Japan’s Metaplanet Announces $137 Million Capital Raise Via Third-Party Allotment

By: crypto insight|2026/01/30 05:00:00
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Key Takeaways

  • Japanese firm Metaplanet Inc. has strategized a $137 million capital raising through the third-party allotment of shares and stock acquisition rights.
  • The initiative aims to bolster Metaplanet’s capital foundation and embrace strategic growth opportunities amid fluctuating blockchain markets.
  • The fundraising could lead to potential dilution of existing shares, totaling approximately 15.9 million new shares if fully exercised.
  • The third-party allotment targets overseas investors, reflecting a common capital-raising technique among Japanese companies.

WEEX Crypto News, 2026-01-29 17:31:08

Japan’s financial landscape was shaken recently as Metaplanet Inc., a prominent Bitcoin treasury firm listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, unveiled its sophisticated plan for a substantial capital raise. This maneuver, set to accumulate around $137 million, relies on a strategic method known as third-party allotment, a move indicative of Metaplanet’s ambitions in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors. The dramatic gesture underscores the firm’s commitment to fortifying its financial resources and seeks to propel its strategic growth ambitions forward with precision and purpose.

Metaplanet’s tactical decision comes amidst a period of uncertainty in the cryptocurrency market, reflecting a greater trend of firms in the sector adjusting their approaches to capitalization and asset management. Given that the company has a significant portion of its assets invested in Bitcoin, the volatility of the crypto market has had a profound impact on its financial statements. Most notably, earlier this week, the company disclosed a staggering 104.6 billion yen ($680 million) impairment on its Bitcoin holdings. This impairment highlights the weighty influence of market downturns on digital assets and the necessary strategic shifts companies must make to navigate such challenges effectively.

Unpacking the Fundraising Strategy

New Shares and Stock Acquisition Rights Issuance

The cornerstone of Metaplanet’s fundraising endeavor lies in the issuance of 24,529,000 newly minted common shares, priced at JPY 499 ($3.35) each. This move is expected to yield a total of JPY 12.24 billion ($82 million) from this share placement alone. However, the strategy doesn’t stop there; it also involves the distribution of 159,440 stock acquisition rights. Each right echoes a privilege to purchase 100 ordinary shares at an exercise price established at JPY 547 ($3.70), which represents a calculated 115% of the closing market price from the day preceding the resolution’s approval.

This dual-structured allotment plan highlights a keen strategic acumen, aimed not only at immediate capital infusion but also at enticing long-term investors who foresee growth in Metaplanet’s market activities. The allotment and payment date, lining up for February 13, 2026, marks a pivotal milestone in the company’s fiscal planning calendar, setting the stage for future expansions.

Fundraising Size and Potential Shareholder Impact

The cumulative fundraising through this innovative plan reaches an estimated JPY 21 billion ($137 million). The projected outlook suggests that if stock acquisition rights are fully utilized, Metaplanet could witness an issuance of an additional 15,944,000 shares. This prospect inherently poses the potential for shareholder dilution, a matter that the company has openly acknowledged. Shareholder dilution refers to the reduction in each existing shareholder’s ownership percentage, a common scenario when new shares enter a company’s stock pool.

Yet, Metaplanet maintains that the total funds raised could dwindle if certain conditions restrict the exercise of rights or prompt cancellations. This prudent transparency is vital, as it aligns investor expectations with realistic market projections and operational planning outcomes. Such clear communication about potential risks and rewards helps maintain investor trust and establishes a foundation for sustainable corporate growth amidst broader market instability.

Embracing an Overseas Third-Party Allotment Framework

This fundraising endeavor is steered by an overseas third-party allotment approach, a strategy that aligns with the trends adopted by many Japanese listed enterprises seeking capital effectiveness. The method is particularly attractive when targeting global investors, bringing international attention and resources into domestic market scenarios.

Under this framework, the rights and shares envisaged are dispatched to predefined allottees whose profiles and details are outlined comprehensively in supporting documentation. The legally binding purchase agreement involves stipulations that compel Metaplanet to uphold its promises faithfully and within the parameters of its contractual obligations. Such structured approaches provide assurance to potential investors that their engagements are not only projected towards fruitful returns but are harmonized within a secure and reliable legal perimeter.

What Are Third-Party Allotments?

