Ethereum and NFTs: GameSquare Holdings’ Strategic $5.15M CryptoPunk Bet

GameSquare Holdings (Nasdaq: GAME) has made a bold move in the digital asset space by acquiring a rare Cowboy Ape CryptoPunk (#5577) for $5.15 million. This acquisition, funded through convertible preferred shares, signifies a strategic pivot toward blockchain-native treasury management. The Ape Punk, one of only 24 in the 10,000-piece collection, now serves as the cornerstone of the company’s Web3 marketing and yield-generation initiatives. This development underscores the growing intersection of traditional finance and blockchain technology, with Ethereum-based NFTs playing a pivotal role. As of July 2025, this move highlights the continued confidence in the value and utility of digital assets, particularly in the ethereum ecosystem.

GameSquare Holdings Doubles Down on NFTs with $5.15M CryptoPunk Acquisition

GameSquare Holdings (Nasdaq: GAME) made waves in the digital asset space with its $5.15 million purchase of a rare Cowboy APE CryptoPunk (#5577). The acquisition, funded through convertible preferred shares, marks a strategic shift toward blockchain-native treasury management. The Ape Punk—one of only 24 in the 10,000-piece collection—now anchors the company’s Web3 marketing and yield-generation efforts.

Simultaneously, GameSquare bolstered its ETH reserves with a $10 million purchase, bringing its total holdings to 12,913 ETH ($48.5M). The firm aims to generate 6–14% yields through a diversified strategy combining NFTs, ETH, and stablecoins. Shares closed flat at $1.27 but gained 0.76% in after-hours trading, reflecting cautious Optimism about the crypto pivot.

U.S. Appeals Court Overturns Ruling in Yuga Labs vs. Ryder Ripps NFT Trademark Case

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has nullified a lower court's decision in the high-profile legal battle between Yuga Labs, creator of the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) NFTs, and artist Ryder Ripps. The appellate court ruled that Yuga Labs must provide clearer evidence to support its trademark infringement claims against Ripps' RR/BAYC collection, ordering a retrial.

Yuga Labs had originally secured an $8 million judgment against Ripps in 2022, alleging his satirical NFT collection caused consumer confusion and violated trademark rights. The appeals court found the initial ruling insufficient, reviving debates about parody protections in digital asset markets where Ethereum-based collections like BAYC command billion-dollar valuations.

The case underscores growing tensions between intellectual property rights and creative expression in Web3 ecosystems. Market participants are closely watching how evolving legal standards may impact NFT valuation frameworks, particularly for blue-chip collections trading on platforms like OpenSea and Coinbase NFT.

Tornado Cash Developer's Trial Pivots to Ethereum Privacy Debate

Prosecutors concluded their case against Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm after eight days of testimony in a Manhattan federal court. The defense countered with Ethereum core developer Preston Van Loon, who framed the sanctioned mixing protocol as essential privacy infrastructure for the blockchain ecosystem.

Van Loon testified to personal use of Tornado Cash for security purposes, drawing parallels to VPNs and encryption tools. The witness avoided mention of his successful legal challenge against Treasury sanctions—a topic barred by Judge Katherine Polk Failla.

Storm's legal team positions the protocol as neutral technology occasionally misused by bad actors, akin to dual-use tools like hammers. The case may set precedent for developer liability concerning open-source code with illicit applications.

Why SpacePay Is the Top Altcoin Everyone’s Betting On This Summer

London-based startup SpacePay is addressing a long-standing pain point in crypto payments by enabling traditional card machines to accept digital currencies without hardware upgrades. The system supports 325+ wallets and charges a minimal 0.5% fee while instantly converting crypto to fiat, shielding merchants from volatility risks.

The $SPY token presale has already raised $1.2 million, with tokens currently priced at $0.003181. Unlike most blockchain projects that require ecosystem overhauls, SpacePay integrates seamlessly with existing Android payment terminals through a simple software update.

With 400 million global crypto holders currently limited in spending options, and merchants missing crypto-paying customers, SpacePay bridges this gap without forcing behavioral changes. The platform's real-time conversion ensures merchants receive exact fiat amounts regardless of subsequent crypto price fluctuations.