Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), has dismissed concerns that the firm holds too much Bitcoin.

In an Aug. 1 interview with CNBC, Saylor argued that owning 3% to 7% of the total Bitcoin supply is not excessive. Instead, he called it a balanced position that allows other institutions and individuals to participate.

Saylor also highlighted the growing interest from public companies. He said more than 160 firms now hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets, a sharp rise from about 60 last year. This growth, he added, is not limited to the US but includes firms across Europe and Asia.

According to him:

“The Bitcoin treasury movement is exploding, companies like MetaPlanet (Japan), Capital B (France), and Smarter Web (UK) are joining in.”

Strategy is currently the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, holding over 628,000 BTC, valued at $72 billion. Based on data from Bitcoin Treasuries, this represents approximately 3% of Bitcoin’s total supply and more than half of all Bitcoin held by public companies.

Digital credit backed by Bitcoin

Beyond buying Bitcoin, Saylor pointed out that Strategy also creates financial products around the flagship digital asset.

According to him, the company is building a financial ecosystem around the asset by issuing credit instruments backed by its Bitcoin treasury. Depending on their risk appetite, these products offer different ways for investors to gain exposure.

For context, the firm’s latest offering, a preferred equity called Stretch, is a way to issue digital credit backed by digital capital. The product targets investors seeking monthly income, capital protection, and less exposure to market swings.

According to Saylor, the offering delivers a 9% annual dividend, a figure he contrasts with the average 4% yield in money markets. He claimed that such yields are made possible by Bitcoin’s long-term appreciation potential, which he estimates at 30% annually over the next two decades.

Saylor also highlighted Strike as another offering designed to attract investors to the sector.

He pointed out that the company offers products like Strike for more risk-managed returns, while adding that:

“Strike gives you 80% of the upside, 20% in a structured dividend, and principal protection. It’s for investors used to hedge funds or the S&P.”

Moreover, Saylor described Bitcoin as “a digital commodity with 50% volatility and a 50-year duration.” For investors seeking amplified exposure, Strategy’s equity offers “2x Bitcoin,” a structure attractive to derivatives traders.

Mentioned in this article

Millions of players in China lost access to popular games like World of Warcraft as Blizzard Entertainment’s Chinese servers went offline after 20 years. This marked the end of an epoch for fans of the epic title, after Blizzard’s licensing agreement with their local partner NetEase expired and no new one was reached. That agreement had also covered titles such as Hearthstone and Diablo III since 2008.

Hundreds of thousands were devastated. Some lamented that they had grown up with the game, and others called WoW “my first love,” reflecting the all-pervasive sense of loss in the Chinese gaming community. Fans of games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and League of Legends, all stellar Web2 titles, would feel the same if the decision were made to pull the plug, for whatever reason.

Another issue with Web2 games is ownership. Players can buy skins, characters, and other virtual assets, but these items have no utility outside the developer-controlled ecosystem and cannot be transferred. Their use is confined to the respective title.

A landmark shift from observation to true ownership

The transition to Web3 marks a shift from players being mere observers at the mercy of developers or corporations to active participants in rich gaming ecosystems. Blockchain technology has given rise to decentralized platforms that enable ownership of in-game items, which keeps participants competing and playing longer. A survey by Immutable found that almost half of Web3 gamers played for more than 10 hours a week, while Web2 gamers played for about 7.5 hours.

Ownership is one factor that makes players more invested in the games they play, and Mythical Games is among the pioneers of this shift. NFL Rivals, launched in an official partnership with the NFL, allows players to manage NFL teams and trade unique NFTs. The game’s dynamic and casual nature quickly caught NFL fans’ attention. NFL Rivals is Mythical Games’ flagship crypto-based mobile game, and has been downloaded on iOS and Android more than 7 million times.

Mythical has raised almost $300 million from investors like Andreessen Horowitz, ARK Invest, Animoca Brands, and Michael Jordan since 2018. In 2021, Andreessen Horowitz led a $150 million Series C round, reaching a $1.25 billion valuation. Company CEO John Linden has had leadership roles at Activision Blizzard, including Call of Duty and Skylanders franchises. His experience with Web2 led him to initiate the transition, of which cofounding Mythical Games has been a key part.

