Japanese investment firm Metaplanet announced on Tuesday that it has acquired an additional 135 Bitcoin, investing approximately $12.9 million in the top crypto. This latest purchase brings the company's total holdings to 2,235 BTC, a significant increase from 1,761 BTC at the end of 2023 and 141 BTC recorded at the end of June 2024.

The acquisition was made at an average price of 14.3 million yen, or about $95,951 per Bitcoin. Metaplanet has outlined a strategic goal to increase its total Bitcoin holdings to 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025, with a longer-term target of 21,000 BTC by the end of 2026.

This move underscores the firm's commitment to its Bitcoin treasury operations, which it officially designated as a core business line in December 2024.

Despite the positive trajectory of its Bitcoin investments, Metaplanet's stock experienced a decline of 1.3% during midday trading on Tuesday.

However, the company's stock price has seen substantial gains, rising 67.5% since the beginning of 2025 and climbing 233.7% over the past year, according to data from Google Finance.

Metaplanet's ongoing accumulation strategy reflects a growing trend among institutional investors in the cryptocurrency market. As firms increasingly recognize the potential of Bitcoin as a long-term asset, Metaplanet's aggressive purchasing strategy positions it as a notable player in the evolving landscape of digital currencies.

[Coin Market Cap]

Bitcoin tumbled below $90,000 to hit the lowest level since mid-November, as the rally that followed Donald Trump’s election to the White House reverses under the weight of his trade tariffs and a string of industry setbacks.

Bitcoin dropped as much as 7.6% and traded around $89,0420 at 7:51 a.m. New York on Tuesday. Other cryptocurrencies also fell, with Ether, XRP and Solana down sharply for the session. An index tracking top digital tokens was on pace for its largest four-day drop since early August.

The recent turmoil in digital assets is a stark shift from the risk-on rally that drove crypto markets higher following Trump’s election in early November. Bitcoin has tumbled roughly 20% since his January inauguration, as Trump’s combative stance against allies and geopolitical rivals alike shakes investor confidence, and concerns about elevated inflation linger.

“The fall in Bitcoin prices is likely related to broader macro uncertainty that has hit most financial markets in the last couple of days and is linked to the various tariffs being announced by President Trump,” said Adrian Przelozny, chief executive of crypto exchange Independent Reserve.

Tumbling crypto prices mirror a broader retreat from risky assets that gained momentum late last week when a string of disappointing economic reports pushed the Nasdaq 100 to what is now its worst three-day drop in two months. In turn, money has flowed into bond havens, pushing the 10-year Treasury yield down for five straight sessions.

Exchange-traded fund investors, whose hand-over-fist buying helped power the post-election crypto advance, have been stepping back. The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (ticker IBIT), the largest spot Bitcoin fund, shed $158 million on Monday in a rare outflow, while investors pulled nearly $250 million from the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund — the third-largest withdrawal among all ETFs. More than $956 million has exited from US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs in February, the worst month on record for the category, Bloomberg Intelligence data show.

In derivatives markets, more than $1.34 billion of bullish crypto positions were liquidated over a 24-hour period, according to data on CoinGlass.

Memecoins, Giant Hack

 Microsoft has made an undisclosed equity investment in Veeam Software as part of an expanded partnership to build artificial intelligence products, the cloud data company said on Tuesday.

Veeam's software is designed to help customers quickly recover their data after cybersecurity incidents, ransomware attacks or accidental data loss.

Its core product supports immutable backups to prevent ransomware from modifying or deleting data, ensuring that clean copies remain available for recovery even if hackers encrypt files.

Microsoft had invested in cybersecurity firm Rubrik in 2021, which also offers data backup and recovery solutions.

Veeam said it would focus on research and development investments and design collaboration, among others, with the support of Microsoft. It will also integrate Microsoft's AI services into its products.

U.S. private equity firm Insight Partners, which is the largest shareholder in Veeam, sold a $2 billion stake in the company in a secondary sale valuing the firm at $15 billion, it said in December last year.

Veeam was acquired by Insight Partners for about $5 billion in 2020.

Founded in 2006, Veeam has more than 550,000 customers globally including corporations such as Deloitte and Canon, according to its website.

[Reuters]

Crypto stocks sank across the board early Tuesday as bitcoin (BTC-USD) dropped below $90,000 for the first time since November. Crypto heavyweights Strategy (MSTR) and Coinbase (COIN) led the declines.

Strategy, the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin (formerly known as MicroStrategy), dropped more than 5%, extending the prior day’s roughly 6% decline. Crypto exchange platform Coinbase sank as much as 3%, while crypto mining companies including Riot Platforms (RIOT) and Marathon Digital (MARA) fell more than 4%.

Those declines were driven by Bitcoin’s nearly 7% plummet Tuesday to just under $89,000, its lowest level since Nov. 14. The cryptocurrency is down nearly 15% over the past month, reversing direction after a massive rally following the election of US President Donald Trump. Trump’s crypto-friendly stance had sent Bitcoin above $100,000 last December. In January, it hit a record high of more than $109,000.

But macroeconomic uncertainty surrounding US interest rates and Trump’s tariff policies have fueled fears of inflation staying higher for longer, pressuring stocks across the board. And industry controversy has pressured crypto stocks in particular: the crypto exchange Bybit fell prey to the largest crypto heist in history last week, with hackers stealing $1.5 billion in digital assets. Trump and First Lady Melania’s recently-launched meme coins have also crashed.

Bitcoin’s declines Tuesday were mirrored by other cryptocurrencies. Ether (ETH-USD) fell 10%, while Solana (SOL-USD) dropped nearly 13%.

Leading crypto stock Strategy was one of the biggest losers of bitcoin’s drop, as the company said Monday that it had purchased an additional $2 billion in bitcoin, meaning it’s spent more than $33 billion buying up the cryptocurrency since 2020 and now owns roughly half a million bitcoins.

[Yahoo.Finance]

The Federal Government has introduced a new policy requiring contractors to provide an active Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) and a performing performance bond before receiving payments from the Ministry of Works.

An APG ensures that funds advanced to contractors are used for the project, while a performance bond guarantees the contractor will complete the project as agreed.

This new payment policy aims to enhance accountability and quality in road construction across Nigeria.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the policy during the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Stakeholders’ Meeting on Sunday, 23rd February 2025, in Lagos. He explained that the policy is designed to secure funds for repairs if contractors fail to address defects within the liability period.

Umahi emphasized that the new policy would be implemented for all ongoing and future projects under the Ministry of Works.

“Any payment made by the Ministry of Works will now require an active Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) and a performing performance bond. This ensures that if a contractor fails to fix defects within the liability period, we will have the resources to carry out the repairs,” Umahi stated.

The minister made the announcement while giving an update on RCC’s ongoing work on Section 2 of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which faced significant failures on the Ibadan-bound lane.

More insight 

The minister provided updates on the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan Expressway construction, which is divided into two main phases with multiple sections.

Phase 1 includes Section 1, constructed by Julius Berger, spanning about 43 km with three lanes dualised. Although minor failures were recorded, Umahi noted that they had been successfully repaired without major delays.

• Section 2, managed by RCC, encountered significant failures on the Ibadan-bound lane, leading to ongoing repairs. Umahi revealed that RCC has been directed to engage in further discussions to resolve the issues. He added that approximately 8.5 km of this section remains incomplete, with an expected completion by April and commissioning planned for May.
• Phase 2 involves completing flyover heads at strategic locations, including the RCCG axis, Wawa axis, Ogun Bridge, and Arepo Bridge. It also includes a 12 km dual carriage stretch at Sagamu-Iperu, currently under construction using rigid pavement.

Additionally, a 48 km stretch to Ore will be reworked, with the contract anticipated to be awarded by March. According to Umahi, completing this phase will conclude the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project at the Ibadan axis.

[Nairametrics]

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of three workers from the Lagos State House of Assembly in the custody of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) over an alleged assault on its officers.

Naija News reports that Justice Daniel Osiagor issued the directive for the detention of Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adetu Adekunle, and Fatimoh Adetola after the DSS counsel, Mr. Michael Bajela, sought their arraignment. However, the judge decided to review the case file before proceeding further.

According to the charge sheet marked FHC/L/273C/2025, dated February 24, 2025, and filed on Tuesday, the DSS accused the three individuals, along with others still at large, of conspiring to assault State Security Service officers while they were performing their official duties.

