Bitcoin stabilizes after sharp losses amid concerns about US slowdown, Trump's tariffs

Bitcoin held steady in Monday trading after suffering sharp losses last week, as concerns over slowing US economic growth and looming trade tariffs weighed on investor appetite for risk assets.

Broader cryptocurrency prices saw modest gains but remained under pressure from last week’s wave of risk aversion, with some investors still taking profits.

Bitcoin rose 0.6% to $114,268.8 as of 01:25 ET (05:25 GMT). Despite recent institutional buying, Bitcoin ended last week down nearly 3%.

Bitcoin Wobbles on Weak Jobs Data and Tariff Uncertainty

Bitcoin fell in tandem with Wall Street on Friday after July’s US nonfarm payrolls came in far below expectations. The sharp downward revision in the prior two months’ job figures added to fears of a deteriorating labor market.

In a surprise move shortly after the data release, US President Donald Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics chief Erica MacEntarfer, stoking concerns over the integrity of future US economic data.

While the weak jobs report boosted bets on a Federal Reserve rate cut in September, it also highlighted the depth of the slowdown in the world’s largest economy.

Adding to the uncertainty was the fast-approaching implementation of Trump’s new tariffs on key US trading partners, which could further disrupt global economic stability.

Although Bitcoin is not directly impacted by tariffs or labor data, shifts in investor sentiment tend to influence speculative asset prices. On the other hand, lower interest rates tend to support Bitcoin in the long run.

Bitcoin Jumps After Metaplanet Buys 463 More Coins, Raising Holdings to 17,595 BTC Worth Over $2 Billion

Tokyo-listed Metaplanet Inc. announced the purchase of an additional 463 BTC as part of its ongoing strategy to expand its Bitcoin reserves. The $53.7 million acquisition brought the company’s total holdings to 17,595 BTC, worth over $2 billion at current market prices.

The move reflects Metaplanet’s continued aggressive stance on treating Bitcoin as a core treasury asset, echoing a growing trend among companies seeking long-term strategic exposure to crypto.

Strategic Expansion and Market Confidence

The average purchase price of the new Bitcoin tranche was $115,895 per coin. The company’s average acquisition cost stands at approximately ¥14.85 million per Bitcoin.

Metaplanet began accumulating Bitcoin in mid-2024 and accelerated purchases following the official launch of its BTC reserve operations in December 2024.

To fund the acquisitions, Metaplanet has utilized a mix of operating income, bond issuances, and equity raises through structured financing. It now plans to raise $3.7 billion via perpetual preferred shares with a target of holding 210,000 BTC by 2027—equal to roughly 1% of global Bitcoin supply.

With 17,595 BTC currently on its books, the company has achieved about 8.4% of its target. If successful, it would rank among the largest corporate Bitcoin holders globally.

Performance Metrics and Rising Institutional Adoption

Metaplanet tracks its Bitcoin investment via custom metrics like BTC Yield, which measures Bitcoin holdings per fully diluted share.

In Q2, BTC Yield hit 129.4%, up from 95.6% in Q1 and 24.6% so far in Q3. According to CEO Simon Gerovich, year-to-date BTC Yield has reached an annualized rate of 459.2%.

The strategy mirrors that of US-based firm Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, which recently raised $2.5 billion via preferred equity to buy Bitcoin. Both firms are pioneering financing structures that enable large-scale Bitcoin purchases without shareholder dilution or traditional debt.

Metaplanet currently ranks as the seventh-largest corporate Bitcoin holder, trailing Strategy, Mara Holdings, Riot Platforms, and others.

Market Reaction and Broader Implications

The announcement pushed Bitcoin above $114,000, reflecting growing institutional confidence. It is currently trading at $114,635, up 0.9% on the day.

This wave of corporate Bitcoin accumulation signals a new phase of institutional adoption, where Bitcoin is increasingly seen not just as a speculative asset but as a strategic financial reserve.