The Ledger #13: Tripledot Scale, Japan Compliance News

Tripledot completes the AppLovin Apps integration

Tripledot Studios confirmed on 1 July that AppLovin's former Apps business, including Lion Studios, now sits fully inside its own operation. That closes the integration. The publisher-side ad-network relationship that used to live inside one company is now an arm's length commercial one. Insertion orders on any ex-AppLovin inventory need reconfirming. So does reporting access. What it means for buyers: do both this week, then watch eCPMs over the coming month for drift now that demand and supply sit in separate businesses.

Drake Star's early Q2 read on consolidation

Drake Star's Q2 2025 report hasn't landed yet, but expect it to describe continued consolidation across hybrid-casual publishing and ad tech, with AppLovin's divestiture of its Apps business cited as a bellwether for the wider market. Treat exact deal-count and valuation figures as provisional until the full report arrives. What it means for buyers: fewer, larger publisher counterparts on the other side of your media deals through the second half of the year.

Japan's app store law moves toward December

Reporting suggests Apple and Google are firming up compliance plans for Japan's Mobile Software Competition Act, due to take full effect in December, though nobody has settled the details; what alternative billing and store access will actually look like in Japan remains open, and any figures circulating this early are indicative at best. What it means for buyers: start scoping how your MMP setup would need to change if Japan gains alternative billing flows similar to the US, well before the December deadline forces the question.

Moloco and Mintegral keep building on IAP and bidding

Moloco has been circulating gaming in-app-purchase trend research aimed at buyers weighing programmatic demand against the larger self-serve networks. We haven't independently verified the specific benchmarks in it. Mintegral, meanwhile, continues to expand its AI-driven Smart Bidding product across more of its gaming inventory. What it means for buyers: both deserve a fresh test budget this quarter if your network mix hasn't had a review since the spring, particularly for teams trying to diversify away from the largest three networks.