Japan’s Metaplanet to Offer Bitcoin Rewards to Shareholders for Holding Stock

Metaplanet, a Tokyo-listed investment company, has recently unveiled an innovative initiative to reward its shareholders with Bitcoin, reflecting the company’s growing interest in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. In partnership with SBI VC Trade, a subsidiary of SBI Holdings, Metaplanet aims to offer its shareholders a unique benefit program that utilizes a lottery system to distribute Bitcoin rewards.

The company’s announcement, made via an X post on December 2, explains that this initiative is designed to increase shareholder value by integrating Bitcoin into its offerings, aligning with Metaplanet’s strategy of leveraging strategic partnerships to enhance its operations and expand into the cryptocurrency space. Metaplanet’s management emphasizes that by providing Bitcoin-related rewards, the company is not only giving back to its shareholders but also contributing to the growing adoption and utility of Bitcoin itself, a major player in the digital currency world.

Under the terms of the program, shareholders who hold at least 100 shares of Metaplanet as of December 31 will be eligible for participation in the lottery. However, the program is not limited to current shareholders. Individuals or corporations that open new accounts with SBI VC Trade between November 18, 2023, and March 31, 2025, will also be eligible to participate, provided they register through a dedicated website by the March 31, 2025 deadline. This gives both current and new participants ample time to engage with the program.

The total prize pool for this initiative amounts to 30 million yen (around $199,500), which will be distributed in the form of Bitcoin to 2,350 eligible participants through the lottery. The distribution will include a variety of rewards, with 50 prizes of 100,000 yen ($664) worth of Bitcoin, 100 prizes of 30,000 yen ($200) worth of Bitcoin, and 2,200 prizes of 10,000 yen (~$66.5) worth of Bitcoin. This structure ensures that the rewards are accessible to a broad range of shareholders, allowing more individuals to benefit from Metaplanet’s involvement in the cryptocurrency space.

Since the announcement, Metaplanet’s stock has seen a notable uptick, with shares rising by 4.58%, bringing their price to $16, according to data from OTC Markets Group. This increase in share value demonstrates investor confidence in Metaplanet’s efforts to integrate digital assets into its business model, and signals growing enthusiasm for the potential of cryptocurrency-related initiatives.

The timing of this move coincides with another significant announcement from Metaplanet. The company revealed its plans to raise $62 million by issuing stock acquisition rights to the EVO Fund, with the proceeds earmarked for expanding Metaplanet’s Bitcoin holdings. The company intends to issue a total of 29,000 units, each granting the EVO Fund the right to purchase 100 common shares. The subscription price for each right is set at 614 yen, which brings the total issuance value to 17,806,000 yen. This move is part of Metaplanet’s broader strategy to enhance its financial flexibility and position itself as a forward-thinking player in the digital asset space.

By offering Bitcoin as a reward to shareholders, Metaplanet is positioning itself as an innovative force in the traditional investment world. This initiative is an important step in bridging the gap between conventional finance and the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrencies, providing shareholders with both a tangible and forward-looking benefit that taps into the growing global interest in digital currencies.

Metaplanet’s engagement with the cryptocurrency industry, through partnerships like the one with SBI VC Trade, underscores the company’s commitment to exploring new ways to enhance shareholder value. This program is likely to attract attention not only from Metaplanet’s existing investors but also from potential new shareholders and cryptocurrency enthusiasts eager to engage with a company that is actively integrating digital assets into its core business model. As cryptocurrency adoption continues to expand globally, Metaplanet’s efforts could serve as a model for other traditional investment firms looking to capitalize on the opportunities that the blockchain and cryptocurrency industries present.