Daily Insights: Updates on Crypto, Blockchain, NFTs, Web3, and Play-to-Earn Gaming

Unleash the Future of Blockchain Gaming and Web3 with ZBD in an interview: Where Fun Meets Bitcoin Rewards and Developer Empowerment. In this in-depth exploration, we delve into the world of ZBD, or Zebedee, a trailblazing player in the realm of web3 gaming. Renowned for their successful games that reward players in Bitcoin, ZBD is set to redefine the gaming landscape. Join us as we interview Ben Cousens, the Chief Strategy Officer of Zebedee, who shares insights into the fascinating world of blockchain gaming, the Lightning Network, and the fusion of technology and entertainment. Discover the significance of ZBD's approach in making gaming sustainable, and gain a glimpse into the future of web3 gaming, where simplicity and player incentives are key trends in this ever-evolving industry. In the captivating world of blockchain gaming and web3, an interview with Ben Cousens, the Chief Strategy Officer of Zebedee, sheds light on the fascinating landscape of ZBD, also known as Zebedee. This pioneering player in the web3 gaming industry is making waves with its innovative approach to gaming, driven by trends that promise to reshape the gaming experience.ZBD, with its intriguing recursive acronym, "Zebedee Empowers Bitcoin Enabled Digital Economy Engines," stands out for its successful games that reward players with Bitcoin. The core of their offering is an API for the Lightning Network, Bitcoin's second layer of scaling. This network proves to be an ideal fit for the gaming industry, particularly for games that rely on microtransactions. Players can now engage with these games and earn Bitcoin as they play, all thanks to ZBD's approach, which emphasizes simplicity and player incentives.Web3 gaming, in the past, faced challenges that led to overhyped expectations and a lack of readiness in the market. High inflation and interest rates affected the industry's growth, but the real issue was the complexity of the technology and the limited user base. Developers found it challenging to create a user-friendly experience. Zebedee's mission is to simplify this process and create sustainable relationships between developers and gamers. Their approach allows developers to share a portion of their earnings with players, and rewards start small but grow as more players join, ensuring long-term viability.One of the key trends in the industry is simplicity. Zebedee's emphasis on simplicity in game design and player incentives is crucial. Overly complex tokenomics, DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) can overwhelm players and lead to user drop-offs. The focus on casual games with low friction onboarding sets Zebedee apart from other web3 gaming platforms. In these games, players can easily start earning Bitcoin without the need for complex setups.Zebedee's approach not only benefits players but also empowers developers to make their games more sustainable. The rewards shared with players create a different and more sustainable relationship between developers and gamers. It's a win-win situation where players enjoy the games and developers can sustainably monetize their creations.The future of web3 gaming, according to Zebedee, is optimistic but realistic. They acknowledge that full-scale adoption of web3 and tokenized game economies will take time, possibly a decade or more. The current focus should be on what technology can truly achieve today, such as microtransactions and simple value propositions, while avoiding overcomplication. While the full vision of a metaverse in the gaming world is exciting, it's a journey that may take a considerable amount of time to fully realize.In summary, Zebedee is at the forefront of the web3 gaming revolution, offering a simplified and sustainable approach to gaming that benefits both developers and players. Their unique approach, driven by trends of simplicity and player incentives, is poised to reshape the gaming landscape. As the gaming world evolves, Zebedee's vision for the future emphasizes realistic timelines for the adoption of web3 gaming, acknowledging the complexities and challenges ahead.