Third-party allotments have become a vital financial instrument for Japanese companies grappling with evolving global market dynamics. These allotments allow firms to strategically distribute shares and related instruments externally to non-existing shareholders with the intent of raising capital rapidly and efficiently. Unlike rights issues, a common alternative where new shares are offered primarily to existing stakeholders, third-party allotments open the door to a wider audience, potentially fostering more robust financial landscapes.

Metaplanet’s choice reflects the broader context where Japanese companies are actively diversifying their financing avenues as a response to both competitive pressures and the dynamic nature of global markets. Such instruments are crucial in ensuring that despite economic headwinds, companies can maintain robust capital structures by engaging a diverse investor base.

Navigating the Current Market Landscape

The allocation strategy pursued by Metaplanet is not merely a fundraising effort; it’s a response deeply rooted in current market conditions. The past year has brought unprecedented challenges for digital assets, especially Bitcoin, which saw severe fluctuations that cascaded into significant financial impairments for holders.

Amidst these conditions, Metaplanet’s approach can be seen as not just timely but critical. The marked impairment in its Bitcoin holdings prompted this necessary step towards replenishing its financial arsenal. This event shines a light on the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies, emphasizing why companies like Metaplanet must continuously innovate in their financial strategies to achieve resilience.

The Importance of Brand Alignment and Market Strategy

In a landscape fraught with unpredictability, Metaplanet has shown a keen sense of adaptability—a trait vital for survival and success in the crypto domain. Aligning its brand with strategic growth and stability themes, the firm not only enhances its market presence but also sends a strong message to potential investors about its future-focused vision.

Although the specifics of the capital use remain within the broader context of their corporate strategy, such transparent communications signal to the market that Metaplanet is a firm with a calculated approach to growth, imbued with core tenets of prudence and foresight.

Conclusion: A Step Towards Greater Market Engagement

Metaplanet’s decision to raise $137 million through third-party allotment is emblematic of an evolving financial strategy grounded in both necessity and opportunity. This strategic initiative reflects a comprehensive understanding of global market trends and the proactive measures necessary to ensure sustained growth and viability. Moreover, Metaplanet’s bold move could potentially set the stage for other cryptocurrency and blockchain firms pondering similar paths amidst comparable challenges.

This narrative of strategic evolution is buoyed by the firm’s candid transparency about shareholder operations and anticipated outcomes. By steering its operations towards such expansiveness and efficiency, Metaplanet reinforces its stature not just as a financial entity, but as a visionary participant in the broader blockchain and cryptocurrency narrative.


FAQs

How is Metaplanet planning to use the funds raised?

Metaplanet has not disclosed specific strategies for the use of the proceeds. However, the funds are expected to support its strategic corporate goals and enhance its capital reserves to better withstand market volatility.

What is the impact of the Bitcoin impairment on Metaplanet’s operations?

The 104.6 billion yen impairment on Bitcoin has been recorded as a non-operating expense. Metaplanet has stated that this does not impact its cash flows or daily operations, ensuring that operational integrity remains intact.

What are stock acquisition rights?

Stock acquisition rights grant the holder the ability to purchase a specific number of shares at a predetermined price. This mechanism is often used to align financial incentives with long-term company growth.

Why are Japanese companies opting for third-party allotments?

Third-party allotments offer access to broader investor bases, especially overseas, allowing firms to rapidly raise capital. This strategy is utilized by Japanese firms seeking efficiency and diversity in their financial endeavors.

How does shareholder dilution affect existing investors?

Shareholder dilution occurs when new shares enter the market, reducing existing shareholders’ stake. For investors, this might mean a lesser percentage of ownership, necessitating close attention to how such actions can affect share value.

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China's Central Bank and Eight Other Departments' Latest Regulatory Focus: Key Attention to RWA Tokenized Asset Risk


Foreword: Today, the People's Bank of China's website published the "Notice of the People's Bank of China, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security, State Administration for Market Regulation, China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, China Securities Regulatory Commission, State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Preventing and Dealing with Risks Related to Virtual Currency and Others (Yinfa [2026] No. 42)", the latest regulatory requirements from the eight departments including the central bank, which are basically consistent with the regulatory requirements of recent years. The main focus of the regulation is on speculative activities such as virtual currency trading, exchanges, ICOs, overseas platform services, and this time, regulatory oversight of RWA has been added, explicitly prohibiting RWA tokenization, stablecoins (especially those pegged to the RMB). The following is the full text:


