Tired of ads? Enjoy an ad-free experience by signing up.
👩‍🍳 How we use AI at Tech in Asia, thoughtfully and responsibly.
🧔‍♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news here

Japan’s Metaplanet issues $24.7m bonds to boost BTC acquisition

Japanese investment firm Metaplanet has issued zero-interest ordinary bonds worth 3.6 billion yen (US$24.7 million) to support its bitcoin acquisition strategy.

The bonds are redeemable at full face value by October 31, 2025, as part of the company’s Evo Fund initiative.

This marks the 12th round of bonds for Metaplanet’s bitcoin strategy, which has seen the firm acquire 5,000 BTC, valued at around US$484 million, since April 2024.

Metaplanet, now among the top ten corporate bitcoin holders globally, aims to hold 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025.

🔗 Source: The Block


🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Corporate bitcoin acquisition strategies evolve beyond MicroStrategy’s model

Metaplanet’s zero-interest bond strategy represents an evolution in how companies finance bitcoin acquisitions, diverging from the aggressive approach pioneered by Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy).

While Strategy rapidly accumulated over 500,000 BTC through convertible debt and equity sales, Metaplanet has adopted a more measured path using zero-interest bonds and options strategies to build toward its goal of 10,000 BTC by 2025 and 21,000 BTC by 20261.

This marks Metaplanet’s 12th bond issuance specifically for bitcoin purchases, demonstrating the company’s consistent application of this financing approach rather than one-time large acquisitions.

The Japanese firm has become the tenth-largest publicly listed bitcoin holder with its current 5,000 BTC treasury, positioning it among a select group of companies using cryptocurrency as a significant balance sheet component2.

Metaplanet’s financial turnaround, achieving its first operating profit in seven years, coincides with its growing bitcoin portfolio, providing a case study in how digital asset strategies can transform corporate financial performance2.

2️⃣ Zero-interest bonds emerge as innovative bitcoin financing mechanism

Metaplanet’s use of zero-interest bonds represents a notable financial innovation for bitcoin acquisition that differs from traditional corporate treasury practices.

The company issues these bonds with specified redemption dates, such as the current $24.7 million issuance redeemable by October 31, 2025, creating a structured financing approach that provides investors a risk profile different from direct bitcoin exposure3.

This method allows Metaplanet to raise significant capital without incurring interest expenses, while giving bond purchasers potential upside through the company’s bitcoin-driven growth rather than through traditional interest payments4.

Recent Metaplanet developments

Stay ahead in Asia’s tech landscape

You've reached your 2 free content limit for the month. Sign up for free to read the full story.

🏄 For casual readers / 👶 Free

Basic

US$0

Free forever

Get instant access to this article and more every month

0 premium content

Unlimited news briefs

5

5 articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0 per day

⌛Sign up in 20s. No payment details needed.

📖 For learners / 👍 Starter

Lite

US$4.92/month

Billed annually at US$59/year

Get instant access to this article and more every month

4

4 premium content

Unlimited news briefs & articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0.17 per day

Cancel anytime

Our subscriber community includes professionals from these companies:

Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.

Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.