The gamer-centric approach of Web3 translates to ownership of asset collections without in-depth blockchain knowledge. Mythical’s in-game blockchain marketplace allows gamers to buy, sell, and trade digital assets across platform titles. Players use MYTH tokens for transactions on the marketplace and governance, and developers can use the Mythical platform to plug blockchain features and NFTs into their games. That said, users can play NFL Rivals without understanding NFTs; it’s only necessary for those who want to engage with ownership.

The game was downloaded almost a million times within a month of launching and ranked #1 in sports and action categories on the App Store. Overall revenue increased by 10-15% after the platform added secondary trading to NFL Rivals, reflecting players’ conviction that Web3 assets are valuable. Players can merge or burn assets and then trade new ones.

A win-win for players, developers, and the economy through in-game asset trading

Mythical launched Quick Trades, where players agree to an asset trade without any money changing hands, and cleared them with Apple and Google, as a result of which they are available directly in the mobile game. The deals are priced in the marketplace in real time. According to Linden, the NFL Rivals’ secondary market increased from 100 to 7,000 transactions a day soon after Quick Trades became available.

Essentially, Mythical buys a card from a seller and then sells it to a buyer in real time. Multiple parties can be involved in a single transaction, but it’s an even trade to the gamer. Game developers also benefit as they generate transaction fees on these trades, driving a lot of value to the economy.

Smart contracts handle and secure transactions across Web3 titles

Smart contracts underpin, process, and secure asset transactions in Web3 games. These self-executing blockchain programs do this by writing the terms of the respective agreement into lines of code. They automate transaction management, ensure each transaction’s authenticity, enforce rules, manage prize pools, and can even automate dispute resolution.

Characters, skins, and weapons are stored as NFTs or cryptocurrencies on a decentralized ledger, and players link blockchain wallets to the game. Wallets serve as gateways for collecting rewards, managing in-game assets, and performing trades, and can hold assets earned in the game. Blockchains enable verifiable statistics and transparent leaderboards, ensuring trustless exchanges and transparent ownership.

The innovative technology facilitates a higher quality of games coming to market. It’s a fact that the number of blockchain game companies has declined because going mainstream is harder and takes longer than many expect. Yet, games from successful developers that have been in the works for years eventually arrive. One of them is Pudgy Party, a Fall Guys-type game that will be available on Android and iOS. Players will use clothes, hats, glasses, and other accessories, and holders of Pudgy Penguins NFTs might be able to use them in the game.

Decentralized sports, powered by the people

DAOs are changing sports by giving power to the community instead of investors. A DAO enables fans to govern a sports team and decide on budgeting, hiring, marketing, and sponsorship. It can build a decentralized sports league where teams compete based on fair and transparent incentives and rules.

DAOs can also organize and fund championships, tournaments, or charity matches involving multiple sponsors and stakeholders, ultimately fostering a diverse and vibrant sports community. This is a nice alternative to supporting a sports team while not being able to make any decisions affecting it and standing on the sidelines as major stakeholders sell star players and drain funds from the club.

While players have always supported ownership, their focus has shifted from short-term profit to long-term engagement. The once-successful play-to-earn model has declined, with player interest dropping and Web3 game funding falling by over 70% in the first quarter of 2025. The model made the mistake of tying rewards to token prices, making gameplay dependent on unstable markets.

Verified digital collectibles let fans own the moment

Digital sports collectibles represent ownership of player highlights, digital trading cards, and other unique sports-related assets, verified using blockchain technology. The thrill of rarity is behind the appeal of both physical and digital sports memorabilia. However, unique versions and limited editions associated with specific achievements or milestones took this concept a step further.

Each digital asset’s unique code guarantees a limit, making it highly desirable for collectors. Unlike traditional memorabilia, which are vulnerable to forgery, blockchain verifies digital collectibles’ scarcity and authenticity, and they can be displayed without physical storage concerns.

