KEY FACTS: Metaplanet, a Tokyo-based investment firm, has solidified its position as Asia’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder by acquiring 1,004 BTC for $104 million, its second-largest purchase to date, bringing its total holdings to 7,800 BTC valued at over $800 million. This move is part of the company’s aggressive strategy to amass 10,000 BTC by year-end, funded through bond issuances, equity sales, and a new U.S. subsidiary, Metaplanet Treasury Corp. The firm’s stock has surged 1,700% since mid-2024, reflecting investor confidence in its Bitcoin-centric approach, despite risks from market volatility.

KEY FACTS: Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi has sparked speculation about establishing a city-level Bitcoin reserve, following a meeting with El Salvador’s Bitcoin advocates, Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert, on May 16, 2025. The announcement, teased in a cryptic social media post, comes after Panama City’s April 2025 decision to accept Bitcoin, Ether, and stablecoins for municipal payments. Discussions with El Salvador focused on leveraging Panama’s hydroelectric resources for sustainable Bitcoin mining and integrating El Salvador’s financial literacy resources into Panama City’s education system.

"To wield power in Praetoria is to embrace the reckless strike, knowing that every victory demands a calculated cost." - @uyobong (May 17, 2025).Unboxing the Conclave Arcana ThemeReading the Introducing Conclave Arcana post reveals the theme of Splinterlands’ sixth core set. I can infer that Conclave Arcana is a gripping tale of ambition, unity, and the race for power in a fractured world. Set in the aftermath of the Chaos Empire’s collapse, the story unfolds in a destabilized Praetoria where the Splinters (Fire, Water, Earth, Life, Death, and Dragon) grapple with rebuilding.

KEY FACTS: DDC Enterprise Ltd., a U.S.-based consumer brand with operations in Hong Kong and mainland China, has announced its adoption of Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset, planning to acquire 5,000 BTC over the next 36 months, starting with an initial purchase of 100 BTC worth $10.4 million. Revealed by CEO Norma Chu, the move follows a 33% revenue increase in 2024. Despite China's restrictive crypto policies, it aligns with a global trend of corporate and governmental Bitcoin adoption. DDC’s strategy, supported by a dedicated treasury team, aims to reach 500 BTC by the end of 2025.

KEY FACTS: The Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives overrode Governor Arnold Palacios’s veto on May 16, 2025, passing a bill that authorizes Tinian to issue the Marianas US Dollar (MUSD), a U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin backed by cash and U.S. Treasury bills on the eCash blockchain, potentially making Tinian the first U.S. public entity to launch a government-backed digital currency. The legislation, which also permits internet-based casino licensing, aims to diversify Tinian’s tourism-driven economy, despite concerns raised by the governor about its legality and enforcement. Partnering with Marianas Rai Corporation, Tinian could launch the MUSD by July 2025.

KEY FACTS: Ukraine is on the verge of becoming the first European nation to adopt Bitcoin as a national reserve asset, with lawmakers finalizing a bill to integrate the cryptocurrency into the country’s financial strategy. The legislation, spearheaded by figures like Yaroslav Zhelezniak and supported by Binance, aims to boost Ukraine’s economic resilience amid the ongoing war with Russia. The bill, expected to be submitted to parliament soon, follows global trends in El Salvador and the U.S., which have established Bitcoin reserves.