Metaverse | Nfts | News

2023-10-14 21:17:27 Mastercard’s CBDC pilot ventures into Ethereum and NFTs

Mastercard in conjunction with the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre, revealed Thursday the latest results of their CBDC pilot project. Notably, the pilot included a live transaction where an NFT was purchased on the Ethereum blockchain using a “wrapped” version of the CBDC, according to a statement. Jointly developed with financial services company Cuscal and blockchain platform Mintable as part of the bank and cooperative’s research project, the tech is designed to make CBDCs interoperable across various chains.

The pilot, which places a real legal claim on the RBA, involved selected industry participants and demonstrated how a CBDC could provide payment and settlement services to Australian households and businesses. “Mastercard has seen demand from consumers to participate in commerce across multiple blockchains, including public blockchains,” Richard Warmold, the company’s Division President of Australasia said. “This technology not only has the potential to drive more consumer choice, but it also unlocks new opportunities for collaboration between the public and private networks to drive genuine impact in the digital currency space.” During the live test, Ethereum wallets of both the buyer and seller were ‘allow-listed,’ demonstrating the tech’s capacity to enforce controls on public blockchains.

Source

@Facebook_Metaverse_Nfts Open / Comment

2023-10-13 09:06:55 Slowing hardware sales weigh on metaverse revenue in Q2 2023

Emerging metaverse platforms and technologies tracked by S&P Global Market Intelligence drove an estimated $4.21 billion in revenue in the second quarter, down 2.9% year over year, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year contraction for the segment. The drop was primarily due to falling demand for the market's current lineup of virtual reality hardware, but new devices on the horizon offer an opportunity for a return to growth later this year.

S&P Global defines the metaverse as the long-term vision for the next phase of the internet, which will feature a single, shared, immersive and persistent 3D virtual space where humans and machines interact with one another and with data, enhancing the physical world as much as replacing it. Revenue from metaverse hardware, which is largely composed of augmented and virtual reality headsets, declined 34.8% year over year to $0.79 billion. Metaverse hardware has not yet been able to cultivate much in the way of long-term organic demand. Instead, the segment relies on tech enthusiasts to drive a surge of sales at the launch of a new or upgraded device. Then, that new device limps along for a year or two with moderate interest from gamers and commercial clients. When it becomes clear that new headsets are imminent, sales all but evaporate.

Source

@Facebook_Metaverse_Nfts Open / Comment

2023-10-12 09:06:55 MoMA adds 1st NFT art 'Unsupervised' by Refik Anadol to its permanent collection

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), one of the world's most prestigious art museums, has recently welcomed a groundbreaking addition to its permanent collection, "Unsupervised" as Refik Anadol's digital artwork. Tech entrepreneur Ryan Zurrer, a prominent digital art collector, donated a valuable piece to the museum, along with a companion NFT. This generous contribution came through his 1OF1 Collection, in collaboration with the RFC Collection, headed by Pablo Rodriguez-Fraile and Desiree Casoni.

"Unsupervised" was unveiled to the public at MoMA toward the end of 2022 and will be on display until Oct. 29. The artwork is part of Refik Anadol Studio's ongoing "Machine Hallucinations" project exploring a collective aesthetic based on visual memories. Since the project's initiation in 2016, Anadol and his team have been collecting data from digital archives and public sources, processing them with machine-learning classification models. For "Unsupervised," the team processed metadata from over 130,000 pieces in the museum's collection through a machine's cognition. MoMA's explanation of artwork reads: "What would a machine dream about after seeing the collection of The Museum of Modern Art? For 'Unsupervised,' artist Refik Anadol uses AI to interpret and transform over 200 years of art at MoMA.

Source

@Facebook_Metaverse_Nfts Open / Comment

2023-10-10 13:02:29 Art Token launches Hangeul-based NFT art

Online non-fungible token art trading platform Art Token on Monday released NFT works based on Hangeul calligraphy, in commemoration of Hangeul Day that celebrates the invention of the Korean alphabet. Byung-chul and converted into 3D digital art. NFT art is entirely digital artwork that is tokenized to be stored on the blockchain. “Shoot Shoot Shoot Goal Goal Goal” and other works were created by calligrapher Park Park's NFT works were released on 2R2, an online global art trading platform run by Art Token.

