Bitcoin's Institutional Gold Rush: Capital Group Backs Metaplanet's $500M Stake

Capital Group has acquired an 11.45% stake in Metaplanet, making it the largest shareholder in the Japanese Bitcoin treasury firm. This investment, valued at approximately $500 million, elevates Capital Group’s voting rights from 8.31% to 11.45%, surpassing National Financial Services LLC as the top institutional holder. The move follows a strategic expansion of Metaplanet’s Bitcoin holdings, including a recent purchase of 5,419 BTC for $633 million, bringing its total Bitcoin reserves to 25,555 BTC, or roughly $2.71 billion at current pricesCapital Group Becomes Largest Shareholder of Bitcoin Firm Metaplanet^[1]. Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich confirmed the shift in a public announcement, signaling confidence in the company’s long-term strategy despite recent market volatilityCapital Group Becomes Metaplanet’s Largest Shareholder^[3].

The investment underscores growing institutional interest in corporate Bitcoin strategies. Capital Group, a $2.6 trillion asset manager, has previously capitalized on Bitcoin-related opportunities, including a 12% stake in MicroStrategy in 2021. That position, now diluted to 7.89%, has grown to over $6 billion in value, reflecting the firm’s bullish stance on digital assets. Portfolio manager Mark Casey, a 25-year veteran, has been a vocal advocate for Bitcoin, comparing it to “one of the coolest things ever created by people” and anticipating its value to rival gold over timeCapital Group Becomes Largest Shareholder of Bitcoin Firm Metaplanet^[1]. This philosophy aligns with Metaplanet’s aggressive Bitcoin accumulation, which aims to hold 210,000 BTC—approximately 1% of the total supply—by 2027Capital Group Becomes Metaplanet’s Largest Shareholder^[3].

Metaplanet’s Bitcoin treasury strategy has also driven global expansion initiatives. The firm launched Metaplanet Income Corp. to scale its Bitcoin income generation business in the U.S. and established Bitcoin Japan Inc. to manage media, events, and services in the region. These efforts, coupled with the acquisition of the premium domain “Bitcoin.jp,” highlight its ambition to become a key player in the corporate Bitcoin spaceCapital Group Becomes Largest Shareholder of Bitcoin Firm Metaplanet^[1]. Despite these developments, Metaplanet’s stock has faced challenges, dropping nearly 40% in the past month. However, Benchmark Equity Research recently reaffirmed a “Buy” rating for the stock, setting a 2026 price target of 2,400 yen (approximately $13.50) and citing the firm’s recurring income from Bitcoin derivatives as a competitive advantageCapital Group Becomes Metaplanet’s Largest Shareholder^[3].

Capital Group’s investment aligns with broader trends in institutional adoption of Bitcoin. Metaplanet now ranks among the top five corporate Bitcoin holders globally, alongside entities like MicroStrategy and Bullish. Its $632 million purchase of 5,419 BTC in September 2025 pushed its total holdings to 25,555 BTC, valued at $2.71 billion at current pricesMetaplanet Becomes Fifth-Largest BTC Treasury Holder - CoinDesk^[2]. Analysts note that such large-scale purchases, while temporarily underwater due to Bitcoin’s recent dip below $113,000, reflect long-term strategic positioning. Dylan LeClair, Metaplanet’s head of Bitcoin strategy, emphasized that the latest acquisition is “just the first tranche” of a $1.4 billion fundraising initiative to continue expanding its treasuryMetaplanet Becomes Fifth-Largest BTC Treasury Holder - CoinDesk^[2].

The partnership between Capital Group and Metaplanet highlights the evolving role of institutional investors in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. While Metaplanet’s stock has underperformed historically, its Bitcoin-centric model has attracted significant capital inflows. Capital Group’s increased stake—part of a $555 million capital raise—demonstrates confidence in the firm’s ability to execute its growth plans. This includes leveraging Bitcoin’s price appreciation and generating revenue through derivative strategies, which Benchmark Equity Research highlighted as a key differentiatorCapital Group Becomes Metaplanet’s Largest Shareholder^[3]. Despite short-term market pressures, both parties appear focused on long-term value creation, with Capital Group’s investment signaling a strategic bet on Bitcoin’s continued institutional adoption.