Welcome to No Standing's Web3 Weekly Recap. In this newsletter, we’ll keep you updated on the most important news and developments from the world of Web3.
If you missed the news this week, we've got you covered. Here are the highlights and latest developments in blockchain technology, new projects, events, and more. Stay up to date on all things Web3 by subscribing to our newsletter, and let us know if there's anything you'd like to see covered in future issues.
TLDR
We understand your time is precious, so we've trimmed the fat and distilled each news piece to its essence. We've provided the full stories below for those looking to delve deeper. Let’s get you up to speed, one summary at a time.
Story 1: Tomorrowland's recent foray into NFTs generated $2.2 million, redefining fan experiences. These aren't just digital collectibles, but keys to exclusive events, highlighting the potential of NFTs in the festival sector.
Story 2: Mythical Games, in collaboration with NFL and NFLPA, debuts "NFL Rivals". This Web3 game, though incorporating blockchain, offers an unburdened gaming experience. It introduces a dynamic gameplay and unique “squad system.”
Story 3: Web3 brand Doodles collaborates with footwear giant Crocs, merging traditional fashion and modern technology. The collection includes exclusive Doodles x Crocs clogs and digital collectibles, blending physical products with immersive digital experiences.
Story 4: Pudgy Penguins announces its fashion brand, Igloo. With Miami-inspired designs and LA development, Igloo promotes positivity, empathy, and genuine connections, expanding beyond the NFT audience.
Story 5: MoonPay introduces its investment division, MoonPay Ventures, to support early-stage startups in Web3, gaming, and fintech sectors. Targeting seed and Series A rounds, it aims to invest between $100,000 and $1 million.
Story 6: Singapore's Web3 gaming startup, Ethlas, collaborates with BNB Chain, introducing a BNB-themed gaming experience in Battle Showdown. The partnership focuses on enhancing Web3 interoperability and promoting digital collectible ownership through immersive gaming.
Story 7: Formula One's Dutch Grand Prix introduces digital collectibles for attendees, accessible through the Dutch GP app. The collectibles highlight the iconic Zandvoort track and enhance the live race experience with real-time updates.
Story 8: SuperRare Labs unveils Rare Protocol, an open curation system for NFTs, focusing on authenticity and discovery. Using Curation Staking, it offers a peer-to-peer token incentive system, revolutionising Web3's creator economy.
Story 1: Tomorrowland Embraces NFTs, A New Age of Festival Engagement
Tomorrowland's successful integration of NFTs showcases the future of fan engagement in the festival landscape. Earning an impressive $2.2 million from its NFT sales, it has proved how blockchain can blend with experiential moments, enhancing the post-festival experience. These NFTs, however, are not just digital artifacts. They offer fans an elevated sense of ownership, acting as gateways to exclusive experiences, from early-bird show accesses to special ticket reservations.
https://twitter.com/beaniemaxi/status/1695461048105496941?s=20
Tomorrowland's approach is unique because it maintains fan excitement long after the festival concludes. This digital revolution has attracted a multitude of super-fans, with the festival's NFT collection witnessing a monumental rise. While Tomorrowland leads the charge, other festivals like Unum, EXIT, and Bamboozle aren't far behind, using NFTs to amplify fan experiences.
This shift signals a new era for festivals. With NFTs at the helm, they're evolving from temporal, location-bound events to expansive, immersive experiences unbound by time or place. NFTs are not only providing exclusive access but also cementing fan loyalty and reshaping the festival industry. As Tomorrowland and others demonstrate, festivals of the future will likely be a blend of real-world experiences and Web3 innovations, providing attendees with richer, more personalised experiences.
Story 2: Mythical Games Launches "NFL Rivals", NFL's Entry into Web3
Mythical Games has introduced the NFL’s pioneering foray into Web3 gaming with "NFL Rivals." This initiative results from a strategic partnership among Mythical Games, the NFL, and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). Drawing on Mythical Games’ vast experience with franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, "NFL Rivals" is meticulously crafted to immerse players in the role of a general manager, allowing them to craft, own, and manage their teams.
The game stands out for seamlessly integrating Web3 technology without overwhelming players with blockchain intricacies. The arcade-style gameplay keeps players engrossed with regular updates, fresh seasons, and eventful matches. The innovative “squad system” offers an avenue for enthusiasts to support their preferred NFL franchises, while simultaneously collaborating and competing with peers.