To the people's governments of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps:


  Recently, there have been speculative activities related to virtual currency and Real-World Assets (RWA) tokenization, disrupting the economic and financial order and jeopardizing the property security of the people. In order to further prevent and address the risks related to virtual currency and Real-World Assets tokenization, effectively safeguard national security and social stability, in accordance with the "Law of the People's Republic of China on the People's Bank of China," "Law of the People's Republic of China on Commercial Banks," "Securities Law of the People's Republic of China," "Law of the People's Republic of China on Securities Investment Funds," "Law of the People's Republic of China on Futures and Derivatives," "Cybersecurity Law of the People's Republic of China," "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Renminbi," "Regulations on Prevention and Disposal of Illegal Fundraising," "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Foreign Exchange Administration," "Telecommunications Regulations of the People's Republic of China," and other provisions, after reaching consensus with the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and with the approval of the State Council, the relevant matters are notified as follows:


  I. Clarify the essential attributes of virtual currency, Real-World Assets tokenization, and related business activities


  (I) Virtual currency does not possess the legal status equivalent to fiat currency. Virtual currencies such as Bitcoin, Ether, Tether, etc., have the main characteristics of being issued by non-monetary authorities, using encryption technology and distributed ledger or similar technology, existing in digital form, etc. They do not have legal tender status, should not and cannot be circulated and used as currency in the market.


  The business activities related to virtual currency are classified as illegal financial activities. The exchange of fiat currency and virtual currency within the territory, exchange of virtual currencies, acting as a central counterparty in buying and selling virtual currencies, providing information intermediary and pricing services for virtual currency transactions, token issuance financing, and trading of virtual currency-related financial products, etc., fall under illegal financial activities, such as suspected illegal issuance of token vouchers, unauthorized public issuance of securities, illegal operation of securities and futures business, illegal fundraising, etc., are strictly prohibited across the board and resolutely banned in accordance with the law. Overseas entities and individuals are not allowed to provide virtual currency-related services to domestic entities in any form.


  A stablecoin pegged to a fiat currency indirectly fulfills some functions of the fiat currency in circulation. Without the consent of relevant authorities in accordance with the law and regulations, any domestic or foreign entity or individual is not allowed to issue a RMB-pegged stablecoin overseas.


(II)Tokenization of Real-World Assets refers to the use of encryption technology and distributed ledger or similar technologies to transform ownership rights, income rights, etc., of assets into tokens (tokens) or other interests or bond certificates with token (token) characteristics, and carry out issuance and trading activities.


  Engaging in the tokenization of real-world assets domestically, as well as providing related intermediary, information technology services, etc., which are suspected of illegal issuance of token vouchers, unauthorized public offering of securities, illegal operation of securities and futures business, illegal fundraising, and other illegal financial activities, shall be prohibited; except for relevant business activities carried out with the approval of the competent authorities in accordance with the law and regulations and relying on specific financial infrastructures. Overseas entities and individuals are not allowed to illegally provide services related to the tokenization of real-world assets to domestic entities in any form.


  II. Sound Work Mechanism


  (III) Inter-agency Coordination. The People's Bank of China, together with the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, the State Administration for Market Regulation, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and other departments, will improve the work mechanism, strengthen coordination with the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, coordinate efforts, and overall guide regions to carry out risk prevention and disposal of virtual currency-related illegal financial activities.


  The China Securities Regulatory Commission, together with the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, the People's Bank of China, the State Administration for Market Regulation, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and other departments, will improve the work mechanism, strengthen coordination with the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, coordinate efforts, and overall guide regions to carry out risk prevention and disposal of illegal financial activities related to the tokenization of real-world assets.


  (IV) Strengthening Local Implementation. The people's governments at the provincial level are overall responsible for the prevention and disposal of risks related to virtual currencies and the tokenization of real-world assets in their respective administrative regions. The specific leading department is the local financial regulatory department, with participation from branches and dispatched institutions of the State Council's financial regulatory department, telecommunications regulators, public security, market supervision, and other departments, in coordination with cyberspace departments, courts, and procuratorates, to improve the normalization of the work mechanism, effectively connect with the relevant work mechanisms of central departments, form a cooperative and coordinated working pattern between central and local governments, effectively prevent and properly handle risks related to virtual currencies and the tokenization of real-world assets, and maintain economic and financial order and social stability.


