The evolving political landscape in the United States is causing a shift in how companies, both domestic and international, perceive the Bitcoin market. In late 2024, MicroStrategy set a precedent by urging businesses to adopt its Bitcoin investment strategy. Taking a cue from this, Japanese firm Metaplanet embraced a Bitcoin-centric approach, resulting in a remarkable 3,621% growth over the past year.
What Lies Behind this Transformation?
Originally a hotel development company, Metaplanet made a strategic pivot towards Bitcoin in 2024, inspired by the success of MicroStrategy. Currently, the company holds 1,762 BTC, valued at approximately $172.1 million. In a bid to fortify its position in the market, Metaplanet recently augmented its Bitcoin holdings by acquiring an additional 619 BTC.
The price of Bitcoin has surged by 43.96% since November 5, with a remarkable 107.6% increase over the past year.
Trump’s Triumph Boosts Bitcoin Sentiment
The victory of Donald Trump over Kamala Harris is believed to have influenced the growing interest of Japanese investors in Bitcoin. During his campaign, Trump pledged to implement crypto-friendly policies. Since assuming office, his administration has announced intentions to establish a committee to formulate clear regulations for cryptocurrencies. Notably, the CEO of Metaplanet, Simon Gerovich, attended Trump’s inauguration, signaling the company’s alignment with the new policies.
Metaplanet has witnessed a surge in retail investor interest, with reports indicating a 500% growth in its shareholder base in 2024, predominantly comprising individual investors rather than institutions. Despite this, the company enjoys robust support from major institutional players such as Capital Group.
Bitcoin-Friendly Investment Programs in Japan
The NISA program in Japan has played a pivotal role in fostering retail interest in Metaplanet, allowing tax-free investment in stocks. Many Japanese investors prefer investing in Metaplanet shares instead of directly holding Bitcoin to circumvent the high taxes associated with capital gains on Bitcoin purchases, which can be as high as 55% in Japan.
Metaplanet currently possesses a minimum of 1,762 BTC, valued at a minimum of $172,107,883.2. Reports suggest that the company is gearing up to boost its Bitcoin holdings to at least 10,000 BTC by 2025 and further expand to 21,000 BTC by 2026.
Furthermore, there are plans to rebrand Metaplanet’s last remaining hotel as ‘The Bitcoin Hotel,’ exclusively catering to Bitcoin-related seminars and events.
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