According to the 2R2 homepage, the "Vertical Hangul" series represents the uplifting spirit of victory through Hangeul, along with drawings of the tiger and magpie that have special meanings in Korean tradition: tigers symbolize protection from bad luck, while magpies are bearers of good news. Park is a renowned calligrapher in South Korea and an art director for company called Hangeul Planet that has held Hangeul calligraphy events across the world since 2015. “I think the collaboration with Art Token’s NFT Studio has allowed more variety in Hangeul’s image, resulting in a work that anyone could enjoy. I’m curious to how the world would react (to my work),” he said.

Source

@Facebook_Metaverse_Nfts Open / Comment

2023-10-09 08:54:17 Donald Trump’s Second NFT Sales Soar 350% Amidst Speculation of Ex-President Assuming House Speaker Role

The spike in sales can be attributed to the recent removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a significant event in American political history. Following this development, speculation has arisen among members of the House regarding the possibility of former President Donald Trump assuming the position of Speaker of the House. Trump addressed this matter in a press statement delivered in New York on Wednesday, acknowledging that he has received numerous inquiries about the speaker role.

The popularity of Trump NFTs has been evident since the launch of the first collection by the company behind Trump Digital Trading Cards. Remarkably, the initial collection achieved the impressive feat of selling 45,000 trading cards within a span of under 12 hours. The surge in sales of Trump NFTs follows the previous success of his first collection, which experienced a 300% increase in sales coinciding with the release of Melania Trump’s NFT collection, titled “The 1776 Collection.” The newly introduced Series 2 set continues the theme of the original collection, featuring Trump in various larger-than-life settings. The NFT artwork portrays Trump adorned with a championship pro wrestling belt, depicted as a hunter, and wearing firefighting gear. These striking visual representations have captivated collectors and enthusiasts alike, driving the surge in sales.

Source

@Facebook_Metaverse_Nfts Open / Comment

2023-10-08 15:42:54 NFT-Funded ‘CALLADITA’ to Premiere at Tallinn Film Festival

The world of cinema has always been a space for innovation and creativity, but few have tangibly seen the collision of NFTs with the realm of feature-length films. Miguel Faus, writer, and director, has embraced this intersection as CALLADITA is set for its World Premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, recognized as one of the 12 A-Class Film Festivals globally. A film funded entirely through NFTs, CALLADITA or “The Quiet Maid”, delves deep into the life of a young Latin-American maid working tirelessly for a wealthy family during their summer vacation.

The narrative intricately intertwines class disparities and societal injustice themes, offering an authentic representation of these subjects without resorting to clichés. It’s when she befriends a fellow maid from a neighboring house that the possibility of her own summer joy becomes tangible. Faus’s feature film, CALLADITA, draws inspiration from his 2020 short film of the same name, which garnered acclaim at various festivals and was eventually acquired by HBO Max. Seeking a novel approach to finance the feature-length adaptation, Faus initiated an NFT sale in March 2022, showcasing stills from the original short film. This creative funding method proved successful. By September, filming commenced in the scenic Costa Brava, Spain, spanning five weeks. The production boasts a stellar Spanish cast, including notable names like Ariadna Gil, Luis Bermejo, Pol Hermoso, and features Paula Grimaldo in a leading role.

Source

@Facebook_Metaverse_Nfts Open / Comment

2023-10-07 12:21:14 Wellness NFT YogaPetz Sells Out In Less Than 45 Minutes With A Value Close To $3 Million

Yogapetz is thrilled to announce the remarkable success of their latest release, the Wellness NFT YogaPetz collection, which experienced an astounding 130% over-subscription rate. Within a mere 45 minutes, the entire 10,000-piece collection was completely sold out, generating an impressive sum of 1,761 ETH, equivalent to approximately USD 3 million in sales. This groundbreaking achievement occurred on August 31, 2023, despite the challenging market environment for NFTs during the prevailing winter season.

