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Japanese Bitcoin Treasury Company Metaplanet Acquires Licensed Securities Firm Siiibo Securities
Odaily, Japanese Bitcoin treasury company Metaplanet has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of the equity in Siiibo Securities, a licensed Type 1 securities firm in Japan. The transaction is expected to be completed in July, after which Siiibo Securities will be renamed Metaplanet Securities.Metaplanet stated that this acquisition is its first major M&A deal and the first concrete step in executing its long-term strategy, "Project Nova," which aims to build a Bitcoin-centric financial ecosystem in Japan. By integrating Siiibo Securities' Type 1 securities license and online securities platform, Metaplanet plans to develop and distribute Bitcoin-linked yield products for Japanese investors.Metaplanet announced that its balance sheet currently holds 40,177 BTC. Following this acquisition, Metaplanet Securities will leverage its securities business license to offer new Bitcoin yield investment opportunities in the Japanese market. The company recognized the Siiibo Securities team's previous achievements in building Japan's online corporate bond market, and the merger will further promote the development of Bitcoin-related financial products in Japan.
Anthropic Hires Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm Ballard Partners
According to Bloomberg, just days after the Pentagon designated Anthropic as a supply-chain risk, Anthropic PBC has hired Ballard Partners—a lobbying firm linked to U.S. President Trump. This collaboration comes amid an ongoing dispute between Anthropic and the U.S. Department of Defense (i.e., the Pentagon). Public filings indicate that Ballard Partners will represent Anthropic in policy communications and lobbying activities.
Former CFTC Chairman Giancarlo Officially Leaves Law Firm to Fully Commit to Crypto and AI
According to Crypto in America, Chris Giancarlo—former Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and widely known in the industry as “Crypto Dad”—has officially stepped down from his role as Senior Advisor at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP at the end of April. He is now shifting his focus to digital asset strategic consulting, private investments, and public policy research. Giancarlo spent six years at the law firm, where he spearheaded the development of its cryptocurrency legal practice. Additionally, his new book, *CryptoDad’s New Adventure: The Path to Financial Freedom in the 21st Century*, is scheduled for publication this October, chronicling the evolution of the crypto industry from the 2024 U.S. presidential election through the potential second Trump administration.
Maritime Analysis Firm: Kharg Island Resumes Crude Oil Loading Operations, Iran Actively Restoring Crude Export Capacity
the UK-based maritime analysis firm Windward released a report on the 4th, stating that satellite images show Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, has resumed loading operations.The report stated that satellite images obtained on June 2nd show a very large crude carrier (VLCC) anchored near the western terminal of Kharg Island. This is the first confirmed vessel to berth at the facility since it was shut down in early May due to a suspected oil leak. On June 3rd, the VLCC at the western berth and a Panamax tanker at the eastern T-shaped jetty were conducting loading operations simultaneously. By the 4th, the VLCC had completed loading and departed, while the Panamax tanker remained at the dock. Windward stated that the simultaneous resumption of services at both terminals indicates that Iran is actively restoring its crude oil export capacity.The report also noted that small fast boats of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) remain highly active throughout the Strait of Hormuz. This sustained high level of activity indicates that the IRGC maintains a high state of readiness to support Iran-related vessels in the strait. (Xinhua News Agency)
U.S. Law Firm Files for Restraining Order to Prevent Arbitrum DAO from Transferring Stolen and Frozen ETH from Kelp
According to Cointelegraph, U.S. law firm Gerstein Harrow LLP has filed an application with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York seeking a temporary restraining order and three writs of execution to prevent the Arbitrum DAO from transferring 30,766 ETH (valued at approximately $73 million) frozen following the Kelp vulnerability. The firm argues that its clients obtained default judgments against North Korea in U.S. courts in 2010, 2015, and 2016, entitling them to roughly $877 million in compensation—and contends that the stolen ETH constitutes North Korean-linked assets that should be used to satisfy those judgments. Kelp DAO suffered a $292 million hack on April 18; the attacker was identified as TraderTraitor, a subgroup of the North Korean state-sponsored hacking group Lazarus Group. Aave Labs previously proposed unfreezing the seized funds and transferring them into the “DeFi United” fund to compensate rsETH holders—but this legal action by Gerstein Harrow may significantly delay compensation for victims. Members of the Arbitrum DAO community have criticized the move, arguing it shifts the burden of North Korea’s debts onto another set of victims, thereby exacerbating the original harm. Gerstein Harrow had previously pursued litigation related to the 2023 Heco Bridge hack involving Teth
