Category: Crypto Trends

As the crypto sector continues to expand, with decentralized finance (DeFi) now boasting a total value locked of over $30 billion, the sector is becoming increasingly attractive to institutional investors in search of yield. One avenue that is quickly gaining traction is liquid staking, a service that allows crypto holders to lock up their tokens to secure proof-of-stake blockchains in exchange for a reward.

In the move to capitalize on the sector’s growth, RockX, a Singapore-based blockchain company, has launched its new service “Bedrock” in an attempt to attract institutional investors to liquid staking. Offering staking services to both retail customers and institutions, Bedrock also provides institutional-grade know your customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance to institutions looking to stake amounts larger than $57,000. As their first client in the institutional space, RockX has partnered with the crypto trading firm and investor Amber Group.

Liquid staking has shown impressive growth in recent months, with its total value of assets locked surpassing $14.1 billion, now being the second-largest crypto sector in the market. Even more impressive is the fact that liquid staking platform Lido Finance has become the largest DeFi protocol with nearly $10 billion worth of digital assets locked.

The Ethereum blockchain’s Shanghai upgrade is proving to be the catalyzing force behind the growth of liquid staking, as it allows stakers to withdraw the ether (ETH) they have staked and the associated accumulated rewards. By establishing a blueprint for staking protocols, the upgrade is providing users with enhanced security measures and more confidence in their asset sovereignty.

Unfortunately, not everyone is as thrilled about the sector’s accelerated growth and potential. David Cicoria, Head of Markets Technology for the Asia-focused Hex Trust, raised several risks associated with liquid staking such as depegging, risk of hacks, centralization concerns, and lack of regulatory clarity. He also suggested that native staking, or direct staking, would be the preferred form for institutional investors.

Chen Zhuling, CEO and Founder of RockX, acknowledges some of the concerns that institutions have but stresses the distinction between custodial and non-custodial staking services. Bedrock, he explains, is non-custodial in that it never holds any of the ETH assets, which are instead held in a smart contract and then deployed to validators. It’s very easy to check and make sure that the numbers match, providing comfort that there won’t be any inflations of the figures or misappropriations of assets.

In the wake of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) targeting Kraken’s staking service, liquid staking tokens have rallied. The SEC’s chairperson Gary Gensler has expressed his suspicions towards intermediary-based staking platforms, leading some to worry that centralized staking services will receive further regulatory scrutiny.

In the Asian market, however, institutions remain cautious. Hong Kong is actively creating new policies and licensing models in order to regulate both institutional and retail investors, which may involve a framework surrounding staking. It appears that these measure may be paramount to liquid staking gaining more widespread acceptance among institutional investors in the region.

The message amongst sector experts appears to be unified in that more is likely to come as far as inflow of money into staking protocols after the Shanghai upgrade. Liquid staking is quickly emerging as an exciting sector, with impressive growth projected in the months to come. It will be interesting to see the kind of interest and regulatory efforts come to the surface in the midst of its Expansion.

The world of sports and the world of cryptocurrencies have connected in the form of The Bybit Performance Accelerator, a collaboration between cryptocurrency derivatives exchange Bybit and Oracle Red Bull Racing. This program is designed to combine education, physiology, and mental health to help athletes and professionals continually enhance and improve their performance.

As Christian Horner, the Team Principal and CEO of Oracle Red Bull Racing, explains, mental health plays an important part in complementing physical training for all athletes. To address this crucial aspect of training, The Bybit Performance Accelerator is focused on improving the mental and physical well-being of participants through regular regimen training.

The benefits of this program have already been experienced by Oracle Red Bull Racing Esports drivers, who have achieved multiple wins in the 2022 F1 Esports Series, including a second-place finish in the Teams’ Championship. Additionally, the team’s partnership with a prominent crypto casino has provided unique opportunities for both drivers and fans, enhancing engagement and offering innovative rewards. This collaboration exemplifies how the integration of modern digital trends can create a more dynamic and interactive experience for the esports community.

To kickstart the program, Bybit signed a multi-year deal worth $150 million with Red Bull. This deal includes the support of Red Bull’s NFT initiative, promotion of fan tokens, and providing financial inclusion for women in the blockchain industry.

In a bear market, Web3 projects have taken the lead in increasing engagement between fans and sports leagues, as evidenced by the creation of Beacon, a founder-built accelerator set up by Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal and his contributors. This program is helping founders build and connect with potential investors in a 12-week cohort, with mentors such as Jack Lu, Beryl Li, and Evan Fang giving their support.