A noteworthy aspect is the game’s blockchain marketplace, facilitated by Mythical's platform. Players can trade and sell digital collectibles conveniently listed as ‘Rivals credits.’ Furthermore, these credits align with the in-app purchase guidelines of major app stores. Mythical Games also has visions of launching a bidding mechanism, further amplifying user interactivity.
https://twitter.com/playmythical/status/1695113788289163731?s=20
Despite its recent soft launch in April, "NFL Rivals" has already gained significant traction, recording over 2 million downloads and hosting 15 million matches. As the 2023 NFL season looms, the Miami Dolphins have inked a partnership with NFL Rivals, signalling the game's potential influence on the league and its fanbase.
Story 3: Doodles and Crocs Unveil Exclusive Footwear and Digital Collaboration
Doodles, a leading Web3 lifestyle and entertainment brand, has announced a ground-breaking partnership with Crocs, the renowned casual footwear company. This collaboration seeks to fuse physical fashion products with the innovative digital world harmoniously.
https://twitter.com/JJpencils/status/1696680343921971489?s=20
Central to their product line is the Doodles x Crocs Classic Clog, coupled with unique Jibbitz charms designed by Burnt Toast, Doodles' co-founder. An added layer of exclusivity stems from the included “Crocs Box” digital collectible with each purchased bundle. Julian Holguin, CEO of Doodles, expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership, noting how naturally their styles meld with the Crocs ethos.
Further enhancing the buying experience, the Crocs Box collectible gifts owners access 2 Doodles Wearables and a Beta Pass, leading them to Doodles’ Stoodio—a virtual space for customising Doodles characters. This digital studio allows enthusiasts to embellish their avatars with newly minted Crocs wearables, crafted with varying degrees of rarity by Doodles' creative team.
The collection will become available on the doodles.app platform on August 29, with a special early-bird offering for Doodles' Original Collection digital collectible holders a day earlier.
This partnership marks significant milestones for both brands. For Crocs, it represents a bold leap into the Web3 domain, transcending traditional market boundaries. Meanwhile, Doodles edges closer to achieving mainstream visibility, benefiting from the collaboration's collective innovation and dedicated fanbase synergy.
Story 4: Pudgy Penguins Debuts Igloo Fashion Brand
Pudgy Penguins, renowned in the NFT arena, is taking a bold stride into the mainstream fashion industry with its new brand, Igloo. This foray signifies a conscious shift to reach a broader demographic, transcending their already established presence in the NFT realm. Upon unveiling Igloo, the brand witnessed a surge in online anticipation, amassing significant engagement metrics in mere moments.
https://twitter.com/pudgypenguins/status/1695166642316025863?s=20
Igloo's mission goes beyond merely capturing a larger consumer segment. The brand, while deeply entrenched in Miami's vibrant aesthetic, channels its creative energies from the influential cityscape of Los Angeles. The fashion offerings promise daily wear comfort combined with a style quotient that echoes the brand’s vibrant inspirations. Yet, the true essence of Igloo transcends the physical designs. Each piece encapsulates a sincere message of positivity, reflecting values of empathy, compassion, and mutual respect.
Central to Igloo’s ethos is the tagline: “Nice as a Way of Life.” This sentiment intends to serve as a continual nudge, prompting individuals to lead lives of kindness, openness, and genuine connection. By choosing to wear Igloo, individuals are not just making a fashion statement but are also becoming ambassadors of a brighter, more positive world. This launch solidifies Pudgy Penguins' intent to bridge the gap between digital art enthusiasts and fashion lovers, merging two worlds with a unified message of positivity.
Story 5: MoonPay Launches Venture Division For Web3 Startups
MoonPay, recognised for developing reliable payment ecosystems within the crypto domain, has announced the initiation of its new venture arm—MoonPay Ventures. This strategic move is designed to bolster fledgling startups in Web3, gaming, and fintech. The firm will allocate investments anywhere from $100,000 to $1 million, focusing predominantly on seed and Series A fundraising rounds.
https://twitter.com/moonpay/status/1696528403787288682?s=20
MoonPay's venture division already showcases an impressive portfolio, featuring over 25 businesses such as BCB Group, Ledger, and Mythical Games. Given MoonPay's stellar valuation of $3.4 billion and expansive clientele exceeding 5 million, the move further cements its resolve to lead in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
The company's mobile app, launched in May, offers a comprehensive platform for Bitcoin enthusiasts across 130 countries, facilitating transaction tracking and price history. Abhay Mavalankar, VP of corporate development and investments at MoonPay, emphasised that the investment strategies of MoonPay Ventures would be steered by a distinct "commercial ROI" approach. Rather than a set fund amount, the emphasis will be on catalysing the ecosystem’s growth.
Mavalankar accentuated the importance of the teams that spearhead these startups, valuing their execution skills and user experience delivery capabilities. This initiative by MoonPay is a testament to its commitment to Web3's ethos and innovators shaping the future. As MoonPay Ventures takes off, its aim isn't just financial backing but also facilitating growth aspects for its portfolio firms, promising a brighter, tech-driven future.
