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

Since its launch, Starbuck's NFT program has made over $200,000 in sales, which is a good sign. However, is it worth it for crypto fans and other people?2021 was a golden year for the crypto market, during which a lot of famous brands introduced their own NFTs, hoping that it will result in profit for their brand. However, their hopes were shattered with the downfall of cryptocurrencies, resulting in the abandoning of these ventures, as NFT sales dropped 83% compared to the previous year. With its project, Starbucks Odyssey, launched in December, Starbucks moved into the NFT space. This is a new part of their rewards program, which lets people earn points by buying coffee and playing online games and quizzes. Since December, when it started in beta with a small group of customers, the project has already raised a huge amount of money. On the secondary market, NFTs that only cost a little more than a few cups of coffee can be bought for as much as $1,900, even though they were sold for more than $200,000 in the first place.On social media, crypto fans are praising the program and saying that it's a great way for crypto to get into the mainstream. Analysts from Bank of America liked the program and said it was "more complete than the industry's previous NFT initiatives." The new batch of 2,000 Starbucks NFTs sold very quickly, and they were all gone in just minutes. Each NFT was sold for $100, which caused so much activity on the website that it crashed.The buzz about Starbucks' NFT program, on the other hand, seems to be a bit overblown. The increase in activity hasn't changed much, if anything, about whether or not most people who drink coffee every day will add Starbucks NFTs to their daily routines. With the program being used by the crypto community, they are in the lead. Even though Starbucks said it would offer rewards and other incentives in the future to bring in more customers. It's important to remember that Starbucks doesn't call their NFTs "NFTs." Instead, they call them "stamps." And most of them aren't kept on the blockchain. Customers have to do certain things to get stamps. There are trivia questions about Starbucks and coffee, or you can order two drinks with non-dairy milk. These stamps go into the Starbucks Rewards accounts of the people who bought them. Recently, the company started letting customers buy certain stamps instead of having to earn them.At the moment, crypto and web3 fans, as well as Starbucks, are pushing for the program to be used. Chris Fierro is from Rhode Island and says he loves coffee. He used to work as a barista at Starbucks and was excited to hear about Odyssey when he first heard about it. Fierro says that so far, the process has been easy because credits are added to his account whenever he finishes a task, like buying a bag of coffee beans in a store.Starbucks is using the ideas of scarcity and utility to make their NFTs more valuable. The Holiday Cheer Stamp was only made in 5000 copies for their first NFT release. Even though the stamp's owner is still unknown, the company says that NFT holders will get special perks like classes on how to make martinis and trips to coffee farms in Costa Rica. So, NFT traders are betting that the NFT's current value, which has risen above $1,000, will be less than the rewards that Starbucks has promised. Fierro says that people are either betting that the price will go up or trying to complete their set, which is common in the cryptocurrency world.

In a recent report by DappRadar, the numbers for Gamefi look good. Among Web3 companies, Metacade is one of the best when it comes to on-chain games.In early 2023, on-chain gaming activity bounced back from a difficult 2022, as reported by DappRadar's latest Games Report. Gala Games (GALA/USD), Axie Infinity (AXS/USD), Decentraland (MANA/USD), Floki Inu (FLOKI/USD), and many other established players in the game-fi industry have been driving the momentum.A notable industry analysis report says that DapprRadar shows that Floki has taken the lead with a huge 380% increase, followed by Wemix with a 322% increase. This shows that the game-fic world is growing in a positive way. With this much potential, there is plenty of room for many players to get a big share of the market. Investors should think about putting together a portfolio that includes both well-known companies and new companies like Metacade, which are trying to bring something new to the industry. DappRadar says that on-chain data shows that gaming activity went up by 1.31 percent in January, with 858,621 daily Unique Active Wallets (dUAW) making up nearly half of all dapp activity. But these numbers are still small compared to the gaming industry as a whole, which has 2.69 billion customers around the world. People think that the gaming industry will make about $170 billion in 2022, which is five times more than what movies make at the box office. Some estimates say that by 2030, the gaming industry around the world could be worth $470 billion.The question that arises is what role the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry will play in shaping the gaming industry's growth trajectory until the end of the decade. The Web3 gamefi industry has demonstrated its competitive edge against traditional video games and Defi as evident in DappRadar's several reports. Progress, new ideas, and investments in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies back up this claim. The fact that Gala Games bought Ember Entertainment is a big deal that happened just in 2023. Also, Ember's games were added to Gala's layer 1 blockchain, Square Enix's NFT game was released, and part of Courtside Ventures' $100 million fund was set aside for gaming. Lastly, Metacade was able to raise about $9.3 million in five rounds of pre-sales. Metacade is different from other gaming companies because it offers a wide range of games to suit everyone's tastes. As a game-fic project, it lets people play games that let them earn money. It also has plans to become a full-fledged DAO by the year 2024. This will let the community use the MCADE token to take part in running the project. Players will also be able to earn tokens by completing tasks, taking part in player-versus-player sessions, writing reviews, and attending events.The success of Metacade's presale rounds highlights the increasing enthusiasm among investors for new projects.In the sixth round of pre-sales, the MCADE token costs $0.017. It's a big jump from the $0.008 it was worth in the beta round. Investors who want to take part in the next round of Metacade should move quickly. As the presale process nears its end, the price is likely to go up even more. The coin will also be listed on major cryptocurrency exchanges like Bitmart and Uniswap. So, it is usually a sign that the coin could go up in value in gamefi and web3.