  III. Strengthened Risk Monitoring, Prevention, and Disposal


  (5) Enhanced Risk Monitoring. The People's Bank of China, China Securities Regulatory Commission, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security, State Administration of Foreign Exchange, Cyberspace Administration of China, and other departments continue to improve monitoring techniques and system support, enhance cross-departmental data analysis and sharing, establish sound information sharing and cross-validation mechanisms, promptly grasp the risk situation of activities related to virtual currency and real-world asset tokenization. Local governments at all levels give full play to the role of local monitoring and early warning mechanisms. Local financial regulatory authorities, together with branches and agencies of the State Council's financial regulatory authorities, as well as departments of cyberspace and public security, ensure effective connection between online monitoring, offline investigation, and fund tracking, efficiently and accurately identify activities related to virtual currency and real-world asset tokenization, promptly share risk information, improve early warning information dissemination, verification, and rapid response mechanisms.


  (6) Strengthened Oversight of Financial Institutions, Intermediaries, and Technology Service Providers. Financial institutions (including non-bank payment institutions) are prohibited from providing account opening, fund transfer, and clearing services for virtual currency-related business activities, issuing and selling financial products related to virtual currency, including virtual currency and related financial products in the scope of collateral, conducting insurance business related to virtual currency, or including virtual currency in the scope of insurance liability. Financial institutions (including non-bank payment institutions) are prohibited from providing custody, clearing, and settlement services for unauthorized real-world asset tokenization-related business and related financial products. Relevant intermediary institutions and information technology service providers are prohibited from providing intermediary, technical, or other services for unauthorized real-world asset tokenization-related businesses and related financial products.


  (7) Enhanced Management of Internet Information Content and Access. Internet enterprises are prohibited from providing online business venues, commercial displays, marketing, advertising, or paid traffic diversion services for virtual currency and real-world asset tokenization-related business activities. Upon discovering clues of illegal activities, they should promptly report to relevant departments and provide technical support and assistance for related investigations and inquiries. Based on the clues transferred by the financial regulatory authorities, the cyberspace administration, telecommunications authorities, and public security departments should promptly close and deal with websites, mobile applications (including mini-programs), and public accounts engaged in virtual currency and real-world asset tokenization-related business activities in accordance with the law.


  (8) Strengthened Entity Registration and Advertisement Management. Market supervision departments strengthen entity registration and management, and enterprise and individual business registrations must not contain terms such as "virtual currency," "virtual asset," "cryptocurrency," "crypto asset," "stablecoin," "real-world asset tokenization," or "RWA" in their names or business scopes. Market supervision departments, together with financial regulatory authorities, legally enhance the supervision of advertisements related to virtual currency and real-world asset tokenization, promptly investigating and handling relevant illegal advertisements.


  (IX) Continued Rectification of Virtual Currency Mining Activities. The National Development and Reform Commission, together with relevant departments, strictly controls virtual currency mining activities, continuously promotes the rectification of virtual currency mining activities. The people's governments of various provinces take overall responsibility for the rectification of "mining" within their respective administrative regions. In accordance with the requirements of the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments in the "Notice on the Rectification of Virtual Currency Mining Activities" (NDRC Energy-saving Building [2021] No. 1283) and the provisions of the "Guidance Catalog for Industrial Structure Adjustment (2024 Edition)," a comprehensive review, investigation, and closure of existing virtual currency mining projects are conducted, new mining projects are strictly prohibited, and mining machine production enterprises are strictly prohibited from providing mining machine sales and other services within the country.


  (X) Severe Crackdown on Related Illegal Financial Activities. Upon discovering clues to illegal financial activities related to virtual currency and the tokenization of real-world assets, local financial regulatory authorities, branches of the State Council's financial regulatory authorities, and other relevant departments promptly investigate, determine, and properly handle the issues in accordance with the law, and seriously hold the relevant entities and individuals legally responsible. Those suspected of crimes are transferred to the judicial authorities for processing according to the law.


 (XI) Severe Crackdown on Related Illegal and Criminal Activities. The Ministry of Public Security, the People's Bank of China, the State Administration for Market Regulation, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, as well as judicial and procuratorial organs, in accordance with their respective responsibilities, rigorously crack down on illegal and criminal activities related to virtual currency, the tokenization of real-world assets, such as fraud, money laundering, illegal business operations, pyramid schemes, illegal fundraising, and other illegal and criminal activities carried out under the guise of virtual currency, the tokenization of real-world assets, etc.


