Japanese investment firm Metaplanet has significantly expanded its Bitcoin acquisition strategy, announcing plans to hold 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026. This ambitious target represents a substantial increase from its previous goal of 21,000 BTC.

As of early June, Metaplanet holds 8,888 BTC, following a recent purchase of 1,088 BTC. To achieve its new objective, the company intends to acquire an additional 91,112 BTC over the next 18 months. This move is part of Metaplanet’s broader strategy to position itself as a leading corporate holder of Bitcoin globally.

The firm’s CEO, Simon Gerovich, cited global economic shifts and concerns over traditional financial assets as key motivators for this aggressive expansion. He emphasized Bitcoin’s attributes—such as scarcity, ease of custody, and lack of credit intermediaries—as increasingly valuable in the current financial landscape.

To fund these acquisitions, Metaplanet plans to issue up to 555 million new shares, supplementing the 210 million shares previously issued. This capital raise is expected to generate approximately 770.3 billion yen (around $5.32 billion) based on the initial share price. Looking further ahead, the company aims to hold over 210,000 BTC by the end of 2027, joining the exclusive group of entities that possess at least 1% of Bitcoin’s total supply.

Circle Internet Group, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, experienced a remarkable debut on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker “CRCL.” On its first day of trading, Circle’s shares surged from an IPO price of $31 to close at $83.23, marking a substantial gain of approximately 168%. This performance reflects growing investor confidence in stablecoin businesses and the broader cryptocurrency sector.

The IPO raised approximately $1.1 billion through the sale of 34 million shares, with significant backing from major underwriters such as J.P. Morgan, Citigroup, and Goldman Sachs. Notably, asset management firm ARK Invest expressed interest in purchasing up to $150 million of Circle’s stock at its IPO price. The strong demand led Circle to increase both the number and price of the shares offered.

Circle’s USDC stablecoin, pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, has facilitated over $25 trillion in transactions since its launch, including $6 trillion in the first quarter of 2025 alone. With $61 billion USDC in circulation as of May 23, Circle trails only Tether in the stablecoin market. The company’s robust financials, including a net income of $64.79 million on $578.57 million in Q1 revenue, underscore its growing significance in the fintech space.

The successful IPO comes amid a favorable regulatory outlook under President Donald Trump’s administration, which supports a more relaxed approach to crypto oversight. Pending legislation like the GENIUS Act aims to establish a federal framework for stablecoin regulation, potentially benefiting companies like Circle by offering regulatory clarity.

Circle’s public debut reflects increasing investor confidence in stablecoins and digital assets, signaling a broader trend of cryptocurrency legitimization. The IPO’s success may pave the way for more fintech firm debuts, including Chime and Klarna.

Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of Truth Social, has filed an S-1 registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch the Truth Social Bitcoin ETF. The proposed fund aims to directly hold Bitcoin, with Crypto.com designated as the exclusive custodian and liquidity provider. Yorkville America Digital, a Florida-based firm, will serve as the ETF’s sponsor. If approved, the ETF will be listed on the NYSE Arca exchange.

The ETF’s structure includes exclusivity clauses, granting Crypto.com sole rights to certain services for the fund. Notably, the filing reserves the right for the ETF’s sponsor to engage in transactions that may precede or oppose those of the fund, a practice known as front-running. Additionally, in the event of a Bitcoin fork, the ETF will not claim any resulting assets, as the sponsor will cause the trust to abandon such incidental rights.

This initiative is part of TMTG’s broader strategy to expand its presence in the cryptocurrency sector. The company has previously filed trademark registrations for various ETFs and separately managed accounts tied to its Truth Social platform, including the Truth.Fi Bitcoin Plus ETF. These efforts align with former President Donald Trump’s increasing involvement in digital assets, despite his earlier skepticism toward cryptocurrencies.

The SEC’s decision on the Truth Social Bitcoin ETF will be closely watched, as it could further influence the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrency investment products in the United States.