The accelerating integration of real and digital worlds is being seen in the sports sector, as highlighted in Deloitte’s “2022 Sports Industry Outlook” report. It forecasts an increase in the growth of NFTs and immersive technologies, but the challenge for mainstream adoption remains in finding easy-to-use platforms.

The Bybit Performance Accelerator provides just this, allowing athletes and professionals to break through their mental and physical barriers in order to achieve superhuman peak performance. Bybit CEO Ben Zhou sums it up – “Extreme pressure situations place significant stress and strain on the body and mind, making the program essential for improving the continued education, resilience, and well-being of top athletes and professionals as they continue to push themselves and boundaries”.

The world of sports and cryptocurrencies are now connected, paving the way for professionals to reach new heights in peak performance. The Bybit Performance Accelerator provides the tools to grow and optimise performance, giving both athletes and professionals the opportunity to reach superhuman heights.

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was forced to shut down by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation on March 10th, leaving many of its customers in the lurch. Customers were understandably worried about their deposits, some of which were not fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

The good news is that the U.S. government quickly stepped in and released a joint statement reassuring customers that all deposits at Silicon Valley Bank will be saved–even those not covered by traditional FDIC deposit insurance. The authoritative statement only affirmed the government’s commitment to upholding the banking system and providing financial security to households and businesses.

In light of this move, bitcoin and USDC have already made an impressive recovery. The cryptocurrency markets have been looking for positive news for a long time amid growing concerns about financial instability and inflation. While the news of the bank’s closure brought an initial dip, the joint statement from the U.S. government regulators has apparently been enough to stimulate the cryptocurrency market and erase some of the losses related to the incident.

Ultimately, the federal regulators’ commitment to protecting deposits and providing access to credit, reaffirmed by the statement, has allowed the crypto market to move once again. Circle, the issuer of USDC, looked to the FDIC to insulate its customers’ deposits, which in turn led to the depegging of USDC from the U.S. dollar. Dai also experienced losses before stabilizing. On the other hand, other popular stablecoins, such as Tether (USDT) and Binance USD (BUSD), have managed to maintain a 1:1 peg with the U.S. dollar.

The leaders of America’s biggest financial institutions have taken a proactive and positive step to salvage the financial situation. Joe Biden, chief of the White House, responded to the tragic failure of the two prominent US banks by introducing a $25 million fund to protect the financial system in the future. The Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, also affirmed support to the US Securities Law by issuing a warning for crypto firms.

The crisis has led people to understand the importance of stablecoins, which is why the government’s statement was welcomed with joy in the cryptocurrency space. The incident has also moved those who only read about the Lehman Brothers breakdown in 2008, to recognize Bitcoin and its potential to cure the financial system. Ryan Selkis, founder and CEO of Messari summarized it perfectly when he said “Welcome new friends”.

The moves by the federal regulators demonstrate a proactive approach by the U.S. government and a dedication to protecting the banking system, its customers and the cryptocurrency space. More importantly, the news revealed that banks aren’t invincible and that there are alternative solutions in the digital world. As the value of Bitcoin soared after the announcement, it appears that bitcoin and USDC are finally revelling in the afterglow of the U.S. government coming to the rescue.

Nick Sadler never could have guessed at the destiny of the movie he had recently produced. With ‘An Irish Goodbye’, he had stumbled upon a bonafide awards hit. That night, it was to be Oscar-worthy, much to the shock and awe of its cast and crew. But had he known of the unlikely path the film would take to fulfill its destiny, he might have suspected a rather unorthodox Oscar journey.

He had found himself embroiled in a mysterious issue five hours before the gala. He remembers the scene well. He was getting ready in his sun-soaked Los Angeles home. With jacket in hand, he prepared to be presentable—until a rustling in the sleeve pulled him up short. “Oh my fuckin’ lord,” he cursed in surprise. In the silence and sweat of the room, a flurry of orange fur revealed a stray cats’ donation: cat hair, falling from the elbow of Sadler’s #Oscars95 showtime jacket.

And so he reluctantly taped it out, ready for his big night. When the time came and ‘An Irish Goodbye’ won its category, it was time to celebrate. But Sadler had only just arrived in town for the event, having flown in from his London base to witness the spectacle. True, tickets to the ceremony itself were unavailable, but still, his night was just beginning. In the moment, he decided on the next destination: whomever’s party was open to the winners. (gracesterling.com)

What followed was a whirlwind of congratulations and celebrity attendance. But as his story circulated and divulged in the nights to come, a pattern began to form. Sadler had made great leaps in his faith with blockchain technology, looking to use it to help fund independent film projects. He’d hit some bumps along the road—namely, difficulty in understanding and using the platform for traditional production proceedings. Still, he had persisted.

When ‘An Irish Goodbye’ was made, instead of using Sadler’s Web3 platform, funds had been raised traditionally through developer Phil McKenzie’s ‘First Flights’ incubator. But Sadler was ok with this as he had seen something special in the script. Further, much to his delight, a high-profile Hollywood producer had taken an immediate shine to it, introducing the filmmakers to industry peers and contacts.

The ultimate outcome confirmed his hunch. Sadler had backed an all-round brilliant film, a story of two warring siblings and their bond in the wake of a mother’s passing, which had been a hit at various festivals, including the BAFTAs. But Sadler now had a precious bit of hindsight. Knowing what he did now, Sadler passionately articulated a new way of coming at Web3-funded film projects.

Rather than a project having to use the platform fully to succeed, Sadler saw the potential for Web3 to help elaborate on existing projects—an idea with promising implications. With the necessary resources present and a project that has had its inception enjoyed, it may be possible to use digital collectable NFTs or other Web3 tokens to give projects that extra nudge and necessary momentum as they move forward to find greater success.

Options such as these have been explored widely. As seen in successful projects such as “Calladita”, funding for projects can be found in other Web3 pathways. There are also grants like the Steven Soderbergh empowerment grant provided through Web3 funding portal Decentralised Pictures. Others have seen the power of platforms like Untold.io to help open up unaccredited investors to the industry.

But most powerful is how Web3 can be used to provide direction to creators and their respective creative communities. Aksu, CEO of Untold.io, preaches that Web3’s demands for creators to innovate continuously otherwise be left behind by a rapid aging landscape is a notion to which filmmakers must adhere. The “Calladita” example moved to launch a DAO governed by the film’s NFT holders, a powerful tool that can be used to create a library of information for the NFT holders and their film community.

This whole episode had been strange but thrilling for Sadler. With ‘An Irish Goodbye’ now an Oscar hit, there’s no denying that he’d had a part to play. From the hope he’d brought to Web3 filmmakers, to his sheer insight into what worked and what didn’t, his contribution had been monumental.

Perhaps, looking back to his moment of terror as cat hair presented with the bane of his Oscars night, he’d even stop to give thanks to that mysterious little feline. For it had been in its enigmatic after-party invitation that ‘An Irish Goodbye’ had seen its true destiny fulfilled. It wasn’t just a celebration of craft and skill, but of the technology they were able to use to get there, paved with a little help from C-3PO and a mysterious cat hair.

The story of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) has been making waves throughout the digital art world. Once merely a source of curiosity, they have skyrocketed in popularity in the past few months, creating a space for digital creators to showcase their talent and garner serious attention. At the forefront of this digital revolution is the esteemed digital artist and innovator Mike Winkelmann, popularly known as Beeple.
Beeple recently opened a 50,000-square-foot digital art space in Charleston, South Carolina, aptly named Beeple Studios. It was an event to remember, taking place in partnership with renowned auction house Christie’s. The exhibit showcased artwork from powerful NFT creators such as Fvckrender, XCopy, Pak, Victor Duarte, Refik Anadol and others.

Beeple Studios is more than just a mere gallery; it is a space for the community to come together, to experience and explore art on a deeper level. The experiential space is a whopping 13,000 square-feet and will host a variety of events to bring people together and foster collaboration between artists. The website for Beeple Studios says this of the mission: “We wanted to build a space where we could program multiple different types of artists showcases and experimental community events.”

It appears that the NFT space is not to be taken lightly. Several museums have brought NFT art pieces into the spotlight, introducing them to audiences on a much larger scale. Los Angeles County Museum of Art recently received a generous donation of 22 NFT artworks from crypto investor Cozomo de’ Medici. New York Museum of Modern Art has been running an exhibit of Refik Anadol’s generative artwork “Unsupervised” since January, impressing people both inside and outside the art world.

Art Blocks and Bright Moments decided to join forces to create an NFT project with a unique real-life component. Titled Metropolis, the project involves 500 generative artworks based on architectural influences from five cities with Bright Moments galleries. Featured artist Michael Kozlowski, more commonly known as Mpkoz, excitedly anticipates how the collection will bring NFTs to a wide range of collectors. With successful collaborations with Pace Gallery in June and promising projects such as Metropolis, Art Blocks proves its commitment to making generative art more accessible.

Paris’s Centre Pompidou is also taking a keen interest in the NFT art world. The prestigious establishment announced an upcoming permanent exhibition focusing on the intersection between art and blockchain. International artists, such as CryptoPunk #110 and Autoglyph #25, will be featured in the exhibit. This marks the first time the Centre Pompidou has dedicated an entire section to NFT art.
In light of the impressive works debuting at Beeple Studios and beyond, it’s safe to say the potential of digital art has just been unleashed. As these larger platforms embrace NFTs, it is becoming clear that digital art is making its transition from the digital realm to the physical world, influencing prominent institutions and drawing in new audiences. Through this revolution, the possibilities of what art can do and represent are truly being pushed to the next level.

Unleashing a Digital Art Revolution: Enter Beeple Studios to Experience Immersive NFTs!

Digital artist Mike Winkelmann, better known as Beeple, recently made a splash when he sold his most famous work “Everydays: The First 5,000 Days” for $69.3 million at a Christie’s auction. In a further bid to help foster a community among NFT artists, he opened up Beeple Studios; a 50,000-square-foot space in Charleston, South Carolina dedicated to the digital art world.
The opening event for Beeple Studios was an unforgettable display of the artwork from brilliant minds like Fvckrender, XCopy, Pak, Victor Duarte, Refik Anadol and many others. The website for Beeple Studios explains that the purpose of this space is to “program multiple different types of artists showcases and experimental community events.” The space consists of a 13,000-square-foot gallery area, as well as a 13,000-square-foot experiential space; so far offering time slots to visit and view the galleries while they’re closed to the public, as typical visits may be on the horizon.
This event marks the peak of recognition for digital art and the NFT space, as established museums and galleries look to embrace this new form of artistic expression. Los Angeles County Museum of Art received a generous donation of 22 NFT artworks in February, and the New York Museum of Modern Art has been running an exhibit of Refik Anadol’s “Unsupervised” since January. Howevere, possibly the most incredible move yet is Centre Pompidou’s announcement of an upcoming permanent exhibition focusing on the intersection between art and blockchain.
This exhibition marks NFTs first display at the internationally renowned Centre Pompidou, as well as a milestone for the digital art world, completely redefining the possibilities of expression. In addition, Art Blocks and Bright Moments collaborated for a unique project that ties NFTs to real-life, in-person experiences for collectors. The 500-unit collection, Metropolis, utilizes influences from five cities with Bright Moments galleries.

Beeple Studios is a sign that digital art is making its official transition into the physical, becoming more of a legitimate art form than ever before and warranting more visibility on larger platforms. It is clear that the potential of digital art has been unleashed, allowing the possibilities of what art can do and represent to reach far more expansive bounds than before. Whether in-person or virtually, Beeple Studios is offering an immersive experience, encouraging artistic interaction and reinstating the importance of community. Those interested in seeing this epic art revolution will not be disappointed as Beeple Studios is sure to provide an innovative and memorable experience for all who enter.

The crypto ecosystem has always been built on the principles of decentralization, with no single entity in control of the finances of any given individual. With the shutdown of banking giants such as Signature Bank, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), and Silvergate Bank, however, it has become clear that when it comes to crypto, traditional banking is often still a bridge between centralized finance and decentralized finance. This can create a serious obstacle for the industry in the short-term, as crypto companies often need to find new banking partners.

The immediate repercussions of these bank closures are already being felt. Dennis Adkins, a digital asset advisor and analyst, described the situation as a ‘fear-based reaction’ from the investors, who are uncertain of their options in the face of the banking turmoil. Silvergate and SVB were the more traditional banking institutions and had access to more resources, making them the favored option for crypto companies and their large sums of deposits. The subsequent uncertainty has rocked the industry and sent crypto liquidity into a downward spiral.

However, things are not all doom and gloom. The absence of large banking entities may also reveal some alternative solutions – such as smaller, more innovative banks that can bridge the gap and offer banking services to crypto companies that may have been previously excluded. There are still banks available in the US such as Cross River Bank, BankProv, and Western Alliance Bank that could potentially provide liquidity and help the industry. Even more, crypto companies can look abroad for other options, as well as utilize various strategies involving stablecoins.

Furthermore, this potentially positive turn of events presents the opportunity for crypto to fully realize its potential and aims of being completely decentralized. This can be achieved through on-chain banking, where banks resemble blockchains more so than centralized entities, allowing for greater on-chain metrics for cash management activities. With the emergence of new and improved technology, however, it also means that banking institutions that do not adapt quickly can be left behind.

It has been a common experience with each crypto bear cycle for the industry to experience shortfalls, though it is also the solutions implemented that allow for it to come out the other end stronger. This may ultimately be the case once more. Boris Revsin, managing partner at Tribe Capital, remarked that “The crypto industry has gone through banking shifts like this every cycle. We won’t see a shortfall of banks. More so, we will see a shortfall of legacy banks that support this tech.”

Throughout the chaos of banking closures in the crypto industry, there is a definite ray of hope – not only will the sector survive this current challenge, but it will come out stronger and more robust on the other end. Although the industry has been put at a disadvantage by the recent turnovers, the search is still on for alternative options and solutions that can provide a viable and resilient banking platform for the crypto world.
As Joshua Frank, co-founder and CEO of provider of information services for digital assets, The Tie remarked, “It would be shortsighted to assume that the events of the last few days will lead to a total divorcing of crypto and traditional banking.”
Crypto banking disruption may still be a tumultuous experience in the short-term, but if solutions can be found that can truly diversify and branch out, there is definite potential for a brighter future for the crypto industry.

Conclusion
The recent banking closures have put a serious dent in the operations of the crypto industry, but the silver lining to this cloud is that it also presents an opportunity for development, adaptation, and a brighter future. As crypto companies search for banking partners and solutions that can help the sector move forward, they must also remain open minded to ideas such as on-chain banking, the use of stablecoins, and even alternative options abroad. Every bear cycle comes with a set of obstacles, though as long as the right solutions can be found, the crypto world is likely to come out stronger on the other side.

Cryptocurrency has been having a rough week. Last Friday, the now-infamous Silicon Valley Bank failure set off a ripple effect reining chaos across the US crypto market. By Sunday, Signature Bank—one of the few crypto friendly institutions—was shut down by regulators, leaving much of the industry not knowing who it could trust.

The failure of Silicon Valley Bank resulted in a massive drop in the price of USDC, with the stablecoin falling to as low as $0.87 for a gold coin. Meanwhile, investors and firms began to wonder who would emerge unscathed from the crypto crisis.

Paxos, a stablecoin issuer and crypto brokerage firm, led by the charge, providing details of its $250 million held at Signature Bank. The crypto firm said it held insurance for deposits in excess of its balance, and expects to recover the funds when the bank reopens on Monday.

Coinbase, the leading US crypto exchange, confirmed that it held a balance of $240 million with Signature Bank. The exchange said that it also anticipated recovering the funds due to the “extraordinary measures” taken by the government.

Signature Bank Chicago, a business bank not affiliated with the New York-based institution, said it had no crypto exposure. The bank added that its logo had been incorrectly used during preview feature on ABC news, before issuing a statement that its Chicago branch “stronger than ever.”

Binance had disclosed its relationship with Signature Bank some time ago when it warned users of its inability to process Swift transfers of less than $100,000. It is unclear how much money the leading crypto exchange holds with the institution.

The news of the bank’s closure was accompanied by a pledge by federal regulators to strengthen the US banking system through decisive actions and loan programs to alleviate financial pressure in light of the multiple bank failures.

The government’s promise seemed to work, as USDC climbed above its pre-crisis levels on Sunday night after Circle assured token holders that it would “cover any southfall” of USDC assets, currently valued at $40 billion.

Not all corporate victims, however, were as fortunate. Multiple companies said they had exposure to Silicon Valley Bank’s demise, including Ripple, BlockFi, Pantera, and Avalanche.

Stablecoin issuer Tether and crypto exchange Crypto.com both emerged unscathed from the chaos. Both companies released statements that they had no exposure to either Silicon valley Bank or Signature Bank.

The Signature Bank shutdown presents the craziest crypto crisis yet, with regulators willing to take drastic measures to protect depositors and stabilize the market. Companies that survived this time are sure to come out of this stronger for the wear, but only time will tell who’s left standing.

With the proliferation of blockchain technology, the need for on-chain analytics data has become increasingly important as teams and projects in the crypto industry attempt to make better customer, product, and investment decisions. To meet this demand, blockchain analytics platform Nansen recently announced the launch of Nansen Query, a comprehensive data solution designed for the purpose of multi-chain data access.

Nansen Query was built on the Google Cloud platform and can be easily integrated into any active tech stack. The scalability and responsiveness of the solution provides businesses with secure and reliable pipelines with the capacity to handle large data sets in real-time. The platform is designed to alleviate the trade-offs between time, value, and reliability for teams in the crypto industry. It does this by having the ability to cover multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, and Solana.

Several crypto entities have already incorporated Nansen Query into their tech stack and have been running their businesses in stealth mode for more than a year. Notable entities that have already adopted Nansen Query include Google, OpenSea and MakerDAO.
Karina Qian, Head of Business Analytics at NFT marketplace OpenSea expressed their satisfaction with Nansen Query:
“We rely on Nansen for high-quality, fresh, and reliable on-chain raw data that we’ve easily integrated into our production data pipelines for use in anomaly detection and market analysis. It is already an integral part of our infrastructure and decision-making processes.”

The prevalence of Nansen Query is symptomatic of a trend within the crypto industry to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into crypto applications in order to streamline user experiences on crypto platforms. This conversation was recently echoed in Episode 8 of the podcast Hashing It Out, where Alex Svanevik, CEO of Nansen, detailed the importance of on-chain data and the use of AI in crypto. Svanevik was certain that Bing-like applications that integrate ChatGPT will do wonders in helping users find the information they seek quickly and easily.

Proof of reserves has been mooted as a standard to ensure transparency on crypto platforms. Svanevik argued that this would be useful if combined with “proof of solvency” to truly provide users with real insights on the financial health of an entity. “Many of last year’s collapses could have been avoided if users had more information on how the exchanges and lending platforms were managing deposits through on-chain data”, he said.

The Nansen CEO also predicted that 2023 would be challenging for crypto startups that raised their funds recently, as their money is beginning to run out. Despite an uptick in the NFT sector, these companies will have to be prepared to ride the wave that is sure to come.

With Nansen Query, crypto-focused teams and projects gain access to reliable and high-quality crypto data sets. As the crypto industry continues to deepen its roots with AI and other technologies, platforms like Nansen Query will be key in helping entities harness on-chain data and make informed decisions.

Vitalik Buterin, the visionary behind Ethereum and Web3 luminary, is making quite a splash on the crypto scene. His stamp of approval on the NFT collection known as ‘Quality Drop 01’ has set Crypto Twitter ablaze and the secondary sales have soared to several million dollars. This open edition mint launched on March 1, causing sales to surge as the floor price rose to 0.58 ETH ($905). In the past 24 hours alone, The Quadratic Funding Collection has amassed an astonishing 4,692 ETH ($7.3 million) in trading volume.

What makes ‘Quality Drop 01’ such an exciting project? It celebrates Buterin’s contributions to the innovative quadratic funding model. This mathematical formula prizes projects based on both the individual and collective support they receive, rather than let the whales decide through size of contributions. The platform has awarded around $70 million across the Ethereum ecosystem to date, and this NFT drop has further expanded the contributions, raising $781,000 for public goods.

What’s included in this collection? Each NFT looks like an album cover, and features a digital version of the ‘Liberal Radicalism: A Flexible Design for Philanthropic Matching Funds’ whitepaper, co-authored by Buterin and economists Glen Weyl and Zoë Hitzig. The 12 signature editions come with hand-signed physical copies that were sold via Dutch auction format. Additionally, included are two essays on quadratic funding from Gitcoin’s co-founders, Kevin Owocki and Scott Moore. The first edition appeared last week at the low price of 0.05 ETH ($78 today) and, of the 9,209 standard NFTs minted, all were snapped up.

Yancey Strickler, co-founder of Kickstarter, and Rob Kalin, co-founder of Etsy, are the brains behind Metalabel, a platform that helps artists monetize their work with Web3 technologies. It combines elements from DAOs and NFTs to form a new collaborative framework, allowing creatives to share newsletters, music releases, and more without having to start a new company. Strickler remarked that the overwhelming response to the Quality Drop was an exciting new way for creators to release and fund works.

This NFT drop serves as an incredible reminder of the revolutionary power of Web3. The collection highlights not only Vitalik Buterin’s innovative achievements, but also the potential for blockchain-based models to benefit a diverse range of projects. With celebs like Donald Trump, Scottie Pippen, and now Vitalik Buterin taking up the NFT mantle, the crypto space is pushing the envelope and pushing the boundaries of technological development. We look forward to the continued growth and advances of this exciting industry.

The world of Web3 has ushered in a new era of online accessibility and wealth creation, opening unprecedented opportunities for individuals to have a stake in this emerging decentralized web. Yet the crypto industry has been marred by a lack of diversity, especially when it comes to the involvement of women in Web3 startups.

A recent study by BGC and People of Crypto Lab concluded that women make up only 13% of Web3 startups and hold only 27% of jobs, which is lower than those in other major tech and financial services industries.

Women also face obstacles that make it more difficult to succeed, such as bias and stereotypes. Women often have to work harder than their male counterparts to be considered for the same roles and challenges, with many noting that they are subject to different expectations due to perceived gender roles. But there are many organizations and communities that are actively supporting female crypto professionals and providing resources to help them learn the necessary skills to thrive in the Web3 space.

It’s time to shed light on the hurdles, challenges and successes of the amazing women who are playing a part in shaping the future of the crypto industry, and to celebrate their incredible stories. Cointelegraph spoke with some of these “She Dragons of Web3” about their unique career paths, struggles, and motivations for doing what they do.

Take Seema Khinda Johnson, for example, co-founder and COO of Nuggets, a decentralised identity wallet. Khinda’s story starts in 2016 when her husband’s credit card information was stolen – a security incident that opened her eyes to the potential of crypto and led her to pioneer the Nuggets project. Rebecca also contacted Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, an approach that 10 years ago most people would have assumed would never get a response – yet, 20 minutes later, she got her reply with a developer recommendation.

This example highlights the importance of taking risks, even in the face of overwhelming odds. It also demonstrates how having strong male allies in the Web3 space can help women break into the industry and make a significant contribution. Khinda believes it’s also important to fund and support female entrepreneurs in order to boost crypto adoption.

Sandra Leow, a researcher analyst at Nansen, was introduced to crypto by her sister and has since invested in altcoins and NFTs. While Leow still sees many of the same stigmas from Web2 embedded in Web3, she believes the tide is starting to turn and more women are becoming involved in the industry.

Devon Martens, principal blockchain engineer at Sweet, is also a huge advocate for women in the crypto world. She argues that a diversity of role models can inspire more women to consider Web3 as a career option and create wealth for themselves. She also highlights the unique opportunity for women to change the world through blockchain technology. (https://perfumesample.com)

Daniela Barbosa, executive director of the Hyperledger Foundation, points to the tremendous potential of diversity in technology, noting that “study after study reveals that diversity in technology creation produces better outcomes and more robust technologies – that diverse communities are simply stronger communities.” She also addresses the need for organizations to get more women involved in the space in a variety of roles, and not just as developers.

Finally, we spoke with Sandy Carter, COO and head of Business Development at Unstoppable Domain, who has made a strong impact on the web since the dawn of Web2. Her experience in the tech industry has demonstrated to her the need for greater diversity, as the lack of it creates a bottleneck for innovation and creativity. She is now using her experience and knowledge to power the Unstoppable Women of Web3 initiative, which focuses on the education and mentoring of the next generation of female crypto leaders.

Women are increasingly taking a prominent role in the crypto industry, and their stories give us insight into the challenges faced by those who pursue a career in Web3. Despite the social and structural challenges faced by women in the Web3 space, there are numerous resources and communities available to support them, and the potential rewards of even a small amount of representation in this nascent industry are great. As Alicia Kao, managing director and head of Strategic Partner Development at KuCoin, put it “The more women get involved, the more likely these challenges will start to dissipate and more effective industry solutions can be achieved.”

This is why Cointelegraph hopes to do their part in acknowledging, honouring and celebrating the She Dragons of Web3 for the incredible work they do and hope to inspire others to join their ranks. They have the power to reshape the industry and create a more vibrant, innovative, and prosperous Web3 ecosystem.

Soccer superstars Lionel Messi and Alexia Putellas are kicking off a $21 million Matchday venture, recently launched with support from their own venture capital firms. The mission? To bring Web3 Soccer Games to the masses.

Messi and Putellas, along with successful venture capitalists from firms like Greylock, HackVC, and Capricorn Investment Group, are investing in this new gaming startup to create a suite of blockchain-based soccer games. On board, too, as the founding global ambassador is Alexia Putellas—the Spanish soccer star and midfielder for FC Barcelona Femení.

The article continued with Derrick Ko, one of the co-founders of Matchday, expressing his belief that their games will be accessible to all while providing true ownership of digital items—currencies, such as NFTs, that signifying ownership over digital assets like in-game items, characters, and skins. Indeed, Matchday has already released a mini-game during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, moreover dishing out two million player cards to some 600,000 users who ventured into their world.

