Strategy and Metaplanet Deepen Bitcoin Bets Amid Institutional Interest Surge
Two publicly traded firms—Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) and Japan’s Metaplanet—are doubling down on Bitcoin, reinforcing their positions as corporate champions of the digital asset amid rising institutional interest.
Strategy Pads Holdings With $556M in Bitcoin
U.S.-based Strategy continued its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation last week, purchasing 6,500 BTC for $556 million at an average price of $84,800, according to a recent SEC filing. The purchase was funded through proceeds from two recent equity offerings: $548 million from issuing Class A shares and $8 million via sales of perpetual “STRK” preferred stock.
This latest acquisition brings Strategy’s total Bitcoin holdings to 538,000 BTC—currently worth around $47.2 billion—cementing its position as the largest corporate Bitcoin holder. Despite macroeconomic uncertainties and market volatility, Strategy has maintained a steady buying pattern, acquiring Bitcoin in five of the past six weeks.
Co-founder and Executive Chairman Michael Saylor emphasized Strategy’s evolving role, stating on X, that they are no longer a niche option. With 13,000 institutional holders and 814,000 retail accounts, their stock now gives 55 million investors indirect Bitcoin exposure via ETFs, mutual funds, pensions, and insurance portfolios.
Strategy’s bullish stance has earned it a spot in the Nasdaq 100, aligning it with tech giants like Apple and Meta. However, its inclusion in the S&P 500 remains on hold due to a lack of consistent profits.
Metaplanet Mimics Strategy’s Model With $28M Bitcoin Buy
Mirroring Strategy’s approach, Tokyo-listed Metaplanet, often dubbed “Asia’s MicroStrategy,” announced Monday it had purchased an additional 330 BTC for over $28 million. The move boosts its total Bitcoin reserves to 4,855 BTC, acquired at an average price of $85,386 per coin.
Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich confirmed the company has spent $414.5 million on Bitcoin to date. Despite the latest purchase, Metaplanet’s stock dipped nearly 1% on Monday. Still, the company has seen its share price soar more than 1,200% since it began accumulating Bitcoin in early 2024.
Last month, Metaplanet made headlines by appointing Eric Trump to its newly formed Strategic Advisory Board, highlighting his “business expertise and passion for Bitcoin.”
Bitcoin as a Corporate Treasury Strategy
With Bitcoin recently trading at around $87,200—up nearly 35% over the past year—more companies are eyeing the cryptocurrency as a treasury reserve asset and a mechanism to boost shareholder value. While Strategy pioneered the trend in 2020, others like Metaplanet are following suit, rebranding themselves as Bitcoin treasuries in a bid to attract investors seeking crypto exposure through public markets.
Despite the bullish sentiment, Bitcoin-related stock moves remain volatile. Strategy’s stock, for example, briefly hit $328 in pre-market trading Monday before slipping to $317 after the opening bell. Similarly, Metaplanet’s post-announcement dip illustrates that while Bitcoin holdings offer long-term value potential, short-term investor reactions are not always favorable.
Still, the broader trend suggests a growing appetite for institutional-scale exposure to Bitcoin—whether through direct holdings or via shares of companies that hold it.
