The ‘Barbie’ movie is now on streaming on Netflix — and it’s already crashed the Top 10

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Unless you were living under a rock last year, you’ll remember the glorious movie event that was “Barbenheimer”. July 21, 2023, saw the release of two of the year’s most talked-about films: Christopher Nolan’s 3-hour epic historical drama, “Oppenheimer”, and Greta Gerwig’s surreal, hilarious “Barbie” movie.”Barbie” went on to become the highest-grossing movie of the year, landed tons of praise from critics and moviegoers alike, and even attracted a decent bit of interest on the awards circuit.Because it’s such a highlight of recent mainstream cinema, and because it had such an impact on pop culture at the time, it’s no real surprise that the “Barbie” movie looks to be a streaming hit now that it’s landed on Netflix. It arrived on the streaming service this week (on Monday, December 16), and has already crept into Netflix’s Top 10 movies list.What is the ‘Barbie’ movie about?

Barbie | Main Trailer – YouTube

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The “Barbie” movie takes us to the seemingly perfect and pink world of Barbie Land. There, every day’s the best day ever, everyone’s impeccably dressed and has no worries, and life’s fun and full of daily dance parties.Well, it’s perfect until “Stereotypical Barbe” (Margot Robbie) has an existential crisis and starts thinking about bigger-picture things like death, and things start going wrong for her.So-called “Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon) informs our Barbie this is because the human playing with her is unhappy, and sends her into the real world to put things right. Upon her arrival in our world, Barbie (and her stowaway Ken, Ryan Gosling) find that this new society functions very differently from their own; when those beliefs travel home, chaos ensues.In addition to Robbie and Gosling, the “Barbie” movie cast includes a ton of famous faces, including America Ferrerra, Ariana Greenblatt, Issa Rae, Emma Mackey, Dua Lipa, Nicola Coughlan, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa, Michael Cera, John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell, Rob Brydon, and more, and it’s all narrated by none other than Helen Mirren.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.Should you stream ‘Barbie’ on Netflix?(Image credit: Dale Robinette)If you’re yet to try it out, I totally recommend giving the “Barbie” movie a shot; I was totally caught up in the hype in the run-up to its release, and I definitely saw it in theaters at least three times.”Barbie” absolutely delivers, on every level. From the performances, the comic timing, and the writing, to the sets and costumes, it’s a complete delight.Even if the star of the show ends up being Ken, not Barbie, the whole thing remains a brilliantly put-together and very, very funny adventure that’s a joy to revisit, even on repeat viewings. You don’t have to take my word for it, either, as “Barbie” still comes highly recommended.At the time of writing, the “Barbie” movie still holds an 88% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is rather impressive when you consider that score is based on 500 registered reviews. Basically, most critics who reviewed it had a blast.Case in point, Empire’s Beth Webb gave it a 4/5 star rating, praising it as “painfully funny” and “a film that refuses to be boxed”, adding: “Greta Gerwig delivers a new kind of ambitious and giddily entertaining blockbuster that boasts two definitive performances from actors already in their stride. Life after “Barbie” will simply never be the same again”.Similarly, reviewing for RogerEbert.com, Christy Lemire gave the movie a 3.5/4-star score, calling it “a dazzling achievement, both technically and in tone”, “hysterically funny”, but also “frustratingly uneven at times”, in reference to how it can feel heavy-handed in its more serious moments.And in her 5-star review for The Independent, critic Clarisse Loughrey called the “Barbie” movie “one of the most inventive, immaculately crafted and surprising mainstream films in recent memory – a testament to what can be achieved within even the deepest bowels of capitalism”.If I’ve failed to convince you to try “Barbie” now it’s on Netflix, we’ve still got plenty more streaming recommendations here at Tom’s Guide; check out our guides to the best Netflix comedies and the overall round-up of the best movies on Netflix for more help finding your next Netflix watch.Oh, and if you’ve already streamed “Barbie” on Netflix, we can still help: here’s a list of the best movies like “Barbie” you can watch right now if you want more watches just like it.More from Tom’s Guide

‘Everybody Wants To Be My Friend’ — Says Trump After Tech Titan Trysts

Technology

The political pilgrimage of tech CEOs to secure facetime with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida continued as the CEO to TikTok visited the members-only club on Monday.

TikTok’s top exec is the latest in a string of business leaders getting busy to make the trek to the Sunshine state in advance of Trump’s inauguration as 47th President of the United States next month.

