Metaplanet Teams Up with Hoseki to Verify Bitcoin Holdings

Metaplanet has partnered with Hoseki, a global leader in Bitcoin verification solutions, to allow users to verify the company’s Bitcoin holdings.

In a Tuesday announcement, Metaplanet said that the move is intended to enhance transparency and trust in its Bitcoin holdings through the use of Hoseki Verified.

“As Bitcoin adoption proliferates globally, the importance of transparency cannot be overstated,” the announcement read.

*Metaplanet partners with Hoseki to verify $BTC holdings* pic.twitter.com/ktZCYpodDZ

— Metaplanet Inc. (@Metaplanet_JP) July 23, 2024

“The partnership with Hoseki aligns with Bitcoin’s “Don’t Trust, Verify” ethos and pioneers transparency in a world where money exists on a transparent, auditable global ledger.”

The firm said the initiative aims to establish a new corporate standard for Bitcoin transparency, fostering greater trust within the cryptocurrency community.

Metaplanet’s $6M Bitcoin Investment Strategy

Last month, Metaplanet outlined its intention to expand its bitcoin holdings with a $6 million investment.

The money for its purchase will come from a recent bond sale.

Metaplanet, known as “Asia’s MicroStrategy,” said its Bitcoin holdings designated for long-term holding will be recorded at their acquisition cost. These are exempt from taxation based on end-of-term market value assessments.

Further, it added that other Bitcoin holdings will be evaluated at market prices each quarter. Any gains or losses from these evaluations will be recorded under non-operating income or expenses.

Back in April, Metaplanet revealed its decision to incorporate Bitcoin into its treasury assets due to several factors.

Firstly, it aims to minimize its exposure to the Japanese yen, which has been significantly impacted by Japan’s low-interest-rate environment.

The company has also expressed concern about the yen’s vulnerability and highlighted Bitcoin’s potential as a hedge against inflation, a tool for macroeconomic resilience, and a source of long-term capital appreciation.

It is worth noting that the decision to add Bitcoin to its reserve assets has positively impacted Metaplanet’s shares so far.

Metaplanet’s approach to accumulating Bitcoin echoes the strategy employed by MicroStrategy, a software developer based in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

MicroStrategy has been consistently purchasing BTC for nearly four years and currently holds over 226,000 BTC, which represents more than 1% of the total supply of Bitcoin that will ever be issued.

Metaplanet Soars 25% After Latest Purchase

Metaplanet has boosted its Bitcoin portfolio, purchasing an additional 20.38 Bitcoin valued at $1.2 million.

The company disclosed the acquisition on Monday, which followed a ¥200m ($1.4 million) Bitcoin purchase last week.

Earlier in the month, the firm added another 42.47 Bitcoin to its holdings, worth $2.3 million.

The recent buy is Metaplanet’s fourth Bitcoin acquisition in July, raising its total holdings to nearly 246 BTC, with an estimated value of $16.7 million.

Metaplanet’s stock price soared 25% on Monday following the acquisition. The firm’s shares are also up over 104% in the last month alone.

The ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties, characterized by increasing inflationary pressures and geopolitical tensions, have prompted corporate treasurers to explore the inclusion of Bitcoin (BTC) as a reserve asset, according to digital asset prime services platform Abra.

As reported, the company has just launched a service designed for corporates seeking to hold cryptocurrencies as reserve assets on their balance sheets.

It said that there is a trend of non-crypto-native businesses expressing interest in utilizing Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset.