Decoding Web3 with ZED https://paragraph.com/@zed Explaining Web3 Like You Are 5. Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:38:05 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html https://github.com/jpmonette/feed en Decoding Web3 with ZED https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/d873984db0fa5d74f80b67edd2f1b43f https://paragraph.com/@zed All rights reserved <![CDATA[Remember the "opensea phishing attack"?]]> https://paragraph.com/@zed/remember-the-opensea-phishing-attack WxgYLXihxiMoRahLfR4L Sun, 18 Feb 2024 19:22:48 GMT

Let's talk about what happened and how to never fall victim.

Feb 18 2022 4:14pm est, @opensea announced their new upgraded contract is live.

OS instructed users on how to migrate their listings to new contract, they were given 7days to do so

How hacker took advantage:

- Deployed a contract 28 days prior to the actual theft

- Sent users emails urging them to move their NFTs from an old os smart contract to a new one.

- Gathers signatures of OS users (through phishing email) for private sale of NFTs

- Execute plan same day as os contract coming live.

When user sign this fake contract it initiates a private sale of NFTs to the hacker for 0e.

Hacker made close to $2M from the attack, returned some of the stolen NFTs

Market:

Panic and confusion in the market.

Users blamed OS new contract, but it was the phishing link clicked and signed days prior, not linked to OS website.

Hacker only chose to execute plan same day as OS new contract coming live.

Lesson:

Assume all links are bad for you, especially links in inbox

One click can mean the world, always double check before you sign anything.

From time to time, check your token approvals either on etherscan or @RevokeCash , revoke approvals you think is sus.

Extensions like @wallet_guard, @PocketUniverseZ simulate transaction before you sign

@MintDefense even block scam sites.

Using these might help reduce your risk.

Thank you for reading.

Make sure to subscribe and follow me on X @zedweb3


]]> zed@newsletter.paragraph.com (Zed) <![CDATA[Never miss out on hyped mints.]]> https://paragraph.com/@zed/how-to-win-gas-wars y6XyaRhtxHnPvi5i7uiJ Sun, 24 Dec 2023 20:25:08 GMT From recent mints like Overworld and Kuku Matr1x to ancient mints like Otherside and Moonbird, winning on a hyped mint is generally a challenge for most people—especially if you don't have access to a bot.

Although winning these gas wars could be a headache and might even result in the loss of your precious ETH, the rewards can be significant. These mints are usually "hyped" due to high demand, leading to interest on the secondary market. For context, Overworld was selling at ATH of ~3ETH while it was minted for 0.15ETH.

Overworld minted for 0.15ETH

As these minted are usually profitable, so do they need some preparation to ensure you're part of the winning minter. Here are what you should do to win amongst bots.

I. Have your ETH ready.

Make sure you have sufficient ETH for minting in your wallet beforehand. Late fund movements near mint time may raise ETH gas costs compared to earlier. People are generally in a hurry, mistakes happen, and they can be very costly in web3.

Be ready.

II. Bookmark the mint page.

Bookmark the mint page as soon as it's out. It saves time and lowers the risk of landing on a fake website during the rush to mint.

Check the project's Discord or Twitter for the right website and add it to your bookmarks.

III.

Check gas estimator; use Blocknative (@blocknative) to keep track of the current gas at the time. Their Chrome extension comes in handy—give it a try. You can also accomplish this through other tools like Etherscan.

IV. Preset gas fees in metamask.

Setting your gas fee ahead of time is a key factor in winning the gas war, along with all the preparation mentioned earlier.

1.

Try sending a transaction in your MM (e.g., 0ETH to yourself) then click on the "Market" as shown here.

2.

On next page click "Advanced"

3.

Input your preferred Gwei, check current gas on blocknative, multiply by 2 or 10 based on expected mint gas.

4.

Input the max priority fee; it is the miners' fee.

5.

Check the box to save the presets

6.

Click on Save. That is it! You're ready to win the gas war.

Last note

Remember to uncheck/revert to original settings after your mint.

This guide also works for token presales.

Good luck and may the mint gods be with you.

Follow/Reach out to me on X @akintrade and don't forget to subscribe here, ensuring you don't miss out on upcoming posts.

]]> zed@newsletter.paragraph.com (Zed) nft ethereum wallet web3 metaverse cryptocurrency solana <![CDATA[Safeguard Your Crypto/NFT Bags with These web3 Wallet Security Extensions]]> https://paragraph.com/@zed/web3-wallet-security-extensions UVmiolamvD6gfRXYti17 Sat, 23 Dec 2023 20:32:01 GMT Web3 is about taking control of your assets, but that comes with it's risk of scams and phishing attacks. With one click, all you've been working for could be drained in a flash with little to nothing you can do about it. Don't hit that "mint" button nor claim that airdrop, unless your wallet is shielded from phishing & wallet-drainers. Market's turning green, but scammers are lurking. Stay alert with these wallet security extensions.

Why You Need Them

Phishing and wallet drainers are common pitfalls in crypto/NFT. Protect  yourself with browser extensions designed to analyze transactions and warn you against malicious activity before it reaches your wallet. Here are the top picks in no certain order:

1. Pocket Universe by @PocketUniversez

2. Wallet Guard by @wallet_guard

3. Mint Defense by @MintDefense

  • Uses AI to detect and block scam sites

  • Only paid solution on this list

  • Supports all EVM

  • 1k downloads

 4. Fire by @_joinfire

5. Revoke cash by @RevokeCash

How to install

They usually have links to their respective download page/chrome store on their X/twitter page, DOUBLE CHECK links before you click. Click "Add extension" to install from chrome store. Try sending a transaction to give it a test.

Conclusion

Choose any of these extensions to secure your bag. It doesn't matter which one; just choose one! Did I miss any? Let me know

Spread the word by sharing with friends. Help your friends protect their bags.

Subscribe/Follow for more insights, let's build a safer community together!

]]> zed@newsletter.paragraph.com (Zed) web3 wallet metaverse security nft cryptocurrency <![CDATA[Cancelling Stuck Transactions in Metamask:]]> https://paragraph.com/@zed/cancel-stuck-or-pending-transactions-with-ease bZ0mfymxRKEHfvZ2G6iz Mon, 25 Dec 2023 19:51:24 GMT If you've ever minted an NFT, joined a token presale or even made a transfer on Ethereum mainnet, especially during busy times with lots of participants, you may have encountered a stubborn transaction that won't cancel—stuck. Canceling these can be time-consuming, but a quick fix is to replace it with a new transaction, this time using a higher gas fee. Want to know how? Keep reading.

1. Turn on "nonce" in advanced settings on Metamask.

  1. Check the nonce value associated with the pending transaction on Etherscan or any explorer. This will be crucial for the next step. You can also find nonce on Metamask activity tab like I did here;

  1. Note nonce value, it will be useful in the next steps.

  1. Send a transaction of 0ETH to yourself, using the transaction's nonce value in the "custom nonce" input box.

    1. Increase the gas by clicking on the "market" and change it to "aggressive". The higher gas price ensures miners prioritize your new transaction, leaving the stuck one behind.

      Image

  1. Note: Cancel transaction with the lowest nonce value first; if you have multiple pending transactions.

    That's it! You'll know what to do when next this happens.

]]> zed@newsletter.paragraph.com (Zed) metaverse metamask web3 blockchain ethereum