The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has officially withdrawn its complaint against Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, marking a significant development in both the tech and gaming industries. This decision, announced on May 23, 2025, follows the FTC’s failed appeal to block the deal, clearing the path for one of the largest acquisitions in tech history.
Microsoft’s stock saw an immediate 2.3% uptick in pre-market trading, reaching $430.15 per share by 8:00 AM EDT. This surge reflects investor confidence in the deal’s potential to bolster Microsoft’s gaming and cloud computing sectors. The acquisition could spur interest in blockchain-based gaming platforms and NFTs, potentially driving volume to related crypto assets.
Market Impact
The deal has significant implications for both traditional markets and crypto markets. Tokens tied to gaming and metaverse ecosystems, such as Enjin Coin (ENJ) and Decentraland (MANA), saw modest gains of 1.8% and 2.1%, respectively. On-chain data shows a 9% spike in ENJ transaction volume, reaching $12.3 million in 24 hours, suggesting growing retail interest.
Trading Opportunities
Crypto traders can capitalize on this momentum by targeting gaming-related altcoins for swing trades while monitoring Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as broader market indicators. Technical indicators show MSFT breaking above its 50-day moving average, with an RSI of 62, signaling bullish momentum. ENJ and MANA mirrored this strength, with RSI levels at 58 and 60, respectively.
Broader Market Dynamics
The correlation between stock market events like the Microsoft-Activision acquisition and crypto assets remains critical for traders. Positive movement in MSFT and tech-heavy indices often signals a risk-on environment that benefits high-beta assets like cryptocurrencies. Institutional money flow between stocks and crypto is another area to monitor, as large players may rotate profits from tech gains into digital assets.
FAQ
What does the Microsoft-Activision deal mean for crypto markets? The acquisition could indirectly boost crypto markets, particularly gaming and metaverse tokens. ENJ and MANA saw gains driven by potential synergies between traditional gaming and blockchain technologies.
How should traders approach gaming-related crypto assets post-deal? Traders can consider swing trades on tokens like ENJ and MANA, leveraging short-term momentum. Setting tight stop-losses is crucial to mitigate risks from overbought conditions or sudden reversals.