  (XII) Strengthen Industry Self-discipline. Relevant industry associations should enhance membership management and policy advocacy, based on their own responsibilities, advocate and urge member units to resist illegal financial activities related to virtual currency and the tokenization of real-world assets. Member units that violate regulatory policies and industry self-discipline rules are to be disciplined in accordance with relevant self-regulatory management regulations. By leveraging various industry infrastructure, conduct risk monitoring related to virtual currency, the tokenization of real-world assets, and promptly transfer issue clues to relevant departments.


  IV. Strict Supervision of Domestic Entities Engaging in Overseas Business Activities


(XIII) Without the approval of relevant departments in accordance with the law and regulations, domestic entities and foreign entities controlled by them may not issue virtual currency overseas.


  (XIV) Domestic entities engaging directly or indirectly in overseas external debt-based tokenization of real-world assets, or conducting asset securitization activities abroad based on domestic ownership rights, income rights, etc. (hereinafter referred to as domestic equity), should be strictly regulated in accordance with the principles of "same business, same risk, same rules." The National Development and Reform Commission, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and other relevant departments regulate it according to their respective responsibilities. For other forms of overseas real-world asset tokenization activities based on domestic equity by domestic entities, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, together with relevant departments, supervise according to their division of responsibilities. Without the consent and filing of relevant departments, no unit or individual may engage in the above-mentioned business.


  (15) Overseas subsidiaries and branches of domestic financial institutions providing Real World Asset Tokenization-related services overseas shall do so legally and prudently. They shall have professional personnel and systems in place to effectively mitigate business risks, strictly implement customer onboarding, suitability management, anti-money laundering requirements, and incorporate them into the domestic financial institutions' compliance and risk management system. Intermediaries and information technology service providers offering Real World Asset Tokenization services abroad based on domestic equity or conducting Real World Asset Tokenization business in the form of overseas debt for domestic entities directly or indirectly venturing abroad must strictly comply with relevant laws and regulations. They should establish and improve relevant compliance and internal control systems in accordance with relevant normative requirements, strengthen business and risk control, and report the business developments to the relevant regulatory authorities for approval or filing.


  V. Strengthen Organizational Implementation


  (16) Strengthen organizational leadership and overall coordination. All departments and regions should attach great importance to the prevention of risks related to virtual currencies and Real World Asset Tokenization, strengthen organizational leadership, clarify work responsibilities, form a long-term effective working mechanism with centralized coordination, local implementation, and shared responsibilities, maintain high pressure, dynamically monitor risks, effectively prevent and mitigate risks in an orderly and efficient manner, legally protect the property security of the people, and make every effort to maintain economic and financial order and social stability.


  (17) Widely carry out publicity and education. All departments, regions, and industry associations should make full use of various media and other communication channels to disseminate information through legal and policy interpretation, analysis of typical cases, and education on investment risks, etc. They should promote the illegality and harm of virtual currencies and Real World Asset Tokenization-related businesses and their manifestations, fully alert to potential risks and hidden dangers, and enhance public awareness and identification capabilities for risk prevention.


  VI. Legal Responsibility


  (18) Engaging in illegal financial activities related to virtual currencies and Real World Asset Tokenization in violation of this notice, as well as providing services for virtual currencies and Real World Asset Tokenization-related businesses, shall be punished in accordance with relevant regulations. If it constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued according to the law. For domestic entities and individuals who knowingly or should have known that overseas entities illegally provided virtual currency or Real World Asset Tokenization-related services to domestic entities and still assisted them, relevant responsibilities shall be pursued according to the law. If it constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued according to the law.


  (19) If any unit or individual invests in virtual currencies, Real World Asset Tokens, and related financial products against public order and good customs, the relevant civil legal actions shall be invalid, and any resulting losses shall be borne by them. If there are suspicions of disrupting financial order and jeopardizing financial security, the relevant departments shall deal with them according to the law.


  This notice shall enter into force upon the date of its issuance. The People's Bank of China and ten other departments' "Notice on Further Preventing and Dealing with the Risks of Virtual Currency Trading Speculation" (Yinfa [2021] No. 237) is hereby repealed.


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