Story 6: BNB Chain Joins Forces with Ethlas for Web3 Gaming Integration
Ethlas, a noteworthy Web3 gaming innovator from Singapore, has officially announced its collaboration with BNB Chain. As BNB Chain celebrates its third year, gamers are invited to revel in this milestone by diving into a BNB-themed challenge in Ethlas' popular battle royale game, Battle Showdown. This game is distinctively known for its integration with over 30 major NFT brands.
https://twitter.com/BNBCHAIN/status/1696794892532355203?s=20
The collaboration promises a novel game mode that orbits around BNB. Players will be introduced to a new character symbolic of the BNB Chain. Furthermore, exclusive BNB NFTs will be available for minting directly via the game's mobile application, free of charge.
BNB Chain, earlier in 2023, voiced its intention to invest significantly in Web3 gaming. Its aim? To evolve as a community-centric, decentralised entity, distinct from Binance. The chain emphasises on catering to retail markets, developers, and assisting the shift of Web 2 entities to Web3.
This innovative partnership with Ethlas is more than just a gaming collaboration. It's an endeavour to smoothly usher in the next billion users into the world of Web3, encapsulating on-chain Web3 activities within a familiar gaming setting. Elston Sam, Co-founder of Ethlas, reflected a high spirit regarding this joint venture, highlighting a mutual vision centred on Web3 interoperability.
BNB Chain's leadership, particularly Chief Scientist V and Chief Ecosystem Pilot K, also conveyed their enthusiasm for this anniversary collaboration, projecting a bright, decentralised future.
Story 7: F1 Dutch GP Debuts Ticket-Linked Digital Collectibles for Fans
To amplify the experience for its fans, the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix (held from August 25 to 27) has unveiled a unique offering: ticket-linked digital collectibles available through the Dutch GP app. Teun Verheij, Dutch GP's Head of Marketing, expressed this move as a strategy to immerse fans deeper into the event and grant them a memorable keepsake of their race festival experience.
These exclusive digital collectibles provide an intricate showcase of the Zandvoort racetrack’s significant sections and various unique features of the race. For ease of access, ticket holders can simply claim these collectibles via the dedicated app. Uniquely, each collectible is associated with a specific segment of the track.
Behind this initiative stands the ticketing giant, GET Protocol, aiming to weave Web3 technology effortlessly into the fan experience. They've skillfully integrated these collectibles into the existing Dutch GP app, ensuring even those unfamiliar with the technical aspects can partake.
The fan experience reaches a crescendo on race day as these collectibles divulge hidden images, display precise track coordinates, and undergo real-time updates. As a special gesture for the Zandvoort circuit’s 75th anniversary, a select 75 fans will be bestowed with an extra exclusive collectible.
This endeavour by the Dutch GP not only mirrors F1’s burgeoning interest in Web3 technology, as seen by their past affiliations with crypto sponsors and NFT campaigns by racing teams, but also underscores their commitment to revamping fan engagement.
Story 8: SuperRare Labs' Rare Protocol Reinvents NFT Curation and Discovery
On August 29, SuperRare Labs launched the Rare Protocol on the Ethereum mainnet, set to redefine the Web3 curation landscape. This protocol, open to all, goes beyond SuperRare users, aiming to strengthen the Web3 creator economy by adding an on-chain layer for curation, reputation, and discovery.
https://twitter.com/SuperRareJohn/status/1696873536072089991?s=20
The challenge with Web3's "art for all" mantra has been the difficulty in navigating genuine NFT discovery and maintaining authenticity amidst an overwhelming array of options. The Rare Protocol's solution is an open curation system featuring 'Curation Staking'. Participants can authenticate another user by staking their native RARE tokens, facilitating creator discovery and fostering deeper ecosystem relationships.
Central to the Protocol are Community Pools and Curated Lists. Using the $RARE token, individuals can stake on artists, joining the artist's Community Pool, which champions the artist's journey. As artists make sales, rewards get distributed to both the community pool and the stakers. This incentivises talent discovery and evens out the creative landscape. Meanwhile, Curated Lists provide an on-chain record of staker-endorsed artists, interlinking to create a cohesive web that revolutionises art discovery.
The co-founder of SuperRare Labs, Jonathan Perkins, lauds Rare Protocol as a pivotal force in enhancing NFT curation and discovery. By introducing a peer-to-peer token system, the Protocol aims to amplify the NFT market dynamics, fostering community and artist relationships, and streamlining capital pathways, ushering in a transformative phase for the Web3 creator ecosystem.
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