Author: Jeremy Ryan

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged three citizens of the United Kingdom for participating in a fraudulent NFT scheme worth $3 million, associated with the “Evolved Apes” series. The named individuals, Mohamed-Amin Atcha, Mohamed Rilaz Waleedh, and Daood Hassan, are accused of wire fraud and money laundering.Details of the ScamThe defendants are charged with promoting the sale of 10,000 NFTs on the Ethereum network, claiming they would be utilized in an online battle royale game. However, the game never came to fruition and is believed to be a scam. This incident occurred in September of this year and…

Illuvium, the highly-anticipated open-world blockchain game developed by Immutable, has revealed its official launch date set for July 25. This follows a series of beta testing phases, starting with Private Beta 4 on April 30 and continuing with the open beta testnet on May 28.After careful consideration and community feedback, the team has set this date to ensure the inclusion of several key features aimed at enriching the gaming experience and bolstering security.While not all features may be fully operational at launch date, the team is commited to integrating as many as possible. Source: IlluviumNew Features and Exclusive RewardsFollowing the…

In an empowering endeavor, the OG NFT project World of Women (WoW) has joined the Tezos ecosystem to elevate female participation and presence in the blockchain realm.Such a collaboration is a direct counter to the existing gender imbalance within web3 spaces. Current figures indicate a stark underrepresentation of women within the web3 workforce, where they hold only 27% of positions — 13% of which are startup founders.WoW on Tezos will provide a nurturing space for females to gather, explore web3 tools, and secure the essentials for their ventures to thrive on the blockchain. Source: X (World of Women)A Catalyst for…

Ronin has announced Ronin Forge, an early access program designed to support experimental game studios in developing and launching games on its web3 gaming platform.Successful applicants to Ronin Forge will receive a grant of up to $50,000 USD in $RON and access to Sky Mavis ecosystem resources.The program is expected to fast-track game launches on Ronin, offering participating studios early exposure on the platform. Source: RoninEmpowering Web3 Game Studios and DevelopersSince launching Ronin to support Axie Infinity, its ecosystem has grown significantly and Ronin Forge is part of the team’s commitment to expanding the possibilities of web3 gaming and attracting…

Bybit Web3, the division of Bybit dedicated to Web3 technologies and one of the top three global crypto exchanges by trading volume, has announced the launch of the second season of its Velocity Series NFTs. This season features a unique artistic collaboration with renowned data-centric artist Kjetil Golid. This new series follows last year’s successful Oracle Red Bull Racing partnership.Artistic Collaboration with Kjetil GolidKjetil Golid, known for his deep understanding of algorithms and data structures, has created an artistic journey that reflects his fascination with these elements. His generative art explores the complexities of various algorithms, and this passion is…

Bybit Web3, the web3 division of top three global crypto exchange Bybit, has announced the upcoming Season 2 launch of their Velocity Series NFT collection.Building on the success of last year’s collaboration with Oracle Red Bull Racing, Season 2 features a two-part NFT collection created by renowned data artist Kjetil Golid.Emily Bao, Bybit Web3 Evangelist, states: “We’re excited to partner with Kjetil Golid, whose unique blend of art and data perfectly captures the essence of Formula 1 racing. Velocity Series Season 2 promises a thrilling experience for collectors and racing enthusiasts alike.” Source: Oracle Red Bull RacingA closer look at…

MetaMask has joined forces with HyperPlay, a well-known Web3 game store, to transform the world of Web3 gaming. Through this partnership, they have introduced a new games directory into the MetaMask Portfolio, providing users with a convenient way to browse and manage in-game assets. This collaboration marks a significant advancement in improving the Web3 user journey and incorporating blockchain into mainstream gaming.Known for its ability to store digital assets, MetaMask is also highly regarded for its support of decentralized applications and blockchain transactions. Conversely, HyperPlay focuses on integrating both traditional and blockchain games onto a single platform. The partnership between…

Azarus, a specialist in playable streams, has announced a partnership with Stream, an open platform designed to enrich digital content with live, interactive experiences. The collaboration aims to strengthen engagement between digital content creators and their audiences.Innovative Technology and Business ModelAzarus is a pioneer in “interactive overlay” for streams and currently holds a pending patent approval for this technology. Interactive overlay uses existing broadcast standards and client-side tools to provide a smooth and engaging user experience without disrupting the primary video content.Since its inception, Azarus has implemented this idea to deliver playable ads, sharing value with viewers and creators and…

A Stradivarius violin, once owned by Russia’s Catherine the Great, has been tokenized to secure a multi-million dollar loan through Galaxy Digital‘s Global Markets business, marking a new use case of blockchain technology in managing real-world assets.The violin was crafted in 1708 by Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari, renowned for its craftsmanship and historical provenance, was acquired last year by Yat Siu, Co-founder of Animoca Brands, for approximately $9 million.This move allows Siu to have the violin and its corresponding NFT to be used as collateral. Source: GalaxyPioneering Real-World Asset Value UtilizationThe tokenization process, led by Galaxy’s subsidiary GK8, converts the…

Web3 action-shooter title Shutdown, backed by Morningstar Ventures, has seen its first NFT release – titled the Mongrel Collection – mint out, ahead of their upcoming token launch.1,750 free-to-mint NFTs were available, and all were distributed, with over 1,000 Mongrel NFTs claimed through guaranteed spots on OpenSea.Shutdown’s $FUSE token is set to launch later in 2024. Source: ShutdownWhat is Shutdown?Shutdown is a cross-platform isometric shooter title. Developed by an experienced team of ex-Disney, Pixar and Ubisoft personnel, the action-packed game is built in Unreal Engine 5, with a focus on creating and maintaining a sustainable player-driven economy.Holders of Shutdown’s Mongrel…