Bringing games to mobile widens global access to competitive sports

The ubiquity of mobile devices has made participating in Web3 gaming easier for a wider range of players. Soccer has billions of fans worldwide. Mythical Games brought a Web3 twist to the sport with FIFA Rivals, attracting a larger, mainstream audience not necessarily familiar with blockchain gaming.

Mobile gaming is the largest market segment by player count and revenue, and launching a high-profile Web3 game on mobile significantly lowers entry barriers compared to console or PC-only titles. FIFA Rivals, which has been approved and licensed by FIFA, allows participants to collect player cards and build a fantasy team, engage in active or simulated matches against other players or AI, and train, upgrade, or strategize with the players they have collected.

Interconnected worlds are the next frontier for athletes, players, and developers

The prospects for the latest generation of Web3 games are inspiring. Cross-game athlete NFTs are emerging as a novel application in gaming and sports. These NFTs would allow athletes to represent themselves across different virtual worlds and potentially integrate into various games. A holder of a rare NFT in one game might use it as a collectible in another, increasing the number of games and activities they participate in.

Cross-game NFTs may open up new marketing opportunities for game developers, as they will collaborate with other platforms and titles to feature them, building an interlinked ecosystem that promotes multiple games at the same time. Such integrations would create a more expansive metaverse, where experiences and assets can flow freely instead of being confined to a single game, enhancing the efficiency of marketing efforts.

Sparkball, a new 4v4 sports brawler, has launched on the Somnia blockchain, introducing on-chain wagers, and AI battles, and support from some big-name esports teams. It’s a notable moment in the evolution of blockchain gaming—less about hype, more about real gameplay.

Key Takeaways

• Sparkball combines team-based combat and sports mechanics in a 4v4 format.

• The game integrates blockchain features like secure wagering and automated prize distribution via the Somnia network.

• AI vs AI matches offer passive gameplay experiences and betting opportunities.

• Major esports teams, including G2, Cloud9, and Fnatic, participated in tournaments.

• Players can access the game for free during Steam Next Fest (June 9–16, 2025), no crypto required.

A Fast-Paced Hybrid with Familiar Roots

Sparkball fuses the intensity of arena combat with the strategic coordination of team sports. Developed by industry veterans from Riot Games, Blizzard, and EA Sports, the game invites comparisons to titles like League of Legends and Rocket League—though it aims to carve out its own niche.

Matches are built around scoring goals while simultaneously battling opponents, requiring both reflexes and teamwork. Competitive integrity is a clear focus, with matchmaking and skill balance baked into the design.

Blockchain Without the Buzzwords

While blockchain often raises eyebrows, Sparkball’s use of it is relatively grounded. By partnering with Somnia, a Layer 1 network optimized for games, the developers aim to improve speed, transparency, and player identity tracking without forcing crypto on users.

Players can ignore the blockchain entirely and still enjoy the full-core gameplay. However, for those interested, features such as on-chain wagering and real-time rewards are available through optional Web3 integration.

Source: Sparkball

AI Battles & Blockchain Powered Prize Distribution

What sets Sparkball apart from other multiplayer games is its experimentation with automation. AI vs AI matches allow players to watch, bet, or just let the system run, turning the game into a continuous viewing experience, even without player input.

Furthermore, Sparkball uses blockchain infrastructure to support transparent, tamper-resistant prize distribution. This approach streamlines payouts while also laying the groundwork for scalable, trust-based, and competitive events.

Esports Teams Get Involved

Back in 2023, Cloud9, G2, and Fnatic fielded official teams for Sparkball’s Ascension Invitational, signaling early competitive interest. Their participation in that tournament, including branded rosters and gameplay showcases, helped validate Sparkball’s potential as an esports title.

While the extent of their ongoing involvement in 2025 isn’t fully detailed, these early alignments suggest that traditional esports organizations are open to exploring blockchain-based formats—especially those rooted in skill-based play.

How to Get Started

For those curious, Sparkball will be available free during Steam Next Fest, June 9–16, 2025. No crypto, no wallet—just download and play.

The onboarding process includes tutorials and casual modes, and matchmaking ensures that beginners won’t be thrown into the deep end. Blockchain features remain entirely optional.