YogaPetz is a decentralized wellness ecosystem that prioritizes mindfulness, community, and rewards, aiming to provide users with a secure, transparent, and decentralized platform that nurtures mental and physical well-being. Utilizing the $PRANA token in conjunction with a mobile application, users are incentivized for practicing and maintaining healthy mind and body habits (Relax – Rewards – Retreat – Repeat). The success of the YogaPetz collection has paved the way for exciting developments and partnerships within the wellness ecosystem. “The rapid sell-out and the substantial value generated demonstrate the strong appetite for wellness-themed NFTs in the market.

Source

@Facebook_Metaverse_Nfts Open / Comment

2023-10-06 09:32:13 Dogecoin NFT Community 'Own The Doge' Is Installing Kabosu Dog’s Statue in Japan

An engaged NFT community that holds the original ‘doge’ meme is working with local governments to install an actual statue that pays homage to Kabosu, the dog that inspired the meme. The statue will be unveiled on Nov. 2 in Sakura, Japan, on Kabosu’s birthday in collaboration with the City of Sakura, community members told CoinDesk. It is planned to be placed in Sakura Furusato Square, where Kabosu’s parent often takes her on walks. Fans of Kabosu, the Japanese Shiba Inu dog who inspired the Doge meme and Dogecoin.

“We've been operating for over two years, bringing Doge to places she's never been, including Hollywood, EDM bangers and space (The Doge NFT going on a SpaceX mission to moon),” tridog of PleasrDAO, the community that owns the NFT, told CoinDesk in an email. “Our goal is to become THE Doge gathering place online for all of the Doge and meme community,” they added. The community plans to hold interactive events to celebrate the occasion. Attendees will also get to meet the Sato, as well as be rewarded certain privileges based on their NFT holdings. They donate to meaningful charities across the world, with Own The Doge listed as the top crypto giver to Save The Children.

Source

@Facebook_Metaverse_Nfts Open / Comment

2023-10-05 12:13:09 Costa Rica Uses NFTs to Fund Coffee Research

A new partnership between the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE) and the Specialty Coffee Association of Costa Rica (SCACR) will help launch an NFT collection that is inspired by 12 of CATIE’s coffee varietals to help fund coffee conservation and research. The auction will be organized through the NFT distribution company BIOCENFT, with proceeds specifically allocated towards the promotion of CATIE’s International Coffee Collection, which serves as the world’s fourth largest.

Inspired by the Geisha, Wush-Wush, Mibirizi, Hava, Rume Sudan, ER-47, SL-28, SL-34, Centroamericano, Milenio, Esperanza, and Casiopea varieties, each of the 12 NFTs features a unique design that showcases the unique characteristics of each coffee variety. Noelia Villalobos, SCACR’s Executive Director, believes that leveraging NFTs will amplify awareness regarding coffee biodiversity, consolidating CATIE and SCACR’s conservation endeavors. With the proceeds, research and development would be tailored towards the creation of pest and disease-resistant coffee strains, while helping to enhance and elevate Costa Rican coffee standards that fall in alignment with global marketing campaigns targeting untapped markets.

Source

@Facebook_Metaverse_Nfts Open / Comment

2023-10-04 11:27:27 Diesel Debuts ‘Vert’ NFT Timepiece Collection

Diesel, in collaboration with the Fossil Group, announced the launch of Vert, a timepiece collection that is part of Diesel’s ongoing Metamorph project. As the first watch of its kind for Diesel, Vert was developed using advanced virtual reality (VR) technology and curated under the guidance of Diesel’s Creative Director, Glenn Martens, giving off a hard-shelled, futuristic appearance. The collection features five variations of the physical watch, with two being limited edition models, restricted to 300 pieces.

Each timepiece from Vert’s collection is accompanied by an NFT, which provides an entry into Diesel’s Metamorph virtual realm and multi-layer gaming experience. Buyers will obtain a code to register for a corresponding NFT, which will transition through three phases to become an avatar, termed as A:VERT: AR, that they can mint thereafter. These avatars are playable in the previously mentioned virtual world until November 17. The project was developed in partnership with media-tech artists from Artificial Rome, where holders must navigate through a series of challenges with their avatar to “reactivate time in a fictional land where time has stopped.”

Source

@Facebook_Metaverse_Nfts Open / Comment