David Edwards
The second stage of Japanese investment firm Metaplanet’s corporate Bitcoin strategy has begun. The company intends to use its present 15,555 BTC reserve to finance the purchase of companies that generate cash. One of its possible aims is a digital bank in Japan, which would represent a dramatic change in the retail banking environment of that nation.
CEO Simon Gerovich described the firm’s approach as a “Bitcoin gold rush,” emphasizing the urgency to accumulate Bitcoin rapidly to achieve what he termed “escape velocity”—a strategic threshold at which competitors would struggle to catch up. By 2027, the corporation hopes to own over 210,000 BTC, or 1% of all Bitcoin that will ever be in circulation.
After changing from being a hotel operator to a holding company focused on Bitcoin, Metaplanet started accumulating Bitcoin in 2024 as a hedge against inflation. The company is now entering a new stage where Bitcoin will function as collateral for obtaining financing, much like conventional securities or sovereign bonds, in addition to being a store of value. The money earned this way will go toward purchasing successful companies that match with Metaplanet’s long-term goals.
A Japanese digital bank that might provide better services than those currently offered in the retail industry is one strategic purchase that is being considered, Gerovich noted. By combining crypto-financial infrastructure with conventional banking concepts, Metaplanet would be positioned at the forefront of fintech innovation in Japan.
The corporation intends to use preferred share offerings rather than convertible debt to finance these acquisitions. Gerovich declared that he does not wish to be bound by repayment commitments associated with volatile stock prices.
Although it is still rare in traditional finance, institutional interest in using Bitcoin as loan collateral is increasing. The launch of a pilot program by Standard Chartered and OKX in April that permits the use of cryptocurrency and tokenized money market funds as collateral further validates Metaplanet’s strategy.
At an average purchase price of about $107,700 per coin, Metaplanet added 2,204 BTC to its holdings on Monday for almost $237 million. With this most recent purchase, the total now stands at 15,555 BTC, with an average acquisition cost of roughly $99,985 per unit.
Due in significant part to a 345% gain in the share price year-to-date, Metaplanet’s market capitalization has risen beyond $7 billion in 2025 despite having very little operating revenue. Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy, which presently owns more than 597,000 Bitcoin and is valued at more than $112 billion, is similar to the company’s business plan.
The aggressive acquisition and strategic application of Bitcoin by Metaplanet represents a turning point in corporate treasury management. The company is redefining the role of Bitcoin in the global financial system in addition to growing its presence by using its digital assets as a basis for M&A activities.
