Bitcoin News Today: Norges Bank Backs Metaplanet's Bitcoin Expansion Plan

Norway's Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) has signaled strong support for Metaplanet's Bitcoin treasury strategy, voting in favor of all five management proposals ahead of the company's Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Dec. 22. The move comes as part of Metaplanet's broader plan to expand its Bitcoin holdings through preferred share offerings and capital restructuring according to analysts. The sovereign wealth fund, which holds a 0.3% stake in the Japanese firm, has now added its weight behind Metaplanet's efforts to scale its Bitcoin portfolio as reported.

The proposals include measures to issue perpetual preferred shares and enhance capital flexibility for non-dilutive Bitcoin accumulation. These changes aim to allow Metaplanet to raise funds without issuing additional common shares, thereby preserving value for existing shareholders according to financial reports. The fund's backing of these proposals marks a significant milestone for the company's strategy to become one of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin in the world as confirmed.

The news has already influenced market sentiment, with Metaplanet's stock rising over 1.5% in early trading according to market data. Analysts are interpreting the vote as a vote of confidence from one of the world's largest institutional investors, which could encourage other stakeholders to follow suit as analysts suggest. The outcome of the EGM on Dec. 22 will likely determine the pace and scale of Metaplanet's Bitcoin acquisition strategy.

Why the Strategy Matters

Metaplanet's Bitcoin-focused approach is modeled after U.S. firm MicroStrategy, which has been aggressively buying Bitcoin since 2020 according to industry analysis. The Japanese company has already accumulated over 30,000 Bitcoin, valued at more than $2.6 billion as reported. By introducing perpetual preferred shares such as MARS and MERCURY, Metaplanet aims to diversify its capital structure while avoiding the dilution typically associated with common stock offerings according to financial sources.

The MARS shares will offer variable monthly dividends, while MERCURY shares will feature fixed quarterly dividends and conversion options as outlined in company filings. This dual-tier structure allows the company to attract both income-focused and growth-oriented investors according to market commentary. Additionally, the proposed capital reduction and accounting adjustments are designed to streamline the company's ability to reinvest in Bitcoin without complicating its balance sheet as noted by financial analysts.

How Markets Reacted

Metaplanet's stock has shown mixed performance over the past year, fluctuating between gains and losses amid broader crypto market volatility as reported. However, the firm's stock price rose more than 1.5% in response to the NBIM announcement according to trading data. The rally followed a recent 15% surge driven by a rebound in the company's mNAV (market-to-nav) ratio as analyzed.

The move by Norway's sovereign wealth fund has also drawn attention from other institutional investors as observed. Analysts suggest that NBIM's public support could serve as a catalyst for increased adoption of corporate Bitcoin strategies, particularly in Asia according to market reports. The fund's endorsement is especially notable given its conservative reputation and $1.7 trillion in assets under management as confirmed.

What This Means for Investors

For institutional and retail investors, the news represents a validation of Bitcoin's role in corporate treasury management as stated. Metaplanet's strategy is increasingly seen as a legitimate method of diversifying corporate assets and protecting against fiat currency devaluation as noted. As more companies explore similar strategies, the demand for Bitcoin as a corporate asset is expected to grow according to industry forecasts.

However, challenges remain, particularly around regulatory uncertainty and crypto market volatility as highlighted. Despite recent gains, Bitcoin has fallen below $90,000, trading at $87,150 as of late December 2025 according to market data. This decline has led to paper losses for several Bitcoin treasury firms, including Metaplanet as reported. Still, the company remains committed to its $150 million capital raise aimed at funding further Bitcoin purchases as announced.

The outcome of the EGM on Dec. 22 will be closely watched by investors and analysts as expected. If approved, the proposals could accelerate Metaplanet's path toward its target of 210,000 Bitcoin by 2027 as projected. The company's ability to execute its strategy will likely influence broader market perceptions of corporate Bitcoin adoption in the coming months.