It hasn&#x27;t been the best season for Carles Gil or the Revs, but Deke Mathews still believes in him for his weekend MLS preview at Sorare.

Sorare MLS: Deke's Diamonds GW 471

Sorair

Diving into the intricacies of crypto onboarding and the vision behind one of the industry's most impactful startups, Ishan Pandey welcomes Szymon Sypniewicz, the co-founder of Ramp Network, for our "Behind the Startup" series. From discussions about bridging the fiat-crypto divide to addressing regulatory challenges, this interview provides a comprehensive look into Ramp's mission to democratize crypto access and its ongoing efforts to make the crypto world accessible and user-friendly for all. Beyond Exchanges: Szymon Sypniewicz Discusses Ramp Network's Unique Vision for the Future of Cryptocurrency Ishan Pandey: Greetings, Szymon Sypniewicz. It's a privilege to feature you in our "Behind the Startup" series. Can you shed light on your professional journey and what catalyzed your decision to co-found Ramp Network? Thank you, Ishan, for having me. My journey began in Warsaw during my university years where I met my co-founder, Przemek Kowalczyk. We both had diverse academic backgrounds - I studied law while Przemek delved into physics. Our shared interest in the potential of cryptocurrency brought us together at a meeting of the Polish libertarian party. From the outset, we saw cryptocurrency not just as a financial tool, but as a means of social change and a way to increase an individuals’ agency. Szymon Sypniewicz: Our initial foray into the crypto world involved working on several projects and startups, most of which didn't take off as we hoped. However, these experiences were invaluable as they paved the way for the inception of Ramp. The core idea behind Ramp was to bridge the gap between users operating in the fiat world and the applications native to the crypto world. We envisioned a platform that would act as a gateway, or a "ramp", facilitating seamless interactions between these two realms. Our goal was to ensure that cryptocurrencies could function in a truly decentralized manner. As we developed Ramp, we faced skepticism and questions about why we didn't simply create another crypto exchange. But our vision was clear - we wanted to offer something fundamentally different. We aimed to provide a platform that would enable crypto wallets, exchanges, NFT marketplaces, and gaming companies to integrate crypto payment infrastructure seamlessly. This would allow users to purchase crypto assets without the need to switch between multiple apps. Looking back, our journey has been filled with challenges that have taught us invaluable lessons which made each milestone reached that much more satisfying. From our humble beginnings in a windowless office in Warsaw to the challenging environment for crypto in recent months, our commitment to our vision has never wavered. We've always believed in the transformative power of blockchain and the potential of decentralized systems and as we move forward, we remain dedicated to making the crypto world more accessible and user-friendly for everyone. Ishan Pandey: Ramp Network stands as a beacon for democratizing crypto access. In an ecosystem riddled with technical hurdles, how has Ramp ensured an intuitive user experience while simplifying integration processes for enterprises? At Ramp, our mission is clear: make crypto as easy to use as any other online service. We've built a full-stack payment infrastructure that allows brands and partners to seamlessly and swiftly integrate crypto-enabled services using the Ramp SDK. In fact, integration can be as quick as a few hours. Szymon Sypniewicz: For users, we aim for a one-click experience. No more jumping through hoops or navigating complex interfaces. For developers, we envision a world where adding crypto to their apps is as simple as copy-and-paste, or even drag-and-drop. Our partnerships with hundreds of developers, including the likes of Metamask, Opera Browser, Dapper Labs, Aave, Argent, and Trust Wallet, have been instrumental in refining our approach. Through these collaborations, we've been able to tailor our solutions to the real-world needs of the crypto community. : Vested Interest Disclosure This author is an independent contributor publishing via our . Be it through direct compensation, media partnerships, or networking, the author has a vested interest in the company/ies mentioned in this story. HackerNoon has reviewed the report for quality, but the claims herein belong to the author. #DYOR brand-as-author program We are stripping away the complexities for both end-users and enterprises. Our goal is to facilitate and support broader crypto adoption through simplicity and efficiency. We won't stop until we achieve it. Ishan Pandey: The Ramp SDK is a pivotal element of your service suite. Can you expound on its multifaceted capabilities and how it fortifies businesses in seamlessly embedding crypto on/off-ramp solutions? Ramp’s SDK is designed to empower businesses, enabling them to effortlessly integrate crypto on/off-ramp solutions into their platforms. Ramp is not just about making transactions easy for the end-users, for developers our SDK is a dream come true. We have refined the integration process, making it more simple and efficient. With Ramp you are able to embed a robust crypto solution with just a few lines of code. Szymon Sypniewicz: And the best part? Our partnerships with top-tier industry leaders such as Metamask, Ledger and Brave means that users can effortlessly buy crypto directly within their favorite apps, sending it right to their non-custodial wallets. It's all about creating a seamless, direct route to the crypto universe, without the usual roadblocks. Ishan Pandey: With Ramp's footprint spanning over 150 countries, how do you believe this extensive coverage accelerates the universal embracement of cryptocurrencies? Being in 150 countries is our way of tapping into the global heartbeat of the crypto movement. Web3 products burst onto the scene with a global mindset from the get-go. When a web3 developer dreams up a product, they're not just thinking of their backyard. They are  picturing a user base that spans continents and are looking for partners like Ramp to help them realize that global ambition. Szymon Sypniewicz: At Ramp we think global and act local, for us supporting over 40 fiat currencies isn't just a number; it's our commitment to that global vision. It ensures that a user in Berlin or Buenos Aires can dive into crypto using their local currency. In line with our goal to make web 3 easily accessible for everyone, we have gone that extra mile to integrate local payment methods. We want to make sure your entry into crypto feels familiar and is straightforward. Catering to this worldwide ambition is exhilarating and is definitely challenging. But it's also what drives us, making sure that the global essence of web3 is not just a vision but a lived reality. Ishan Pandey: In an era where security breaches are rife, how does Ramp Network ensure robust security amidst the intricacies inherent to cyberattacks and a theft-prone environment? At Ramp, we've taken a different route to most. Instead of holding onto users' assets, we've championed the self-custodial approach. When users buy crypto through our platform, it's sent directly to their self-custodial wallets. This means there's no central pot of funds for hackers to target and users always maintain control over their assets. Szymon