In this week’s newsletter, read about how Bitcoin-based nonfungible tokens (NFTs) had a sales dip in January and how Roblox will allow real-time translations in the metaverse. Check out how GoDaddy and the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) collaborated to enable the linking of Web3 and Web2 domains and how Japan Airlines’ NFTs can let you live the virtual life of a samurai.
Bitcoin Ordinals sales dipped 61% in January, halving sparks hope
Bitcoin -based NFTs fell from $868 million in December 2023 to $335 million in January, dipping by 61% in 30-day sales volume. In a Cointelegraph interview, NFT book author Anndy Lian said that new projects entering the game give buyers a plethora of options, suggesting that the market is becoming more saturated.
Despite the slowdown, Lian expects the upcoming Bitcoin halving to bring renewed interest in Bitcoin-based NFTs. “The reduced supply of Bitcoin could make each satoshi more valuable and scarce, thus increasing the appeal of Ordinals as unique and collectible assets.”
Roblox builds in-house LLM, adds real-time AI translation to metaverse
Gaming platform Roblox developed a new unified translation model powered by artificial intelligence. This lets players communicate through text in real time despite speaking different languages.
Roblox chief technology officer Dan Sturman said the firm built its own large language model (LLM) in-house to allow instantaneous translations. Currently, the LLM supports the translation of 16 languages.
ENS and domain registrar GoDaddy collaborated to allow Web3 users to link their .eth domains to Web2 domains without extra costs. The partnership eliminates the high gas fees that used to deter users from bringing domain names to ENS.
ENS domains, which are popular among NFT holders, simplify complex wallet addresses into human-readable names. With the partnership, new smart contracts are deployed for the resolution process, allowing a cost-free transition.
Nifty News: Samurai NFTs take flight with Japan Airlines, Solana slows down
Japan Airlines collaborated with marketing firm Hakuhodo on Kokyo NFT, a project that aims to tokenize local experiences and real-world assets. According to its site, the project aims to help its holders develop connections with the local communities. The NFT project promised various experiences, including immersion in a samurai mansion and being part of a samurai family.
Meanwhile, data shows that NFTs performed better than Ether in January. NFT indexes showed almost 10% gains in the month, while ETH only moved by 2.3%.
Thanks for reading this digest of the week’s most notable developments in the NFT space. Come again next Wednesday for more reports and insights into this actively evolving space.
Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.
Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.
An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are unique digital assets that use blockchain technology to prove their ownership and authenticity. NFTs can represent a wide range of digital content such as images, videos, audio files, virtual real estate, and more. They cannot be duplicated or divided, as each NFT is unique and represents a one-of-a-kind item.
The metaverse refers to a virtual universe or a collective space where users can interact with each other and with virtual objects, often in the form of computer-generated graphics and simulations. The metaverse is often seen as a decentralized and immersive alternative to the traditional internet, and NFTs play a crucial role in representing and transferring ownership of virtual assets within it.
Web3 refers to the next generation of the internet, where users have more control over their data and online identity. Web3 technologies, such as blockchain, aim to create a more decentralized, secure, and user-centric internet, where users can interact and transact without intermediaries. The metaverse is often seen as a crucial component of the web3 vision, as it provides a space for users to interact and transact using Web3 technologies.
I have mentioned the following during the event:
In 2023, there are several financial trends and challenges that people should pay attention to:
Interest rates: Interest rates are likely to remain low, which could have an impact on investments and the housing market. Defi could come back in the later part of the year as a form of hedge to the high interest rate.
Inflation: With the ongoing global economic recovery and increasing demand for goods and services, there is the potential for inflation to rise, which could affect the purchasing power of consumers.
Digital currencies: Digital currencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, are likely to continue to gain popularity, and they may pose both risks and opportunities for investors. It’s important to understand the technology and the market before investing thoroughly. On the one hand, cryptocurrencies are often seen as a hedge against inflation, as they are decentralized and not controlled by a central authority. In times of high inflation, some investors may see cryptocurrencies as a safe haven for their wealth, which can drive up demand and increase the value of cryptocurrencies.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Investing: ESG investing is becoming increasingly popular as people become more conscious of the impact their investments are having on the environment and society. This trend is likely to continue in 2023, and there will be opportunities for investors to put their money into companies that align with their values. We may see “green bitcoins” as a popular thing, or crypto with renewable/ alternative properties would be popular.
Emerging markets: Emerging markets eg Kenya, for example. are likely to present significant investment opportunities in 2023, particularly in areas such as technology, infrastructure, and consumer goods. I see gaming and the metaverse a big thing in emerging markets.
It’s important to keep in mind that these trends and challenges are subject to change based on global economic and political events, and it’s essential to consult with a financial advisor and thoroughly conduct research before making any investment decisions.
More insights can be found on the recording.
This event was organise on 4th Feb. 2023 21:00pm SGT (17:00pm Dubai Local Time)
Hosted by:
Tomorrow Conference (https://twitter.com/tmrwconf) and
Blockcast.cc (https://twitter.com/Blockcastcc)
Co-Host:
Bybit NFT (https://twitter.com/Bybit_NFT)
Bybit Web 3(https://twitter.com/Bybit_Web3)
Bybit MENA (https://twitter.com/BybitArabic)
Moderator:
Scott Tripp, Marketing Lead of Blockcast.cc
Guests:
Sam Aly, Country manager of Bybit MENA Region
Zoran Tadic, Program director of TMRW Conference
Martina Andjelkovic, Head of marketing of TMRW Conference
Jenny Zheng, BD Lead of Bybit web3
Dr. Ran, ETHF Core Member
Anndy Lian, Book Author of NFT: From Zero to Hero
To conclude, NFTs, metaverse, and web3 are interconnected concepts that together represent a vision for a decentralized, immersive, and user-centric digital world where ownership, authenticity, and interaction can be managed in new ways.
Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.
Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.
An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.
Users could earn and spend virtual currency within the metaverse to buy and sell goods and services.
The metaverse could also support the creation and trade of unique digital assets.
The development of the metaverse, as a virtual world that combines elements of the real world with digital creations and experiences, has the potential to generate a new economy. The metaverse could offer users various activities and applications, including social interaction, entertainment, education, commerce, and more. These activities could generate value and economic opportunities for individuals, businesses, and other entities within the metaverse.
Users could earn and spend virtual currency within the metaverse to buy and sell goods and services or use decentralized finance (DeFi) tools and platforms to manage and trade their assets.
The metaverse could also support the creation and trade of unique digital assets, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which could have value within and outside the metaverse. In addition, businesses and other organizations could use the metaverse for marketing, advertising, and other activities that generate revenue.
In my humble opinion, I think it is possible that the development of the metaverse could facilitate the growth of sustainable decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems. The metaverse is a virtual world that combines elements of the real world with digital creations and experiences, and it has the potential to support a wide range of activities and applications, including financial ones.
DeFi’s Future
These tools and platforms allow users to access and interact with financial services and assets more openly, transparent, and securely, potentially enabling greater financial inclusion and autonomy. DeFi is still a largely nascent and evolving field, and its potential impact and limitations are still being explored and debated. Since both metaverse and DeFi are new and debatable. It has potential upsides.
In a metaverse context, DeFi could potentially offer users a more immersive and interactive experience for managing and using their assets, as well as access to a wider range of financial services and opportunities. This could potentially lead to more sustainable DeFi ecosystems, as the increased accessibility and user engagement could drive adoption and growth.
Thoughts on How Decentralization Can Be Used in Metaverses:
1. Use decentralized exchanges to trade assets within the metaverse.
2. Use decentralized lending and borrowing platforms to access credit and earn interest on assets within the metaverse.
3. Use decentralized insurance platforms to protect against risks within the metaverse.
4. Use decentralized prediction markets to speculate on events within the metaverse.
5. Use decentralized governance mechanisms to make decisions and govern communities within the metaverse.
6. Use decentralized identity systems to securely manage and verify identities within the metaverse.
7. Use decentralized reputation systems to assess the trustworthiness of individuals and entities within the metaverse.
8. Use decentralized oracles to provide reliable data and information for use within the metaverse.
9. Use decentralized storage and data management systems to securely store and manage data within the metaverse.
10. Use decentralized automation and smart contract platforms to facilitate and automate transactions and interactions within the metaverse.
In theory, a metaverse could facilitate the growth of decentralized finance (DeFi) systems by providing a platform for people to access and interact with these systems in a more intuitive and user-friendly way.
One potential benefit of a metaverse is that it could make it easier for people to understand and use DeFi systems, which can sometimes be complex and difficult to navigate. By providing a visual representation of DeFi protocols and networks, a metaverse could help to demystify these systems and make them more accessible to a wider audience.
Another potential benefit of a metaverse is that it could provide a more engaging and immersive experience for users of DeFi systems. By allowing people to interact with each other and with digital assets in a virtual environment, a metaverse could make DeFi more fun and engaging, potentially increasing user adoption and participation in these systems.
Will Decentralization Work Better in the Metaverse?
Well, decentralization has the potential to offer several benefits in the context of the metaverse, a virtual world that combines elements of the real world with digital creations and experiences. Decentralization could enable users to have greater control and autonomy over their assets and activities within the metaverse, and it could provide a more resilient and secure infrastructure for the metaverse.
Decentralized finance (DeFi) tools and platforms could enable users to manage and trade their assets within the metaverse without relying on a central authority. Decentralized governance mechanisms could allow communities within the metaverse to make decisions and coordinate their activities in a decentralized manner. Decentralized identity systems could provide users with secure and verifiable identities within the metaverse.
It could provide a more resilient and secure infrastructure for the metaverse. Because decentralized systems are distributed across multiple nodes, they are less vulnerable to single points of failure and can continue to operate even if one or more nodes go offline. This could make the metaverse more resilient and less susceptible to attacks or other disruptions. Thus making the metaverse environment a good testing ground for decentralization.
DEXs on Metaverse: The Potential is Big
This could be a really crazy thought here. Centralized exchanges (CEXs) are already under the microscope of many regulators. Their first action is to go decentralized, forming new decentralized exchanges (DEXs). This is not a safe option too, the regulators are not blind, and they know that the operators behind the DEXs are from the same group of people.
Because a metaverse is a virtual shared space, DEXs could operate within it without being subject to the same regulatory constraints as they would in the real world. This could give DEXs greater freedom to innovate and experiment with new business models and technologies.
Operating within a metaverse could provide DEXs with access to a larger and more diverse user base. Because a metaverse is a virtual environment, it could potentially attract users from around the world, regardless of their physical location. This could give DEXs access to a larger and more diverse pool of users, potentially increasing their reach and user adoption.
Perhaps operating from a metaverse can give them a longer pathway.
Conclusion
The global metaverse market size was valued at USD 22.79 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.8% during 2022-2030. This is a big market. The potential is enormous.
However, I got to emphasize this again. The development and realization of the metaverse as an economic engine is still a largely untested and evolving concept. It will likely require significant advancements in technology and infrastructure, as well as the coordination and cooperation of various stakeholders, to fully realize the potential of this virtual world.
Summarizing my thoughts with a quote:
“The combination of metaverse and decentralized finance is an enormous potential for the future. Investors have put it in the spotlight as they consider it a great long-term investment opportunity. Many of us see this as one of the megatrends of the coming years. I believe it coming. Do you?” – Anndy Lian
Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.
Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.
An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.