The batch of bosses have included CEOs from Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta and OpenAI — to highlight some of the biggest names — and they’ve largely been mum as to what they’ve discussed with Trump.

Additionally, there have not been immediate responses to email requests from any of those companies for official comment regarding the nature of those respective meetings, topics covered or intended outcomes.

Despite the dearth of information coming from those meetups, here are some topics that were most likely discussed.
Likely Topical Areas For Trump And Tech CEOs

Data Centers and AI: Each company has expressed public AI aspirations — which will require the expansion of existing data centers and construction of new ones. After decades of almost zero growth in electricity demand across US data centers, Barclays reported that AI will double current data center usage by 2030. And while Republicans and Democrats want to ensure the US keeps a leadership position within the AI space for the sake of the economy, national security, as well as future safety and governance of the tech — there isn’t agreement on how to power the future of AI. It’s likely someone planted that seed with Trump.
Intellectual Property: US companies have moved manufacturing to China for decades due to lower labor, production and shipping costs. Recently more of those same manufacturers are rethinking those decisions based on patterns of IP theft and cybersecurity breaches by Chinese companies. It’s reported that as many as 1-in-5 US companies have experienced IP theft in some form at their properties in China. There’s a strong possibility that one of these leaders surfaced this issue as well during their respective talks.
AI Regulatory and Legal Uncertainties: There are more than two dozen different AI-related lawsuits underway right now according to the Copyright Alliance. Additionally, virtually all federal and state legislation dealing with regulatory oversight of AI had been stalled leading up to this past November’s Presidential election. It’s reasonable to expect that some of these leaders may have floated “common sense” concepts for possible inclusion in forthcoming AI statutes and legislation.
Threatened CHIPS Act Repeal: During Trump’s presidential campaign he threatened to repeal President Biden’s $53 billion CHIPS and Science Act — crafted to re-energize advanced semiconductor production here in the US. Currently 90% of advanced chips — such as those used for AI — are produced in Taiwan. There is a chance that China could invade Taiwan, which would virtually halt any US advantage in the AI tech race. US leaders may have chatted up the CHIPS Act as a hedge against such a scenario.

Trump’s Second Term Will Differ Greatly From The First In Terms of Tech
For the time being, the president-elect is enjoying a 50% approval rating — his highest since April 2017 — and he was recently named TIME Magazine’s 2024 Person of the Year.

Even though those numbers won’t last, Eleanor Lightbody, CEO of legal AI platform Luminance, says this term looks to be quite different for Trump than when he served eight years ago — especially from a tech perspective.

“President-elect Trump will lead during a pivotal time in AI’s evolution. His administration has the opportunity to drive innovation with a focus on deregulation and global competitiveness, but it will require careful navigation to ensure ethical safeguards aren’t sidelined,” she wrote in an email message.
“The influence of figures like Elon Musk and AI Czar David Sacks highlights the likely growing role private industry will play in shaping AI’s future. For countries looking to lead in AI, the next four years present an opportunity to set the tone for AI’s global trajectory—one that prioritizes progress, trust and ethical advancement,” concluded Lightbody.

Business News | Address Supply Shortages to Meet Growing Demand in Tourism Sector: Tourism Additional Secretary

