Metaplanet Stock Rises 15% After Bitcoin Buy, Russia Proposes 15% Crypto Tax

Shares of Japanese investment firm Metaplanet Inc. surged 15.1% on Tuesday, following the company's announcement that it had acquired an additional 124.1 BTC, valued at approximately $11.3 million.

This new purchase brings Metaplanet's total Bitcoin holdings to 1,142.2 BTC, worth $104.8 million. The Tokyo-listed firm’s stock closed at 2,295 yen, with a trading volume of 21.9 billion yen ($141.7 million). Year-to-date, Metaplanet’s stock has skyrocketed by 1,334%.

Metaplanet’s recent buying spree aligns with its May announcement that Bitcoin would become part of its strategic treasury reserve.

The firm reported a 186.9% yield on its Bitcoin holdings from October 1 to November 19, underscoring the significant returns the company has seen from its investments.

Additionally, Metaplanet issued one-year bonds totaling 1.75 billion yen ($11.3 million) to fund further Bitcoin acquisitions.

In a related market development, the Russian government has approved draft amendments to its cryptocurrency tax laws, a move that could have far-reaching implications for the digital asset industry.

According to a report from the Russian news agency Interfax, cryptocurrencies will now be classified as property for tax purposes, meaning that income from mining will be taxed based on the market value at the time of receipt. The amendments also propose that mining-related expenses can be deducted from taxable income.

Furthermore, crypto transactions will be exempt from value-added tax, and income from crypto trading will be taxed similarly to securities transactions, with a maximum personal income tax rate of 15%.

To ensure compliance, mining operators will be required to report information about individuals using their infrastructure. The proposed changes are seen as a way to balance business interests with government regulations, a move the Russian Finance Ministry hopes will foster a more regulated and stable market.

The adoption of Bitcoin as a reserve asset by companies like Metaplanet and the evolving regulatory landscape in Russia demonstrate the increasing integration of cryptocurrencies into both corporate strategies and government frameworks.

With the market maturing, such developments signal that Bitcoin and other digital assets are becoming more deeply embedded in traditional financial systems globally.