Metaplanet Acquires 1,241 Bitcoin for ¥18.4 Billion, Surpassing El Salvador’s Holdings

Japanese investment firm Metaplanet has strengthened its position as a major institutional Bitcoin holder with the acquisition of an additional 1,241 Bitcoin valued at approximately ¥18.4 billion ($126.7 million). This latest purchase, announced on May 12, pushes the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to 6,796 BTC, worth around $707 million at current market prices.

JUST IN: 🇯🇵 Metaplanet bought another 1,241 #Bitcoin for ¥18.4 billion. pic.twitter.com/9bqq1MHebs

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) May 12, 2025

The Tokyo-listed firm acquired these new Bitcoin assets at a price of 14.8 million yen ($101,843) per coin, marking the company’s highest ever purchase price for the cryptocurrency. This strategic move has elevated Metaplanet’s Bitcoin reserves beyond those held by El Salvador, making the Japanese firm one of the world’s significant Bitcoin holders.

“Metaplanet now holds more Bitcoin than El Salvador. From humble beginnings to rivaling nation-states, we’re just getting started,” said CEO Simon Gerovich on social media following the announcement.

🇯🇵 Japanese firm Metaplanet just added another $129M in #Bitcoin — now holding more BTC than El Salvador!

“From humble beginnings to rivaling nation-states, we’re just getting started.” — CEO Simon Gerovich

📈 $BTC #Metaplanet #BitcoinNews #BTC pic.twitter.com/kii2vF5IUM

— The Coin Republic (@TCR_news_) May 12, 2025

According to the National Bitcoin Office, El Salvador currently ranks as the sixth-largest nation-state holder of the asset with 6,714 Bitcoin valued at approximately $642 million. Metaplanet’s aggressive acquisition strategy has now pushed its holdings past this benchmark.

The Japanese investment firm began accumulating Bitcoin in April 2024 and has maintained an aggressive purchasing strategy throughout 2025. Metaplanet reported a Bitcoin Yield—which measures the ratio of percentage change in Bitcoin holdings per fully diluted share—of 38% for the current quarter. This follows an impressive Bitcoin Yield of 95.6% achieved during the first quarter of 2025.

The company’s Bitcoin acquisition strategy has accelerated significantly in recent months. Prior to this purchase, Metaplanet acquired 5,555 Bitcoin on May 7, made four purchases in April totaling 18,586 BTC, and completed six purchases in March totaling 18,925 BTC. Each successive purchase has typically been larger than the previous one, demonstrating increasing confidence in the digital asset.

Also Read: Metaplanet Expands Bitcoin Holdings to 5,555 BTC with Latest ¥7.6 Billion Purchase

According to BiTBO data, Metaplanet now ranks as the largest holder of Bitcoin in Asia and the tenth largest globally. The firm’s average purchase price across all acquisitions stands at $91,000 per Bitcoin.

*Metaplanet Acquires Additional 1,241 $BTC* pic.twitter.com/zrJYzaZJq6

— Metaplanet Inc. (@Metaplanet_JP) May 12, 2025

Market response to the announcement was immediate. Following the 9:00 AM UTC announcement on May 12, Bitcoin’s price saw a 2.3% spike, moving from $93,800 to $95,950 within two hours on major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase. Trading volume for BTC/USDT surged by 18% during this window, reaching 1.2 million BTC traded globally.

Financial analysts view Metaplanet’s substantial investment in Bitcoin as part of a broader trend of institutional confidence in cryptocurrencies. The company’s decision “reflects its growing confidence in the future of digital assets” and positions it “to benefit from the potential growth and stability that Bitcoin offers.”

This move aligns with a growing trend of institutional investors and corporations diversifying their portfolios to include cryptocurrencies as potential hedges against inflation and market volatility.

The investment in Bitcoin represents more than just a financial strategy; it signals “a broader shift in the perception of digital currencies. Bitcoin, once viewed with skepticism, is now being seen as a legitimate asset class by many in the financial community.”

As Metaplanet continues its Bitcoin accumulation strategy, market observers will be watching closely to see if other institutional investors follow suit. The company’s significant holdings now rival those of nation-states, potentially signaling a new era in the institutional adoption of digital assets.

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