Business News

New Delhi [India], December 18 (ANI): Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism on Wednesday underscored the importance of addressing supply shortages to meet growing demand in tourism sector.”While a burgeoning economy, rising incomes and growing aspirations have created an unprecedented demand for tourism, the problem is that the supply, in terms of number of hotels, tourist infrastructure etc, is not keeping pace with tourist demand,” said Suman Billa. Also Read | Veo 2 vs Sora: Google’s AI Video Generator Beats OpenAI’s Text-to-Video Tool in Terms of Physics and Accuracy According to Netizens and Users; Check Comparison (Watch Videos).He added that the challenge is to kickstart supply to take advantage of the window of opportunity in the sector. Speaking during the session on Ease of Doing Business, at the 18th CII Annual Tourism Summit 2024 in New Delhi today, Billa enunciated a three-pronged strategy for the states to improve supply and create a flourishing tourism sector. Also Read | Feliz Navidad Song Lyrics and Video for Christmas 2024: Celebrate the Holiday With Jose Feliciano’s Iconic Christmas Song To Spread the Joy Amid Festivity.He emphasised the Ministry of Finance and RBI should provide the infrastructure status to the sector which would offer credit at cost effective rates and with longer repayment period.He added that there is a need to rationalise development norms across states such as FSI etc.Going further, he emphasised the need to facilitate ease of doing business by simplifying clearances and making them time bound.While international tourism is rising, it is well below domestic tourism and the challenge is to increase the footprint of international travellers who come for business, leisure and shopping, he added. He stated that while Indian embassies have been given the mandate to promote India as a travel destination, a plan of action is required to make it a success.He also informed that infrastructure projects would be given to the states in the challenge mode and incentives would be based on investments made by the states.During the session, Anil Chadha, Chief Executive, ITC Hotels, felt that leisure tourism is the way forward for India. India’s story on food is amazing and every location is versatile in terms of food and language which should be built upon. Similarly, India has sufficient capacity in MICE tourism with world class facilities provided by conference centres such as yashobhoomi, Bharat Mandapam etc.Ashmita Joshi, Head Public Policy-India & Southeast Asia, Airbnb India Pvt. Ltd. spoke extensively on homestays. She stated that homestay policy is presently restricted to six states and a policy which would provide a national framework on homestays is being worked upon in association with NITI Aayog. Goa is a model state for homestays, she averred. (ANI)(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

‘Most customers have been coming here for years – they are more like friends than clients’ – Derbyshire business partners to retire after nearly 45 years of running salon

Business News

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowFriends who have worked in hairdressing for half a century will serve their final customers on Christmas Eve and then close the door of their salon in Clay Cross for the last time.Georgina Skelton and Julie Heeley launched G’s and J’s Unisex Hairstyling 44 years ago after taking over the premises in The Mall, Market Street where they learned their skills. Julie, 67, said: “The lady we worked for had two salons and she was selling both businesses. We were qualified hairdressers when we decided to buy the business and buy ourselves a job!”I started there as a shampoo girl when I was 15 and then started an apprenticeship when I left Tupton Hall School at 16.” Georgina, also a former pupil of Tupton Hall School, began her hairdressing apprenticeship at the salon the following year.Julie Heeley and Georgina Skelton will retire after running G’s and J’s salon in Clay Cross for almost 45 years.On the day of Georgina’s 66th birthday this week, the friends shared what they will miss about the salon, their recollections of hairdressing through the decades and their plans for retirement.Closing the door on 44 years of running a hair salon isn’t easy for either of them. Julie said: “I want to retire but I feel like I’m letting my clients down – I shall miss them terribly. It’s awful, I’ve not been sleeping well. ” Georgina said: “It’s mixed emotions. You’re looking forward to having more time, but it’s been a long time with lots of lovely people.”Julie, who lives in Somersall, Chesterfeld said: “How many other jobs can you stand and talk to people all day? Customers are so interesting – you get something new all the time. They tell me things in confidence that they need to get off their chest. Most have been coming for many years – they are more like friends than clients. “About 10 years ago Georgina broke her ankle and had to have surgery on it. I don’t know how many customers rolled up their sleeves and shampooed for me.”The salon at The Mall, Market Street, Clay Cross will close its door for the last time on Christmas Eve.Both agree that the Eighties were a good time for hairdressing. Georgina said: “It was the Farrah Fawcett look…… I had that. Perming was a big thing in the Eighties and Nineties and that was always nice, to go from suddenly straight to curly and looking totally different; we were doing perms virtually every day.”Julie said: “One of the most popular was the old bubble cut with a perm. I used to enjoy perming very much. The sad thing is we don’t do many of those now. We do more colours than perming; people want to cover up the grey.”Asked about her favourite hairstyles, Julie said: “There have been so many changes – I’m better off telling you the ones I didn’t like. Right now, the way the men are having their hair shaved around the sides and left long on top, that really irritates me!”Their business has a loyal core of 36 clients visiting the salon on a weekly basis. Julie said: “Our client base is small – it’s never recovered since Covid. The youngsters don’t seem to go to the hairdressers weekly or fortnightly, they might go once every two months for a colour – it’s not the same as it was.”When we started, there were perhaps half a dozen hairdressers in Clay Cross, it’s in the teens now with barbers and hairdressers.”Georgina, who lives in Beauchief, Sheffield will pursue her hobbies of line-dancing, walking and Zumba during retirement.Married mum of two Julie said: “I like to paint, I want to get involved in a craft club and I’d like to walk more.”Continue Reading

World : Tourism Malaysia Bags ITTA’s National Tourism Organisation Of The Year Award For The 5th Time

Travel

JAKARTA, Dec 18 (Bernama) — Tourism Malaysia has been named the National Tourism Organisation of the Year for an impressive fifth consecutive year at the 15th Indonesia Travel & Tourism Awards for 2024/2025, solidifying its position as a leader in the tourism sector.