The agency alleged that on February 17, 2025, at the Lagos State House of Assembly, the defendants obstructed DSS officers from carrying out their duties without any lawful justification.

They were also charged with cyberstalking, with the prosecution alleging that they recorded and disseminated false information on social media, spreading it nationwide with the intent of inciting public disorder.

The DSS further claimed that Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adetu Adekunle, and Fatimoh Adetola conspired to commit a felony by deliberately misdirecting electronic messages on social media to embarrass the agency and its officials.

Additionally, the prosecution accused Ibrahim Olanrewaju and Adetu Adekunle of using an iPhone 12 Pro Max to record and share misleading content online, allegedly intending to discredit the DSS and provoke public unrest.

The charge also stated that Adetu Adekunle, on or about February 17, 2025, at the Lagos State House of Assembly, used a Techno POP 8 to record and circulate false information on social media with the alleged intent to undermine the DSS and disrupt public order.

The offences, as outlined by the DSS, violate Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as well as Sections 27(1)(b), 24(1)(b), 24(c)(i), and 11 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended), 2024.

[NaijaNews]

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of three workers from the Lagos State House of Assembly in the custody of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) over an alleged assault on its officers.

Naija News reports that Justice Daniel Osiagor issued the directive for the detention of Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adetu Adekunle, and Fatimoh Adetola after the DSS counsel, Mr. Michael Bajela, sought their arraignment. However, the judge decided to review the case file before proceeding further.

According to the charge sheet marked FHC/L/273C/2025, dated February 24, 2025, and filed on Tuesday, the DSS accused the three individuals, along with others still at large, of conspiring to assault State Security Service officers while they were performing their official duties.

The agency alleged that on February 17, 2025, at the Lagos State House of Assembly, the defendants obstructed DSS officers from carrying out their duties without any lawful justification.

They were also charged with cyberstalking, with the prosecution alleging that they recorded and disseminated false information on social media, spreading it nationwide with the intent of inciting public disorder.

The DSS further claimed that Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adetu Adekunle, and Fatimoh Adetola conspired to commit a felony by deliberately misdirecting electronic messages on social media to embarrass the agency and its officials.

Additionally, the prosecution accused Ibrahim Olanrewaju and Adetu Adekunle of using an iPhone 12 Pro Max to record and share misleading content online, allegedly intending to discredit the DSS and provoke public unrest.

The charge also stated that Adetu Adekunle, on or about February 17, 2025, at the Lagos State House of Assembly, used a Techno POP 8 to record and circulate false information on social media with the alleged intent to undermine the DSS and disrupt public order.

The offences, as outlined by the DSS, violate Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as well as Sections 27(1)(b), 24(1)(b), 24(c)(i), and 11 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended), 2024.

[NaijaNews]

La Liga President Javier Tebas has opened up on Dani Olmo’s contract situation at Barcelona.

According to him, the midfielder, while aware of the risks, went on to join La Blaugrana but should not finish his career with them.

Olmo, 26, joined the Catalan giants in the summer from RB Leipzig, with Barça said to have paid €60 million.

However, financial uncertainties surrounding Barcelona meant the attacking midfielder could be registered only for the first half of the season and even missed the first few games.

The Catalians were hoping they would bring their wage bill down to accomodate the player but it eventually did not materialise.

For this reason, Olmo and Pau Victor became ineligible to play for the Catalans throwing their future in doubt as they could have left for free.

Barca pulled out all the stops, taking the matter to the Spanish Football Federation and to the court before having LaLiga’s ban on them overturned.

Tebas pointed to the tactics employed by the club to address their issues, including selling their VIP box tickets, and suggested that players should be careful in the future.

He said via Barca Universal, “In August I expected Barcelona to solve his problems, but in the last three days they wanted to solve everything in a hurry and they could not.

“Olmo signed knowing that he might not play after December. The company that paid (the VIP boxes) did not seem solvent, everything went to the CSD and in 24 hours it was solved. Olmo should not finish LaLiga with Barça.”

[DailyPost]

A bus driver, Ali Isah, has narrated how he escaped gunmen who kidnapped Afenifere Youth Council President, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, last week Monday in Ondo state.

