Metaplanet equity backlash, SE Asia crypto funding doubles: Asia Express

JAPAN

Metaplanet’s executive stock pool sparks shareholder backlash

Japanese Bitcoin treasury company Metaplanet’s executive stock pool continues to draw shareholder backlash over stock dilution concerns. 

Multiple shareholders objected across social media to Metaplanet’s 10th Series executive option pool, which was designed as 20% of fully diluted shares and automatically expanded as the company issued new shares to fund its Bitcoin (BTC) accumulation.

Some shareholders are now asking Metaplanet to cancel the additional 273 million shares created from the changes and to provide more transparency on future decisions.

Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey defended Metaplanet and said that giving the team 20% of the cap table over five years “isn’t some crazy number” but many shareholders disagree.

Citi plans fast cross-border blockchain payments

Citi plans to offer Japanese companies near-instant international payments through blockchain-based infrastructure, including outside standard banking hours.

SE ASIA

Singapore takes the lead as SE Asia funding doubles to $680 million

Investment in south east asian crypto firms doubled between 2025 and 2026, with the region recording 25 funding rounds worth $680 million in 2026. That’s up from just 319 million according to private market data platform Tracxn. Unfortunately the figures mean more funds are going to fewer companies, as there were 46 funding rounds last year.