Maritime Analysis Firm: 35 Ships Turned Around While Exiting the Strait of Hormuz in the Past 36 Hours
Odaily According to a report released on the 19th by Windward, a UK-based maritime analysis company, Iran briefly reopened the Strait of Hormuz before closing it again. In the past 36 hours, 35 ships have turned around and headed back while attempting to exit the strait. The report states that after Iran announced the reopening of the strait on the 17th, ship responses that day were relatively cautious. On the 18th, traffic through the strait was initially sparse but then rapidly increased, with ships rushing to pass through before the situation deteriorated. A total of 35 ships transited the strait that day, including 8 entering (comprising 4 oil tankers, 2 bulk carriers, and 2 other cargo ships) and 27 exiting (comprising 8 oil tankers, 3 bulk carriers, 15 other cargo ships, and 1 passenger ship). (Xinhua News Agency)
Related news
Japanese Bitcoin Treasury Company Metaplanet Acquires Licensed Securities Firm Siiibo Securities
Odaily, Japanese Bitcoin treasury company Metaplanet has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of the equity in Siiibo Securities, a licensed Type 1 securities firm in Japan. The transaction is expected to be completed in July, after which Siiibo Securities will be renamed Metaplanet Securities.Metaplanet stated that this acquisition is its first major M&A deal and the first concrete step in executing its long-term strategy, "Project Nova," which aims to build a Bitcoin-centric financial ecosystem in Japan. By integrating Siiibo Securities' Type 1 securities license and online securities platform, Metaplanet plans to develop and distribute Bitcoin-linked yield products for Japanese investors.Metaplanet announced that its balance sheet currently holds 40,177 BTC. Following this acquisition, Metaplanet Securities will leverage its securities business license to offer new Bitcoin yield investment opportunities in the Japanese market. The company recognized the Siiibo Securities team's previous achievements in building Japan's online corporate bond market, and the merger will further promote the development of Bitcoin-related financial products in Japan.
Maritime Analysis Firm: Kharg Island Resumes Crude Oil Loading Operations, Iran Actively Restoring Crude Export Capacity
the UK-based maritime analysis firm Windward released a report on the 4th, stating that satellite images show Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, has resumed loading operations.The report stated that satellite images obtained on June 2nd show a very large crude carrier (VLCC) anchored near the western terminal of Kharg Island. This is the first confirmed vessel to berth at the facility since it was shut down in early May due to a suspected oil leak. On June 3rd, the VLCC at the western berth and a Panamax tanker at the eastern T-shaped jetty were conducting loading operations simultaneously. By the 4th, the VLCC had completed loading and departed, while the Panamax tanker remained at the dock. Windward stated that the simultaneous resumption of services at both terminals indicates that Iran is actively restoring its crude oil export capacity.The report also noted that small fast boats of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) remain highly active throughout the Strait of Hormuz. This sustained high level of activity indicates that the IRGC maintains a high state of readiness to support Iran-related vessels in the strait. (Xinhua News Agency)
FTX Victims Sue Law Firm Fenwick & West for $525 Million
According to Bloomberg Law, a group of victims who lost their life savings in the collapse of the FTX exchange filed a lawsuit on May 14 against Silicon Valley law firm Fenwick & West LLP, seeking $525 million in damages. The plaintiffs allege that the firm, having served as FTX’s primary outside legal counsel for years, knowingly assisted in establishing shell companies and implementing communications controls to conceal evidence—even while aware that FTX had breached its fiduciary duties and misappropriated billions of dollars in customer assets. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested following the exchange’s 2022 collapse and subsequently convicted on seven counts of fraud and money laundering, receiving a 25-year prison sentence.
