Welcome to “This week in the metaverse,” where Fortune rounds up the most interesting news in the world of NFTs, culture, and the metaverse. Email [email protected] with tips.
Amazon could soon shake up the entire NFT industry with a new initiative based around digital collectibles, according to a report this week by BlockWorks. Citing several anonymous sources, the outlet reported that the NFT project could be announced in April, but the report could not be independently verified by Fortune.
The report says the goal is for Amazon customers to interact with crypto games and claim NFTs. This could be a smart move on Amazon’s part, because according to a report from DappRadar this week, gaming represents 49% of all daily blockchain activity, with millions of users participating every day.
While Amazon’s getting into the NFT game could be a boon for the industry, it would have to tread cautiously. The company would, for instance, have to contend with an NFT market rife with scams that are capable of snaring the most experienced crypto veterans.
Those veterans include Kevin Rose, the founder of news aggregator digg and creator of the NFT project Moonbirds. On a Twitter Spaces, Rose said a hacker had stolen possibly more than a million dollars worth of NFTs from his digital wallet thanks in part to a malicious airdrop. Several NFTs were stolen, including 25 Squiggles NFTs and a pricey Autoglyph NFT.
Luckily, his zombie CryptoPunk, CryptoPunk #5066, wasn’t stolen. Only 0.88% of the 10,000 CryptoPunks are zombies, and similar NFTs have been known to sell for thousands of Ether, including CryptoPunk #2066, which looks similar to Rose’s and sold on OpenSea just 28 days ago for 1,155 ETH, or $1.8 million.
Do you own a plot of metaverse land in Decentraland? Have you ever wanted to foster a dog? Pet food maker Pedigree will now let metaverse users foster virtual dogs through its FOSTERVERSE program launched this week. Through the program, metaverse land owners will upload a digital version of real-life dogs on Adopt a Pet and care for them in the metaverse. Decentraland users who don’t own land can still interact with the virtual dogs, adopt them in real-life through Adopt a Pet, or donate to the Pedigree Foundation to help real-life pets. Those who participate in the program can earn custom FOSTERVERSE wearables to sport in Decentraland.
Prada announced the latest edition to its Timecapsule Collection of specially designed clothes, each of which come with their own NFT. The February installment is the second of a three-part series of shirts featuring special prints by Italian photographer Enzo Ragazzini from his ’70s archive. One NFT holder will also be selected to attend the Prada Womenswear Fall/Winter 2023 fashion show on February 23rd. The collection will be available on Feb. 2.
Remio, a VR app that focuses on remote team building and collaborations for businesses, is now available for download on the Meta Quest through the Meta Store. In the app, employees can solve puzzles and play games together as well as gather for virtual meetings. Users can participate in virtual activities like solving an escape room together, visiting the digital happy hour bar, and playing paintball, before convening in virtual breakout rooms and presentation rooms.
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
More from Fortune:
Olympic legend Usain Bolt lost $12 million in savings to a scam. Only $12,000 remains in his account
Meghan Markle’s real sin that the British public can’t forgive–and Americans can’t understand
‘It just doesn’t work.’ The world’s best restaurant is shutting down as its owner calls the modern fine dining model ‘unsustainable’
Bob Iger just put his foot down and told Disney employees to come back into the office
The silver market has broken down significantly to reach all the way down to the $23 level this week but has also turned around to show signs of support.
Natural gas markets have drifted a little bit lower during the trading session initially on Friday, but then turned around to show signs of life again. Ultimately, this is a market that is completely oversold.
(Bloomberg) — If any ETF is living up to its ticker in 2023, it’s WGMI.Most Read from BloombergAdani Rout Crosses $51 Billion as Stocks Plunge by Daily LimitsPutin Plans New Ukraine Push Despite Losses as He Prepares for Years of WarAmericans Fall Behind on Car Payments at Higher Rate Than in 2009We Asked ChatGPT to Make a Market-Beating ETF. Here’s What HappenedAdani Faces One of Worst Billionaire Wipeouts With Empire Under SiegeThe tiny Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF — whose ticker is a popular
International growth, along with offshore and strength in North America, propelled fourth quarter and 2022 earnings for oilfield service companies SLB, Baker Hughes and Halliburton.
A new study looks at the body’s ability to form new brain cells.
Natural gas markets have plummeted during the course of the week to reach below the $2.80 level. At this point, the market is in an absolute freefall.
(Bloomberg) — Gemini Trust, the crypto exchange run by the Winklevoss brothers, hired a fintech veteran as new head of finance even as it undergoes another round of layoffs and deals with uncertainty over whether users of its Earn program will get their money back.Most Read from BloombergAdani Rout Crosses $51 Billion as Stocks Plunge by Daily LimitsPutin Plans New Ukraine Push Despite Losses as He Prepares for Years of WarAmericans Fall Behind on Car Payments at Higher Rate Than in 2009We Aske
Treating all NFTs as financial assets will compromise the U.S.’ position as the gold standard of intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement. NFTs are a medium for not only evolving the way we create, use and monetize IP, but also how artists and brands engage with their audiences. It is critical that policy efforts encourage and protect U.S. IP rights holders who are expanding their creative portfolios through NFTs.
Hoshiboy, the co-founder of the popular anime-inspired project, told CoinDesk that the team is in touch with Twitter to resolve the issue.
CoinDesk Editor-at-Large Christie Harkin and crypto markets analyst Glenn Williams Jr. share their bitcoin (BTC) outlook ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting next Wednesday.
Bitcoin (BTC) is having its best start to the year since 2013 after jumping 40% this month amid weakness in the U.S. dollar. A Matrixport analyst said that 85% of the rally has been powered predominantly by U.S.-based buyers. "All About Bitcoin" host Christine Lee breaks down "The Chart of The Day."
On Wednesday, a federal judge released a comprehensive list of FTX’s creditors, excluding the names of individuals.
While the NFL continues to attract a big audience, the television game is increasingly about streaming. Here’s our guide to all those 2023 Super Bowl streaming guides.
The cruise line has almost fully returned to normal after the covid pandemic, but one very popular activity hasn't been brought back.
The turbulent history between the Hollywood producer and former "Baywatch" star stetches back to 1990.
Maybe you forgot to log out at a rental, or your ex’s sister is still enjoying ‘The Crown.’ A new tool on the streaming service shows where and when your account has been used—and lets you boot off the moochers.
Kardashian showed off her bombshell Balmain look on Instagram
"I love and adore my fans but this time things went a little too far and my privacy was invaded," Britney Spears wrote on Twitter
We couldn't help but wonder: Where will his 'bachelor pad' be now?
According to a new report, the Duchess of Sussex "may have raised gentle concerns" about Prince Harry's memoir "Spare" and whether it was the right move.
Author
Administraroot
