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The pro-crypto political climate is making waves worldwide. One Japanese hotelier who boldly pivoted to Bitcoin is delivering fantastic results for its shareholders. Metaplanet Inc. shares have risen by 4000% in the last year, and it is no longer just Japan’s best-performing company, but globally it is at the top as well. This article narrates the story behind Metaplanet’s fantastic progress, its investment planning, and the risks and rewards for investors.

Following the path set by MicroStrategy, Metaplanet has adopted a “Bitcoin-first strategy”. The former Goldman Sachs equity derivatives trader, and currently CEO of Metaplanet, Simon Gerovich has always been a fan of Saylor’s model and he once saw it in a podcast. He had been developing Metaplanet, alias Red Planet Japan Inc., as a hotel developer since 2013. However, the pandemic-induced slowdown forced the company to shutter most of its hotels, leading to a strategic shift towards a “Bitcoin-first strategy” in early 2024.

By making this strategic shift, the company is taking on risks and adjusting its policies to align with market changes. Some people think of it as a wild shooting, yet some others regard it as a foresighted step.

President Trump’s pro-crypto stance has contributed to the rising demand for Bitcoin in Japan.

In the meantime, Metaplanet’s ownership circle has swelled to just under 50,000 before the end of 2024, marking a 500% growth from the previous fiscal year. Capital Group, an investment firm that also invests in the company, is one of the shareholders, but the overwhelming majority are retail investors, many of whom have limited experience in the volatile crypto market. The flooding of retail investors highlights the increasing accessibility of cryptocurrency investments and the potential for both significant gains and severe losses.

Metaplanet’s stock

More News: MicroStrategy Plans $1.05B Debt Buyback Amid Bitcoin Tax Uncertainty

A successful strategy of Metaplanet Bitcoin mainly relies on the following pillars:

This comprehensive strategy demonstrates a deep commitment to Bitcoin and a belief in its long-term potential.

Consider a young professional in Tokyo who wants exposure to Bitcoin but prefers a simpler, tax-advantaged investment. Metaplanet’s stock, available through NISA, offers a streamlined way to gain Bitcoin exposure without the complexities of direct ownership.

Gerovich attributed the increased demand for Bitcoin in Japan to “the excitement around a more Bitcoin-friendly regulatory environment” being promoted. This shift in policy is a significant driver, as regulatory clarity often encourages broader adoption and investment.

A significant portion of Metaplanet’s retail shareholders bought shares through the Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA) program, revamped by the Japanese government in early 2024 to encourage citizens to invest their savings for long-term growth and retirement.

CEO Metaplanet – Simon Gerovich

Getto Hagiya, an 18-year-old robotics student from Tokyo, bought Metaplanet shares as his first investment under the tax-free program. He got excited about Bitcoin after hearing about Trump’s pro-crypto policies during his campaign.

“I believe Bitcoin will be an indispensable asset in the future,” he said. Hagiya was further enticed to invest by Metaplanet’s promise of free Bitcoin merchandise at its shareholder meetings.

The revamped NISA program has democratized investment access, allowing more Japanese investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin through Metaplanet’s stock.

More News: Why Japan is Not Ready to Include Bitcoin in Its National Reserves

There still are some that oppose the viewpoint of Metaplanet. Rhiannon Ewart-White, a Japan equity analyst and managing director of UK-based Storm Research, cautioned that “Metaplanet has such high exposure to the volatile retail base.” “They need to make sure shareholders understand exactly what their strategy is,” she added, highlighting the importance of transparency and investor education.

The company has recorded losses for the past six years but expects to report a profit in its upcoming Q4 financial report. The forthcoming net profit may be a force to be reckoned with, according to Ewart-White.

Metaplanet has “a profitable, albeit very small” hotel business as a foundation for their Bitcoin buying, said Storm Research’s Ewart-White. However, “if the price of Bitcoin tanks, that’s going to be quite difficult for them,” she noted. The success of Metaplanet is intrinsically linked to the performance of Bitcoin, making it a high-risk, high-reward investment.

As of January 28, Metaplanet owned 1,762 Bitcoin (valued at the present time, about $171 million) and expanded its Bitcoin holdings to 10,000 and then 21,000 by the end of 2025 and the subsequent year respectively. Moreover, the company plans to issue 21 million shares through moving strike warrants. The firm’s formidable goals and a large dependence on stock financing reinforce its rapid development plan and the necessity of investor confidence.

Furthermore, the company plans to rename its only remaining hotel, the Royal Oak in Tokyo’s Gotanda area, to ‘The Bitcoin Hotel’ later this year, aiming to host Bitcoin seminars and events. It is therefore giving the symbol of the aspiration to Bitcoin decentralization and creating a second-to-none brand identity.

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