U.S. Law Firm Files for Restraining Order to Prevent Arbitrum DAO from Transferring Stolen and Frozen ETH from Kelp
According to Cointelegraph, U.S. law firm Gerstein Harrow LLP has filed an application with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York seeking a temporary restraining order and three writs of execution to prevent the Arbitrum DAO from transferring 30,766 ETH (valued at approximately $73 million) frozen following the Kelp vulnerability. The firm argues that its clients obtained default judgments against North Korea in U.S. courts in 2010, 2015, and 2016, entitling them to roughly $877 million in compensation—and contends that the stolen ETH constitutes North Korean-linked assets that should be used to satisfy those judgments. Kelp DAO suffered a $292 million hack on April 18; the attacker was identified as TraderTraitor, a subgroup of the North Korean state-sponsored hacking group Lazarus Group. Aave Labs previously proposed unfreezing the seized funds and transferring them into the “DeFi United” fund to compensate rsETH holders—but this legal action by Gerstein Harrow may significantly delay compensation for victims. Members of the Arbitrum DAO community have criticized the move, arguing it shifts the burden of North Korea’s debts onto another set of victims, thereby exacerbating the original harm. Gerstein Harrow had previously pursued litigation related to the 2023 Heco Bridge hack involving Teth
Caixin: Peng Jing, Partner at a Chongqing Law Firm, Goes Missing; Possibly Linked to Money Laundering Case Involving 30.8 Million USDT and Mayor Hu Henghua
According to Caixin, multiple independent sources confirmed to Caixin that the founding partner and director of a Chongqing-based law firm was recently taken away by relevant authorities. The lawyer in question is Peng Jing, founding partner and director of Chongqing Jing Sheng Law Firm. It is speculated externally that she is intricately linked to the aforementioned high-ranking officials who have fallen from grace. According to analysis by insiders, lawyers are typically not taken into custody by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI); “Peng Jing’s network is exceptionally extensive, and her case implicates numerous individuals.” On March 20, 2026, Hu Henghua, Mayor of Chongqing, was announced to be under investigation; on April 17, Luo Lin, member of the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee and Secretary of the Liangjiang New Area Party Working Committee, was also publicly announced to be under investigation. According to information circulating among Chongqing’s political and business circles, Hu Henghua and Luo Lin’s downfalls are related to accepting bribes and money laundering via stablecoins—and “Peng Jing may be a key figure in this scheme, laundering money under the guise of collecting legal fees.” According to insiders, in Hu Henghua’s case, Lin Xiucheng’s son-in-law Lin Kechuang transferred 30.8 million USDT (approximately RMB 210 million, including RMB 10 million in exchange fees) to Hu Henghua. After Hu Henghua was placed under investigation, his cold wallet was seized, and authorities subsequently traced the fund flows from six additional cold wallets held by Lin Kechuang. One such transfer—15.5 million USDT sent simultaneously with Hu Henghua’s transaction—was reportedly transferred to Luo Lin, according to Lin Kechuang. Luo Lin was taken into custody by relevant authorities on April 14, 2026, and his residence was searched on the evening of April 15—but the cold wallet was not found. Later, authorities located Luo Lin’s cold wallet at a third party’s residence.
MoonPay Acquires Israeli Security Firm Sodot for $100 Million, Establishing Institutional Business Unit
According to Bloomberg, crypto payments company MoonPay has acquired Israeli crypto security startup Sodot and established a new division—“MoonPay Institutional”—based on this acquisition, focusing on meeting institutional clients’ digital asset needs. The division will provide services including trading, tokenized securities, payments, wallet management, and stablecoin issuance to major traditional financial institutions. Former U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Acting Chair Caroline D. Pham will serve as head of the division; she joined MoonPay in late 2025 as Chief Legal Officer and Chief Administrative Officer.