Weekly Web3 Gems | CW 21 [2023]

Whats up in web3?

?? Nike's OF1 NFT Sale Raises Over $1M Despite Hitches

Nike's debut NFT, "OF1," enjoyed an overwhelming response with sales surpassing $1 million despite some initial technical glitches. This milestone signifies a major step for Nike into the NFT market and is a good sign for the health of the ecosystem. Read More

?? Stepn Enters the Apple Ecosystem with NFT Trading

Stepn, a pioneer in gamified fitness tracking, has broken into the Apple ecosystem, providing its users with a new platform for NFT trading in the highly gated Mobile-Storefront. Read More

?? Circle Launches EURC Stablecoin on Avalanche Network

USDC issuer, Circle, has announced the release of its new stablecoin, EURC, on the Avalanche Network, further expanding its range of digital assets. Read More

?? Solana Becomes the First Layer-1 Blockchain to Incorporate AI with ChatGPT

In a landmark move, Solana has integrated AI into its Layer-1 Blockchain via ChatGPT, thereby revolutionizing blockchain technology's operational efficiency and user interaction. Read More

?? Mercedes-Benz Reveals its Foray into the Metaverse

In a recent tweet, Mercedes-Benz announced its planned venture into the metaverse with a new strategical unit, exciting its followers with a glimpse of the first-ever virtual Mercedes-Benz showroom. Read More

??? Coinbase CLO Claims Tornado Cash Sanctions Do Not Align with the Law

In a recent statement, Coinbase's Chief Legal Officer expressed his belief that the sanctions imposed on Tornado Cash by the government do not comply with the law, sparking a discussion on the regulatory landscape for DeFi platforms. Read More

?? Paradigm Ventures Into AI Territory

Crypto venture capital firm Paradigm has announced the start of investments in AI. The move, which was initially met with surprise, highlights the rise of the importance of AI also for the Web3 ecosystem. Read More

Fundings of the week

• Worldcoin Gains $115M in Funding Led by Blockchain Capital. Read More
• LabDAO Secures $36M to Decentralize Drug Discovery. Read More
• Fastlane VC Deal Bags $23M with Multicoin as the Lead Investor. Read More
• Airstack Raises Over $7M for AI-Backed Web3 Developer Platform. Read More

Articles of the week

1) “The Unintended Consequences of Crypto Regulation,” by A Crypto Future

This article explores the implications of strict regulation in the cryptocurrency sector and raises pertinent questions about how regulation could unintentionally stifle innovation in the Web3 space. Read More

Podcasts of the week

1) “ETH to $50k by 2030? VanEck's Bull Case,” by Bankless

This episode of Bankless features a discussion between a VanEck strategist and the podcast hosts about the potential rise of Ethereum to $50,000 by 2030. They delve into the possible scenarios that could lead to this value surge. Listen Now

2) “Early Access: Why We Need a Digital Dollar - Rohan Grey Debates RSA,” by Bankless

In this episode, Rohan Grey, an advocate for a digital dollar, debates with RSA on the need for a digital currency and the potential impacts on our economy. Listen Now

Have a great weekend everyone! ????