Lionel Messi's Play Time invests in Matchday, an upcoming NFT blockchain football game in Web3 that will offer true ownership.FIFA is working with the studio to make Web3 games, which will be backed by professional soccer star Lionel Messi's venture capital firm, Play Time.The Web3 gaming startup Matchday has raised $21 million in seed capital for developing a range of soccer games. Notably, one of the companies funding Matchday is owned by soccer legend, Lionel Messi. In addition to Messi's company, Play Time Sports - Tech HoldCo LLC, venture capital firms such as Courtside Ventures, Greylock, Capricorn Investment Group, Horizon Ventures, and HackVC have also invested in the project. Matchday has teamed up with both Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi and Spanish soccer star Alexia Putellas. Putellas is the founder of the company's new game series on a global scale. Messi, who is the captain of the Argentine national team and plays for Paris Saint-Germain FC, has put a lot of money into the NFT space. He is one of the best football players who has put a lot of money into NFTs.Lionel Messi currently serves as the brand ambassador of Sorare, a popular NFT fantasy football game, and Socios, a fan token platform. In addition to his ambassadorship, he has also made an investment in Sorare. Messi has reportedly entered into an endorsement deal with Socios worth $20 million. Additionally, he has launched an official NFT collectible through the Ethernity Chain Platform.Derrick Ko, co-founder and CEO of Matchday, said in a statement that the company is making a game for a group of soccer fans that hasn't been reached yet. He also said that the game will be set up for people who don't play it all the time. In the same way, Matchday's chief gaming officer, Sebastian de Halleux, said he was excited about the game. Matchday's chief gaming officer, Sebastian de Halleux, said that the new game will be easy for anyone to play and will focus on giving players real ownership of digital items that they can be proud of. Matchday has been making soccer games for a long time and has official licenses from FIFA and FIFPRO, the players association. In a statement, De Halleux said, "Our games will be open to all players and will be based on true ownership of digital items that will be a source of pride for all players."The company is confident about its next project because Halleux has worked on similar projects before at Electronic Arts, a big game publisher. Halleux worked on the FIFA game series and the Madden NFT game series while he was at Electronic Arts. Stats show that Web3 users have spent about $4.3 billion on non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which give the user ownership. With their new project, Matchday is building on the idea that "ownership is equal to emotion." The company thinks that blockchains can help football fans feel like they own the game.Matchday was the first to suggest making a soccer game based on the blockchain. The fact that experts like FIFA, the official group in charge of the World Cup, are involved makes it important. The players' union, FIFPRO, is also involved. Derrick Ko, co-founder and CEO of Matchday, said in a statement that the games will be made for "casual" users. "We are building for a football audience that hasn't been reached yet," Ko said.

Web3 development is on the rise, and the NFT marketplace is one of the most profitable investments. Check out this easy guide to setting up your own digital collectible marketplace.An NFT marketplace is an online place where people can buy, sell, and trade tokens that can't be used to buy or sell anything else (NFTs). Some well-known NFT marketplaces are OpenSea, SuperRare, Rarible, and Nifty Gateway. These Web3 platforms give you a lot of choices, such as tools for making and minting NFTs, bidding, auctions, and transactions with a set price. Several NFT marketplaces also have social and community tools that let users talk to each other and make NFT communities. The way we think about ownership and collectibles is changing because of NFTs. NFTs have given collectors and creators of art and digital content new ways to invest in these fields and new ways to make money off of their work. Because NFTs are becoming more and more popular, there is a huge need for NFT marketplaces. If you want to build an NFT platform for collectibles, you need to think about essential, premium, and security features. These features can help you get more customers, gain the trust of your users, and keep your system safe from threats.Let's take a look at these important things that your NFT marketplace for collectibles should have: In an NFT marketplace, it is important to have a strong digital asset management system so that NFTs can be stored and handled safely. Each NFT should be guaranteed to be unique and real, and this system should stop anyone from being dishonest.An interface that is easy to use can make your platform more appealing and user-friendly by making it easy for users to find their way around.User accounts must be easy to set up, keep track of, and use so that they can be used to buy and sell collectibles.The market should accept a variety of payment methods, such as PayPal, credit cards, and other payment gateways.Making it easier for people all over the world to do business on your platform can help.

