# Newsletter Issue #1 *Stay updated with the latest news insights, community highlights, and product updates in our weekly newsletter* By [Popula](https://paragraph.com/@popula) · 2023-12-10 newsletter, web3, blockchain, social --- ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/190f41648c1778581ea20aec9de5a318.png) Welcome to our inaugural Popula newsletter! Each week, we'll bring you key insights from the ecosystem and industry, spotlight community updates and engaging posts from Popula, and share exciting behind-the-scenes updates and product developments. Join us on this journey as we explore, grow, and build together! Your sincerely, Popula Team * * * ### **Ecosystem and Industry Insights** * [**The Benefits of Building Apps Onchain**](https://link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/uFyRRCy6TnOYSJF2PeNBhPeTIxNLK9jArPHTqXIMn_6jpxfnyNtCQbk2ENdTbL5BYM94TAkAt3vrrWXC3Bu1QY68utpi9sHaiFipstGMSgO3vvGQWPuwd0ChOeqjWGhXDncj-rx49YsoZD_ozVE5qUEU3ANr-DmMfQjY1ec2YFK0aVf_j9MG2sr1QTQT8qbAWzWpAZ1jJI0VonzGmde0A6kbijm5gvTYklgO7puR5ewCAI6JAOHUTlOz6OC8X10mpX2tRKSV4i5Ysl_QN9bvkw/41u/3Lvo2rteSGqzy7nx7W8h6A/h15/WBUriuLDRUKMf7tCZKt0MlMGYiPM8USkZqLLB88lw2Q) * The article explores the transformative potential of building apps on blockchains, information networks that generate "metagraphs". Metagraphs are created by aggregating onchain data, providing developers with holistic views of user behaviours and enabling more meaningful connections. The inclusion of timestamps in on-chain activities further enhances these metagraphs, allowing for the exploration of user behaviour over time, democratizing access to information and offering new possibilities for consumer experiences in the evolving landscape of web3. * Popula embodies many of these design principles: communities are built fully onchain, and all interactions are recorded onchain, thus creating a transparent and permanent record of communities history, artefact, and relationships. [ ![](https://www.coindesk.com/resizer/Y0wciIP16Z0Yw3uuMTO5OkxIlbw=/1200x628/center/middle/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coindesk/5FQYFKMVQNERLH5KD3JHBRCLLI.jpg) https://www.coindesk.com The Benefits of Building Apps On-Chain -------------------------------------- Blockchain networks are information networks, which can be leveraged to build new types of tools and experiences, Variant's Alana Levin writes. ](https://link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/uFyRRCy6TnOYSJF2PeNBhPeTIxNLK9jArPHTqXIMn_6jpxfnyNtCQbk2ENdTbL5BYM94TAkAt3vrrWXC3Bu1QY68utpi9sHaiFipstGMSgO3vvGQWPuwd0ChOeqjWGhXDncj-rx49YsoZD_ozVE5qUEU3ANr-DmMfQjY1ec2YFK0aVf_j9MG2sr1QTQT8qbAWzWpAZ1jJI0VonzGmde0A6kbijm5gvTYklgO7puR5ewCAI6JAOHUTlOz6OC8X10mpX2tRKSV4i5Ysl_QN9bvkw/41u/3Lvo2rteSGqzy7nx7W8h6A/h15/WBUriuLDRUKMf7tCZKt0MlMGYiPM8USkZqLLB88lw2Q) * [**Ad-vantage**](https://link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/ATEaTPWBqPyVGNq6ztSXkdNlu7BAD5G6JCUqIJYCpG-WkW0Fp7mc17GF_7s9n1Q-WwW5CMiF2gQBMATRDLNaN6WTjvED7pZexZbmUzRJDPe5ONq4mEYlqf22CWj0R5_c_nwp9s-sR09cNm4Sj7c0E5DGj_6joKoAPPomH9cgbY7qA5ZgmugNRxQilsd3heGip9DT1gCBxyLPuipjyyx734E9ozqQg3pXWnNtgoTjLbQ/41u/3Lvo2rteSGqzy7nx7W8h6A/h16/o6aU-PViWl23OX0-ljpk2y5qYstXJ5ohwtfCBaWiftg) * The article draws parallels between ads and internet memes, emphasizing the potential value hidden in advertisements that can be unlocked by bringing them onchain and making them collectable NFTs. Ads are high-value, memetic, well-distributed pieces of media that companies pay billions of dollars to ensure they are seen. They have never been able to be collected or owned in and of themselves, but many ads have become iconic parts of our pop culture. * This is a novel perspective on advertisements within the web3 realm, as [The Modern Billboard Collective](https://mirror.xyz/0x8cCBf346E4D3623aFBE2278b43a267D39854D147/W_-FUS0OZ9f-ouiDfqDH6eAVgzB7MGuluE3MsOS4oAI) did before. Far from disappearing, advertisements have the potential to assume a renewed identity, transforming into standalone products that contribute value not only to the companies that create them