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.

Tezos blockchain has become the foundation for the world’s first uranium trading marketplace, marking a significant milestone in the integration of blockchain technology with critical commodities. Announced on Nov. 21, the platform aims to bring transparency and efficiency to the global uranium market, which has traditionally operated with limited visibility and complex supply chains. The initiative is spearheaded by major industry players seeking to modernize uranium trading.

The blockchain-based marketplace will enable buyers and sellers to transact securely while providing an immutable ledger of all transactions. This innovation is expected to address long-standing challenges in the uranium sector, including traceability, regulatory compliance, and pricing opacity. By leveraging Tezos’ smart contract capabilities, the platform offers automated processes for contract execution and ensures a transparent record of ownership and origin.

Industry leaders have praised the project as a game-changer for the nuclear energy supply chain, which relies heavily on uranium. The marketplace is designed to support global efforts to enhance sustainability and safety, aligning with the increasing focus on responsible sourcing of critical materials. The move could also attract new participants to the market by lowering barriers to entry and fostering trust through blockchain’s verifiable data.

This development underscores the expanding role of blockchain in transforming traditional industries beyond finance. By addressing inefficiencies in one of the world’s most regulated markets, Tezos demonstrates how decentralized technologies can drive innovation and transparency. As the uranium marketplace gains traction, it could serve as a blueprint for blockchain adoption in other critical resource sectors.