A twice-weekly industry status report for the emerging news and trending topics surrounding the business of web3.

Top-Line Trends

Bullish Updates 

$30 Million in crypto funds recovered from Axie Infinity exploit • Ford and Puma move into web3 and metaverse ecosystems • New web3 music fund raises $10 Million to invest in artists, NFTs, and startups • Mayo Clinic targets use of blockchain tech to aid clinical trials • And European Union presents project to fight counterfeiting through use of NFTs.

Bearish Downturns

Netflix bans crypto commercials • Defiance ETF launches to short blockchain companies • Argo Blockchain’s mining margins drop • Web3 artists take issue with market’s stance on royalty payments • Ethereum NFT transactions fall significantly • And Polygon’s MATIC price point concerning for some analysis.

The Rest of the Rollup

A curated list of the top news, opinions, and insights from every corner of the web3 ecosystem.

Business & The Blockchain

Web3 investments slowing after $14.2B injection during first half of 2022 • Architecture firms venture into NFT space • Breakdown of the ten biggest funding rounds this week • Chicago Restaurant “Joe’s Imports” launches NFT membership program • Otherdeed unique buyer metrics decline in Q3 • SOL-based NFTs on the rise • Oil companies leveraging the blockchain • Michelin Chef Vikas Khanna launches NFT of the “most expensive cookbook”. • And an overview of the top eight NFT marketplaces this year.

Finance/Investments

Crypto assets gaining global popularity, may be hedge against weak currency says IMF • Binance pulls support of USDC • What determines the price of crypto? • Switzerland’s SEBA Bank gets into ETH staking • Bitcoin bounces back to $20k • JPMorgan hires ex-Microsoft executive for blockchain position • Web3 investor Animoca raises over $100M in latest round • And Singapore’s DBS leans into the crypto and digital asset space, despite current market conditions.

Gaming/Metaverse

Indonesia’s gaming economy embracing blockchain • ApeCoin metaverse token sees double-digit gains • Music NFTs will be a game changer for web3 games • Enthusiast Gaming uses Coinbase Cloud Developer Platform to build its web3 game offerings • How digital Real Estate, art, and collectables may thrive in the metaverse • And an NFT gaming consultant’s dystopian prediction that impoverished populations may end up serving as NPCs (non-playable characters) in future open world games.

Entertainment/Art/Fashion

Quentin Tarantino and Miramax settle NFT lawsuit • Decentraland may soon use NFT ticketed events • Method Man drops NFT collection on Coinbase • Securing the rights to use music in NFTs • Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) celebrates 60th anniversary with celebration in the metaverse with NFT exhibition • How blockchain could transform the music industry • The Gap launches cultural campaign and NFT contest • And David Bowie’s estate gets ready to drop NFT project. 

Governmental/Legal/ Regulatory Compliance Updates

Canadian crypto exchange sues its users • EU law enforcement look to web3 tools to combat certain crimes • Federal Reserve looks for regulation of stablecoins • Telco CEO says Philippines crypto-friendly stance may play a significant role for web3 in Asia • And EU regulators focus CBDC initiatives on personal use over business use.

Scams/Rugs/Security Concerns

Crypto researchers fake a ponzi scheme, raise $100K in hours, say it’s “Far too easy” • Sandbox Instagram account compromised, hackers try to rent BAYC NFTs • Crypto markets flooded with memecoins and NFTs trying to take advantage of Queen’s death • And how digital ownership and the blockchain can be used to “flush out” bad actors.

General Interest/Educational Content

Libertarian expectations don’t always match with reality for some in web3 • Intro to fractionalization of real estate investment • Axie Infinity creator uses Google Cloud Services to secure blockchain network • BAYC losing market momentum? • Influencer marketing and how it applies to web3 projects • Blockchain use case: tracking E. Coli outbreaks • What the upcoming ETH merge means for layer 2 solutions • What is a wrapped token • And, Blockchain use case: community powered weather forecasting. 

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The articles and opinions in this report are those of the original authors and are not legal, financial, or general advice otherwise. Always perform your own due diligence, and follow reasonable investment and security best practices when engaging with any financial or web3 instruments. For legal and financial guidance, please consult a qualified attorney or financial advisor.