In a groundbreaking development for the mobile gaming industry, AdInMo, a leading platform for in-game advertising monetization, has joined forces with ZBD, a fintech leader known for providing instant Bitcoin incentives. This strategic alliance introduces a revolutionary shift in mobile game monetization by offering players incentives to engage with in-game advertisements. The article explores this innovative partnership, highlighting how AdInMo's InGamePlay brand adverts seamlessly blend into mobile games, allowing developers to generate revenue without compromising the gaming experience. ZBD's Bitcoin Lightning technology enables developers to reward users with tangible Bitcoin awards based on in-game ad-generated income, a game-changing approach that enhances player engagement and retention. The article delves into the impact of this collaboration, featuring insights from Kristan Rivers, AdInMo's co-founder and CEO, and detailing how the integration has already delivered remarkable results for Square Enix and Fumb Games. AdInMo, a leading platform for in-game advertising monetization in mobile games, has announced a strategic partnership with ZBD, a prominent fintech company known for offering instant Bitcoin incentives to gamers and developers. This collaboration aims to revolutionize mobile game monetization by providing gamers with incentives to engage with in-game displays and video advertisements.AdInMo's InGamePlay brand adverts seamlessly integrate into mobile games, allowing developers to earn revenue without compromising the players' experience. These ads are designed to blend in with the game environment, enhancing the overall gameplay. ZBD's innovative Bitcoin Lightning technology enables developers and publishers to reward their user base with tangible Bitcoin awards based on the income generated from in-game advertisements. This combination of in-game branding and player rewards is a groundbreaking approach that enhances player engagement and retention.Kristan Rivers, Co-Founder and CEO of AdInMo, emphasized the importance of innovating while enhancing player experiences. He mentioned that rewarded ad formats have been successful in hybrid monetization, benefitting both players and developers. The collaboration with ZBD introduces AdInMo's Rewarding InGamePlay format to the market, offering players rewards for engaging with the gameplay itself, not just during breaks, resulting in a win-win-win scenario for all stakeholders.The partnership between ZBD and Square Enix led to an impressive 82% increase in ARPDAU (Average Revenue Per Daily Active User) for Square Enix's Ludo Zenith. Additionally, Fumb Games' Bitcoin Miner witnessed a more than tenfold increase in day 30 user retention after integrating ZBD rewards. ZBD can now extend its focus to rewarding player attention throughout the gameplay, broadening its approach to mobile game monetization and retention through the collaboration with AdInMo.AdInMo's beta developer community program already has access to the new format, which seamlessly integrates with the company's existing software development kit (SDK). Developers can easily enable Bitcoin rewards for players, and revenue-sharing arrangements can be established between developers and their user base, without impacting the gameplay.Ben Cousens, Chief Strategy Officer at ZBD, expressed excitement about the partnership and emphasized the goal of improving performance within the gaming industry. He praised the unobtrusive nature of AdInMo's ads, highlighting that they do not disrupt players' enjoyment of the game.AdInMo's mobile in-game advertising platform offers immersive and personalized advertisements, expanding advertisers' reach to new demographics while providing developers with enhanced monetization opportunities. Their data-driven approach ensures non-intrusive ads that seamlessly fit into gameplay, increasing player satisfaction and participation. AdInMo's advanced data analytics ensure that players only see relevant ads tailored to their interests.ZBD, as an innovative fintech company, stands out for its work with the Bitcoin Lightning Network, enabling instantaneous worldwide transactions for gaming, internet, and application experiences. They offer developers tools for incorporating payment functionalities into products, attracting investment from global venture capitalists and renowned gaming studios.In summary, the partnership between AdInMo and ZBD represents a significant step in the evolution of in-game advertising and mobile game monetization. By seamlessly integrating ads and Bitcoin rewards into the gaming experience, this collaboration aims to enhance player engagement, increase developer revenue, and provide advertisers with a valuable and unobtrusive way to reach their target audience. Gamers should take note of the groundbreaking collaboration between AdInMo and ZBD, which promises a game-changing shift in the mobile gaming landscape. This strategic partnership introduces Bitcoin incentives for players who engage with in-game advertisements, enhancing the gaming experience. AdInMo's seamless integration of InGamePlay brand adverts allows developers to earn revenue without compromising gameplay, while ZBD's innovative Bitcoin Lightning technology rewards users with tangible Bitcoin awards. Notably, this approach has already yielded impressive results, with Square Enix's Ludo Zenith experiencing an 82% increase in ARPDAU and Fumb Games' Bitcoin Miner achieving over a tenfold boost in day 30 user retention. Gamers can now access in-game incentives by interacting with immersive displays and video ads, creating a win-win scenario for developers, players, and advertisers. With AdInMo's unobtrusive, data-driven approach, the gaming audience becomes more valuable in terms of attention and engagement. This transformative partnership is set to revolutionize mobile game monetization and player engagement, ensuring gamers enjoy a more rewarding experience. Discover how AdInMo's partnership with ZBD brings Bitcoin rewards to mobile gaming, revolutionizing player incentives and in-game ads.

