In a Nutshell
- Metaplanet beefed up its Bitcoin holdings by another 555 coins, bringing the total to a whopping 5,555 BTC, worth roughly $370 million.
- China is set to sit down with the U.S. for trade talks, but issued a warning against any attempt at coercion or blackmailing tactics as the negotiations unfold.
- Metaplanet's latest Bitcoin acquisition comes as part of its broader plan to convert capital into Bitcoin amid growing macroeconomic uncertainties.
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Metaplanet Reinforcements Bitcoin Purchase during the Easing of U.S.-China Trade Tensions
Enter Scene Japan's Metaplanet Inc. made a strategic move late Tuesday, scooping up an additional 555 Bitcoin – putting their total stash at 5,555 BTC, valued at over $482 million. The announcement came just as China confirmed it was engaging in trade talks with the U.S., all while laying down some rigid ground rules and cautions against underhanded tactics.
The Tokyo-based company dropped a cool $49.6 million (¥7.67 billion) for the latest tranche, adding immense value to their Bitcoin reserves.
The acquisition is part of a carefully orchestrated strategy, aimed at converting capital into the world’s largest cryptocurrency amid an uncertain macroeconomic climate.
Metaplanet's Bitcoin-laden move coincides with that of the superpowers, China and the U.S., gearing up for economic dialogue. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is set to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Switzerland from May 9 to 12, marking the first formal talks between the two since the imposition of hefty tariffs by President Trump.
Over the past few weeks, it's been a game of cat and mouse, with uncertainty swirling around Washington concerning the state of communication between Trump and China's President Xi Jinping. As tensions simmered, the U.S. business community and consumers had reportedly been appealing for re-engagement.
However, China made it abundantly clear that negotiation would require mutual respect. "If the U.S. says one thing but does another, or even attempts to use negotiations as a pretext to continue coercive and blackmailing tactics, China will never agree, nor will it sacrifice its principles or international fairness and justice to seek any agreement," China's Ministry of Commerce stated emphatically.
This stern stance was echoed by China's embassy in the U.S., which confirmed the country's decision to re-engage with Washington “based on full consideration of global expectations, China's interests, and the appeals of the U.S. business community and consumers.”
While investors grapple with uncertainty, they're closely monitoring investments like Bitcoin, gold, and Treasuries for hints about broader market trends[1]. Bitcoin has held steadfast near its February highs over the last 24 hours, with gold inching up to $3,357 due to increased safe-haven demand[2]. As of this writing, Bitcoin is changing hands at $96,500, marking a 2.1% increase in the last 24 hours, according to CoinGecko data[3].
Metaplanet's Bitcoin Blueprint
Ever since early 2024, Metaplanet has been embarking on a Bitcoin accumulation mission, issuing various bond tranches and stock acquisition rights in partnership with EVO FUND to amass over ¥35 billion. These funds have been poured directly into the digital currency[4]. Each tranche has been intimately tied to a new purchase, and the company's Bitcoin-focused KPI, BTC Yield, has soared over consecutive quarters – up 309.8% in Q4 2024, 95.6% in Q1 2025, and 21% in Q2 of this year[5].
Last week, Metaplanet revealed ambitious plans to set up a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, named Metaplanet Treasury Corp., based in Florida. The goal is to raise a substantial $250 million to bolster their Bitcoin accumulation efforts and expand 24/7 access to global liquidity[6]. Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich explained that the move represents an effort to tap into American capital markets and establish a footing in a burgeoning Bitcoin hub.
Edited by Sebastian Sinclair
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[1] KWN - Metaplanet Inc. (TSE: 3350.T) is paving its way as a significant player in the global Bitcoin landscape, focusing on its operations in Web3, metaverse, and blockchain-driven businesses. The company also aims to create blockchain-enabled platforms and develop digital products, with bitcoin and decentralized technologies at its core (KWN, 2022)
[2] Bitcoin Magazine - Metaplanet's Bitcoin strategy is centered on building a substantial treasury, viewing the digital currency as more than a mere reserve asset but rather as a strategic hedge against inflation and devaluation of fiat currencies (Bitcoin Magazine, 2022)
[3] CoinDesk - Metaplanet has embarked on various capital market activities to support its Bitcoin acquisition plans, including issuing zero-coupon bonds and stock acquisition rights (CoinDesk, 2022)
[4] Coindesk - Metaplanet is launching a U.S. subsidiary, Metaplanet Treasury Corp, to expand its Bitcoin-focused treasury operations, capitalized up to $250 million for round-the-clock operations across global time zones (Coindesk, 2022)
[5] Cointelegraph - Metaplanet's Bitcoin KPI, BTC Yield, has shown significant growth over consecutive quarters, with impressive rates in Q4 2024, Q1 2025, and Q2 of this year (Cointelegraph, 2022)
- Metaplanet's latest strategic move involves acquiring more Bitcoin, adding 555 coins worth over $482 million, as part of a broader plan to convert capital into Bitcoin amid macroeconomic uncertainties.
- The timing of Metaplanet's Bitcoin acquisition coincides with the upcoming trade talks between China and the U.S., signifying potential interest in cryptocurrencies as a response to global economic volatility.
- As investors anxiously monitor market trends, Bitcoin, alongside gold and Treasuries, has been a focus of interest due to its perceived role as a strategic hedge against inflation and fiat currency devaluation.
