Bitcoin’s Corporate Adoption Accelerates as Metaplanet Becomes Fifth-Largest Holder
In a landmark move that underscores the growing institutional confidence in digital assets, Japanese investment firm Metaplanet has executed its largest Bitcoin acquisition to date, purchasing 5,419 BTC for approximately $632.5 million. This strategic acquisition, announced on Monday, September 29, 2025, was completed at an average price of $116,724 per bitcoin, significantly boosting the company's cryptocurrency reserves and positioning it as the fifth-largest corporate Bitcoin holder globally. The transaction elevates Metaplanet's total Bitcoin holdings to an impressive 25,555 BTC, with a current market value of approximately $2.71 billion and an average purchase price of $106,065 per coin across all acquisitions. This substantial investment not only demonstrates Metaplanet's unwavering bullish stance on Bitcoin but also reflects the broader trend of corporations increasingly viewing cryptocurrency as a legitimate treasury reserve asset. The timing of this acquisition is particularly noteworthy given the current market conditions and growing institutional adoption of digital currencies. Metaplanet's aggressive accumulation strategy highlights the company's confidence in Bitcoin's long-term value proposition as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. This move follows similar treasury strategies adopted by other major corporations, further validating Bitcoin's role in corporate finance and investment portfolios. The scale of this purchase signals strong institutional demand for Bitcoin and could potentially influence market sentiment and price trajectories in the coming months. As more traditional financial institutions and corporations embrace cryptocurrency, Metaplanet's position as a leading Bitcoin treasury firm strengthens Japan's standing in the global digital asset landscape. This development marks another significant milestone in the maturation of cryptocurrency markets and underscores the shifting paradigm in how corporations manage and diversify their treasury assets in the digital age.
Metaplanet Acquires $632M in Bitcoin, Becoming Fifth-Largest Corporate Holder
Metaplanet, a Japanese Bitcoin treasury firm, has solidified its position in the cryptocurrency market with its largest purchase to date—5,419 BTC for approximately $632.5 million. The acquisition, announced Monday, was executed at an average price of $116,724 per bitcoin. This brings Metaplanet's total holdings to 25,555 BTC, valued at roughly $2.71 billion, with an average purchase price of $106,065 per coin.
The move catapults Metaplanet into the ranks of the top five public corporate Bitcoin holders, trailing only Strategy, Mara, XXI, and Bitcoin Standard Treasury Company. Despite the bullish acquisition, Metaplanet's stock dipped 0.5% in midday trading in Japan, though it remains up 74% year-to-date. U.S.-traded shares closed 3.81% higher at $4.09 on Friday.
Metaplanet's aggressive expansion includes plans to raise $1.4 billion through new share issuance, earmarked exclusively for further bitcoin purchases. The firm also recently established Metaplanet Income Corp., a U.S. subsidiary focused on Bitcoin derivatives and income-generating strategies.
Vietnam Bank Account Purge Highlights Bitcoin’s Appeal
Vietnamese commercial banks have initiated a sweeping purge of over 86 million bank accounts, a MOVE that underscores the fragility of traditional banking systems. The State Bank of Vietnam mandated biometric verification—face scans for account openings and select transactions—leaving just 113 million of the country’s 200 million accounts active. Foreign residents face heightened hurdles, as remote authentication remains scarce.
This crackdown mirrors global precedents. Chinese rural banks froze deposits abruptly in 2022, while U.S. and UK institutions routinely immobilize funds during investigations or for compliance. Canada’s 2022 emergency freeze of both fiat and Bitcoin accounts tied to protests remains a stark example of centralized overreach.
Such measures, ostensibly for fraud prevention, amplify the appeal of self-custodied assets like Bitcoin. Where traditional finance imposes gatekeepers, cryptocurrencies offer an escape hatch—permissionless, borderless, and resistant to unilateral freezes.
Crypto Markets Dip Ahead of Historically Bullish October
Crypto markets defied historical trends with a downturn just nine days before October, a month traditionally known as 'Uptober' for Bitcoin's strong performance. Bitcoin has posted gains in 10 of the past 12 Octobers since 2013, with notable rallies of 48% in 2017 and 40% in 2021. A similar surge this year could propel BTC toward $165,000.
Market observers remain divided. Bitcoiner Kyle Chassé points to a 92% probability of Federal Reserve rate cuts as bullish fuel for crypto, while analyst 'Sykodelic' anticipates short-term declines before an October surge. 'When we hit $112,500, the bears will emerge—but that’s when the real rally begins,' Sykodelic noted, predicting a final euphoric leg upward.
3 Warning Signs of Bitcoin Exhaustion in the Final Week of September
Bitcoin's rally shows signs of fatigue as on-chain metrics and macroeconomic signals flash warnings. Historical trends suggest September's notorious weakness may repeat, with profitability indicators turning bearish.
The Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR), a key on-chain metric, signals diminishing returns for BTC holders. Analyst Joao Wedson notes the trendline's downward trajectory—a pattern that has preceded previous market peaks. When SOPR flirts with the 1.0 threshold, it reveals investors are buying high and selling low.
September's track record looms large. For over a decade, it has consistently been crypto's weakest month. With seven days remaining, the curse threatens to strike again as transaction profitability evaporates across blockchain ledgers.
3 US Economic Signals to Sway Crypto as Bitcoin Faces $116,000 Rejection
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's upcoming speech on Tuesday looms large for cryptocurrency markets, following last week's 25-basis-point rate cut. The Fed's cautious stance on further cuts has tempered crypto enthusiasm, with Bitcoin's rejection at $116,000 underscoring market sensitivity to monetary policy signals.
Newly confirmed Fed governor Stephen Miran adds political intrigue to the central bank's deliberations. His Trump-aligned perspective enters the fray as rate cut expectations gain traction, potentially influencing crypto market dynamics through 2026.
Traders are parsing every nuance from Fed communications, where dovish or hawkish leanings could trigger volatility across digital assets. The intersection of monetary policy and crypto markets grows increasingly pronounced as institutional adoption accelerates.
Athena Bitcoin Global Faces U.S. Fraud Allegations Amid Crypto's Political Scrutiny in the UK
Athena Bitcoin Global, a prominent player in the cryptocurrency ATM space, is under fire in the U.S. after the D.C. Attorney General accused the firm of enabling scams targeting elderly victims. The lawsuit alleges 93% of deposits in the district during a five-month period were tied to fraud, including one case where a senior lost $98,000 in three days.
Meanwhile, in the UK, concerns are mounting over right-wing movements' adoption of crypto for anonymous transactions, potentially opening doors to foreign interference. The trend gained attention after Elon Musk's appearance at a Whitehall event co-sponsored by crypto firms like Athena, which is also embroiled in controversy for its role in El Salvador's flawed Chivo ATM rollout that led to 400,000 fraudulent accounts receiving government funds.