Finance

Metaplanet’s Bitcoin Bet: How a Japanese Firm’s Index Upgrade Could Unleash a Flood of Capital

August 24, 2025, 8:20 PM

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Executive Summary

Metaplanet, a Japanese Bitcoin treasury firm, was upgraded to a mid-cap stock by FTSE Russell, leading to its inclusion in the FTSE Japan and FTSE All-World Indices.

The company reported exceptional Q2 performance with 187% YTD gains and holds 18,888 BTC, making it Japan’s largest Bitcoin treasury company.

Metaplanet, having strategically rebranded from hotel management, aims to accumulate 210,000 BTC by 2027 and plans to acquire new income-generating businesses using its Bitcoin reserves.

The Story So Far

Metaplanet’s strategic pivot in 2024 from a hotel management company to a dedicated Bitcoin treasury firm, coupled with its rapid accumulation of 18,888 BTC and exceptional year-to-date gains of approximately 187%, has driven its reclassification as a mid-cap stock by FTSE Russell and subsequent inclusion in major global indices.

Why This Matters

Metaplanet’s reclassification as a mid-cap stock and subsequent inclusion in major FTSE indices represents a significant milestone for Bitcoin’s integration into traditional finance. This move is expected to channel conventional capital flows, providing passive stock investors with indirect exposure to Bitcoin and potentially encouraging other companies to adopt similar treasury strategies, thus accelerating institutional adoption of the cryptocurrency.

Who Thinks What?

FTSE Russell has reclassified Metaplanet as a mid-cap stock due to its exceptional second-quarter performance, leading to its inclusion in the FTSE Japan Index and FTSE All-World Index.

Metaplanet’s CEO Simon Gerovich and executives view their strategic pivot to a Bitcoin treasury firm as successful, demonstrated by significant gains and the accumulation of 18,888 BTC, with plans to acquire income-generating businesses and target 210,000 BTC by 2027.

Passive stock investors are expected to gain indirect exposure to Bitcoin as traditional financial capital flows are redirected into Metaplanet through its inclusion in major global stock market indices.

Metaplanet, a Japanese company that transitioned into a Bitcoin treasury firm, has been upgraded to a mid-cap stock by FTSE Russell in its September 2025 Semi-Annual Review. This significant reclassification paves the way for its inclusion in the prestigious FTSE Japan Index and, subsequently, the FTSE All-World Index, marking a pivotal moment for the company following its strong second-quarter performance.

The inclusion in these globally recognized stock market indices is expected to redirect traditional financial capital flows into Bitcoin, offering passive stock investors indirect exposure to the world’s largest cryptocurrency. FTSE Russell, a leading global index provider, conducts quarterly updates and rebalances its indices, with Metaplanet’s recent performance driving this upgrade.

Performance and Bitcoin Holdings

Metaplanet’s second-quarter financial report showcased exceptional performance, with the company announcing year-to-date gains of approximately 187% in August. This significantly outpaced the Tokyo Stock Price Index (TOPIX) Core 30, a benchmark featuring Japanese industrial and technology giants like Toyota, Sony, and Nintendo, which saw a 7.2% YTD appreciation.

The company currently holds 18,888 BTC in its corporate treasury, positioning it as the seventh-largest publicly traded holder of the supply-capped digital asset. This holding surpasses the Bitcoin reserves of companies such as Coinbase, Tesla, and the Hut 8 mining firm, establishing Metaplanet as Japan’s largest Bitcoin treasury company by BTC holdings.

Strategic Shift and Future Ambitions

Originally operating as a hotel management company, Metaplanet underwent a strategic rebranding in 2024 to focus entirely on its Bitcoin treasury strategy. This pivot has seen the company rapidly accumulate a substantial amount of Bitcoin.

Looking ahead, Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich indicated in July that the company plans to leverage a portion of its Bitcoin reserves to acquire additional income-generating businesses. Potential targets include digital banks or enterprises closely aligned with digital assets and money.

Ambitious Accumulation Targets

The company’s executives have set an ambitious target to accumulate 210,000 BTC by 2027. This goal represents 1% of Bitcoin’s total fixed supply of 21 million coins, underscoring Metaplanet’s long-term vision and commitment to its Bitcoin-centric strategy.

Metaplanet’s upgrade to a mid-cap stock and its inclusion in major global indices highlight its rapid ascent and the increasing integration of Bitcoin-focused entities into traditional financial markets. Its strong performance and ambitious accumulation goals position it as a key player in bridging the gap between conventional finance and the cryptocurrency ecosystem.