In a video exclusively obtained by The Nation, the driver who suffered gunshot injury from the kidnappers said the incident occurred at Akuni, an Ondo bother town in Kogi State.

Narrating how the incident occurred, Isah said his bus had 18 passengers who were going to Kano from Akure that fateful day, adding that as soon as they passed the checkpoints mounted by security operatives, they noticed a Hummer bus was advancing in the opposite direction.

“When the bus got closer to us, the bandits opened fire. They were shooting. At first, I didn’t know that I had been shot in my leg until they had left.

“They used the Hummer bus to pack people into the bush. It happened at Akuni in Ondo State, near Ayare in Kogi State.

“When I realized that bullet hit my leg, I kept it on the throttle and continued to drive until I entered Kogi State.

“Because I was bleeding, I lost consciousness and when I woke up, I saw that I was at the hospital receiving treatment,” he said.

The Nation gathered that the driver was discovered unconscious with bullet wounds by policemen from Ayare Division in Kogi who immediately commenced efforts to stabilize him.

A source told our Correspondent that as soon as he was discovered, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi was contacted about his situation and he directed that he should be given immediately medical attention to stabilize him.

“The CP directed that we must ensure he is stabilized so that he can be questioned. After stabilizing him, the man narrated how he escaped from kidnappers in Akuni and so, the CP asked that the division should contact the Akuni Police Station where the incident happened so that they will take the driver’s statement.

“We did not know that Ojajuni was a victim of that incident. We just did our job and ensured that an unconscious man with bullet injury received treatment and regained consciousness and the division where the incident occurred was notified so they can carry on with their investigation,” said the source.

Meanwhile, a coalition of Yoruba Youth Leaders on Monday night added their voice to the call for Ojajuni’s release, urging President Bola Tinubu to marshal all available resources and direct the full might of our security apparatus to secure the immediate and unconditional release of Ojajuni.

A statement signed by the National Secretary, Akeem Adeleke, also appealed to Southwest governors to collaborate and employ all necessary measures to ensure that Prince Ojajuni is rescued from his captors without delay.

It solicited the intervention of prominent traditional rulers from the southwest, adding that they should leverage their esteemed positions to advocate for the swift liberation of Prince Ojajuni.

The coalition confirmed that the kidnappers had escalated their demands insisting that two tricycles must be added to the N100 million earlier requested with a “menacing deadline set for Tuesday (today), at 3 PM. Failure to comply, they assert, will result in the execution of Prince Ojajuni.

“This alarming ultimatum exacerbates the perilous situation and amplifies the urgency of immediate intervention.

“Prince Ojajuni is not merely a leader; he embodies the aspirations and vigor of our youth, tirelessly championing the cause of the Yoruba people with unparalleled dedication and fervor.

“His abduction is not just a personal tragedy but a grievous affront to the collective conscience of our race and the nation at large.

“The scourge of kidnapping has cast a long and ominous shadow over our nation, instilling fear and eroding the sense of security that is the bedrock of any thriving society. “The liberation of Prince Ojajuni will not only reaffirm our collective resolve against such nefarious acts but also serve as a resounding testament to our unyielding commitment to justice and the protection of our citizens.

“Time is of the essence. Each moment that Prince Ojajuni remains in captivity deepens the anguish of his family, friends, and the broader community.

“We earnestly plead for your immediate intervention to bring this harrowing ordeal to a swift and just conclusion,” the statement added.

The Magistrate Court sitting in Sabo, Yaba, Lagos State, on Tuesday, acquitted popular musician, Abdulazeez Fashola, popularly called Naira Marley, in relation to the death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad.

Channels TV reports that Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje, who read and implemented the legal advice issued by the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Lagos, said that Naira Marley had no case to answer.

Alongside Naira Marley, the court reportedly freed music promoter, Samson Balogun, known as Sam Larry; Owodunni Ibrahim, also called Primeboy; and Mohbad’s former manager, Opere Babatunde.

The DPP, however, said it shall be prosecuting the auxiliary nurse who treated Mohbad, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, and one of Mohbad’s friends, Ayobami Sadiq for the offence of reckless and negligent acts contrary to Section 251 (e) of the Criminal Law, Ch C.17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The duo will be prosecuted at the magistrate court.

[Punch]