating a positive outlook for the crypto-industry at large.

Comparison to MicroStrategy

Metaplanet's approach mirrors that of MicroStrategy, which began accumulating Bitcoin in 2020 under the guidance of CEO Michael Saylor. Both companies have adopted Bitcoin as a primary treasury reserve asset, leveraging financial instruments to fund their acquisitions. MicroStrategy's strategy has led to a significant appreciation in its stock value, with its market capitalization nearly doubling the value of its Bitcoin holdings. Similarly, Metaplanet's stock has experienced exponential growth, underscoring the market's favorable response to such strategies.

Future Projections

Looking ahead, Metaplanet plans to acquire 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025 and aims to increase this amount to 21,000 BTC by the end of 2026. At current market prices, these holdings would be valued at approximately $957 million and $2 billion, respectively. To achieve these goals, Metaplanet intends to utilize internal capital, issue additional shares, and explore other financial instruments.

More companies are starting to take note of this Bitcoin accumulation strategy, and over the last year, we've seen a significant uptick in corporate investments in Bitcoin.

At the beginning of this year, only 64 publicly traded companies held Bitcoin on their balance sheet. Now, we are already up to 79 (an its only February). Data via Bitcoin Treasuries

Conclusion

Metaplanet's strategic shift toward Bitcoin accumulation has not only transformed its business model but also significantly enhanced its market valuation. By adopting a strategy similar to MicroStrategy's, Metaplanet has positioned itself as a prominent player in the corporate Bitcoin investment landscape. As the company continues to execute its ambitious acquisition plans, it will be essential to monitor how this strategy influences its financial performance and investor perceptions in the evolving cryptocurrency market.

According to Bitcoin Treasuries, MetaPlanet ranks as the 14th largest public company to hold BTC. After having purchased an additional 269 Bitcoin worth ¥4 billion, as of 17. Feb 2025.

Follow us on LinkedIn to receive push notifications on our latest posts.


Author
Guðlaugur Steinarr GíslasonCIO - Founding Partner