River launches direct deposit powered by Pinwheel deposit switch. River is a Bitcoin-only financial institution providing a world-class client experience to individuals and businesses looking to invest in Bitcoin for the long term. In its early years, River focused on building the most trusted Bitcoin custody and brokerage experience reflecting the needs of the market at that stage. With over $2.4B in assets under management today, River has grown from a premium Bitcoin brokerage into a broader financial vision. By introducing core banking capabilities, River is evolving into the modern online bank for the Bitcoin world. "Where clients sends their paycheck is ultimately where they bank," said Julia Duzon, Chief Operating Officer at River. "When we decided to support direct deposit, it was clear the switch needed to be as easy as possible for our clients. Partnering with Pinwheel has allowed River clients to move their paycheck to River seamlessly, right from the app; no HR portals, no paperwork, just a smooth and modern experience." With direct deposit on River, clients can choose exactly what portion of each paycheck they want to automatically convert to bitcoin, fee-free. The rest stays as cash earning 3.5% interest, paid in bitcoin. Opening an account takes only minutes, and cash balances are FDIC insured up to $250,000. River is also running a sweepstakes bonus open to all eligible clients who set up direct deposit and receive their paychecks to their River account. Clients earn additional entries by referring friends or family for a chance to win $5,000 in bitcoin with $25,000 in total prizes. Pinwheel PreMatch made it even easier for clients to switch their paychecks to River. Clients presented with this option were able to move their paychecks to River with a simple 2-click switch. Together with innovative financial institutions like River, Pinwheel is building the next generation of digital experiences. Request a demo.

👩‍🍳 How we use AI at Tech in Asia, thoughtfully and responsibly.🧔‍♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news hereOn June 16, 2025, Japanese investment firm Metaplanet announced the acquisition of 1,112 bitcoin (BTC), bringing its total holdings to 10,000 BTC.This puts Metaplanet ahead of Coinbase Global, which holds 9,267 BTC, according to Bitcointreasuries.net.The US$117.2 million purchase was made at an average price of US$105,435 per bitcoin, as stated by Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich on X.The company plans to issue zero-interest bonds worth US$210 million to EVO Fund, with proceeds aimed at further bitcoin acquisitions.Metaplanet’s shares rose 17.23% to 1,769 yen (US$12.28) following the announcements. Its stock has surged over 408% since the beginning of the year, based on Yahoo Finance data.🔗 Source: The Block🧠 Food for thought1️⃣ Bitcoin treasury strategy creates corporate competition for finite supplyMetaplanet’s aggressive Bitcoin acquisition is part of a broader corporate race to accumulate Bitcoin, with significant implications for the asset’s scarcity.The company’s goal to hold 210,000 BTC (1% of total supply) by 2027 reflects a growing trend where corporations view Bitcoin as a treasury asset rather than merely a speculative investment.MicroStrategy remains the dominant corporate holder with 582,000 BTC, while Metaplanet has now surpassed Coinbase’s 9,267 BTC holdings 1.This competition among corporations is creating a new dynamic in the Bitcoin market, where institutional buying strategies directly impact available supply.The substantial market rewards for these strategies are evident in Metaplanet’s 408% stock price increase year-to-date, demonstrating investor confidence in Bitcoin as a corporate treasury asset.2️⃣ Zero-interest bonds emerge as innovative Bitcoin acquisition financingMetaplanet’s $210 million zero-interest bond issuance represents a sophisticated financial strategy being adopted by Bitcoin-accumulating corporations.This financing approach allows companies to acquire Bitcoin without immediate interest expenses, optimizing their capital structure while building digital asset holdings 2.Similar strategies are being employed by other firms like MARA Holdings, which is raising $850 million through zero-coupon convertible notes maturing in 2031 3.The willingness of investors to purchase these interest-free instruments suggests strong market confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term appreciation potential.This financing innovation demonstrates how traditional corporate finance is evolving to accommodate Bitcoin acquisition strategies, creating new financial instruments specifically designed for digital asset accumulation.3️⃣ Japanese market embraces Bitcoin amid economic uncertaintyMetaplanet’s emergence as a major Bitcoin holder reflects Japan’s growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies amid challenging economic conditions.The company’s Bitcoin strategy comes as Japan faces high government debt and a weakening yen, making Bitcoin increasingly attractive as a hedge against local currency depreciation 4.Metaplanet’s dramatic stock price increase from 19 yen in April to current levels demonstrates the Japanese market’s positive reception to corporate Bitcoin strategies.This trend signals a shift in Japanese corporate treasury management, with companies increasingly looking to digital assets as an alternative to traditional reserves.The company’s rapid ascent to become Asia’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder parallels MicroStrategy’s position in Western markets, suggesting a global convergence in corporate Bitcoin adoption strategies.Recent Metaplanet developments

Changpeng Zhao, founder and former CEO of Binance, has urged companies adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset to fully understand the risks involved with the top crypto.In a June 3 post on X, Zhao acknowledged that risk is an unavoidable part of doing business, but emphasized the importance of assessing and managing it properly.According to him:“Every company takes risks. Risks are not binary like 0 or 1. Risks are a range from 0 – 100.”He added that failing to take risks may be just as dangerous as taking too much, suggesting that avoidance can lead to missed opportunities or unpreparedness for future shocks.Meanwhile, Zhao emphasized that risk isn’t inherently negative if approached wisely, saying:“With the right balance, you can achieve the best risk/ROI ratio that works for you.”When asked how companies can prepare for worst-case scenarios, Zhao pointed to potential financial collapses, such as a currency losing all value or Bitcoin going to zero, as events businesses must be prepared to endure.He noted:“Extreme cases are not that extreme [in real life]. They happen.”Zhao’s comments follow a wave of companies adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset.According to Bitcoin Treasuries data, over 200 firms now hold Bitcoin, with notable additions like Trump Media and GameStop recently joining the ranks.According to data compiled by Hodl15Capital, the top 100 holders collectively control more than 814,000 BTC. Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) remains the largest institutional holder, with over 580,000 BTC under management.Why Bitcoin treasuries are gaining popularityMarket observers have explained that this shift is driven by Donald Trump’s pro-Bitcoin administration and the belief that the top crypto offers protection against counterparty risk and currency instability.Crypto firm River explained that holding Bitcoin allows firms to minimize reliance on third parties, especially if they opt for self-custody or work with custodians that don’t lend out assets or only issue overcollateralized loans.Bitcoin Reserve Pros and Cons (Source: River)The firm also pointed out that Bitcoin is a valuable tool for multinational companies operating in various currencies. According to River, a Bitcoin treasury can act as a bridge asset, reducing the friction and costs of cross-border transactions.At the same time, River stated that BTC can act as a defensive asset during low-interest or inflationary periods