The world of Play-to-Earn gaming is in a constant state of flux, and in recent news, several significant developments have taken center stage, capturing the attention of both gamers and cryptocurrency enthusiasts alike. Here are the top five stories that have dominated headlines and ignited discussions in the gaming community:Animoca Brands, Horizen Labs, and Darewise Forge Ahead in the Bitcoin Metaverse:In a groundbreaking collaboration, Horizen Labs, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, has joined forces with Darewise Entertainment. Together, they aim to introduce a revolutionary metaverse token within the realm of Bitcoin. By combining Horizen Labs' expertise in blockchain technology with Darewise's extensive experience in AAA gaming, this partnership seeks to redefine Bitcoin's role from merely a store of value to a cornerstone for gaming assets and virtual lands. This move has the potential to reshape the gaming metaverse landscape significantly.Konami Enters the Web3 Arena with "Project Zircon":Konami, renowned for iconic franchises such as Metal Gear and Castlevania, is making a bold foray into the Web3 space with "Project Zircon." This initiative involves the integration of blockchain technology and NFT trading to enhance the gaming experience for players. While specific details are currently limited, the gaming community is abuzz with excitement. Konami has even launched dedicated Discord and Twitter channels to build anticipation, with a full reveal scheduled for September 21 at the Tokyo Game Show 2023.Atari Founder Nolan Bushnell Critiques Play-to-Earn Crypto Games:Nolan Bushnell, often referred to as the "godfather of video games" and the founder of Atari, recently voiced his skepticism regarding the rising popularity of play-to-earn crypto games. He argues that these games, relying on the "greater fool theory," are discouraging gamers from embracing the crypto space. Instead, Bushnell envisions the future of Web3 gaming revolving around immersive virtual and augmented reality worlds. To drive mass adoption, he emphasizes the need for social, real-time experiences in these virtual realms and outlines three key pillars for modern gaming: seamless asset transfers, smart contracts, and secure digital asset storage.Pegaxy Takes Off with a Revamped Racing Game:Pegaxy has been relaunched as an interactive racing game, drawing inspiration from classics like Mario Kart but with a unique twist—mechanical Pegasi instead of cars. The alpha version, now available for Android, allows players to navigate their winged steeds through obstacle-filled tracks, engage in player-versus-player showdowns, and tackle elemental challenges. Although still in its early stages, Pegaxy has promised further refinements, including a competitive league system and breeding mechanics, to enhance gameplay.MetaMask's Snaps Open Beta Revolutionizes Crypto Wallets:MetaMask's new Snaps Open Beta has made a significant impact on the crypto ecosystem. Described as a game-changing feature, this modular upgrade empowers users to incorporate functionalities developed by independent developers, promoting a more democratic and inclusive crypto environment. However, MetaMask maintains a vetting process to ensure user safety. Additionally, the beta introduces new blockchains, enhances transaction security features, and offers community-vetted plugins, marking a pivotal moment in the digital wallet landscape.In summary, these five stories represent a day of profound changes in the Play-to-Earn gaming sector. They encompass diverse aspects, including innovative partnerships, advancements in technology, and thought-provoking insights from industry veterans. These developments collectively signal that the future of gaming has arrived, and it promises to be both transformative and unexpected.

ZBD, ZEBEDEE, a Bitcoin payment platform known for its support of developers and financial services, is now expanding into the gaming industry by introducing six new mobile game titles on its ZBD Entertainment Hub. These games offer players the opportunity to earn "sats," Bitcoin fractions, which can be used for in-game purchases, tipping developers, or real-world purchases.The six new mobile games are: Bitcoin Cards, Dubbz Arcade, WinStreakz, Finke Desert Race Game, Satoshi Goals, Bitcoin2048.Dubbz Arcade introduces an asynchronous player matchmaking mode, allowing players to compete with opponents at different times. If no opponent is found within 24 hours, the entry fee is refunded.WinStreakz is a sports competition app where users can win real cash prizes by making correct predictions and accumulating points.ZBD's API enables immediate global payments, benefiting nearly 250 apps and games. This technology has significantly improved ARPDAU and retention rates for various games.ZBD has also released its Lightning-based payments technology through a tiered subscription platform for developers of all sizes. Developers can now easily integrate ZEBEDEE payments into their projects without a manual review process.Simon Cowell, CEO and Co-Founder of ZBD, expressed pride in welcoming new game developers and titles to their platform. Jon Hook, Co-Founder of Bitcoin Cards developer PlayEmber, emphasized the value of ZBD in attracting and retaining users while benefiting game developers.Developers interested in exploring the ZBD API and Lightning Network can start with up to 100,000 transactions per month for free. The ZBD app is available on both iOS and Android platforms.ZBD, a financial technology company, specializes in Bitcoin Lightning Network-based payment systems. Backed by major VCs and game studios, ZBD's tools facilitate easy payment integration for developers, enabling instant global transactions for games, websites, and applications, bridging the gap between the virtual and real worlds.