A Step Forward, Not a Revolution

Sparkball doesn’t claim to reinvent gaming. Instead, it suggests that blockchain might have a place in gaming after all—if it’s handled with care. Rather than relying on speculative tokens or NFT economies, it applies Web3 tools to real-world problems, such as prize automation, identity persistence, and secure wagering.

Of course, challenges remain. Regulatory issues around betting, player resistance to blockchain, and the game’s ability to keep users engaged after initial launch will all factor into its long-term success.

May 26th, 2025 – Panama City, Panama

class=”ql-align-justify”>Flipster, a global cryptocurrency trading platform, is launching APR Supercharge, a limited-time rewards campaign offering users up to 122% APR on eligible USDT deposits.

Running from June 1 to June 14, 2025, the initiative combines deposit-based yields with trading incentives, rewarding active users on the platform.

Users who deposit USDT will earn a 20% base APR on new net deposits, applicable across all supported networks. By maintaining a daily trading volume of at least 250,000 USDT and depositing via the TON or APTOS networks, they have the opportunity to unlock an additional 80% APR boost the following day—bringing total potential rewards to 100% APR.

These rewards are stackable with Flipster’s existing Earn Campaign, which offers up to 22% APR on USDT balances—allowing eligible users to potentially earn a combined APR of up to 122%, rewards distributed daily in USDT. There are no lock-up periods—users retain full access to their capital at all times. Rewards are calculated based on the 24-hour average net deposit, with a cap of 200,000 USDT per user.

Flipster offers trading across 350+ cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, trending altcoins, and meme coins, giving users a broad range of opportunities to trade and qualify for the APR boost. 

With a zero-fee model—no maker or taker fees on spot and perpetual futures trades—along with no deposit fees and low-cost withdrawals, Flipster ensures full pricing transparency. Combined with tight spreads, the platform ensures cost-efficient execution for all types of traders.

For advanced traders, up to 100x leverage is available on perpetual futures markets, enabling flexible position sizing to match market conditions and trading strategies.

APR Supercharge is part of Flipster’s broader commitment to building an accessible, user-first trading experience. As the platform expands globally, its suite of campaigns and earning tools continues to offer users smarter ways to trade, earn, and grow their portfolios—without hidden fees or unnecessary friction.

APR Supercharge launches on June 1, 2025. Users can participate by depositing USDT via eligible networks and maintaining daily trading activity throughout the campaign window. Full campaign mechanics and eligibility details are available here.

About Flipster

Flipster is a global cryptocurrency trading platform that delivers fast, secure, and intuitive access to digital assets. With over 350 trading pairs across spot and perpetual futures markets, Flipster combines zero trading fees, tight spreads, and up to 100x leverage to give users a powerful edge in any market condition.

Users can trade and earn simultaneously—with USDT used for trading continuing to earn APR rewards—maximizing capital efficiency without sacrificing execution.

Designed with a focus on security and a user-first experience, Flipster delivers the speed, transparency, and reliability traders need to move with confidence.

Over the past year, Flipster’s trading volume grew 856%, and total user assets increased by more than 6,000%, solidifying its position as a leading derivatives trading platform.

Users can learn more at flipster.io or follow X.

Contact

Press Contact
pr@flipster.io

The following is a guest post from Ahmad Shadid, Founder of O.xyz.

In an era where artificial intelligence dictates global power dynamics, OpenAI is making bold moves to secure America’s dominance in the sector. Its new plan called the “AI Action Plan,” tries to ease the regulatory framework, implement export controls, and increase federal investment to stay ahead of China’s AI expansion. 

OpenAI signed a deal with the Trump administration for the new “AI Action Plan” on March 13. The deal revolved around limited regulatory oversight and rapid development of AI in the US. 

The proposal highlights a fundamental truth: too much state-level regulation might undermine America’s leadership in AI, even as China’s state-supported AI players — led by DeepSeek — continue to grow rapidly. 

Defending AI from censorship

DeepSeek’s R1 model, released in January 2025, performed at the level of top US AI systems — though having been developed at a much lower cost — challenging the American tech giants’ dominance. 

