Japanese investment firm Metaplanet is intensifying its Bitcoin acquisition strategy by issuing $21.25 million in zero-coupon bonds, with all proceeds earmarked for purchasing more Bitcoin. This move follows closely on the heels of its recent $53.4 million investment to acquire 555 BTC, bringing its total holdings to 5,555 BTC.

The newly issued bonds, termed “0% Ordinary Bonds,” offer no interest to holders and are typically sold at a discount, maturing at full face value. Metaplanet plans to allocate these bonds to EVO Fund, an investment management firm based in the Cayman Islands, with a redemption date set for November 7.

At current Bitcoin prices, the funds raised could enable the purchase of approximately 206 BTC, further solidifying Metaplanet’s position as Asia’s largest public corporate holder of Bitcoin and the 11th largest globally.

In addition to its aggressive acquisition strategy, Metaplanet announced plans on May 1 to establish a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Metaplanet Treasury, based in Florida. The subsidiary aims to raise up to $250 million to further its Bitcoin strategy and tap into U.S. capital markets.
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Metaplanet’s stock (3350T) has experienced a significant surge, increasing over 1,600% in the past year, reflecting investor confidence in its Bitcoin-centric approach.

This latest bond issuance underscores Metaplanet’s commitment to expanding its Bitcoin reserves, aligning with a broader trend of corporations integrating cryptocurrency into their treasury strategies.

Bybit has recovered 50% of its Ether reserves after a $1.4 billion hack in February, one of the largest crypto thefts in history. The exchange, which saw its ETH holdings drop from 439,000 to just 61,000 ETH, has since rebounded to over 201,600 ETH through spot buying and emergency industry support.

To aid recovery, Bybit secured $390 million in loans and transfers from firms like Binance, Bitget, and HTX Group. Additionally, the exchange purchased 106,498 ETH worth $295 million via OTC trades, helping to rebuild its reserves quickly.

Despite losing over $5.3 billion in total assets post-hack, Bybit’s reserves remain higher than its liabilities, as confirmed by an independent proof-of-reserve audit by Hacken. This has reassured users, with Bybit processing 350,000 withdrawals within 10 hours of the attack.

The attack was reportedly linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, which exploited Bybit’s Ethereum multisig cold wallet. Analysts suggest the breach involved a deceptive transaction that tricked signers into approving a malicious smart contract.

LimeWire, the iconic file-sharing platform from the early 2000s, has made a comeback, reimagined for the Web3 era. Announced on Nov. 21, the platform now operates as a decentralized file-sharing network, leveraging blockchain technology to enable secure and transparent peer-to-peer sharing of digital assets. The relaunch aims to blend nostalgia with innovation, introducing LimeWire to a new generation of users while embracing the principles of decentralization.

The updated LimeWire platform integrates blockchain to provide content creators with greater control over their work, including tools for licensing and monetization. Users can share files, such as music, videos, and other media, while ensuring ownership and royalties are preserved through smart contracts. LimeWire also features its own native token to facilitate transactions within the ecosystem, including tipping creators and accessing premium content.

LimeWire’s revival reflects a broader trend of Web2 platforms transitioning into the Web3 space. The platform’s focus on decentralization aligns with the growing demand for alternatives to centralized file-sharing services, which have faced criticism over censorship and lack of user privacy. By adopting blockchain, LimeWire seeks to address these issues while empowering both creators and consumers with greater transparency and fairness.

As LimeWire re-enters the digital landscape, its success will depend on user adoption and the platform’s ability to compete with established Web3 content-sharing solutions. With its nostalgic branding and commitment to innovation, LimeWire’s evolution into a decentralized platform positions it as a potential leader in reshaping how digital content is shared and monetized in the blockchain era.