Sypniewicz: Our partnerships with leading self-custody solutions like Metamask, Ledger, and Brave Browser ensure that users have top-tier security without sacrificing user experience. Plus, with our focus on providing a comprehensive exchange infrastructure we've baked in robust security measures at every step, from compliance to payment processing. Ishan Pandey: The regulatory environment for crypto remains in flux. What preemptive strategies and adaptations has Ramp Network incorporated to stay abreast of evolving regulations? Szymon Sypniewicz: Our approach to navigating the dynamic regulatory environment is both strategic and technologically driven. We recognize the importance of adhering to the highest standards, especially in an industry where trust is essential to its long term success. Being registered with the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and FinCEN in the US is not just a testament to our commitment but also a reflection of our ability to meet the rigorous demands of two of the world's strictest regulatory bodies. These registrations are more than just badges, they represent our dedication to ensuring that our operations are transparent, secure, and trustworthy. Our technological edge plays a pivotal role in this. We've integrated advanced financial crime compliance platforms to enhance our oversight capabilities. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we can proactively detect potential financial crimes, ensuring a safer and more reliable environment for our users. This integration is a clear example of how we employ technology to not only meet but exceed regulatory requirements. Furthermore, our recent FCA approval has enabled us to roll out our off-ramp solution globally. This expansion is not just about reaching more users; it's about providing a seamless, safe and compliant service to users across different jurisdictions. It underscores our commitment to making crypto more accessible while ensuring that we operate within the bounds of local and international regulations. Looking ahead, we're not resting on our laurels. We are in the advanced stages of securing additional licenses which will further expand our regulatory footprint. This proactive approach ensures that as the crypto industry evolves, Ramp Network remains at the forefront setting standards and building trust. Ishan Pandey: Striking a balance between user-centricity and blockchain's decentralized ethos is a tall order. How does Ramp Network navigate this dichotomy? At Ramp Network, we've always believed that the true potential of blockchain can only be realized when it's accessible and user-friendly. While we champion the decentralized ethos, we're acutely aware of the challenges it can pose from a user experience standpoint. Szymon Sypniewicz: Our approach is tailored to this very challenge. By providing infrastructure that emphasizes non-custodial crypto products, we ensure users maintain control over their assets. But control doesn't have to come at the cost of simplicity. Our platform is designed with ease of use at its core. Through partnerships with leading self-custody solutions, we've been able to offer a seamless and intuitive interface, making transactions straightforward even for those new to the crypto world. Furthermore, our integrations allow users to purchase crypto directly within their apps and receive it in their non-custodial wallets. This bypasses the often cumbersome processes associated with traditional crypto exchanges, streamlining the user journey. In essence, Ramp Network is striving to redefine the balance between decentralization and user-centricity. Our goal is to offer a platform where the principles of blockchain and top-tier UX coexist, making the crypto experience both empowering and effortless. Ishan Pandey: The journey of procuring investments is rarely linear. Could you share some pivotal moments and collaborations that have been instrumental in catapulting Ramp Network's ascent? Ramp's growth has been strategic and deliberate. Key to our ascent has been our licensing in both the UK and US, which underscores our commitment to compliance and trust. This has enabled us to expand globally, offering local payment methods tailored to diverse markets. All of the above have been instrumental in building trust with our investors. Szymon Sypniewicz: Our pioneering efforts in the gaming space have been particularly noteworthy. By forging strong partnerships with industry leaders like Sorare and Axie Infinity, we've positioned ourselves at the forefront of on-ramping in this rapidly growing sector. Our dedication to blockchain technology is evident in our unparalleled coverage of layer 2 solutions, ensuring faster and more efficient transactions for our users. Moreover, our off-ramp capabilities are best in class, allowing users to sell in over 130 countries, further emphasizing our global reach and commitment to accessibility. In short, our focus remains on innovation, global expansion and fostering trust within the crypto community and with the regulatory bodies across the globe have been integral to building a company that many believe in and want to partner with. Ishan Pandey: In what ways can cryptocurrencies unlock untapped markets for SMEs beleaguered by exorbitant cross-border transaction fees? How do you envision businesses capitalizing on crypto transactions to sidestep steep currency conversion and card charges on an international scale? Our long-term vision at Ramp is to enable a seamless global financial ecosystem powered by crypto. By implementing on and off-ramping solutions across the world, we're laying the groundwork for businesses to bypass traditional financial bottlenecks. Imagine a future where a user can effortlessly use a cost-effective onramp in one country, transfer their crypto to another country, and then off-ramp using another affordable method, all in a single and efficient move. Szymon Sypniewicz: This not only sidesteps the exorbitant currency conversion and card charges but also democratizes access to financial systems. It's a future where borders don't dictate financial efficiency, and businesses can truly capitalize on the global nature of crypto to drive their international operations. Ishan Pandey: The blockchain cosmos is in perpetual flux. How does Ramp Network keep its finger on the pulse of this rapid evolution, and what's the roadmap to infuse emergent blockchain trends and technologies into your platform? At the heart of Ramp lies a team of crypto natives, passionate about the space and deeply understanding of its nuances. However, we don't operate in a vacuum, we actively listen to the feedback from millions of our users and insights from our hundreds of partners. This collective intelligence shapes our roadmap and informs our next steps. Szymon Sypniewicz: Recently, we've recognized the importance of Layer 2 solutions in the crypto ecosystem. With the challenges of scalability and high transaction fees on mainnets, L2s offer a promising solution. Guided by our commitment to user-centricity and the feedback loop we've established, our latest focus has been on enabling users to onboard directly to L2s. This not only ensures faster and cheaper transactions but also a smoother user experience. For a deeper dive into our L2 initiatives, I'd recommend checking out our . It's all about staying agile, listening to the community, and continuously innovating to serve them better. recent blog post Don’t forget to like and share the story!

Redefining Decentralization: How Ramp Network Balances User-Centricity with Blockchain's Core Ethos

Redefiniendo la descentralización: cómo Ramp Network equilibra la orientación centrada en el usuario con el espíritu central de Blockchain

Redéfinir la décentralisation : comment le réseau Ramp équilibre l'orientation utilisateur avec la philosophie fondamentale de Blockchain

विकेंद्रीकरण को पुनर्परिभाषित करना: रैम्प नेटवर्क ब्लॉकचेन के मूल लोकाचार के साथ उपयोगकर्ता-केंद्रितता को कैसे संतुलित करता है

分散化の再定義: Ramp Network がユーザー中心性とブロックチェーンの中核精神のバランスを取る方法

Redefinindo a descentralização: como a Ramp Network equilibra a centralização no usuário com o espírito central do Blockchain

Xác định lại sự phân quyền: Cách mạng Ramp cân bằng việc lấy người dùng làm trung tâm với đặc tính cốt lõi của Blockchain

重新定义去中心化：Ramp Network 如何平衡以用户为中心与区块链的核心精神

What if I told you it's possible to transfer your NFTs on Ethereum to the Bitcoin network? Well, you might want to read further. If you are new to the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, most of what I will talk about here will look like gibberish. However, BRC-721E is one breakthrough in this ever-changing landscape that deserves your attention. And that is precisely why, before we go ahead and start with its capabilities and limitations, it makes sense to brush up on the basics first! Tokens & Token Standards: Understanding the Basics The best (and perhaps the simplest) definition of a token, in the context of the crypto world, is a cryptocurrency that is created, managed, and distributed on a blockchain-based technology (in this case, Ethereum). It often has a market value and some utility, making it a valued possession. A token standard, as you may have already guessed by now, is a set of rules that command a token's design, behavior, and other attributes. And of course, like any other standard, it needs to be widely adopted for it to be accepted as a standard. These token standards help developers build applications and execute various other implementations. But why are these important? Now, here’s the important thing: when millions of users try and build their own tokens on top of a smart contract on Ethereum, it might be a bit difficult to keep track of all the different ways of code implementation. Token standards help streamline this by laying one common ground for developers working on similar tokens while leaving enough room for personalization, ensuring that the smart contracts remain compatible with existing decentralized exchanges despite the new additions. Some of the most popular are ERC-20, ERC-721, ERC-777, ERC-1155, and ERC-4626. examples of token standards on Ethereum Okay, got it. But what’s so special about the BRC-721E? Before I start explaining the BRC-721E token standard, it’s vital we start by talking about the ERC-721. is a non-fungible token (NFT) standard. Proposed by William Entriken, Dieter Shirley, Jacob Evans, and Nastassia Sachs in January 2018, ERC-721 introduces a standard for NFTs. Some of the functionalities offered by this token include: ERC-721 Transferring tokens across accounts Extracting the current token balance of an account Getting the owner of a specific token Offering approvals for amount transfers Etherscan NFT tracker, CryptoKitties, Sorare, and the ENS are some popular NFTs that abide by the ERC-721 token standards. Now that you’re familiar with ERC-721, we can go back to discussing BRC-721E. I know the terms can be confusing, but I am trying my best to demystify these for you! BRC-721E is among the newest token standards, and it allows traders to convert their ERC-721 NFTs to BRC-721E tokens on Bitcoin. And would you be surprised if I revealed that within a few weeks of the announcement, Bitcoin grabbed the second spot on the leaderboard for NFT trading volumes, leaving Solana behind? Here are a few highlights about the token standard jointly introduced by Ordinals Market and Bitcoin Miladys NFT Collection. The migration will be immutable and verifiable. NFTs will burn and appear automatically on the Ordinals marketplace. Zero possibility of double counting across the two blockchains. Even Ethereum NFT content as small as 100 bytes can be turned into a custom Ordinal. It’s important to note that once you’ve executed the conversion, there’s no way to undo it. If you want to develop upon this new token standard, make sure you don’t make a hurried decision. Only an experienced blockchain developer or a domain expert can help you leverage the most out of this recent development. Wrapping It Up The BRC-721E token is already revolutionizing digital asset ownership and interoperability. It allows individuals and businesses to own assets securely, transfer them seamlessly across blockchain networks, and collaborate to create value. As blockchain technology penetrates further, the BRC-721E token will significantly transform the digital economy. Keep an eye out for more updates!

