TLDR
Metaplanet partnered with SBI VC Trade to distribute 30 million Yen in Bitcoin to shareholders
2,350 shareholders will receive varying amounts: 50 will get ¥100,000, 100 will get ¥30,000, and 2,200 will get ¥10,000 in BTC
Shareholders must hold 100+ shares by December 31, 2024, and open an SBI VC Trade account
Company stock jumped 6% after the announcement, trading above $2,450
The company’s year-to-date gains stand at 1,360% following its Bitcoin adoption strategy
Japanese technology company Metaplanet has announced a new shareholder benefit program that will distribute 30 million yen worth of Bitcoin to its shareholders. The company, often called Japan’s MicroStrategy due to its Bitcoin-focused strategy, made the announcement in partnership with SBI VC Trade, a subsidiary of SBI Holdings, Inc.
The program will benefit 2,350 shareholders in total, with rewards distributed across three tiers. Fifty shareholders will receive ¥100,000 worth of Bitcoin each, while 100 shareholders will get ¥30,000 worth of Bitcoin. The remaining 2,200 shareholders will receive ¥10,000 worth of Bitcoin each.
Following the announcement, Metaplanet’s stock price increased by more than 6%, pushing it above $2,450. This continues the company’s strong market performance, with year-to-date gains reaching 1,360%. Most of these gains came after the company implemented its Bitcoin adoption strategy in May.
The company has established clear eligibility requirements for shareholders to participate in the program. Shareholders must hold at least 100 shares of Metaplanet stock as of December 31, 2024. They also need to open a new account with SBI VC Trade between November 18, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
CEO Simon Gerovich explained the company’s motivation behind the program. “This initiative is part of our efforts to provide Bitcoin for free so that more people in Japan can experience Bitcoin,” he stated in the announcement.
The distribution process has been carefully planned. Metaplanet will credit the Bitcoins to eligible SBI VC Trade accounts by late April 2025. The exact amount of Bitcoin will be calculated based on SBI VC Trade’s Bitcoin buy price as of 11:59 PM on April 15, 2025.
Campaign registration must be completed by March 31, 2025. Metaplanet plans to provide shareholders with registration details in early February. The company has specified that minors and non-residents are not eligible to participate in the program.
This announcement comes shortly after Metaplanet raised $62 million specifically for Bitcoin purchases. The company has already shown success in its Bitcoin strategy, generating a Bitcoin yield of 155%.
The timing of the announcement coincides with strong performance in the Bitcoin market, which saw a 37% price increase in November. Bitcoin’s price currently stands around $96,678, with market analysts predicting further gains.
Metaplanet emphasized its commitment to shareholder value in its announcement. The company stated it would continue forming strategic partnerships with leading industry players to enhance shareholder benefits while promoting Bitcoin adoption.
The partnership with SBI VC Trade represents a strategic choice for Metaplanet. SBI VC Trade, as a subsidiary of SBI Holdings, brings established cryptocurrency trading infrastructure to the program.
The program builds upon Metaplanet’s initial shareholder benefit program, which was first announced in November 2018. This latest iteration shows the company’s evolution in integrating cryptocurrency into its shareholder relations strategy.
Market analysts are watching Metaplanet’s stock closely, with expectations that it could reach 3,000 JPY, matching its previous high from May this year. The stock’s performance has closely followed Bitcoin’s price movements.
The company’s approach combines traditional shareholder rewards with cryptocurrency adoption, creating a new model for corporate engagement with digital assets. This program represents one of the largest coordinated distributions of Bitcoin as a shareholder benefit in Japan.
The initiative aligns with Japan’s growing acceptance of cryptocurrency in corporate finance. As one of the first countries to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges, Japan continues to see innovation in how companies integrate digital assets into their operations.
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