Benefiting from the cryptocurrency reserve strategy, the traditional Japanese hotel operator—Metaplanet—has seen its stock price continue to soar, rising by 2,600% over the year, making it the best-performing company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Benefiting from the cryptocurrency reserve strategy, the traditional Japanese hotel operator—Metaplanet—has seen its stock price surge by 56.61% in the past month.
Data shows that Metaplanet is one of the best-performing companies on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in the past 12 months, with its stock price soaring approximately 1,800% to 4,000%, and a return rate of up to 2,600% in 2024, ranking first among publicly traded companies worldwide with a market value exceeding $250 million and trading volume over $50 million.
Last week, Metaplanet announced that as part of its Bitcoin treasury strategy, it acquired an additional 1,004 Bitcoins, with a total investment amounting to 15.195 billion yen, at an average price of approximately 15.13 million yen per coin. As of the date of publication, the company holds a total of 7,800 Bitcoins.
According to disclosures from Metaplanet, it plans to increase its holdings to 10,000 coins by the end of 2025 and reach 21,000 coins by the end of 2026.
Most retail shareholders of Metaplanet purchase stocks through the Japanese Individual Savings Account (NISA) plan. In Japan, capital gains tax on direct Bitcoin purchases can be as high as 55%, making NISA a cheap and convenient option for small-scale and first-time buyers.
Japanese analysts point out that after Trump took office, a more favorable regulatory environment for Bitcoin in the U.S. led to a surge in demand for the token in Japan. Additionally, the Japanese public is generally concerned about the depreciation of the yen, prompting many to enthusiastically allocate cryptocurrency as a hedge against yen depreciation risk.
Japanese investors are generally optimistic about Metaplanet's prospects, believing that its cryptocurrency reserve strategy has successfully driven its stock price soaring and attracted global attention. Additionally, as the only publicly traded cryptocurrency financial company in Japan, Metaplanet's progress in market liquidity, inclusion in international indices, and signing for U.S. listings shows strong growth potential.
It is reported that Metaplanet's stock trading volume ranks in the top 1% among Japan's 4,000 listed companies, surpassing long-established Japanese trading firms such as Itochu and NTT.
On February 28, 2025, Metaplanet was included in the MSCI Japan Index, enhancing its international visibility and appeal.
Furthermore, in the domestic OTC market in Japan, Metaplanet's stock (MTPLF) traded on the U.S. OTC market has seen its price rise from $3 to $18.9, a 530% increase, enhancing accessibility for global investors.
Company Background and Strategic Transformation
Metaplanet (Tokyo Stock Exchange code: 3350) was founded in 1999, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and its main business is tourism and hotel management, operating the Royal Oak Hotel. In 2019, due to the impact of the pandemic, its main hotel business was severely hit, causing stock prices and revenues to plummet from a peak of 360 yen per share in 2019 to a low of 15 yen, a drop of 99.73%.
In recent years, the company's strategic transformation has focused on becoming a 'financial company specializing in cryptocurrency,' with the core strategy of using cryptocurrencies as a primary asset reserve to hedge against yen depreciation risk and enhance shareholder value.
To support cryptocurrency acquisitions, Metaplanet has utilized Japan's low-cost financing advantages, issuing zero-interest bonds multiple times, with the most recent issuance being a $15 million bond this month. In addition, the company plans to issue 21 million stock warrants, with financing primarily aimed at allocating cryptocurrency.
Prospects and Opportunities
In recent years, the cryptocurrency market has welcomed development opportunities, gaining widespread consensus.
Metaplanet emulates the model of American companies, taking the lead in incorporating cryptocurrency assets into its balance sheet, aligning with the global trend of increasing recognition of cryptocurrencies among enterprises.
Japan's government debt-to-GDP ratio reaches 261%, and the yen has depreciated by 50% against the dollar over the past decade. Metaplanet uses Bitcoin cryptocurrency as a hedging tool, meeting the demands of the Japanese economic environment, attracting enthusiasm from Japanese investors.
Japan is a market with strict regulation on cryptocurrencies, and the Japanese government imposes a capital gains tax of up to 55% on cryptocurrency. Investing in Metaplanet stocks through the Japanese Individual Savings Account (NISA) can reduce tax burdens, effectively attracting retail investors.
The Japanese government's acceptance of cryptocurrencies is gradually increasing, encouraging established Japanese companies like Sony to establish cryptocurrency exchanges, consolidating Japan's position in the global cryptocurrency center market. This has also significantly boosted investors' enthusiasm for investing in Metaplanet.