Token Standards: Introducing ERC-721's Cool New Twin – BRC-721E

Sports industry overall has been through loads of changes and transformations over the last few years. Organisations like UEFA have partnered with blockchain based ticketing platforms to sell mobile tickets, while companies such as Socios have taken fan engagement to another level. This has prompted both sports and esports industries to explore alternate streams to maintain fan engagement, while also tackling major issues such as security and transparency. Blockchain may not be there yet, but it's certainly picking up and has provided loads of solutions that are changing the basic paradigms of the traditional sports industry. It isn’t future technology anymore, it’s here, and sporting organizations around the world are finding innovative ways to utilize it for effective and efficient results. While major football clubs like Manchester City, Barcelona, and PSG are using it in their digital strategies, young projects such as Blockchain Sports are building an entire football academy in Brazil incorporating blockchain technology. Through various applications like fan tokens, fan event monitoring, and loyalty networks, the sports ecosystem has achieved an unprecedented level of transparency, efficiency, and convenience for both players and fans alike. Against the backdrop, there are a few ways blockchain has changed the dynamic of the sports industry: Enhancing Global Fan Engagement Through Tokens Blockchain technology has revolutionized fan engagement, and one of its key contributions is the introduction of fan tokens. These digital tokens function as virtual currency for sports clubs, allowing fans to purchase them using traditional fiat currencies like dollars, pounds, and euros. Fan tokens provide a gateway to a world of exclusive benefits, including the opportunity to exchange tokens for merchandise, collectibles, and unforgettable experiences. Additionally, token holders gain access to a secure and exclusive community of like-minded fans, where they can actively participate in fan-driven decisions through a mobile voting platform. By possessing these unique tokens, fans and sports enthusiasts experience a heightened sense of connection with their teams, regardless of their physical distance. Today, both domestic and international clubs and leagues have enthusiastically embraced fan tokens as a means to monetize their fan base and enhance engagement. A remarkable example of their success occurred in 2020 when FC Barcelona released their first round of exclusive fan tokens, which sold out within a mere two hours, generating $1.3 million. The fortunate token owners were granted the opportunity to partake in club-related surveys, including voting for a mural design that would adorn the first team's locker room. However, it is crucial for fan token companies and clubs to ensure that these tokens are not solely utilized as a means of club monetization. The true value lies in activating and delivering meaningful fan engagement and decision-making opportunities for long-term value creation, benefiting all stakeholders, particularly the fans themselves. Utilizing Blockchain for Fan Engagement Platforms Blockchain technology presents a valuable opportunity for constructing robust fan engagement platforms. Sports teams and clubs can leverage these platforms to develop loyalty programs that incentivize and reward supporters for their active participation in generating and sharing content. BCS Academy led by Blockchain Sports allows just that, digitizing players that join the academy, enabling fan engagement from day one. These initiatives foster a sense of community and belonging among supporters while strengthening the club’s relationship with sponsors. The transparent and open nature of blockchain enables the seamless sharing of fan engagement data with advertisers, empowering them to achieve a higher return on investment and optimize their marketing efforts. Eliminating Ticket Fraud With Blockchain The sports industry has long grappled with the challenges of ticket touting and counterfeiting, posing significant concerns. However, many sports teams have discovered a powerful solution in blockchain technology, offering effective measures against these issues. The inherent transparency of blockchain enables seamless verification of ticket authenticity, providing reassurance to fans and authorities alike. With the ability to trace tickets back to the originating club, blockchain ensures a secure and legitimate ticketing process. Moreover, blockchain streamlines ticket transfers by enabling peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries. This means that fans who are unable to attend an event can safely transfer their tickets to others without incurring penalty fees or relying on centralized entities. This convenience extends to instances of event postponement or cancellation, simplifying the rescheduling process for all parties involved. By leveraging blockchain, the sports industry takes a significant step towards eliminating ticket fraud, enhancing security, and improving the overall ticketing experience for fans. Empowering Esports Through Blockchain Esports involves multiple stakeholders, including game creators, sponsors, team management, players, and the media. This intricate web of relationships necessitates numerous transactions, resulting in repetitive information sharing among parties. Additionally, the involvement of intermediaries becomes crucial as it becomes impractical for any single entity to manage and track such extensive data. However, the decentralized nature of blockchain offers a compelling solution by providing a unified platform that connects all these stakeholders, enabling direct interaction without the need for intermediaries. Utilizing blockchain's programmable smart contracts, a more streamlined process for transferring players, prize money, or media rights emerges. This technology instills confidence by eliminating concerns about the unfair distribution of prize money or delayed payments. Moreover, it fosters a sense of togetherness and trust among the esports community. By embracing blockchain, the esports industry can create a transparent ecosystem that facilitates efficient interactions and transactions, benefiting all involved parties. It simplifies complex processes, enhances security, and builds a foundation of trust, ultimately propelling the growth and development of esports to new heights. Membership and Digital Cards Sports teams have traditionally relied on trading cards and souvenirs as a profitable revenue stream. However, with the rise of a new generation of fans who are deeply engaged in gaming and esports, there is a need to embrace digital collectibles. By shifting towards digital trading cards and souvenirs, clubs can keep pace with evolving consumer preferences and appeal to a wider audience. Through the use of blockchain-powered crypto collectibles, teams can create unique or limited-edition items that are authenticated through a secure and transparent digital ledger. We’ve witnessed the massive adoption of SoRare for NFTs for the English Premier League, as well as had clubs like Manchester United produce their own set of digital collectibles which provide rewards in various ways. In a Nutshell: Blockchain technology is increasingly playing a crucial role in fan engagement strategies for sports teams and individuals all around the world. We’re witnessing a revolution in Brazil with Blockchain Sports and their football academy, as the innovation is also being embraced internationally by renowned players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. As we eagerly await the start of the game, it is evident that digital solutions for the digital era will revolutionize fan engagement and create exciting opportunities in the sports industry.

