Metaplanet to be Included in MSCI Japan Index
Metaplanet, Asia’s second-largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, is set to join the Morgan Stanley Capital International Japan Index next month.
Effective February 28, Metaplanet will become a part of the benchmark MSCI Japan index, sharing the spotlight with major Japanese corporations like McDonald’s Holdings Japan, Tokyo Electric Power Co., Kokusai Electric, and Mitsui Chemicals.
CEO Simon Gerovich made the announcement in a recent post on X, describing the inclusion as a significant milestone that solidifies Metaplanet’s position as the leading Bitcoin Treasury company in Japan.
Being added to the MSCI Japan Index will boost Metaplanet’s visibility among institutional investors, placing it in the company of Japan’s most prominent publicly traded firms. This move will also lead to increased demand, stronger liquidity, and enhanced price stability for the company’s stock, according to Gerovich.
Reinforcing Confidence in Bitcoin-first Strategy
Aside from attracting capital inflows, the inclusion in the MSCI index serves as validation of Metaplanet’s Bitcoin-first approach. This recognition underscores the company’s transformation and long-term vision, establishing it as a key player in Japan’s evolving crypto investment landscape.
Metaplanet’s journey to being included in the MSCI Japan Index comes after a year of remarkable growth following its strategic shift towards a Bitcoin-centric strategy in early 2024. The company’s stock has surged over 3,600%, making it the fastest-rising equity in Japan as investor interest in Bitcoin continues to rise.
Notably, Metaplanet’s shareholder base expanded by 500% in 2024, reaching nearly 50,000 investors. This growth was fueled in part by Japan’s Nippon Individual Savings Account program, which allows tax-free stock investments. Metaplanet emerged as a preferred option over direct Bitcoin purchases due to the high capital gains taxes associated with the latter.
Positioning as Asia’s MicroStrategy
With 1,762 BTC currently on its balance sheet and ambitious targets of reaching 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025 and 21,000 by the end of 2026, Metaplanet has positioned itself as Asia’s equivalent to MicroStrategy.
Last year, MicroStrategy made headlines by joining the Nasdaq-100 index alongside tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, and Alphabet.