Edition #32 - 28 AUG 2022
As of today, more than 40% of stake pool operators (SPOs) are running version 1.35.3 of the node. This means that Cardano is already halfway through the much-awaited upgrade.
Input Output has repeatedly stated that it is aiming for the 75% threshold, whilst, at the same time, rejecting possibilities of postponing until next year.
gaming developments
Xbox boss keen on Metaverse but cautious about play-to-earn games – “gamers have been in the Metaverse for 30 years”;
Bored Apes and Moonbirds to get playable avatars in new Sandbox season;
Axie Infinity reveals Origin Season 0 In its latest roadmap, marking the transition into Phase 3.
metaverses & Adoption
51% of daily trade activity recorded for Bitcoin is most likely wash trading, as measured on 157 biggest cryptocurrency exchanges;
Su Zhu, co-founder of troubled hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, claims he could be facing imprisonment;
NFT trading volumes fell even further in August, a prorated decline of over 30% against July;
Ethereum Classic’s hashrate hits another all-time high following Ethereum’s hardened merge timeline;
Brazil’s senate is seeking to hire crypto and blockchain experts to advise on its policy.
defi
Celsius Network’s bankruptcy proceedings have highlighted that the firm has misrepresented many of its assets with deep complexities in its operations;
How the Merge will impact DeFi and dApps on Ethereum;
Ethereum Foundation approves EIP-3475 token standard to natively bring bonds onto Ethereum;
MakerDAO opens $100 million DAI loan to Huntingdon Valley Bank in a first integration between a DeFi protocol and a traditional bank;
Optimism’s total value locked (TVL) soars more than 90% throughout July.
funding rounds
Thirdweb, a web3 developer platform, completed its $24 million funding round this week. Haun Ventures led the round with participation from Coinbase Ventures, Shopify and Polygon, amongst others. The round valued Thirdweb at $160 million.
NFT Genius, an NFT development company, raises $10.5 million Series A, led by Dapper Labs, Spartan Labs, Commonwealth Asset Management (CWAM), and Fundamental Labs. Spartan, One Football, and Unibanco also participated in the round, valuing the company at $150 million.
Spectral, a web3 credit risk assessment agency, completed its $23 million round led by General Catalyst and Social Capital, with participation from Samsung, Gradient Ventures, Section 32, Franklin Templeton, Circle Ventures and Jump Capital.
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