Blockchain Gives Sports a Lucrative Way to Increase Their Fandom

Metabase & Substrate: A Simple and Flexible, Yet Unscalable, Approach to Data Analysis

I recently spoke with Constantin Garreau, founder of . In our conversation, we discussed the problems of the Web3 gaming industry and a potential strategy for its revival. Stables Constantin also discusses the potential impact of NFTs and in-game asset ownership on the broader gaming industry. Hello Constantin, it’s great to have you with us. Can you please introduce yourself and share your journey with our readers? Hi, I’m Constantin Garreau, the founder of Stables, a French horse-racing fantasy game that integrates real horse-racing with Web3 capabilities. I’m building Stables for Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU), the 1st horse-racing betting organization in France. I joined PMU in February 2020, and since January 2022, I’ve been working as the Director of Innovation at PMU. Prior to that, I was a Senior Strategic Accounts Advisor at Contentsquare, a digital experience insights platform. I’ve also worked at Salesforce as a Marketing Account Executive for South EMEA and Strategic Account Executive. Currently, I’m focussing on Stables to build an innovative game and rethink financing the French Equestrian industry. Why do you think the blockchain gaming sector crashed so severely? Can you tell us the main problems affecting the Web3 gaming industry? I think there are multiple factors that led to the crash of the blockchain gaming industry. To begin with, most Web3 games focussed on unsustainable tokenomics models that were just get-rich-quick Ponzi schemes. These games relied on market speculation where the game economy compelled users to cash out their rewards in secondary marketplaces. Most of these games had a shabby layout without any engaging narrative or interesting gameplay. Thus, players didn’t come to Web3 games to play and enjoy but to participate in a speculative frenzy over token prices. The absence of high-level graphics, compelling characters, and a fun community experience contributed to the steady decline of blockchain gaming. Is there a way out for the Web3 gaming sector in 2023? How do you think the industry can recover without harming general users? Yes, I’m hopeful that the Web3 gaming industry can come back with a bang if they follow a robust multi-pronged strategy. The key is to capitalize on the fundamental principles of blockchain technology to ensure better protection for common users. On one hand, developers have to focus on building games with interesting plots and graphically-rich gameplay. Rather than focussing only on tokenomics, Web3 gaming studios must ensure that they offer an AAA gaming experience to players. On the other hand, blockchains can function on the backend to benefit gamers by enhancing the utility of in-game assets. Leveraging NFT technology, developers can build games with better digital asset ownership and asset provenance capabilities. Apart from true ownership of in-game assets, NFTs can create a strong community based on mutual interests. This community will help games to retain players in the long run and collectively contribute towards a game’s development. For instance, Stables is utilizing NFT technology that will offer a unique gaming experience to its players. Tell us about how you feel Stables is contributing to the revival of the crypto gaming industry. As I mentioned before, Stables is a fantasy horseracing game where you can truly own your horse and participate in horseracing. Each virtual horse is an NFT that is linked to a real horse in the French Equestrian market. Players can use their NFT horses to compete against each other and earn exciting rewards. We’ve put special emphasis on making Stables an engaging Web3 game that doesn’t depend on purchasing costly NFTs to win races. Although each NFT horse has unique abilities depending on its real-world twin, players can hone their horse’s skillset. Thus, strategic decision-making will help players to win races, keeping the game interesting and open-ended. Stables also intends to build a well-knit community of gamers who are passionate and invested in horseracing. Using a token-gated feature, we will offer exclusive experiences and privileges to the Stables community. We hope that Stables will lead the revival of crypto gaming with a combination of high-quality gameplay, transparent asset ownership, and a robust community. How is Stables different from other Web3 games? I think the fundamental difference is that Stables comes from a century-old company with an ambition to venture into the Web3 world. We’re not here for short-term gains but want to change the French Equestrian industry forever with Web3 gaming. Stables uses the official licenses of France Galop and , bolstering our vision to take horseracing to a global stage. Le Trot Apart from such institutional backing, our gameplay rewards players who make intelligent decisions to win races. So anyone can become the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Stables community without any intensive monetary investments. We believe that NFT technology will empower players to have sovereign ownership over their gaming assets and build a well-knit community. Stables is just getting started, and we have a lot lined up in 2023 with Gen1 and Gen2 NFT minting. Built on a secure and energy-efficient Tezos blockchain, we’re hopeful that Stables will create an impact in the Web3 gaming scene. How do you think the Web3 gaming industry will shape up this year? Given that you talked about NFTs and in-game asset ownership, how important will these concepts be in affecting the broader gaming industry? It’s an interesting question. Let me answer this by sharing an anecdote that some people might already know. Vitalik Buterin, one of Ethereum’s founders, in a World of Warcraft game due to centralized control of gaming assets. lost a spell’s power Buterin wanted to build a technology that can give true ownership of digital assets to users. Blockchain technology, in general, and NFTs, in particular, have the potential to offer sovereign ownership of in-game assets. Although NFTs are a revolutionary technology in Web3 gaming, most traditional gamers have perceived this to be just another money-grabbing scheme. Thus, gaming studios like Ubisoft and Electronic Arts have faced severe backlash for introducing NFTs into their games. I think the messaging has been wrong, and there’s a lot of work to do in educating people about how NFTs work. Despite the current slump in market conditions, there has been to develop Web3 games. steady funding So I think we’ll see a lot of high-quality crypto games this year with NFT-powered technology revolutionizing in-game asset ownership and monetization channels. A last word from Constantin… Why do we recruit gamers instead of gamblers, and why do we think this is important? We believe gaming is a new way to consume digital content and that our industry will grow through these gamers. Additionally, we want to pre-empt new markets that are forming, such as Sorare, because the link with the real world and physical experiences can add real value to the player's experience.

