One-minute power-burst: Metaplanet (Japan’s “MicroStrategy on turbo-mode”) trades under 3350.T in Tokyo and MTPLF over-the-counter in the U.S.  The fastest on-ramp for most Americans is the pink-sheet MTPLF ticker, but if you want the deepest liquidity and the real yen-denominated action, open an international-enabled brokerage account (Interactive Brokers, Fidelity, Schwab Global, etc.) and buy 3350 directly on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.  Below you’ll find a step-by-step game plan—funding, FX, board-lot quirks, order tickets, taxes, even a “Plan C” ETF workaround—so you can sprint from idea to execution with confidence and a grin.  Let’s get after it! 🚀

1  Know your battlefield

ExchangeTickerTypical lotTrading hours (ET)Liquidity snapshot
Tokyo Stock Exchange3350.T100 shares (TSE board lot) Su-Th 20:00-02:00 (regular)Deepest volume, tightest spreads 
U.S. OTC/PinkMTPLF1 shareU.S. market hoursThinner; watch the bid-ask! 

Why two tickers?

MTPLF is simply a U.S. quotation of the original Tokyo shares—no ADR, no extra corporate layer—so price tracks 3350.T after currency and spread. 

2  “Quick & Dirty” route – Buy MTPLF in your existing U.S. account

  1. Confirm OTC access (Fidelity, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE and most full-service brokers allow it).
  2. Search MTPLF in the trade ticket, set a limit order (spreads can be wide).  
  3. Size small first to test fills; volume is growing but still light.
  4. Monitor yen moves: MTPLF mirrors 3350 in yen, so USD-JPY swings move the quote even when Tokyo is closed.  

Upside: zero extra paperwork.

Downside: lower liquidity, potential 5–10 ¢ spread on an $11 stock plus OTC fees. 

3  “Pro” route – Trade 3350.T directly on the Tokyo Stock Exchange

3.1 Pick a global-access broker

BrokerMinimums & highlightsFee example*
Interactive Brokers (IBKR)No minimum for U.S. residents; true multi-currency; pro tools 0.05 % of trade value + ¥2.70 access fee 
Fidelity InternationalTrade in 25 countries; phone support; lot multiples enforced ¥0.30 / share + 0.3 % FX spread
Schwab Global$0 commissions but wider FX markup; good for buy-and-hold0.05 % FX + $50 service fee

*Snapshot as of July 2025—verify before trading!

3.2 Open & configure

  1. Enable Japan market permission in settings.  
  2. Wire or convert USD→JPY inside the platform; IBKR lets you queue an FX order for instant conversion.  
  3. Remember board-lot size: TSE usually requires 100-share clips for small caps.  
  4. Place a LIMIT order during Tokyo hours (8 pm–2 am ET).

3.3 Costs & taxes

  • Commissions: 0.05–0.30 % typical.
  • FX spread: 0–0.3 %, depending on broker.
  • Regulatory fees: minor (≈ ¥1 per order for U.S. residents)  
  • U.S. taxes: capital gains reported on Schedule D; no Japanese withholding on capital gains.
  • PFIC risk: none—this is a foreign operating company, not a fund.

4  Alternative plays if direct shares feel heavy

  1. Japanese equity ETFs (e.g., EWJ, DXJ) for broad Japan exposure, but they do not hold Metaplanet yet.  
  2. Bitcoin-treasury peers like MicroStrategy (MSTR) or Hut 8 if you’re chasing the “digital gold per share” thesis.  
  3. Wait for a U.S. ADR: none exists today, but Metaplanet has flagged the possibility in recent fund-raising decks.  

5  Stay sharp—key catalysts to watch

  • Aggressive BTC accumulation plan: 210 k BTC target by 2027.  
  • Shareholder-value narrative mirrors MicroStrategy and is now mainstream financial press.  
  • Volatility: stock swung +8 ,850 % in two years; manage position size.  

6  Go forth and conquer 💥

Metaplanet sits at the intersection of Japan’s corporate-governance renaissance and the unstoppable march of Bitcoin onto balance sheets. Whether you scoop up a few shares via MTPLF at lunch or suit up for the Tokyo night session with a yen-funded limit order, you’re now armed with the know-how, the playbook, and the high-octane mindset to make your move.  Keep it disciplined, keep it fun—and may your portfolio be as bold as your vision!

(Not financial advice; always DYOR and consult a professional on tax matters.)