This proved to be a major sell-off in US tech stocks, with firms such as Nvidia suffering huge losses. Soon after, the US government raised red flags about national security and data privacy, debating on policy solutions to keep America out front in the very technologies it wrote the rules for.

OpenAI’s approach represents a pivotal point in American AI policy, combining regulatory advocacy with industrial ambition to ensure the US stays on top of the game when it comes to AI. Moreover, at the heart of OpenAI’s plan is an export-control strategy that aims to limit the country’s expanding influence in China. 

This will prevent the misuse of AI platforms and technologies by opposing nations. Consequently, the export controls will protect the US national security.

OpenAI’s plan also calls for using federal dollars to explain to the world that American-made AI is safer and that US-based companies should stay ahead of the international AI stream. 

DeepSeek is not only a Chinese AI initiative and a commercial competitor but also a fundamental ally of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In late January, DeepSeek grew infamous for blocking information on the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, riding a wave of screenshots on social media pointing out China’s censorship. 

The $500 billion plan

A central part of OpenAI’s pitch is locking in greater federal funding for AI infrastructure. This means ensuring that the high-water mark for American progress in the field of AI does not merely concern protecting what comes next from foreign threats but also reinforces the necessary computational and data infrastructure to sustain long-term growth. 

The Stargate Project, for instance, is a joint effort by OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, and MGX that will provide up to $500 billion for the development of AI infrastructure in the United States. 

This ambitious initiative is intended to cement American AI superiority while producing thousands of domestic jobs — much against the belief of the ‘AI might replace your job’ narrative.

It is a major tactical shift in the approach to AI policy, acknowledging that private sector investments are not enough to remain competitive compared to state-sponsored efforts like China’s DeepSeek. 

The Stargate Project wants to ensure the construction of advanced data centers and the expansion of semiconductor manufacturing within the United States to keep AI development domestic in the US. 

In its early stages, Federal support for AI infrastructure is critical — both for growing economic competitiveness and for national security. AI-powered features are often used in national defense and intelligence. For instance, Shield AI’s Nova is an autonomous quadcopter drone that uses AI to fly itself through complex environments without GPS to gather life-saving information in combat environments. 

Furthermore, AI is also critical in cyber defense against hacking, phishing, ransomware, and other cybersecurity threats because it can identify deviations or abnormalities in systems in real time. Hence, its role in detecting patterns and spotting irregularities helps the US safeguard critical defense infrastructure from cyberattacks, making it all the more important to fast-track AI’s growth for defense.

Battle for AI training models

A key element of OpenAI’s proposal is the call for a new copyright approach that would ensure that American AI models can access copyrighted material for use in their training. The ability to train on a wide range of datasets is vital to keeping AI models sophisticated.

If the copyright policies are restrictive, it could put the US at a disadvantage to their foreign competitors — especially the Chinese ones, which operate among weaker copyright enforcement.

AI tools are evaluated for risk, governance board scrutiny, and compliance verification frameworks such as the House AI Policy and DHS conditional approvals. Although FedRAMP’s ‘fast pass’ may expedite deployment, antennae from the FTC and regulations will keep AI’s purposes on the same shelf as national security policy and consumer protections. 

These safeguards, while no doubt very important, often slow the pace of AI adoption in crucial government use cases.

Now, OpenAI, in particular, is lobbying for a partnership between the government and the industry, where AI companies voluntarily contribute their models’ data, and in exchange, they would not be liable to strong state restrictions. 

Not an easy road ahead

Though OpenAI’s proposal is bold and ambitious, it poses serious questions about how much regulation can help in driving innovation in this burgeoning sector. 

While weakening state-level regulatory oversight will leave room for faster AI developments, there is a significant concern yet to be resolved. The partnership structure of AI organizations with the federal government could create the potential for private firms to exercise outsized power over the nation’s policies on AI and the users themselves. 

Regardless of these fears, one thing is clear: the United States cannot afford to fall behind its competitors in AI development. If done right, this partnership could guarantee that American AI stays the dominant framework worldwide rather than yielding ground to foreign government-controlled competitors like China’s DeepSeek.