Devising a Revival Strategy for Web3 Gaming: An Interview With Stables Founder Constantin Garreau

ERRONEOUSLY CARRIED-OUT ACTIONS

Hi Hackers, Happy New Year 🎉 There’s no question that as we look ahead, a lot of talking heads in the crypto space, myself included, think the NFT gaming ecosystem stands to have a big 2023. But what are the sorts of things we want to see in this ecosystem for this big year to come to fruition? Toward that end, I’ve put together a wishlist — 8 rising themes in the NFT gaming sector that I (and maybe soon you too) want to see more of in 2023. Let’s dive in! -WMP 8 web3 gaming themes for 2023 🕹️ 1) Deeper, Richer Gameplay https://twitter.com/AxieInfinity/status/1609932508296105984?s=20&t=AW19csYfK-VrP-kHClD_bg&embedable=true One reason people love games so much? They allow us to test and hone our skills. Nowhere is this truer than in games that have lots of , i.e. they offer a rich variety of tactical and strategic gameplay possibilities. Anything from Chess to Hearthstone are examples here. depth The NFT gaming ecosystem is growing faster than ever now, but to date many of its early titles have felt “flat” in lacking much to do and thus offering players little in the way of tests of skill. One project working in the right direction here right now is Axie Infinity. https://twitter.com/xero_mt8/status/1606543364325019648?s=20&t=g9unkQ3pbrdozNIybFUWrw&embedable=true In April 2022, Axie creators Sky Mavis unveiled , an optimized version of their original tactical card battler game that introduced card updates, a charms and runes crafting system, and real-time combat. As you can see from the tweet above, these new elements allow players to enjoy a of depth with unique, custom-tailored playing styles. Axie Infinity: Origins lot Of course, Axie Infinity: Origins is still a work in progress itself, but I hope to see more projects following its lead in “going deep” in 2023. If you’re interested in learning more about this game in particular, check out its basics . in this Sky Mavis guide 2) New Mobile Releases https://twitter.com/brycent_/status/1610023543319760899?s=20&t=4snvP1SStWqylu8HpkfAYg&embedable=true A decent smartphone is more affordable than a computer or a gaming console, so mobile games are great for accessibility. One thing I’ve always really enjoyed about Axie Infinity was how you could play it on Android devices (with iOS support coming soon, too), and there’s no doubt we’re going to see more NFT games emulating this approach going forward as mobile gaming activity keeps rising to new heights. One project I’m watching on this front right now is . Treeverse A mobile MMORPG built on Ethereum and headed up by and , Treeverse is currently in limited pre-alpha testing. However the early videos from this testing reveals the makings of a game that not only looks pretty but also looks downright fun in my opinion. Endless Clouds Loopify Bringing fun to more people, and more people into the empowering applications of crypto, is the lodestar for mobile NFT games. I’m really interested to see how Treeverse and other mobile titles like it progress accordingly. 3) Gasless Gaming https://twitter.com/PirateNationNFT/status/1606695161408503810?s=20&t=H2mv3EAg8HV8mX5SgQl0yg&embedable=true Games with lots of on-chain elements can come with lots of transactions and wallet signatures. Lots of transactions and wallet signatures = poor user experience. As such, a new NFT game that’s demonstrating how to provide gasless UX is , an on-chain adventure game built on Polygon. The project uses a that allows Pirate Nation to cover transactions behind the scenes so players don’t have to pay for gas or sign any transactions mid-game. Pirate Nation game wallet system Here’s hoping other web3 games start experiment with this superior UX approach, too! 4) The Arbitrum Gaming Invasion Arbitrum has been the largest and most popular layer-two (L2) Ethereum scaling solution for a while now. Of course, affordable and fast infra is ideal for NFT games. This reality, combined with all the advances yet to come for Arbitrum, makes this L2 fertile ground for a web3 gaming boom. Additionally, projects like have already done much to bring the foundations of a teeming NFT scene to Arbitrum, so the fun looks like it’s just getting started here. That’s true for a title like , a free-to-play RPG that just had an explosive launch and is poised to bring considerable activity to Arbitrum going forward. This is just a taste of what’s to come for this L2, I think. Treasure DAO literally The Beacon