Metaplanet Buys More Bitcoin Amid Easing US-China Trade Tensions

Japan’s Metaplanet Inc. added another 555 Bitcoin to its treasury late Tuesday, just as China confirmed it would resume trade talks with the U.S., while laying out firm conditions for engagement and warning against “coercive and blackmailing tactics.”

The Tokyo-listed firm disclosed it spent $49.6 million (¥7.67 billion) on the latest acquisition, bringing its total Bitcoin holdings to 5,555 BTC, worth over $482 million at current prices.  

The purchase is part of Metaplanet’s broader strategy to convert capital into Bitcoin amid growing global macro uncertainty.

Metaplanet’s latest buy arrived just as Beijing and Washington signaled a willingness to resume economic dialogue, with China confirming Vice Premier He Lifeng would meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

He Lifeng is expected to meet Bessent in Switzerland from May 9 to 12, which would commence the first formal economic talks between the two powers since President Donald Trump reimposed tariffs on a wide range of Chinese imports, some exceeding 140%.

The meeting follows what China’s Ministry of Commerce described as “repeated” efforts by senior U.S. officials to re-engage. 

But China made clear that any negotiation must be based on mutual respect. 

“If the U.S. says one thing but does another, or even attempts to use negotiations as a pretext to continue coercive and blackmailing tactics, China will never agree, nor will it sacrifice its principles or international fairness and justice to seek any agreement,” the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement published by state media outlet CGTN.

That warning followed a tweet from China’s embassy in the U.S., which said Beijing had agreed to re-engage with Washington “based on full consideration of global expectations, China’s interests, and the appeals of the U.S. business community and consumers.”

The comment followed weeks of ambiguity in Washington, with President Trump claiming to have spoken “many times” with China’s President Xi Jinping.

“I have a lot of jobs around the White House; running the switchboard isn’t one of them,” Bessent told reporters last week when asked about the alleged calls.

Investors, long nervous about rate policy and geopolitical flashpoints, are watching Bitcoin, gold, and Treasuries for macro cues, Decrypt reported.

Bitcoin has held close to its February highs over the last 24 hours, while gold climbed to $3,357 amid renewed safe-haven demand. 

The world’s largest crypto is currently trading for $96,500, up 2.1% in the last 24 hours, CoinGecko data shows.

Funding the Bitcoin Playbook

Since early 2024, Metaplanet has issued multiple tranches of zero-coupon bonds and stock acquisition rights, raising over ¥35 billion through its partner EVO FUND. 

Those proceeds have been funneled directly into Bitcoin, with each tranche tied closely to a new purchase. 

The firm’s Bitcoin-centric KPI, BTC Yield, has grown sharply over three consecutive quarters,  309.8% in Q4 2024, 95.6% in Q1 2025, and 21% in Q2 of this year.

Last week, the Tokyo-based firm announced plans to establish a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary in Florida, dubbed Metaplanet Treasury Corp., aiming to raise up to $250 million to accelerate its Bitcoin accumulation strategy. 

Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich said the move is an effort to tap American capital markets and expand 24/7 access to global liquidity.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair