Q: Has the NFT backlash begun? [39]
Instead of challenges breaking into the mainstream, for the first time crypto and blockchain space faces the repercussions from the establishment for doing so.
Hello, my friend!
It’s been another crazy week in the world of blockchain - this is a double issue so we can try to catch up on our release cycle here (as we ramp up to the 3rd edition for our Cypherpunk book next week).
The trend of our subject line today isn’t exactly a new trend, but it has reached what I would call a fevered pitch in the last two weeks or so: anti-NFT retaliation. More on that in our Deep Dive this week, below the fold.
It’s also been a big month for DAO’s. ConstitutionDAO failed to buy the Constitution at auction, but succeeded in creating a memecoin-based DAO: ThePeopleDAO. Supporters of the alleged founder of the Silk Road Ross Ulbricht formed a DAO to successfully win the bid to purchase a piece of art where proceeds would benefit his legal defense and prison reform.
And, as it was just announced this week, a DAO is being formed around the legal defense of Julian Assange. Altogether these DAOs have raised and successfully managed over $50 million in cryptocurrency.
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be talking to folks from these movements (and those building the tools for them) to bring some of their insights to you here in the newsletter.
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Blockchain Bulletin
Square rebrands as Block in homage to blockchain technology efforts.
Payments company Square rebranded itself to Block in a nod to blockchain technology so that it can focus its business units on their individual focuses, reported Reuters.
Blockchain.com announces NFT marketplace beta with wait list.
The crypto finance company Blockchain.com will be launching its own NFT marketplace into beta and has announced a waitlist for users to join to get into early access, reported Business Insider.
CD Projekt Red launched a blockchain-certified wristwatch from Cyberpunk 2077.
Game developer CD Projekt Red partnered with Blonie Watches to release a limited-edition replica of a watch from the company’s Cyberpunk 2077 video game, reported IGN.
Ubisoft makes a run for NFTs but draws massive criticism.
Triple-A game developer Ubisoft launched an NFT marketplace for items in Ghost Recon: Breakpoint called Quartz but faced massed backlash, reported PC Gamer.
Kickstarter is creating a blockchain version of its core functionality.
Kickstarter is working on creating a blockchain system to replace its core functions, reported The Verge, that will essentially decentralize everything the crowdfunding company does.
BitMart security breach caused the loss of $200M of assets from crypto exchange.
Crypto trading platform BitMart reported $200 million in lost assets from a breach from two compromised hot wallets, reported ZDNet.
Blockchain Behind the Scenes
Blockchain security firm CertiK raises $80M in Series B2 funding.
Looking to increase security and trust in the blockchain ecosystem, CertiK raises a further $80 million in funding to help monitor protocols and smart contracts.
Binance and Animoca Brands launch $200M fund for blockchain games.
Binance Smart Chain and Animoca Brands have joined forces to seed a $200 million fund to invest in incubating startups and blockchain gaming studios for pay-to-earn and NFT gaming.
Visa is launching a crypto consulting firm for financial institutions.
Going beyond credit cards, Visa is creating its own crypto consulting firm in order to educate financial institutions, merchants and businesses in order to accelerate adoption.
Meta opens WhatsApp to start testing Novi wallet crypto payments.
The next phase of Meta’s crypto payments from Novi tests have started with a “limited number of U.S. users” within the company’s WhatsApp messenger app.
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