As Bitcoin surged past the $100,000 milestone, investor excitement reached fever pitch — but at the very peak of the rally, one prominent company chose to exit the crypto market entirely.
Meitu Inc., the Hong Kong-listed tech firm known for its image-editing apps, has quietly sold off its entire holdings of Bitcoin and Ethereum, locking in nearly 600 million RMB (about $84 million) in profits. The move, confirmed in an official announcement, marks the end of a bold four-year experiment in corporate crypto investment.
The timing couldn’t be more striking: just as digital assets hit record highs and mainstream adoption appears to accelerate, Meitu is walking away with one of the most profitable returns in corporate crypto history.
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The Rise and Exit of Meitu’s Crypto Bet
In 2021, at the height of the last bull run, Meitu made headlines by investing approximately $100 million in cryptocurrencies. The purchase included around 940 Bitcoin and 31,000 Ethereum units — a strategic move framed as part of a long-term blockchain vision.
At the time, then-chairman蔡文胜 (Cai Wensheng) declared on social media: “Meitu is stepping into blockchain. Buying BTC and ETH is about building value reserves for our future in Web3. Someone has to take the first bite. We’re likely the first Hong Kong-listed company to treat Bitcoin as treasury reserve — maybe even the first globally to do so with Ethereum.”
That decision positioned Meitu as a pioneer among traditional firms embracing digital assets. But like all early adopters, it faced volatility. In 2022, when crypto markets crashed, Meitu was forced to record significant impairment losses, putting pressure on its balance sheet.
Fast forward to 2025: with Bitcoin surpassing $100,000 and Ethereum reclaiming $4,500, the company has now fully liquidated its portfolio. According to its latest filing, Meitu sold all 940 BTC and 31,000 ETH for total proceeds of roughly $180 million — $100 million from Ethereum and $80 million from Bitcoin.
This trade generated an estimated profit of $79.6 million (RMB 571 million) — exceeding the combined net profits of Meitu in both 2022 and 2023. On a per-asset basis, the company achieved an 86% return on Bitcoin and 92.5% on Ethereum, amounting to an overall investment return close to 90%.
These figures aren’t just impressive — they’re benchmark-setting for corporate treasury strategies involving digital assets.
Strategic Profit-Taking or Market Warning?
Why sell now?
While Meitu hasn't disclosed internal deliberations, financial logic suggests a disciplined strategy. The company likely set predefined price targets tied to financial reporting cycles. Selling before year-end allows for clean accounting under Hong Kong's fiscal standards and avoids potential audit complications tied to volatile asset valuations.
Moreover, Meitu plans to distribute 80% of the net proceeds as a special dividend, directly rewarding shareholders — a rare and powerful gesture in today’s market. The remaining funds will support its core business: expanding its subscription-based creative software suite, including tools like MeituPic and BeautyCam.
This pivot underscores a broader trend: companies using crypto gains not for speculation, but as fuel for sustainable growth in their primary industries.
However, Meitu’s exit has sparked debate about what this means for the broader market.
Industry Reactions: Diverging Paths in Crypto Holdings
While Meitu cashed out, other publicly traded firms are doubling down.
For instance:
- BlueCity Holdings (Blue Lake Interactive) increased its crypto exposure in early 2025, acquiring additional Bitcoin and Ethereum during market dips.
- As of June 30, 2024, it held 142.85 BTC and 848.39 ETH, with a total investment cost of around $8.8 million.
- Chairman Wang Feng commented: “We had similar exit plans earlier this year, but post-election regulatory clarity changed our outlook. We believe this cycle has more room to run.”
Similarly, Boya Interactive, another major holder, continues to accumulate. As of November 2024, it owned:
- 2,641 Bitcoin at an average cost of $54,000 each
- 15,445 Ethereum at ~$2,756 per unit
Notably, between November 19–28, Boya swapped 1,420 ETH for approximately 515 BTC, signaling a clear preference for Bitcoin amid growing "digital gold" narratives.
This contrast highlights a split in corporate strategy: some firms treat crypto as a tactical treasury asset to be harvested at peaks; others view it as a long-term store of value worth holding through cycles.
What Does This Mean for Crypto Markets?
Meitu’s exit raises questions about market sentiment at all-time highs.
Historically, when early institutional investors begin exiting, it can precede short-term corrections. Some analysts worry that if other corporate holders follow suit, a wave of profit-taking could pressure prices.
Peter Schiff, the well-known economist who predicted the 2008 crisis, recently argued that large holders (“whales”) who supported political campaigns — particularly around the U.S. election — may have already recouped their investments during the post-election rally.
He stated: “The irony is that Bitcoin reached $100K not through free-market adoption, but through political alignment. Without anticipated government support or intervention, this milestone might not have happened. It was state-driven momentum — not organic demand.”
While controversial, his view reflects growing scrutiny over whether recent price action reflects fundamentals or policy speculation.
👉 See how market sentiment shifts can create new opportunities.
Core Keywords Integration
Throughout this analysis, several key themes emerge:
- Bitcoin price surge
- corporate crypto investment
- crypto profit-taking
- Ethereum holdings
- Meitu crypto sale
- digital asset strategy
- Bitcoin $100K
- crypto market outlook
These terms reflect both search intent and real-world investor concerns — from valuation triggers to tax and audit considerations for public companies holding digital assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Meitu sell its Bitcoin and Ethereum?
A: While no official reason was given, the sale likely aligned with pre-set financial targets. With both assets hitting multi-year highs, Meitu capitalized on gains to strengthen its balance sheet and reward shareholders via dividends.
Q: How much profit did Meitu make from crypto?
A: Approximately $79.6 million (RMB 571 million), with an average return of nearly 90%. This exceeds its combined net profits from 2022 and 2023.
Q: Are more companies expected to sell crypto holdings?
A: It depends on strategy. Firms like Boya Interactive are still accumulating, while others may follow Meitu’s lead if prices remain elevated. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
Q: Does Meitu’s exit signal a bear market?
A: Not necessarily. Profit-taking at peaks is rational behavior. Market health depends on broader adoption, regulatory clarity, and sustained demand — not single corporate moves.
Q: Can retail investors replicate Meitu’s success?
A: Discipline is key. Setting clear entry and exit rules — rather than chasing hype — improves long-term outcomes. Dollar-cost averaging and target-based selling help manage risk.
Q: What happens to Meitu’s business after selling crypto?
A: Proceeds will fund expansion of its subscription-based creative tools. The company remains focused on AI-powered photo and design software, leveraging its tech expertise beyond blockchain experiments.
The story of Meitu’s crypto journey — from bold entry to timely exit — offers valuable lessons for investors and corporations alike.
It shows that success in digital assets isn’t just about catching the wave — it’s about knowing when to step off.