https://twitter.com/arbitrum/status/1601244541927186432?s=20&t=yhc7_CPmFErmjSTLs5BAVw&embedable=true 5) More Tournaments The thrill of competition, the glory of skillful wins, the gain of achievements and rewards, and that sense of belonging to a community of passionate peers. are the reasons why players find tournaments so exciting. These So when it comes to NFT games, tournaments are absolutely a great way to offer players fun and compelling experiences on a rolling basis, and I’d love to see more of them accordingly. One project that I think is nailing the tournament approach currently is , which lets players build fantasy decks and then register for a variety of different competitions whenever they’d like. Yes please! Sorare: NBA 6) Flexible Crypto-native Designs Sometimes when NFT games push out updates, the game creators will temporarily pause their contract(s) and players will have to unstake or migrate their gaming assets. This isn’t great UX, right. One game that’s tackling this problem right now is , which is set to launch in April 2023. It’s doing so with the flexible and modular smart contract approach that allows NFT games (among other use cases) to readily extend and update their projects. I’m all in favor of seeing more of this practical approach in the space. Shattered EON Diamond Standard https://twitter.com/CrypMania/status/1607409976481382401?s=20&t=Dp3dI6Bd3xdcaBBE1fK0qw&embedable=true 7) More On-chain Game Engine Experiments By “on-chain game engine,” I mean a series of smart contracts that are created to power a game’s backend indefinitely on a blockchain like Ethereum. https://twitter.com/PirateNationNFT/status/1605663573954412547?s=20&t=tKhe9h9tjSnhhX5PABv6sQ&embedable=true On-chain game engines are interesting because they allow third-party creators to openly build new experiences around and on top of NFT games. This dynamic paves the way to modding, which in turn allows players to actively choose how to want to enjoy and experience their games of choice. There has been lots of interesting work on this front lately. For example, in recent months we’ve seen , , and introduce new on-chain game engines. These are the bloomings of a new field, and the possibilities are wide open here at the moment. Curio Lattice Adam Cochran 8) No-token Games Practically every NFT game to date has embraced ERC20 tokens in some form or fashion. The most popular approaches we’ve seen so far have revolved around single-token or dual-token models. The latter splits out governance and utility matters across separate ERC20s, while the former tries to handle all its needs with just one token. Both these approaches can face major issues, which 0xKepler, one of the great minds in web3 gaming in my opinion, lays out excellently in this thread: https://twitter.com/0xKepler/status/1606253510390972417?s=20&t=4nrewsZ38JQlT8hfMkR8MA&embedable=true As way to avoid these issues, 0xKepler proposes the creation of a that would rely on “off-chain currency + NFTs for value accrual.” no-token model The idea is that players could “mint NFTs against their off-chain currency,” which would mitigate direct fiat exchanges and thus lessen the financial motivations that when unchecked. I think this is a fascinating approach that can lead to funner and more balanced games. I’ll be excited if we start seeing more projects put this strategy into action, because we definitely need more experimentation in this regard. can wreck an NFT game The Future of Fun Awaits 👾 If you’re into NFTs and you’re also a gamer, it’s an incredibly exciting time to be on the ground in the NFT ecosystem. The NFT games scene is still fairly primordial, yes, but in observing here one gets the sense right now that a corner is being turned. Important strides are being made. Where there was once only a few simple NFT game efforts, there are now such titles in various stages of development and with varying complexity levels. many Indeed, the possibilities and the tech are opening up. The gameplay is getting richer, the UX is getting better, our collective infra and collective knowledge are improving in all directions. We’re still far from solving everything in this sector, that’s for sure, but my hope and forecast as an avid gamer and NFTer is we’ll see no shortage of NFT gaming projects continuing to make significant advances in 2023! Author Bio is a professional writer and creator of —a Bankless newsletter focused on the emergence of NFTs in the cryptoeconomy. He’s also recently been contributing content to Bankless, JPG, and beyond! William M. Peaster Metaversal

