BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Sees Zero Inflows; SEC Delays Ether ETF Decision 
TikTok Vows to Fight US Ban After Biden Signed Bill 
Tesla Model 3 Performance Eligible for $7,500 Tax Credit, Launches at $53K 
Bitcoin Price Alert: Potential Drop to $59K Seen as Prime Buying Opportunity for Savvy Investors 
Joe Biden Proposes Record 44.6% Capital Gains Tax in Latest Budget Plan That May Favor Cryptocurrencies 
Tesla Cybertruck Hits 1,000-Unit Weekly Production Amid Q1 Financial Shortfalls 
LG Energy Solution to Combat Infringement By Launching Licensing Business for Battery Patents 
Huawei Introduces Smart Driving Software Brand Qiankun 
Mercedes-Benz to Release Luxury Electric Van in China 
Hong Kong's First Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Set to Begin Trading April 30, Official Approval Granted 
What is ‘techno-optimism’? 
IBM Acquires HashiCorp, Giving Its Hybrid-Cloud Business a Boost 
US Prosecutors Demand Three Years for Former Binance CEO Zhao Over Laundering 
Samourai Wallet Founders Arrested, Crypto Markets Tumble Amid Regulatory Heat 
SK Networks Sets Up AI Research Lab in Silicon Valley 
Mercedes Launches 2025 G-Class Electric with Four Motors and Revolutionary Tank Turns 
Critical Update: Samsung Expands Network Band Support in Europe – Update Now for Uninterrupted Access 
It should not be a surprise that Microsoft was the one to approach Activision Blizzard to propose an acquisition, but the timing of the initial talks was more interesting. It now appears that Xbox head Phil Spencer initiated the negotiations with Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick just a few days after an explosive report on the latter’s alleged misconducts.
A recent filing to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), first spotted by CNBC, gives the details on how the talks went down, including the dates of key meetings before both companies reached an agreement.
It can be recalled that the Wall Street Journal published a report on Nov. 16 last year claiming Kotick had knowledge of “alleged rapes” within the company, which he then did not report to the board. On Nov. 18, Spencer’s message to Xbox employees was leaked, where he said he was “deeply troubled” by details in the WSJ report and that Microsoft was “evaluating all aspects of our relationship with Activision Blizzard.” Microsoft later confirmed the leaked message was “accurate.”
Per the SEC document, Spencer and Kotick were having a “conversation on a different topic” on Nov. 19 when the Xbox boss said “Microsoft was interested in discussing strategic opportunities between Activision Blizzard and Microsoft.” A call joined by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella took place the next day.
Fast forward to Nov. 26, Microsoft said it was considering an all-cash acquisition deal for $80.00 per Activision Blizzard share. The following day, Kotick and Activision Blizzard board chairman Brian Kelly said they might consider the proposal if Microsoft is willing to purchase in the range of $95.00 to $105.00 per share. On Jan. 18, Microsoft announced the acquisition deal is in motion to buy the games publisher for $68.7 billion or $95.00 per share.
The new details have unsurprisingly led to funny quips on social media. Some have shared memes based on the details from the SEC document. Others are joking that when Spencer said they were evaluating how they would deal with Activision after the WSJ report on Kotick, it apparently meant buying the entire company.
Photo by Jacinto Diego on Unsplash