"Unlocking the Future: A Deep Dive into Web3 Gaming and Top Blockchain Networks" is your ultimate guide to the exciting intersection of gaming and blockchain technology. Delve into the dynamic world of Web3 gaming, where players not only play but also earn and truly own their in-game assets. From exploring the top blockchain networks like Binance, Ethereum, and Polygon to discovering the diverse genres of blockchain games, including RPGs, MMORPGs, sports, and casual games, this article covers it all. Learn how blockchain technology is revolutionizing gaming by providing transparency, security, and ownership of virtual assets. Plus, stay updated on the latest play-to-earn gaming news, ensuring you're always ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving landscape. Whether you're a seasoned gamer, a blockchain enthusiast, or a curious newcomer, "Unlocking the Future" invites you to join the journey into the thrilling world of Web3 gaming.

Urvit Goel of Polygon says that 2023 will be a big year for the Web3 industry and metaverse. He says that this is when we will see high-quality blockchain games.There are a lot of hopes for blockchain games, and many people expect them to live up to those hopes. Since 2023 is a "put up or shut up" year, it's likely that things will work out. But it's more likely that we'll see great Web3 games that are already being made by people with a lot of experience making games. Urvit Goel, Vice President of Games at Polygon, talked to VentureBeat about how important 2023 will be for the blockchain gaming industry. He also talks about the role that Polygon is playing in making the change happen.Goel said that 2023 will be a big year for the gaming industry, especially in terms of how blockchain technology is used. People will pay close attention to the promises made about upcoming games, and it's important that results start to show. Many developers are still in stealth mode and haven't put out any products yet. As more games come out, it will be easier to figure out how good they are and where the industry is headed. Polygon is making progress in the right direction, as it recently integrated Magic Eden into its chain. Additionally, blockchain games like The Sandbox, Decentraland, and more have embraced Polygon. However, it isn't as easy as it sounds, especially after the FTX collapse and the raging crypto winter. Despite the challenges, Dappradar reports that the Web3 blockchain gaming sector saw more than $500 million in investments. Goel facilitates the integration of cutting-edge technologies and marketplaces into the development process. He does this with a view to producing superior products. In support of this, Polygon has created a fund worth $100 million to invest in Web3 gaming and related sectors. A significant portion of this funding has been provided from the company's own resources, derived from a previous funding round that generated $450 million.Goel says that the blockchain gaming industry is growing up very quickly. At first, most people were interested in how blockchain and cryptocurrencies could be used to make money. This made games that were easy to understand and didn't impress serious gamers. Goel, on the other hand, thinks that the industry has reached a point where good games are being made. This shows a change toward becoming more mature and trustworthy.Goel says that the only developers left in the blockchain gaming industry are those who are very dedicated to making high-quality games that gamers will enjoy. Most of the time, these teams have a lot of money and all the tools they need to make great games. On the other hand, Web2 developers who move into Web3 projects are also likely to make a difference in the field. Even though the business has changed recently, Goel doesn't see any signs of a slowdown in the near future.

ImmutableX will Provide its Blockchain Platform for the Mobile Web3 Game Blocklete GolfImmutableX joins hands with Warner Bros. to work on the Web3 mobile blockchain game Blocklete Golf, which will permit players to own NFTs.ImmutableX announces the expansion of its collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports. Warner Bros. will be utilizing the ImmutableX blockchain platform to power Blocklete Golf - a mobile Web3 game, created by Warner Bros. Discovery Sports. The game lets players use non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to buy, train, and trade unique virtual golfers. Andrew Sorokovsky, the vice president of global business development at Immutable, stated in a release that they were pleased to partner with a pioneer like Warner Bros. and will provide the blockchain infrastructure for Warner Bros Discovery and Turner Sports in the sports media sector. He also mentioned that their commitment to exploring new possibilities and embracing early web3 adoption demonstrates that decentralized solutions are swiftly moving toward mass adoption. This will offer millions of individuals, new and engaging methods of interacting with entertainment media while maintaining complete control over their digital assets.Blocklete Golf, which was first released on the Flow blockchain, is going to move to ImmutableX to take advantage of its fast transactions and gas-free non-fungible token (NFT) minting. Another reason for this shift is that it is supported by Ethereum's powerful security and decentralization. Warner Bros. Discovery Sports and Immutable have decided to keep working together. This comes after the launch of the first interactive trivia and fan loyalty program, which can be seen every week during the Inside the NBA show after an NBA game.