The event was hosted by the ITTA Foundation, a non-governmental organisation established in 2010 and supported by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, with the aim of fostering growth in the tourism industry.

The award was presented to Tourism Malaysia Jakarta director Hairi Mohd Yakzan by ITTA Foundation president Panca R. Sarungu during a grand ceremony at a hotel in North Jakarta on Tuesday night.

World : Tourism Malaysia Bags ITTA’s National Tourism Organisation Of The Year Award For The 5th Time

Travel

JAKARTA, Dec 18 (Bernama) — Tourism Malaysia has been named the National Tourism Organisation of the Year for an impressive fifth consecutive year at the 15th Indonesia Travel & Tourism Awards for 2024/2025, solidifying its position as a leader in the tourism sector.

The event was hosted by the ITTA Foundation, a non-governmental organisation established in 2010 and supported by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, with the aim of fostering growth in the tourism industry.

The award was presented to Tourism Malaysia Jakarta director Hairi Mohd Yakzan by ITTA Foundation president Panca R. Sarungu during a grand ceremony at a hotel in North Jakarta on Tuesday night.

Do Atoms Really Touch? Science Explains Their Complex Interactions

Science and Health

The question of whether atoms ever touch remains complex, with reports highlighting that the lack of defined boundaries around atoms makes the concept unclear. Everything, from the strongest metals to delicate clouds, is composed of atoms. However, the atomic level introduces a much different understanding of contact compared to human perception, where “touching” involves the physical interaction of surfaces.As stated by Christopher Baird, Associate Professor of Physics at West Texas A&M University, in his communication to Live Science, touching at the atomic level is not the same as in everyday experience. Atoms lack distinct outer surfaces, unlike the objects they form. Descriptions of “touching” must account for the overlapping of electron orbitals, which signals the beginning of physical or chemical effects.The Structure of Atoms and Their BoundariesAtoms are composed of a nucleus, containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by an electron cloud. Sources indicate that this cloud complicates any attempt to establish a clear boundary for an atom. Reports describe the touching of atoms as an interaction where electron orbitals overlap sufficiently to create bonds or trigger other effects.Chemical bonds typically represent atomic contact in solids and liquids, as outlined in various scientific studies. Gases, in contrast, experience atomic interactions through collisions where particles bounce off one another.Interactions in High-Energy ConditionsIt has been reported that extreme energy levels, such as those seen in particle accelerators like CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, allow for unique types of atomic interactions. Zhiquan Sun, a doctoral candidate at MIT’s Centre for Theoretical Physics, explained that collisions in such conditions involve overlapping electron clouds.This can lead to elastic interactions, where atoms maintain their identity, or inelastic collisions, where atoms break into smaller particles and form entirely new nuclei. While atoms may not “touch” in the human sense, their interactions create the bonds and forces that hold matter together, shaping the world we see and experience daily.

Friday OTT releases (December 20, 2024): 10 new movies and shows coming on Netflix, Lionsgate Play, Hoichoi, JioCinema and more