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Minecraft released a on its website emphasizing its lack of interest in integrating any form of NFTs into its games. statement In this Slogging thread, our community discussed Minecraft's choice of not integrating NFTs on their gaming platforms. This Slogging thread by Valentine Enedah, Mónica Freitas, Marco Sullivan and Sara Pinto occurred in slogging's official #blockchain channel, and has been edited for readability. Valentine Enedah Jan 13, 2023, 11:10 AM Minecraft Chooses Classic Gaming Over NFT Hype https://mashable.com/article/minecraft-no-blockchain-nfts Gamers on the platform do not like the idea of purchasing NFTs on top of the video games they already pay for. Minecraft is not the only video game company to express a lack of interest in NFTs. Companies like Sony have announced PlayStation Stars, a loyalty program that rewards players with digital collectibles. Sony also mentioned that these collectibles were not NFTs. Valentine Enedah Jan 13, 2023, 11:12 AM Valentine Enedah Jan 15, 2023, 10:00 PM Minecraft also emphasized the fact that it is not against monetization, as users already pay for access to the Minecraft server. Nevertheless, NFTs would change the dynamics of the game and give players with more money an unnecessary upper hand, which they are not okay with. What do you think? Mónica Freitas Jan 16, 2023, 4:11 PM Not a very good sign for NFTs - to be useful and meaningful they have to be functional. This won't happen if companies don't adhere to them. And Minecraft is a big name in the gaming industry. I hope this doesn't backlash on NFT adoption as a whole 💚 1 Valentine Enedah Jan 16, 2023, 8:46 PM Mónica Freitas It has already started to have a lot of effect on it cause NFTs are gradually losing popularity. Valentine Enedah Jan 17, 2023, 5:30 AM Mónica Freitas BAYCs and Cryptopunks NFTs lost a great deal of value over the last nine months. Marco Sullivan Jan 17, 2023, 2:29 PM Valentine Enedah This is a serious problem as it will have an effect on the impact of NFTs. What gaming platforms love NFTs? Mónica Freitas Jan 17, 2023, 7:59 PM Valentine Enedah oof, and NFTs was a very polarising topic as it is. Many people hated the idea or didn't see the purpose, and with this move, Minecraft is supporting that claim. Not a good day for NFTs and companies working with them and dependable on them. 💚 1 Valentine Enedah Jan 18, 2023, 2:32 AM Mónica Freitas Indeed, this might just lead to a terrible crash of NFTs. Do you have your NFTs? Valentine Enedah Jan 18, 2023, 2:33 AM Marco Sullivan These are some top games in 2023 that support NFTs. Axie Infinity. Alien Worlds. Gods Unchained. The Sandbox. Splinterlands. Sorare. The Walking Dead: Empires. Dogami. Sara Pinto Jan 23, 2023, 10:47 AM I've said before, and I'll say it again: maybe this isn't for everyone. They might be closing their options, but they're also establishing a stronger relationship with the ones that already play the game. However, because NFTs would change the gameplay dynamics and give players with monetary means an upper hand in-game, the developer is opposed to the technology. And this sentence reinforces that idea, Valentine Enedah 💚 1 Valentine Enedah Jan 23, 2023, 3:32 PM Sara Pinto This is true. Do you still believe in the metaverse or NFTs cause I feel the hype behind these things has started to die gradually? Sara Pinto Jan 24, 2023, 11:38 AM I guess so. Personally, I'm not very into it. I don't own any NFTs or experienced anything in the Metaverse. However, it has advantages, and it opened quite a few doors and created business opportunities. For example, I think it's interesting and useful the NFT digital twin for luxury items. Since many of these are exclusive, having that kind of certificate can bring even more value when reselling. It brings more credibility, Valentine Enedah. 💚 1 Sara Pinto Jan 24, 2023, 11:41 AM Overall, I think that everything works in highs and lows. Right now, the interest might be decreasing, but since it created these opportunities, who knows how it will be in the future? Plus, marketing makes or breaks. If companies take the decision to keep investing in this, the interest might change Valentine Enedah Jan 24, 2023, 1:35 PM Sara Pinto You've made a great point and I hope it all works out for these technologies. Mónica Freitas Jan 25, 2023, 7:28 PM Valentine Enedah I never bought NFTs. I can understand their utility but it has none for me at the moment. You need money to invest, and unless that's something you really appreciate, you're not going to spend your money on NFTs. Do you have NFTs? Valentine Enedah Jan 26, 2023, 2:21 PM It is quite sad but I haven't purchased an NFT. I have been quite lucky and opportune to have won some free NFTs. I recently discovered Grifters NFT and you can create your own NFT and sell it on their page. This is the one I created. Nice? Mónica Freitas Feb 1, 2023, 11:38 AM I actually love that Valentine Enedah COCO vibes - the movie - strangely 🔥 1 Valentine Enedah Feb 1, 2023, 1:39 PM Mónica Freitas True!😂 It's a great movie. 🔥 1

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