⛓️ Is Web3 becoming mainstream? - What The Block
WTB #08
Welcome back to What The Block, a newsletter packed with insights & intelligence about the Web3, Blockchain, NFTs and the Metaverse—written by me, David Klingbeil
gm everybody,
A week in web3 is always full of surprises.
A few days ago, South Park released a series of videos mocking celebrities who starred in crypto ads last year. While this sounds like a pretty harsh criticism of web3, one could also see it as web3 becoming more mainstream.
As Elon Musk famously said: "Who controls the memes, controls the Universe".
Speaking of memes, an NFT project called "The Saudis" has had some surprising traction. The project that started as a meme inspired by CryptoPunks ended up being one of the most successful collections on OpenSea.
The NFT space is usually full of innovative ideas, but it was funny to see a meme based project have so much success.
Sounds like papa Elon was right once more...
Through this newsletter, I hope to make the world of web3 more accessible and entertaining by curating news and insights that will make you think... What the Block ?!
WAGMI*
David Klingbeil
(Twitter - LinkedIn)
PS: feel free to hit reply to leave a comment, I read and answer every message
*We’re All Gonna Make It, a popular way to cheer in Web3 ;)
🎨 NFTs
Rare CryptoPunk Sells for $2.6M as Collection Continues Resurgence
The Saudis Becomes Second Most Traded Collection on OpenSea over Past Week
PSG soccer club selling NFT tickets & commemorative NFTs
GameStop NFT Marketplace Launches
Luxury Brands Are a Great Example of Web3 Adaptation
💸 Cryptocurrencies & DeFi
Consumers accepting CBDCs is like turkeys voting for Christmas
The search term ‘Bitcoin Crash’ is trending — Here’s why
Revolut Unveils Financial Literacy Course for Crypto Savers
Crypto Increasingly Used To Pay Salaries in Developing Economies
Eight Lessons From Crypto Startups and VCs
🕹️ Gaming & the Metaverse
Playboy Mansion Coming To Metaverse Via The Sandbox
Why P2E NFT Games Need to Double-Down on ‘Play’ Instead of ‘Earn’
State of The Sandbox Q2 2022
Shanghai Allocates $1.5B to Metaverse Development Fund
Blockchain-based games see an uptick in users despite bear market conditions
✌️ Misc
Celebrities Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Larry David Mocked for Crypto Promotions in New South Park Movie
What Legacy Brands Can Learn From Web3’s Hyper-Cultish Narratives
NFTs Could Be a Viable Source of Income for Museums
Why digital fashion matters? (TCG Crypto)
Digital fashion largely had its origins in gaming (to no surprise: both industries share common ground as first-movers via emerging technologies to create new forms of self-expression).
Companies like MetaFactory are creating physical clothes with digital counterparts, while fashion houses like The Fabricant are designing digital clothes for avatars. For the first time, the industry feels equitable: anyone in the world can create digital clothing, as long as they have a computer and software skills.
Digital identities are an extension of our self-expression. In the future, they will be our most valuable assets. The unlock for web3 digital fashion will be in creating functionality for the digital fashion as a garment (I can try it on; I can wear it when, how, and where I choose) as well as functionality for the digital fashion as an asset (I can sell or trade it; I can make money from my digital fashion through renting it or wearing it in a public space).
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