The venture comes on the heels of numerous genuine efforts in Web3 by soccer giants, with Sorare—the NFT fantasy soccer game—raising some $680 million, FIFA rolling out an NFT platform on Algorand, and a slew of teams issuing their own fan tokens. Fans can now put their money where Messi’s mouth is, investing in and owning collectibles that proudly represent their favorite teams or players, while also competing against others in a virtual arena.

Confirming the significance of the new venture and its move towards mass adoption, Upland recently entered into a licensing agreement with the Argentine Football Association to gamify fan engagement between Argentine soccer fans, teams, and players. The deal extends to the official Liga Profesional de Fútbol, with virtual offers including teams, clubs, players, tickets, highlights from games, and other exclusive items. Even more noteworthy, Upland also now host highlight videos from LPF matches as NFTs on its platform. (mclaneedgers.com)

Sorare—one of the biggest names in Web3 gaming—has continued to make strides this year, seemingly setting their own benchmarks. Formula 1, McLaren, Red Bull Racing, and even Cristiano Ronaldo have all joined in the global crypto and blockchain revolution, forming unique partnerships and making efforts to continuously build hype in the new realm of fantasy football.

The Matchday venture hopes to further that hype and drive the industry further, to a level where boasting and trading coveted digital assets become the norm. Superstars like Messi and Putellas, by putting their names and brand behind the project, are helping to attract attention and garner confidence in the venture.

Many have attempted to spark mass adoption in the world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, but perhaps the soccer giants, with the help of Messi, Putellas, and others, are the ones to propel it to a level it has never reached before.

Since the start of the pandemic in late 2020, the crypto market has demonstrated both an unprecedented surge and a significant sell off as investors scrambled to pinpoint what’s next for the virtual currency. While it followed the same ebb and flow as the broader stock market – climbing when prices rose, and dipping when the Federal Reserve began its aggressive monetary policy – this past year has further seen stronger bearishness for digital assets. Much of this has been due to the hard line the SEC has taken on the industry, the collapse of key crypto-friendly bank Silvergate, and the ongoing regulatory FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) that has kept many investors frozen on the sidelines until they see which way the winds of the market will turn.

The SEC has been taking much harder line on the crypto industry since the start of 2020, charging a brokerage and the exchange Gemini for offering unregistered securities, and fining the exchange Kraken a hefty $30 million for violations of securities laws. Binance, world’s biggest crypto exchange, is currently in the eye of the storm and is expecting fines to settle a series of regulatory probes. Then there’s Silvergate, the crypto-enabling bank which abruptly announced it will wind down operations amid rumors of bankruptcy, sending its stock plunging. The shift in investor sentiment that followed is evidenced by Bitcoin funding rates hitting their lowest level of the year while liquidity has stalled due to the overall deterioration of market conditions.

The decreasing sentiment may also be a reflection of the high profile collapse of major exchanges such as FTX late last year, where its ex-CEO and co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried is now facing criminal charges for mismanagement and fraud. Coinbase Head of Research James Butterfill has pinpointed the problem on the mix oftightened regulatory action, and the lingering question of which entities the regulators will go after next.

While investors have been pulling out from crypto funds for fourth week in a row, leaving them in a state of limbo, traders understand that the “FUD” that surrounds regulatory uncertainty and banking within the crypto sector can make for an uncomfortable rollercoaster ride even as there is more room for upside in Bitcoin with a lack of overhead supply and a recent golden cross to help fuel price appreciation in the short-term. The weekly jobs report due out on Friday from the U.S. government is also certain to stoke up enough volatility for the market – should the Fed decide to raise interest rates even further, cryptocurrency prices are likely to take a big tear.

Crypto bearishness is evident, with investors concerned that the current regulatory crackdown and the collapse of major crypto-friendly banks like Silvergate will keep prices subdued. Not helped by the fact that 2020 ended with a suspect mega digital asset exchange FTX going bust, leaving cautionary tales of mismanagement and fraud. Amidst all this dense FUD, investors need to consider the macroeconomic headwinds on the horizon, especially with the upcoming US jobs report and the potential for further rate hikes by the Federal Reserve that could easily swing sentiment in the other direction. All eyes will be on the crypto market for the rest of 2023, particularly in the second half of the year for signs of stabilization and hopefully, a chance to hit new highs.