Metaplanet Boosts Bitcoin Holdings by 319 BTC Amid Trade Tensions

Japanese technology firm Metaplanet has expanded its bitcoin holdings by acquiring an additional 319 bitcoin, valued at approximately ¥3.78 billion ($26.3 million). This purchase is part of the company's ongoing strategy to accumulate bitcoin, especially in the context of escalating U.S.-China trade tensions.

The acquisition was made at an average price of ¥11.85 million ($83,147) per coin, as announced by the company on Monday. With this latest purchase, Metaplanet's total bitcoin holdings now stand at 4,525 BTC, with a cumulative cost basis of $408.1 million. The average purchase price per bitcoin for the company is $90,194.

This move comes at a time when bitcoin experienced a slight decline over the weekend, dropping more than 2% to $83,482 during Asian trading hours. The crypto market has been sensitive to geopolitical tensions, particularly those surrounding potential new U.S. trade tariffs targeting Chinese electronics.

Metaplanet, often compared to “Asia’s MicroStrategy,” has ambitious plans to significantly increase its bitcoin holdings. The company aims to expand its holdings by 470% to reach 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025 and 21,000 bitcoin by the end of 2026. Metaplanet evaluates its performance through “BTC Yield,” a metric that measures the growth of bitcoin holdings relative to shares outstanding. For Q1 2025, Metaplanet reported a BTC yield of 95.6%, with a year-to-date figure of 6.5% as of April 14.

The latest acquisition has positioned Metaplanet as the ninth-largest public holder of bitcoin globally. The company's bitcoin strategy has garnered additional attention following the appointment of Eric Trump to its Strategic Advisory Board, highlighting his business expertise and passion for bitcoin. The timing of the purchase coincides with complex market dynamics as investors navigate mixed signals from Washington regarding U.S. trade policy.

Metaplanet's bitcoin acquisition strategy is supported by various capital market activities, including bond issuances and stock acquisition rights, aimed at raising funds while minimizing shareholder dilution. The company has executed approximately 41.7% of its “210 million plan.”

Metaplanet's strategic shift towards bitcoin accumulation mirrors the approach pioneered by Michael Saylor’s Strategy, albeit on a smaller scale. Since initiating its bitcoin treasury operations, the Japanese firm has demonstrated success in implementing a similar strategy of leveraging financial instruments and market opportunities to acquire bitcoin.

Like Strategy, Metaplanet has utilized a combination of convertible debt offerings and equity-linked instruments to fund its acquisitions while maintaining a healthy balance sheet. This strategy has resulted in the company's bitcoin holdings growing to over 4,500 BTC in just over a year.