Embarking on the Web3 journey offers brands an unparalleled opportunity to innovate and connect with their audiences on a deeper level. For those new to blockchain and NFTs, the journey begins with understanding the foundational concepts, akin to learning the rules of a new game. The key to success lies in creating NFTs that provide tangible value to customers, such as exclusive access, unique experiences, or special privileges, thereby fostering a sense of community and loyalty. However, navigating the Web3 space also presents challenges, including technological complexities, regulatory uncertainties, and the potential for market volatility. To mitigate these risks, brands must prioritize transparency, education, and a commitment to security. By adopting a balanced approach that combines innovation with customer-centric values, brands can confidently explore the vast potential of Web3 marketing, setting the stage for a new era of digital engagement and community building.

Decentraland fashion week, Champions Ascension tournament, NFTs making headlines, and Undead Blocks rolling out Play and Earn features in this week's Web3 gaming news. A lot of play to earn and blockchain gaming activity happened earlier this week. Several games like Undead Blocks, Champions Ascension, Decentraland, and more have come up with their updates. Now you can earn ZBUX by killing zombies, play Champions Ascension without a Web3 wallet, and more. We also saw the winner of Dookey Dash Key NFT making millions by auctioning it off. Moreover, we also have a Web3 metaverse fashion week coming up in Decentralnad. Mirandus also has a playtest open for players to test rolling dice. We also saw some big partnerships where Animoca Brands expands to the MENA region and join hands with Manga Productions and more.

The Funding is for Lowlife Forms, their Debut Blockchain game, and Web3 Game-verse platform VitalXP raises $3M in funds for its debut blockchain NFT game Lowlife Forms, it also plans to utilize funding for its Web3 game-verse platform. VitalXP has raised an extra 3 million dollars in pre-seed financing. The funding came for an action-packed gameverse platform and its debut game, Lowlife Forms. This huge funding, led by Streamlined Ventures and Marbruck Investments, demonstrated how people are still trusting Web3-based games, despite a cryptocurrency crash and challenging circumstances in the blockchain industry. The Round also shows that Web3 games and projects are still getting the funding and attention of investors. Lowlife Forms is set in a gritty yet amusing science-fantasy universe, populated by alien smugglers. The universe has droid bounty hunters, mercenaries, scam artists, and psychotic crime lords. The story resides at the nexus of mysterious shamanistic magic and alien technology.Tarik Malak, creative director for Lowlife Forms, explains how they are starting from the roots, all the way up. That includes the community, helping the players and fans to be part of the experience from day one. The game’s story and development are kind of open-ended, meaning it will develop along the way with the experience of all the factors involved.

Sony Game Developers and Ex-EA Developers Comprise Avalon Corp TeamAvalon Corp.'s Digital Universe receives $13 million in funding to launch an AAA project in the Web3, metaverse, and blockchain gamingThe world is molding itself towards the crypto universe for investments as well as the future. Big companies are getting interested in blockchain and metaverse or AAA multiverse and looking for different ways to be a part of it. In a similar effort, Bitkraft Ventures has raised $13 million in funding along with other companies to fund Avalon Corp, a Web3 gaming startup working on Avalon universe. The companies included are Hashed, Delphi Digital, Mechanism Capital, Coinbase Ventures, and others. The round also received funding from some angel investors, including former Microsoft executive Charlie Songhurst and Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin.The big news is their team of developers, has worked in huge tech companies like Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Blizzard, and Sony. The studio's first game will be Avalon, which runs on Unreal Engine 5 and has some MMO and Web3 metaverse elements. However, CEO of Avalon Corp Sean Pinnock and Chief Product Officer Jeffrey Butler told Decrypt in an interview that they don't perceive Avalon as a metaverse. The main reason for the reluctance is how the term has been taken and misapplied in the digital world.Butler remarked of the term "metaverse" that "everyone's kind of leaping onto this word and just pounding the poor word to death," adding that practically every big brand, whether they be a fast food chain or fashion industry, has somehow associated themselves with the creation of their own metaverse.

