The popular AI framework Virtuals Protocol will host an in-person meet-up in Hong Kong on Friday, January 17.

On May 7, U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange Kraken’s parent company Payward Inc. agreed to acquire Hong Kong-based Reap Technologies for $600 million in cash and stock. Reap Technologies specializes in stablecoin cross-border payments and commercial payment services. Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi noted that in the deal, Payward’s issued shares are valued at $20 billion, and the acquisition is aimed at expanding into the Asian market.

Today, May 7th, Coinbase is set to list KAIO (KAIO) futures trading. The KAIO-PERP market will open immediately if liquidity conditions are met and trading is permitted in the applicable region.

On May 7, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) launched a joint investigation into a series of suspiciously timed oil market trades. The trades occurred shortly before former President Donald Trump made key statements on U.S.-Iran tensions, with traders collectively wagering over $2.6 billion on falling oil prices—an outcome that materialized. London Stock Exchange Group data shows the probe covers at least four large trades; traders’ identities remain unknown, and no insider trading evidence has been uncovered. Key trades include: - March 23: A $500M+ trade placed 15 minutes before Trump announced delaying an attack on Iran’s power grid. - April 7: A $960M trade occurred hours prior to a temporary ceasefire announcement. - April 17: A $760M trade made 20 minutes before Iran’s foreign minister said the Strait of Hormuz would open. - April 21: A $430M trade executed 15 minutes before Trump announced extending the ceasefire.

On May 7, per GMGN data (link: https://t.me/gmgnaibot?start=i_m4TE56o8), Ethereum-based meme coin Sato saw its market cap plummet over 60% today after hitting a peak of $38.5 million. The coin’s current market cap stands at $14.8 million, with a 24-hour trading volume of $13.1 million. BlockBeats Note: Meme coins are extremely volatile, heavily tied to market sentiment and hype, and lack inherent value or real-world use cases. Investors should exercise caution when engaging with these assets, as significant risks are involved.

On May 7, on-chain detective ZachXBT accused LAB project founder @vsadkovv of market manipulation on a centralized exchange (CEX), claiming the scheme severely harmed retail investors. He cited on-chain evidence showing the founder’s linked wallet deposited a large volume of LAB tokens to the exchange beforehand, after which the token’s price was artificially pumped. ZachXBT labeled this a classic pump-and-dump scheme, noting the team effectively controls a large share of LAB’s circulating supply. He also stated he privately reached out to the founder to discuss the issue but was blatantly ignored.

On May 7, HTX market data shows LAB plummeted sharply—from $4.7 to $3.52, a roughly 25% drop—likely driven by ZachXBT’s accusation that the LAB founder engaged in market manipulation harming retail investors.