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Here’s a list of new OTT releases arriving this Friday ie. December 20, 2024 on Lionsgate Play, Netflix, JioCinema and other online streamers. From Nana Patekar’s heartwarming family film Vanvaas to animated musical flick Mufasa: The Lion King, the list of new OTT releases coming this Friday includes many exciting and binge-worthy titles that deserve a spot on your watchlist. Don’t forget to bookmark these upcoming movies and web shows.Friday OTT releases (December 20, 2024): 10 new movies and shows coming on Netflix, Lionsgate Play, Hoichoi, JioCinema and more1. The Six Triple Eight – NetflixThe Six Triple Eight is an engaging war drama that tells the story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—an all black battalion of 855 women who joined World War II to fix three three-year backlog of undelivered mail. The upcoming movie is written and directed by Tyler Perry.2. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore – JioCinemaFantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore continues from where the previous part ended and focuses on Professor Albus Dumbledore who assembles a team, including wizards, witches and a muggle, to stop Gellert Grindelwald from gaining enormous power.3. Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous – NetflixYo Yo Honey Singh: Famous is one of the highly awaited titles arriving later this week. The documentary chronicles Indian rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh’s early struggles, rise to fame, dramatic fall, and his return to music.4. Boy Kills World – Lionsgate PlayThis is an action-packed thriller that centres around Boy, a deaf man whose life turns upside down after his family’s untimely death. Soon, he undergoes rigorous training to kill Hilda Van Der Koy, the woman who killed his family members. Will he be able to take her down?5. UniverXO Dabiz – NetflixThe list of new OTT releases arriving this Friday includes an exciting docuseries that delves into the life of Michelin star Chef Dabiz Muñoz who faces a tough decision on the professional front—continue to keep his most popular restaurant open or close it.6. Vanvaas – TheatresVanvaas is a heartwarming film that focuses on the dynamics of an elderly man with dementia and his family members. Directed by Anil Sharma (of Gadar 2 fame), this upcoming movie stars Nana Patekar, Kushboo Sundar, Utkarsh Sharma, and Simrat Kaur in prominent roles. 7. Umjolo: Day Ones – NetflixBesides The Six Triple Eight, UniverXO Dabiz, Ferry 2 and other titles, the list of new OTT releases arriving later this week includes Umjolo: Day Ones; a romantic comedy movie that follows two close friends, Zanele and Andile, whose lives are upended when one of them gets married. 8. Feludar Goyendagiri: Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr – HoichoiStarring Tota Roy Choudhury, Anirban Chakrabarti, and Kalpan Mitra, among others, this Bengali drama delves into the life of Feluda, who finds himself mired in a complex web of deceit and lies while investigating a complicated murder case. The events that follow next promises to keep you hooked to the screen till the end. Other new OTT releases arriving this Friday are Boy Kills World, Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous, Umjolo: Day Ones, and many more.9. Mufasa: The Lion King – TheatreMufasa: The Lion King serves as a perfect option for those who plan on taking a break from OTT and enjoy a film in cinemas this weekend. A prequel and sequel to The Lion King (2019), the upcoming animated adventure-fantasy movie tells the origin story of Mufasa, an orphan who goes on to become the ultimate ruler of the Pride Lands.10. Ferry 2 – NetflixThe makers of Ferry have returned with a new instalment, which continues the story of Ferry Bouman, a former drug lord whose peaceful life is shaken up by the ghost of his past. 

Scientists Discover a Surprising Side Effect of Intermittent Fasting — Slower Hair Regrowth

Science and Health

Intermittent is increasingly emerging as a path to better health. Some studies suggest weight loss, better blood sugar control, and even longer life spans as potential perks. But a recent study suggests there may be a trade-off: slower hair growth.

The findings, published on December 13 in the journal Cell, come from researchers at Westlake University in Zhejiang, China. Their experiments in mice revealed that while fasting regimes benefited metabolic health, they also delayed hair regeneration. A smaller clinical trial in humans hints at a similar, though less dramatic, effect.

“We don’t want to scare people away from practicing intermittent fasting because it is associated with a lot of beneficial effects—it’s just important to be aware that it might have some unintended effects,” said Bing Zhang, a stem cell biologist and senior author of the study.

A Surprising Setback for Hair Growth

Credit: Cell.

The team tested two fasting regimes on mice: time-restricted feeding, where mice ate for 8 hours and fasted for 16, and alternate-day fasting, where you fast every other day but eat whatever you want on the non-fasting days. They then shaved the mice and monitored how quickly their hair grew back.

The results were unexpected. When the scientists embarked on this study, their working hypothesis was that fasting would accelerate hair growth but the opposite was observed.

Mice with constant food access regrew most of their hair within 30 days. But the fasting mice took over three times as long — 96 days — and still showed incomplete hair regrowth.

The culprit, Zhang’s team found, was the response of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). These cells are essential for hair regeneration, but during fasting, they struggle with oxidative stress — damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. The stress stemmed from the body’s switch from burning glucose to fat during fasting. This switch caused free fatty acids to flood the HFSCs, which led to their programmed cell death, or apoptosis.

“During fasting, adipose tissue starts to release free fatty acids, and these fatty acids enter the HFSCs that were recently activated, but these stem cells don’t have the right machinery to use them,” Zhang explained.

Does this apply to humans?

