Metaplanet Targets Digital Bank Acquisition in Next Phase of Bitcoin Strategy
Japanese firm Metaplanet is advancing to the next stage of its Bitcoin-centered growth strategy, with plans to leverage its expanding BTC reserves to acquire cash-generating businesses — including a potential acquisition of a digital bank in Japan.
From Bitcoin Accumulation to Strategic Expansion
In an interview with the Financial Times, Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich outlined the company’s evolving strategy, emphasizing an urgent push to accumulate Bitcoin before turning it into financial leverage.
“We think of it as a Bitcoin gold rush,” said Gerovich. “We need to accumulate as much Bitcoin as we can to reach escape velocity — making it hard for others to catch up.”
Originally a hotel operator, the Tokyo-listed firm pivoted to Bitcoin in 2024 as a hedge against inflation. Since then, Metaplanet has accumulated 15,555 BTC, with an ambitious goal to reach over 210,000 BTC by 2027 — roughly 1% of Bitcoin’s total supply.
Bitcoin as Collateral for Acquisitions
Phase two of Metaplanet’s plan involves using Bitcoin as collateral — similar to how companies use securities or government bonds — to secure financing for acquisitions.
“We’ll get cash that we can use to buy profitable businesses,” Gerovich stated.
He added that the company is particularly interested in businesses that align with its digital-forward vision. Among the top prospects: acquiring a digital bank in Japan to offer superior financial services to retail customers.
This approach echoes recent developments in the financial sector. In April, Standard Chartered and OKX launched a pilot program allowing crypto-backed lending using tokenized money market funds — a sign of growing institutional acceptance.
While Gerovich ruled out issuing convertible debt, he noted that preferred shares could be considered to fund growth:
“I don’t want to have to pay back the money in three, four years’ time and have [repayment] linked to an arbitrary share price.”
Bitcoin Buying Spree Continues
On Monday, Metaplanet made its largest single purchase to date — acquiring 2,204 BTC for approximately $237 million, at an average price of $107,700 per coin. This brought the company’s total holdings to 15,555 BTC, acquired at an average price of $99,985.
Metaplanet’s aggressive accumulation strategy mirrors that of MicroStrategy, led by Michael Saylor, which now holds over 597,000 BTC and commands a market cap of $112 billion.
Market Performance
Despite generating limited revenue, Metaplanet’s stock has surged by over 345% in 2025, pushing its market capitalization above $7 billion.
The firm’s transformation from a hotel business into a Bitcoin-focused holding company underscores the evolving nature of corporate treasury strategies — where Bitcoin is not just a store of value, but a tool for financial leverage and strategic expansion.
As Metaplanet enters its next phase, the integration of Bitcoin into mainstream business operations could mark a new frontier in crypto-financial innovation in Japan and beyond.