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OverTrip is a name that some players might not be instantly familiar with, but if you’re on the lookout for something truly different in the online gaming world, this might be the experience you’ve been waiting for. It’s a multi-chain project that puts a fresh spin on the battle royale genre, blending well-known shooter mechanics with features that go far beyond the norm. Consider this a bold new frontier in competitive gaming, especially if you’re bored of the same old setups.

A Free-to-Play Title on the Epic Games Store

To start playing, you can find this free-to-play title available on the Epic Games Store, which makes it easy for anyone curious enough to jump in. The game invites players to immerse themselves in an intense flagship battle royale mode, where they’ll face off until only the top survivors remain. Unlike so many shooters out there, this particular game adds an unusual twist: a chance to wager real money on how well you’ll perform. Yes, that’s right—you can actually put a small sum down and see if your skills earn you a reward.

Skill Mode and Real Money Wagering Elements

One of the standout features of OverTrip is Skill Mode. This unique setup lets you wager real money on your odds of finishing in the top three. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it certainly adds a layer of excitement that breaks any sense of monotonous gameplay you might fear. Skill Mode appears throughout the experience, keeping players on their toes and pushing them to improve their strategies. In addition, you’ll encounter meme coins woven into the game’s ecosystem, giving the project its own offbeat flair.

The developers have introduced real money-wagering elements that influence the tension and thrill of every match. Because of these features, the game earned an “Adults Only” rating, which makes sense when you consider the stakes. Beyond that, the team’s token launching strategy involved a Solana token known as TRIP, which players can use to sell skins in game and trade with others. Over time, they plan on securing exchange listings for these digital assets, providing further transparency and stability for players.

Private Lobbies and Customizable Wager Terms

Not everyone wants to jump into public matches. To address this, the developers included private lobbies where groups of friends can set their own customizable wager terms. You might put down just a few cents, or go for something more daring. This level of flexibility helps keep the community engaged. The game rewards involvement through numerous schemes that distribute trip tokens, reflecting the careful thought put into creating a balanced in-game economy.

The Role of the Trippy Terminal and Small Airdrop Allocations

Players who participated in past gaming project airdrop campaigns might have received trip tokens through the trippy terminal, a system that auto created a wallet for them. This surprise distribution gave some early adopters a taste of the digital assets at the heart of the economy. However, not everyone was thrilled. Some recipients complained about small airdrop allocations, and the game’s discord became a hotspot for debate, with players calling for a fairer token’s distribution and more open communication from the team.

https://twitter.com/PlayOverTrip/status/1774847300642246808

Evolving the In-Game Content Season by Season

Since launch, the developers have introduced a new in game content season, rolling out fresh features, maps, and balance adjustments. Over time, they intend to refine Skill Mode and adjust how meme coins and trip tokens are managed, ideally creating a more stable economy. By blending familiar gaming concepts with community-driven involvement, OverTrip on Epic Games aims to redefine what a battle royale can be.

Building Trust on the Epic Games Store

For those skeptical, the platform’s integration with the Epic Games Store adds credibility. We’ve all witnessed games that crash hard and vanish, but this team claims they’re in it for the long run. While there’s no guarantee that everyone will love the idea of wagering, the concept encourages players to sharpen their approach, try new tactics, and find clever ways to outsmart the competition.

A Unique Twist on Battle Royale

In the end, this isn’t just another clone. By combining Skill Mode, private lobbies, customizable wager terms, and the use of meme coins, OverTrip sets itself apart. Add in the token launching on Solana, the solana token trip integration, and the distribution of trip tokens through numerous schemes, and you have a truly distinctive blend. It’s easy to pick up from the Epic Games Store, and the multi chain project’s long-term vision promises more changes down the line.

For anyone seeking something fresh, exciting, and just a bit daring, OverTrip on Epic Games might be well worth a shot. You might find that blending a battle royale with real money-wagering elements is exactly what the gaming world needs to push its boundaries forward.

Editor’s note: This article was written with the assistance of AI. Edited and fact-checked by Owen Skelton.