The Major Rugby League MLR and OVAL3 partnership will bring a unique fantasy NFT game, a valuable addition to Web3 and blockchain gaming.Major Rugby League fans will get their hands on an exclusive Fantasy NFT game using blockchain technology. The official announcement came from OVAL3, a renowned name in Web3 and fantasy sports games, especially rugby. As for MLR, it is a top league in North America, and it recently entered its sixth season last month. OVAL3 intends to offer top-tier blockchain immersive experiences and Web 3.0 engagement to the expanding North American rugby fanbase. It aims to achieve it through the procurement of MLR's exclusive NFT and Fantasy licenses. NFTs are now making a solid transition from profile pictures to in-game valuable assets. MLR has witnessed progress in all major metrics since 2017, consistently captivating new fans to the sport every year. The U.S. securing the 2031 (Men’s) and 2033 (Women’s) Rugby World Cups hosting will result in unparalleled North American focus on the sport in the upcoming years. This is where Oval 3 pledges to provide long-term support to MLR and its followers. Leveraging its fantasy rugby background from global operations, particularly with the Ligue Nationale de Rugby, OVAL3 plans to develop MLR's inaugural official fantasy game. This one-of-a-kind and captivating game will connect rugby with NFTs. Additionally, it will also tackle contemporary gaming codes using a Play & Own approach. It will provide a distinctive and immersive experience for both rugby enthusiasts and gamers.

In a recent episode of Decrypt's gm podcast, Polygon Labs' President Ryan Wyatt shares his insights on the future of Web3 blockchain games. He believes gamers will eventually adopt Web3 adaptations, driven by improved gameplay and true digital ownership through NFTs. Despite initial skepticism and challenges, Wyatt emphasizes that gamers, being tech-savvy, are likely to embrace these innovations as technological barriers decrease. He discusses the potential of NFTs to revolutionize digital property rights in gaming, allowing players to buy, sell, and trade in-game assets freely. Wyatt also highlights the need for developers to create engaging and sustainable Web3 gaming experiences. As blockchain technology evolves, Web3 games might simplify the user experience and integrate seamlessly with traditional gaming models. Dive into Wyatt's vision for the future of gaming, where Web3 and NFT gaming are set to transform the industry.

Companies involved in blockchain and cryptocurrencies are thinking about changing the names of concepts like crypto, NFT, blockchain, Web3. Web3, Blockchain and NFT Projects are urging to Stop Calling it Crypto as it has become “Old school."Big companies are abandoning terms like NFTs and Web3, partly due to the bad name and bear market. Words and names have had huge importance in commerce and the economy since the inception of the crypto market. There was a time when companies used to add the “blockchain” word to their names and would see their valuations skyrocket. But now these terms have turned into toxic words, and people are trying to distance themselves from them. If you are looking for NFTs on social media, you will have to search for “digital collectibles” instead of NFTs; otherwise, you might never find one.Brynly Llyr, head of blockchain and digital assets of the World Economic Forum, recently suggested that the crypto market should renounce old names. And instead, rebrand itself as “decentralized systems.” If you think about it, it’s not that bad of an idea at all, as these terms and jargon have turned into a safe haven for all the digital pirates. A big Bitcoin mining company, known as Riot Blockchain, has recently rebranded itself and is now called Riot Platforms. Sounds funny, right?

Trip Hawkins joins Games for a Living GFAL to work on NFT games, starting with Elemental Raiders.Two of the gaming industry’s top veterans have joined hands to work on NFT games. Recently, the founder of Electronic Arts gaming studio, Trip Hawkins, joined Games for a Living video gaming studio. Along with Trip Hawkins, Manel Sort the VP at Candy Crush Saga developer King is also in this project. The team will start with Elemental Raiders which is already available in a free-to-play version on Steam. However, in March, the game will introduce NFT, token elements, and a battle pass. The studio plans to roll out its own token; Games for a Living token. Despite the slump in crypto and challenges in Web3, we are seeing industry veterans exploring the niche. Trip Hawkins, the original founder and CEO of Electronic Arts (EA), is the latest addition to the list of famed video game industry legends. Similar legends of the gaming industry are flocking to the crypto world. Another example includes developers such as Will Wright and Peter Molyneux. These developers are currently working on NFT-based games.A couple of days ago, Hawkins was announced as the co-founder and chief strategy officer of Games for a Living. GFAL is a startup that focuses on creating games using NFTs and blockchain-based tokens. Manel Sort, the former first vice president at King, the developer of Candy Crush Saga, is one of the co-founders of Games for a Living. He teamed up with Hawkins, his former colleague from the mobile gaming startup Digital Chocolate, to create this new venture.