but also to users who engage with them. [ ![](https://paragraph.xyz/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fpapyrus_images%2F3698e990917a8aacffb741d297e094fa.jpg&w=2048&q=100) https://paragraph.xyz Ad-Vantage ---------- An open invitation to the greatest marketing opportunity since AOL CDs - minting advertisements. ](https://link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/ATEaTPWBqPyVGNq6ztSXkdNlu7BAD5G6JCUqIJYCpG-WkW0Fp7mc17GF_7s9n1Q-WwW5CMiF2gQBMATRDLNaN6WTjvED7pZexZbmUzRJDPe5ONq4mEYlqf22CWj0R5_c_nwp9s-sR09cNm4Sj7c0E5DGj_6joKoAPPomH9cgbY7qA5ZgmugNRxQilsd3heGip9DT1gCBxyLPuipjyyx734E9ozqQg3pXWnNtgoTjLbQ/41u/3Lvo2rteSGqzy7nx7W8h6A/h16/o6aU-PViWl23OX0-ljpk2y5qYstXJ5ohwtfCBaWiftg) * [**A Comparative Analysis of Decentralized Social Protocols**](https://mirror.xyz/1kx.eth/tXasEjk3t7YX8XWSkhelUBTnQ3kf46Bux-0ooR42x0w) * The article explores the evolution and characteristics of decentralized social protocols as alternatives to corporate-controlled social media platforms. The discussion compares protocols, focusing on aspects such as identity/namespaces, data handling, and storage methods. The article emphasizes the potential of decentralized networks to revolutionize digital interactions by prioritizing user autonomy, privacy, and organic relationships, ultimately paving the way for a more equitable and user-centric digital landscape. * Popula fully embraces the onchain design and architecture and adopts a community-centric approach: ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/b8fd922c08698f4044d0bbfe34c81223.png) [ ![](https://images.mirror-media.xyz/publication-images/7iRG10zU28PQ2_fVVjV0l.png?height=2400&width=4800) https://mirror.xyz A Comparative Analysis of Decentralized Social Protocols -------------------------------------------------------- Comparing and contrasting the technical nuances of various decentralized social protocols ](https://mirror.xyz/1kx.eth/tXasEjk3t7YX8XWSkhelUBTnQ3kf46Bux-0ooR42x0w) * **NEAR's Top Three dApps by DAU and Insights from the NEAT Inscriptions Surge.** A surge in transactions and gas fees was observed due to the popularity of NEAT Inscriptions. Although this inscription trend is speculative in nature and does not significantly contribute to the development of a sustainable ecosystem, it unintentionally served as a stress test for NEAR and its validators. Despite some identified issues, the system demonstrated resilience in managing the substantial increase in traffic. What matters is that, aside from these volatile events, three leading dApps on the NEAR protocol currently hold the top three positions in terms of overall Daily Active Users (DAUs) ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/90f6b189f3170466240c9d303b973942.png) [![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/e40ef5814e2600b50a09a139b7ebc141.png)](https://dappradar.com/rankings/protocol/near) **_Share your thoughts or comments on_** [**_Popula_**](http://popula.io)**_!_** * * * ### Popula **Spotlights and Community Updates** **_Campaigns_** * [Popula Campaign Round 2 on Ludero](https://app.ludero.com/campaigns/382) * [JUMP DEFI Community Campaign on Popula](https://x.com/JumpDeFi/status/1727394510156480645?s=20) * [NFT WG Community NFT Giveaway](https://x.com/NearnftWG/status/1725479812461211855?s=20) * [El Cafe Cartel Citizen NFT Giveaway](https://x.com/ElCafeCartel/status/1724727311361302755?s=20) * [Play Ember Community Earn Drips for $SATS](https://popula.io/d/85J2vKK7TyZBswJL13ZURX5Yyix1tWJT3fNzAyUUShZS?i=MarNuP4D3ErkH6vj6xSGcE9x7j) **_Community of the Week:_** [**HEROES BUILD**](https://popula.io/c/heroes-build.community.popula.near?i=MarNuP4D3ErkH6vj6xSGcE9x7j): HEROES is a Non-Custodial Bounty Marketplace on NEAR, a bounty system connecting the best open web projects, talents and investors. It streamlines your bounty experience with a secure, transparent platform for task-based payments, featuring smart escrow transactions, straightforward invoicing, and optional identity verification for worry-free tax compliance. Click [here](https://popula.io/c/heroes-build.community.popula.near?i=MarNuP4D3ErkH6vj6xSGcE9x7j) to join! ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/761e1b25631b96d7db493081fd61cfab.png) **_New Communities on Popula:_** * [Proof of Vibes](https://popula.io/c/proofofvibesnea.community.popula.near) * [NEAR & Aurora Defi](https://popula.io/c/near-defi-tokenisation.community.popula.near) * [QSTN](https://popula.io/c/qstn.community.popula.near) * [NEKO](https://popula.io/c/neko.community.popula.near) * [NEAR Indonesia](https://popula.io/c/near-indonesia.community.popula.near) * [Cheddar Defi](https://popula.io/c/cheddar-defi.community.popula.near) * [Nearchan Simps](https://popula.io/c/nearchan.community.popula.near) * [TAN](https://popula.io/c/tan.community.popula.near)🤎[FAM](https://popula.io/c/tan.community.popula.near) * [HEROES BUILD](https://popula.io/c/heroes-build.community.popula.near) * [JUMP Defi](https://popula.io/c/jump-defi.community.popula.near) * [Paras-Arkana](https://popula.io/c/paras-arkana.community.popula.near) * [Play Ember](https://popula.io/c/play-ember.community.popula.near) * [Meteor Wallet](https://popula.io/c/meteor-wallet.community.popula.near) * [El Cafe Cartel](https://popula.io/c/el-cafe-cartel.community.popula.near) * [NEAR Korea DAO](https://popula.io/c/near-korea-dao.community.popula.near) * [NEAR NFT Work Group](https://popula.io/c/near-nft-work-group.community.popula.near) * [gojo academy](https://popula.io/c/gojo-academy.community.popula.near) **_Explore these communities and share your posts with us for potential inclusion in future newsletters._** * * * ### **Behind the Scenes and Product Updates** **December:** [**Integration of New Wallets, Images or NFTs in Comments, and More!**](https://medium.com/beepopula/popula-update-integration-of-new-wallets-images-or-nfts-in-comments-and-more-4f5ea1929fcb) Recently, we have partnered with some of the NEAR wallets, which is reflected in the new updates. The new additions include integrated login methods, improvements to the content editor, token-gated posts, and more. Click the [link](https://medium.com/beepopula/popula-update-integration-of-new-wallets-images-or-nfts-in-comments-and-more-4f5ea1929fcb) and find out more. [ ![](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1200/1*NUVo5g7yK_xIlN4p0toNsg.png) https://medium.com Popula Update: Integration of New Wallets, Images or NFTs in Comments, and More! | December ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are excited to announce the release of new updates for Popula. Our team has been working hard to bring you new features and improvements to enhance your experience on Popula. Recently, we have... ](https://medium.com/beepopula/popula-update-integration-of-new-wallets-images-or-nfts-in-comments-and-more-4f5ea1929fcb) [**Popula Team NEARCON23 Vlog**](https://youtu.be/DZynhVBHL0Q) Last month, we attended  [@NEARProtocol](https://www.youtube.com/@NEARProtocol)  NEARCON23 in Lisbon and met so many talented people and amazing projects. This was what happened during the time we were there. Thank you so much for those visited our booth and thanks everyone for your continuous support! Click [here](https://youtu.be/DZynhVBHL0Q) to watch the video! [![](https://paragraph.xyz/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZynhVBHL0Q) **_Follow our socials and get in touch for questions or real-time updates._** * * * 🐝**Explore more about** [**Popula**](http://popula.io/) **or join** [**Popula Community**](https://t.me/populacommunity)**. We always welcome questions, suggestions and feedback!** ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/7f7f9720f75ee4d236812af617fde8a5.png) [Website](https://popula.io/) | [Telegram](https://t.me/populacommunity) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/beepopula) | [Discord](https://discord.gg/NGQwjnMUBa) | [Medium](https://medium.com/beepopula) | [Github](https://github.com/beepopula) | [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClyHQDgYQZpgwOC4Ulm3A9w) --- *Originally published on [Popula](https://paragraph.com/@popula/newsletter-issue-1)*