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Ukraine is set to restart attacks on Russian oil refineries following a two-day pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, amid growing tensions wi...
Japanese hotelier Metaplanet aims to raise $5.4 billion to dramatically expand its Bitcoin holdings to 210,000 BTC by 2027, eyeing 1% of total supply. Shares surged 15% as it mirrors MicroStrategy's successful pivot, becoming a "Bitcoin treasury company" with a "Bitcoin Hotel" set to open in 2026.
Japanese hotel developer turned cryptocurrency powerhouse, Metaplanet, sent shockwaves through the financial markets on Monday as its shares soared following the announcement of an audacious plan to significantly expand its Bitcoin holdings. The company intends to raise approximately $5.4 billion to increase its Bitcoin reserves more than twentyfold, targeting a staggering 210,000 BTC by the close of 2027. This ambitious move, if successful, would see Metaplanet controlling a remarkable 1% of Bitcoin's total supply, a hoard currently valued at an eye-watering $22 billion.
Metaplanet's dramatic pivot to cryptocurrency in 2024, described by CEO Simon Gerovich as a transformation from "hotelier into hodler," firmly establishes the company as a dedicated Bitcoin treasury entity. This strategy is a direct emulation of the pioneering efforts of Michael Saylor's MicroStrategy, the U.S. software group that has become a highly leveraged Bitcoin investment vehicle. MicroStrategy's market capitalisation, now a formidable $104 billion, has outstripped the value of its 580,000 Bitcoin holdings, a testament to investor confidence that the company's Bitcoin assets will appreciate faster than any share dilution.
Metaplanet's target of 210,000 Bitcoin would catapult it into the position of the world's second-largest corporate holder of the cryptocurrency, cementing its place behind only MicroStrategy. This aggressive buying spree comes at a time of heightened market enthusiasm for Bitcoin, fueled in part by Donald Trump's recent U.S. election victory and his promise of industry-friendly policies for the digital asset space. Even the Trump family has entered the fray, with their media company announcing plans to raise $2.5 billion to acquire Bitcoin, further validating the corporate treasury model. Adding to Metaplanet's strategic muscle, Eric Trump joined the company's strategic board of advisers in March.
The company's commitment to Bitcoin has already delivered astounding returns for its shareholders. Metaplanet's consistent acquisition of Bitcoin for its corporate treasury over the past year, coupled with an increasing pace of purchases, has seen its share price skyrocket by over 8,850% in the last two years, reaching ¥1,544 ($10.71). The company's initial goal of holding 21,000 Bitcoin by the end of 2026 has now been significantly revised upwards to 100,000 Bitcoin for the same period, underscoring its growing confidence in the digital asset.
Monday's 15% surge in Metaplanet's shares was a clear endorsement from investors for its plans to raise substantial capital via warrants. The company touts this as the "largest stock acquisition rights issuance in Japan capital markets history," signalling a firm belief in its Bitcoin-centric future. Metaplanet explicitly states that its management measures performance through a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) called "BTC Yield," which reflects the percentage growth in Bitcoin per share, guiding all its capital market activities.
Beyond its core Bitcoin treasury operations, Metaplanet is also extending its commitment to cryptocurrency into its traditional business. The company owns and operates a hotel in Tokyo, which is currently undergoing a rebranding to become "The Bitcoin Hotel," with an anticipated opening in early 2026. Furthermore, Metaplanet holds the exclusive license for Bitcoin Magazine in Japan, a crucial initiative aimed at promoting Bitcoin education and adoption across the country.
Further strengthening its strategic ties within the Bitcoin ecosystem, Metaplanet appointed David Bailey, CEO of the company behind Bitcoin Magazine, to its board of strategic advisers in April. Bailey himself is actively involved in the corporate treasury space, establishing his own U.S.-listed vehicle, Nakamoto Holdings, through a merger with healthcare group KindlyMD.
Metaplanet's bold move underscores a growing trend of companies embracing Bitcoin as a primary treasury asset, betting on its long-term value appreciation and its potential to reshape corporate finance. As the "hotelier turned hodler" embarks on this unprecedented capital raise, the financial world will be watching closely to see if its ambitious Bitcoin vision can truly materialise.
Yemen’s Houthis have claimed responsibility for the recent drone and missile strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Dhahran and Riyadh and at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, vowing to carry out more attacks in the coming days.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi-led coalition said early Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone over Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukraine's soldiers have had their access to Starlink satellite internet restricted. Kyiv's troops use the terminals, made by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to pilot drones. A source in Ukraine's Defence Ministry said the restrictions would make it harder for Kyiv's army to down Russian drones.
U.S. President Donald Trump has lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports and announced a Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire aimed at easing fuel prices ahead of November’s midterm elections. But can Moscow deliver and will the move will bring meaningful relief to markets?
Taiwan plans to buy 30 per cent of Alaska LNG's annual output and invest up to $4.4 billion in the project, but binding contracts and financing remain unresolved as the U.S. pushes to expand energy exports to Asia.
Asian stocks plunged to their lowest level in more than two months on Tuesday as advances by Chinese chipmakers rattled investor confidence in the artificial intelligence boom, despite soaring global semiconductor sales.
Artificial intelligence investment is helping sustain global growth at around 3 per cent, with Asia poised to reap major benefits. But soaring energy costs, unequal investment and growing pressure on young workers threaten to leave some economies behind.
Uzbekistan and Russia have a portfolio of more than 200 joint projects worth almost $6 billion, as the two countries continue to expand regional and business ties. The projects were discussed during the third meeting of the Council of Regions of Russia and Uzbekistan, held in Fergana, Uzbekistan.
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