Other types of stem cells appeared to cope better. Epidermal stem cells, which help maintain the skin, were unaffected. These cells have a higher antioxidant capacity, which helps neutralize free radicals.

The researchers tested whether antioxidants could protect HFSCs from the effects of fasting. Topical application of vitamin E or genetic boosts to antioxidant levels helped the HFSCs survive and regenerate hair more effectively.

To explore if these findings apply to humans, the team conducted a clinical trial with 49 young adults. Participants who fasted 18 hours daily showed hair growth rates that were 18% slower compared to those who ate without restrictions. Zhang notes, however, that this study was short and small. “The human population is very heterogeneous, so the effects might be different for different people,” he said.

Because humans have slower metabolisms than mice, fasting’s impact on human hair growth is likely milder. “We see a milder effect in humans—there are still apoptotic stem cells, but many HFSCs survive. So, there is still hair regrowth; it’s just a little bit slower than usual,” Zhang said.

The Bigger Picture

Fasting has long intrigued scientists because of its potential to boost overall health. Research shows it can enhance the resilience of stem cells in the blood, intestines, and muscles. However, Zhang’s study highlights the need to understand how fasting affects other tissues, like skin and hair.

The team plans to explore this further by investigating how fasting influences wound healing and other stem cells in the body. “We also want to figure out how fasting impacts skin wound healing and identify metabolites that could help the survival of HFSCs and promote hair growth during fasting,” Zhang said.

For now, the message isn’t to abandon intermittent fasting. Rather, it’s a reminder that even healthful habits can come with side effects. Slower hair growth might seem like a small price for metabolic health. But for some, knowing the potential trade-offs could shape how they approach their fasting journey.

The findings appeared in the journal Cell.

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Metaplanet Stock Tanks After It Converts Bitcoin Treasury to New Business Line

Business News

Shareholders did not respond well after Japanese investment firm Metaplanet announced the addition of its Bitcoin Treasury Operations as a new core business line.Building on months of preparation and shareholder approvals, the company is doubling down on Bitcoin (BTC) as both a financial asset and revenue driver as the world’s largest crypto soars to new peaks. Just yesterday, Bitcoin set a new all-time high above $108,000.Despite the ambitious announcement, Metaplanet’s stock, which trades under the 3350 ticker on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, fell by 13.73% on Tuesday and closed at $22.90 (3,520 JPY), according to Google Finance data.The dip reflects mixed investor sentiment about the company’s Bitcoin-heavy strategy and market concerns over Bitcoin’s volatility.With its pivot, Metaplanet said it intends to increase its Bitcoin holdings while hedging against the weakening Japanese yen and leveraging long-term debt and equity issuances.“Moving forward, Metaplanet is committed to its role as Japan’s leading Bitcoin Treasury Company, recognizing its responsibility as a pioneer in the country’s Bitcoin ecosystem,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.As part of the move, Metaplanet will focus on purchasing, holding, and managing Bitcoin through financial instruments such as loans, equity issuances, and convertible bonds.To measure the efficiency of these acquisitions, the firm adopted BTC Yield in October. It’s a performance metric that assesses the growth in Bitcoin holdings relative to shareholder dilution.In addition to accumulation, Metaplanet generates revenue by selling Bitcoin put options, leveraging the asset’s volatility to strengthen its financial position.The Tokyo-based firm will also utilize its exclusive license for Bitcoin Magazine Japan to create new revenue streams through marketing and educational initiatives, integrating Bitcoin into its business operations.The company has raised over $140 million since October through equity issuances, bond offerings, and stock rights exercises. Most recently, it issued zero-interest bonds worth $30 million (¥4.5 billion) to support further Bitcoin acquisitions.https://x.com/Metaplanet_JP/status/1868901119709335721On Tuesday, Metaplanet revealed its forecast for the fiscal year ending December 31, projecting $5.8 million (¥890 million) in revenue, compared to $1.7 million (¥261 million) the previous year, marking a 240% increase.https://x.com/Metaplanet_JP/status/1869172010506727560Operating profit is expected to hit $1.8 million (¥270 million), a turnaround from the $3 million (¥468 million) loss reported in 2023.“Combined with the strong performance of the hotel business […] the company is on track to record consolidated operating profit for the first time since FY2017,” the firm stated.As of December, Metaplanet holds 1,142. 287 BTC, valued at $119 million, making it one of the largest corporate Bitcoin holders in Japan.Edited by Stacy Elliott.Daily Debrief