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Jimmy Aki
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Jimmy Aki
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Metaplanet stock surged 51% on December 17. This comes as the company, an early-stage investment firm dubbed “Japanese MicroStrategy,” announced a ¥4.5 billion ($30 million) program to fund additional Bitcoin purchases.
The plan implies issuing zero-interest bonds, maturing on June 16, 2025. The bonds highlight the company’s continued commitment to Bitcoin as part of its growth strategy.
The zero-interest bonds will be released in tranches, with each bond valued at 2.5 billion yen, as Metaplanet continues to double down on its cryptocurrency investments.
Zero-interest bonds are debt securities issued by a company. They do not have periodic interest but are sold at a discount to their face value. Investors profit by receiving the full face value of the bonds at maturity. In this case, it will be June 16, 2025. Meanwhile, Metaplanet will use the funds for its Bitcoin acquisitions.
The Japanese investment firm has been on a fast track with its Bitcoin program, acquiring over 1,000 BTC since adopting Bitcoin as its treasury reserve asset in May 2024.
This large-scale Bitcoin accumulation has earned the company the nickname “Japanese MicroStrategy,” drawing comparisons to the American tech giant known for its heavy Bitcoin holdings.
The impact on Metaplanet’s stock has been striking. Following the bond issuance announcement, share prices surged to a new all-time high of 4,270 JPY, marking a 51% increase in five trading days.
Moreover, Metaplanet’s stock has skyrocketed by 2,450% since January 2024, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s bold Bitcoin-focused strategy.
Apart from soaring stock prices, Metaplanet has experienced an unprecedented spike in trading volume.
Over 27.8 billion yen (approximately $180 million) worth of shares was traded, signaling strong market interest in the company’s future. This activity has pushed Metaplanet’s market capitalization beyond the $1 billion threshold.
Simon Gerovich, Metaplanet CEO, noted that the record trading volume and rise in the firm’s stock price reflect the increasing market excitement surrounding its Bitcoin-driven strategy.
Looking ahead, Metaplanet has disclosed plans to issue additional ordinary bonds through private placement, potentially raising 5 billion yen.
The terms of these bonds, including interest rates and maturity dates, are yet to be finalized. Still, the company’s strategy will focus on expanding its Bitcoin holdings and capitalizing on market interest.
Just weeks before these developments, Metaplanet reported a $28 million valuation gain in its Bitcoin holdings on November 13, strengthening its reputation as one of Asia’s leading corporate Bitcoin holders.
As Metaplanet’s stock continues to surge after its zero-interest bond issuance announcement, the company is drawing even more attention with a new initiative to reward its shareholders.
On December 2, Metaplanet unveiled a unique Bitcoin reward program, offering a prize pool of 30 million yen, or roughly $199,500. The reward program will benefit shareholders who own at least 100 shares as of December 31, 2024.
2,350 shareholders will be selected through a lottery, with varying prize amounts distributed in Bitcoin. This is an exciting opportunity for Metaplanet’s investors to gain a tangible reward from its focus on Bitcoin, which has been central to its recent success.
Following its partnership with SBI Holdings’ crypto division, new account holders with SBI VC Trade can also participate in the reward program.
