Metaplanet Surpasses El Salvador in Bitcoin Holdings
In a significant move within the cryptocurrency landscape, Tokyo-listed investment firm Metaplanet announced on May 12 that it had purchased an additional 1,241 bitcoins (BTC) for approximately US$129 million (AU$202 million), translating to an individual coin price of US$101,843 (AU$158,500). This latest acquisition elevates Metaplanet’s total Bitcoin holdings to 6,796 BTC, which is currently valued at around US$707 million (AU$1.1 billion). Remarkably, this amount positions the firm ahead of El Salvador’s national reserve, which totals 6,714 BTC.
A New Era of Accumulation
CEO Simon Gerovich celebrated this achievement, highlighting their journey from modest beginnings to matching the cryptocurrency reserves of entire nations. In a post on social media platform X, he stated:
"Metaplanet now holds more Bitcoin than El Salvador. From humble beginnings to rivaling nation-states, we’re just getting started."
Metaplanet’s Bitcoin accumulation strategy, initiated in April 2024, has gained notable momentum in 2025. The firm made headlines earlier in the month by acquiring 5,555 BTC in one transaction, following a series of significant purchases, including 18,586 BTC across four acquisitions in April and 18,925 BTC spread over six transactions in March.
Competition from Strategy
While Metaplanet is making headlines with its aggressive accumulation approach, it is not alone. The firm formerly known as MicroStrategy, now called Strategy, has also bolstered its Bitcoin reserves, adding another 13,390 BTC recently, which is valued at about US$1.34 billion (AU$2.1 billion). This brings their total holdings to an impressive 568,840 BTC, equating to roughly 2.8% of the entire circulating Bitcoin supply.
Strategy’s Chairman, Michael Saylor, is well-known for promoting the firm’s Bitcoin strategy, and he recently shared market insights hinting at further acquisitions. The firm has adhered to a consistent weekly buying routine throughout 2025, continuing its accumulation even as Bitcoin remains close to breaking the six-figure mark in price.
Market Dynamics
The recent activities of both Metaplanet and Strategy illustrate a growing trend of institutional investment in Bitcoin. The market is witnessing strategic shifts as the backdrop of global economic fluctuations, notably influenced by trade agreements between major economies like the US and China, continues to impact Bitcoin’s trading dynamics.
Conclusion
As Metaplanet continues to scale its Bitcoin holdings, outpacing national reserves and setting a precedent for other firms, the competitive landscape for cryptocurrency accumulation is undeniably heating up. With heavyweights like Strategy vying for dominance, the sector’s future remains intriguing and unpredictable. The growing interest from institutional investors not only signifies trust in Bitcoin as a store of value but also points towards a burgeoning trend of corporations embracing cryptocurrency to hedge against traditional economic challenges.