In 2023, the cryptocurrency and NFT markets are experiencing a period of uncertainty and volatility after the extreme highs of 2021 and subsequent crash in 2022. The transition from fear to greed and now to a more neutral sentiment characterizes the current state of these markets. The unpredictable nature of the bitcoin market, coupled with concerns about U.S. price hikes impacting liquidity, has contributed to the ongoing turbulence. Within this context, Toby Rush, co-founder of Redeem, highlights the challenges facing the web3 and blockchain ecosystems, emphasizing the critical need for improved user interfaces (UIs) and regulatory transparency.Rush identifies that despite the potential of Bitcoin, web3, and DeFi (Decentralized Finance) to reshape the market, their impact has been limited compared to other indicators since the market crash of the previous year. The total value locked (TVL) for DeFi protocols, according to DefiLlama, has not fully recovered from its steep decline. The NFT market has also seen a collapse, leading to fewer users engaging with web3 technologies.The lack of user-friendly experiences, particularly in terms of front-end UIs, is considered a primary factor contributing to this trend. Rush acknowledges that while progress is being made in the web3 space, the majority of users still struggle to navigate it. He underscores the importance of seamless onboarding processes, akin to those implemented by tech companies for mainstream products and services. Rush asserts that creating new onboarding frameworks is crucial to simplifying the user experience, eliminating technical complexities such as non-custodial wallets, complicated crypto interfaces, and gas fees.Another development discussed is the concept of Account Abstraction (ERC-4337), which allows users to use smart contract wallets with versatile verification logic as their primary accounts. This enhancement improves security and usability by introducing simpler ways of accessing crypto wallets and web3 accounts, akin to logging into email or favorite apps.Addressing the NFT market, Rush argues that businesses must adapt to existing consumer behaviors and mental models for success. He suggests that expanding on existing use cases can help users embrace decentralized products more readily. Despite the "expensive JPEGs" perception associated with NFTs, Rush asserts that these assets are gaining traction in various sectors, with applications like event tickets and loyalty programs. However, the industry faces challenges regarding regulatory clarity and transparency. The regulatory landscape remains uncertain, and Rush highlights the need for better communication and proactive measures from regulatory bodies to provide a conducive environment for blockchain-related assets.In conclusion, 2023 is characterized by a cryptocurrency and NFT market in flux, with challenges stemming from complex user experiences and regulatory uncertainties. Toby Rush's insights underscore the necessity of improving UIs, establishing clearer regulations, and expanding use cases to drive the adoption and success of web3 technologies and blockchain assets.

