Wu Says Daily Selected Crypto News - Initial Jobless Claims in the U.S. for the Week Ending June 7 Were 248 Thousand, Expected 240 Thousand

1. Initial Jobless Claims in the US for the Week Ending June 7 at 248 Thousand, Expected 240 Thousand

The initial jobless claims in the US for the week ending June 7 were 248 thousand, expected 240 thousand, with the previous value revised from 247 thousand to 248 thousand. The US May Producer Price Index (PPI) year-on-year was 2.6%, expected 2.6%, with the previous value revised from 2.40% to 2.5%. The US May PPI month-on-month was 0.1%, expected 0.20%, with the previous value revised from -0.50% to -0.2%.

2. US Senate Passes Procedural Motion on GENIUS Stablecoin Act Amendment 68-30

The US Senate passed a procedural motion (cloture) on the amendment to the GENIUS Stablecoin Act with a vote of 68 to 30, paving the way for the final vote, which could take place as early as next Monday unless the two parties agree to shorten the debate. The Senate previously attempted to advance the bill in May but failed; about a week later, it again passed the procedural motion 66 to 32. The bill requires stablecoins to be fully backed by the US dollar or equivalent high-liquidity assets and mandates annual audits for issuers with a market capitalization exceeding 50 billion USD.

3. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Plans to Address North Korea’s Theft of Virtual Currency at G7 Summit

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to address malicious cyber activities, including North Korea's theft of crypto assets (virtual currency), at the G7 Summit held in Canada from June 15 to 17, emphasizing the necessity for countries to work together. North Korea is accused of using virtual currency obtained illegally through cyberattacks to fund the development of weapons of mass destruction. Ishiba's move aims to cut off North Korea's funding sources by strengthening monitoring among multiple countries. This may be the first time that North Korea’s theft of virtual currency is mentioned at a G7 Summit.

4. Bloomberg: Ant Group Plans to Apply for Stablecoin Licenses in Hong Kong and Singapore

Ant Group Co.'s international business unit is planning to apply for stablecoin licenses in Singapore and Hong Kong. Insiders say that Ant International, headquartered in Singapore, will immediately apply for Hong Kong's stablecoin issuer license once the Stablecoins Ordinance takes effect in August. Besides Singapore, the company also plans to seek licensing in Luxembourg. Insiders state that this move aims to strengthen the company's blockchain business to support its cross-border payment and fund management services. They note that Ant Financial processed over 1 trillion USD in global transactions last year, one-third of which was handled by its blockchain-based Whale platform.

5. Tencent Reportedly Exploring $15 Billion Acquisition of Game Developer Nexon

Chinese internet giant Tencent is reportedly exploring a $15 billion acquisition of game developer Nexon. Tencent has a long-standing cooperation with Nexon, such as acting as the agent for the Chinese server of the game Dungeon & Fighter. Web3 projects invested in by Nexon include MapleStory Universe, Oasys, and CCP Games.