In July 2023, the NFT trading volume witnessed a significant decline, attributed to the volatile state of the blockchain and cryptocurrency market. Sales figures dropped by 29%, while the number of transactions decreased by 23%, according to a recent analysis by DappRadar. Despite this overall downturn, a glimmer of hope emerged from the realm of gaming NFTs towards the end of the month.The NFT market showcased remarkable diversity with various projects such as DMarket's Go skins, Gods Unchained's gaming NFT cards, Sorare's fantasy sports NFTs, and the innovative Watch2Earn program supported by NFTs. These NFTs extended beyond Ethereum and were also present on platforms like Mythos Chain, ImmutableX, and Binance.Amidst the challenging market conditions, it's important to recognize the progress NFTs have made. Even during this period of decline, there are opportunities for strategic investments in NFTs. While the market has been struggling, there are indications of eventual recovery.For instance, the CyberKongz Genkai mint experienced initial difficulties selling all 9,000 NFTs on Ethereum, leading to a reduction to 3,000 units. Notably, the Ronin faction successfully sold all 3,000 of their NFTs within an hour, revealing the presence of potential collectors.Cryptocurrency market volatility posed challenges for NFTs. Bitcoin-associated ordinals faced difficulty in sales, dropping to a ranking below the top five on the blockchain. The blockchain industry as a whole experienced a decline in rankings due to limited functionality and incentive for collectors to trade Bitcoin-related NFTs.July 2023 saw the lowest monthly sales total, amounting to $493 million, since June 2021. Despite this decrease, the market remained relatively close to the previous week's totals. Noteworthy NFT collections were analyzed:DMarket achieved substantial sales of around $5.2 million through skins for games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Team Fortress 2.ImmutableX's popular game, Gods Unchained, generated impressive sales of $4.8 million as players engaged with its immersive gameplay.Sotheby's new generative art platform debuted with Vera Molnar's NFT drop, resulting in price increases driven by market demand.Binance's PLAYNFT collection ranked high, generating $1.7 million in revenue, especially through their innovative Watch2Earn platform.While Ethereum sales increased by 18%, the total sales in July ($271 million) were the lowest since June 2021. Binance secured the third position with $6 million in sales, closely following AIWorld Nodes and PLAYNFTs.Polygon's reported $5 million in sales preceding the announcement of Palm blockchain's transition to Polygon was not yet reflected in volume.Mythos and ImmutableX occupied the fifth and sixth positions, demonstrating the capability of gaming NFTs to compete with other major blockchains.Bitcoin's weekly sales dropped below $5 million, placing it as the ninth most profitable cryptocurrency.In an interesting turn, CryptoDickButts, a prominent NFT collection, announced the transfer of project administration to the largest holder of their new NFT series.In summary, the NFT market faced challenges in July 2023 due to market instability, yet a resurgence is anticipated, much like previous years. Gaming NFTs stand as a promising sector, buoyed by the launch of engaging games. Despite current setbacks, the diverse and evolving nature of the NFT landscape suggests a potential rebound in the future.

Bling Mobile Games provides an opportunity for gamers to earn Bitcoin and Ethereum from Bling Financial games by activating the feature. At present, Bling provides a total of nine mobile games for both iOS and Android platforms, each offering cryptocurrency rewards. The in-game interfaces are mostly identical, and they all share a common Bling account, enabling you to earn rewards across multiple games. These games are too darn simple to play and will definitely serve as a time killer with the added benefit of winning Bitcoin or Ethereum. As for Bitcoin Blocks, you need to combine multi-colored blocks to create a slashing combo to clear the ‘blockchain’.

Bitcoin Ordinals are a recent development in the Bitcoin network and are used to store digital content on the blockchain. They relate to the sequence in which transactions are added to the blockchain. In the Bitcoin network, every transaction has a unique ordinal number, and transactions in a block inherit that number as well. This sequential number helps avoid double-spending attacks in Bitcoin NFTs, ensuring the authenticity of the transactions. The process of generating an ordinal number begins when a block is mined and added to the blockchain. The network generates an ordinal number for each block, which is present in the header of the block.

As the year 2023 starts, financial experts and cryptocurrency advisors are eyeing the bullish behavior of bitcoin and predicting a massive surge that will surely make or break cryptocurrency investors. Bitcoin has already seen a decline, which has led to rumors that the mini-bull run is over. However, bitcoin will follow the bullish run that will result in the rise of other digital assets too.

Play Chess for Bitcoin: Zebedee and Viker Introduce Two New Casual Classic Mobile Blockchain Games: Scratch Match and Bitcoin Chess

Massively popular battle royale PUBG founder Krafton Labs has entered into an agreement with Solana Labs. The partnership brings NFTs to PUBG

GameFi is the newest craze in the gaming industry nowadays, and many aren’t quite familiar with how it works and what exactly it means.

While on a promotion spree of Valve’s newest venture and product Steam Deck, Gabe Newell has shared thoughts on several subjects.

Nexon America, a gaming company and subsidiary of South Korean gaming giant Nexon, announced that it has started accepting cryptocurrencies.

The most awaited top 5 NFT games 2023!With Axie Infinity’s massive popularity, play-to-earn games are gaining healthy momentum. The play-to-earn business model is now in the limelight of the gaming industry. Several play-to-earn blockchain-based games are in line and will get rolled out soon. Check out five of the most anticipated NFT games coming up.