Sfermion's Collider #39
Curated news from the world of web3, gaming & entertainment, AR/VR, AI, macro, and more
Mo Patel
6 min read·
Hello 👋
Welcome to the 39th edition of Sfermion’s Collider where we highlight the latest & greatest news in the world of web3, gaming & entertainment, AR/VR, AI, macro, and more!
Weekly, we aim to drop a curated list of the most exciting stories & updates that we believe are enabling the emergence of the metaverse.
If you're looking forward to reading this edition of Sfermion’s Collider, please don't forget to subscribe below, share within your network, and follow Sfermion on Twitter to get the latest! Check out our Seam (💰) bio here :)
Web3 Updates
Citigroup Launches Digital Asset Solutions for Institutional Clients (link)
Busan, South Korea's second largest city, to build urban blockchain and digital asset exchange, and raise for a 100 billion won (75 million USD) blockchain fund (link)
PayPal Stablecoin ‘PYUSD’ is Now Available on Venmo (link)
Optimism announces new $26M airdrop to over 31,000 addresses (link)
Optimism is selling 116M of OP tokens ($162.4M) in a private sale split among seven purchasers with a two year lock-up (link)
Grayscale Investments files for new ether futures ETF (link)
Aptos Foundation and Flowcarbon partner to deliver high-quality carbon removal credits issued and retired natively on Aptos (link)
Animoca Brands and Honda Unveil NFT Strategy for F1 Events (link)
Cygaar, prominent crypto influencer and engineer, announces Frame Network - an NFT-focused L2 for creators and collectors (link)
Injective, has released the testnet of its inEVM Layer 2 rollup solution in partnership with Caldera. This allows Ethereum applications to run natively on the network. (link)
Eclipse Launches Ethereum Layer-2 Running on the Solana Virtual Machine (link)
Canto to Migrate to a ZK L2 Powered by Polygon Chain Development Kit (CDK) (link)
Polygon Labs proposes facilitating Celo's migration to Ethereum Layer 2 with CDK (link)
Vivek Ramaswamy Is Drafting a 'Crypto Policy Framework' (link)
House Committee Passes Bill to Ban FED from Creating a CBDC (link)
SEC embroiled in court cases; Hester Peirce says crypto firms shouldn’t give up on US (link)
Bybit suspends services in the UK after CEO Zhou said exit was likely (link)
South Koreans Hold $99B of Digital Assets Overseas: Tax Service (link)
India ranks second in global cryptocurrency transaction volume, Chainalysis says (link)
Andreessen-Backed Fintech Eco App ‘Doubles Down’ On Non-Custodial Crypto (link)
OpenSea introduces Creator Studio, a new hub (launching soon) that will house expansive tools for creating, managing, and analyzing projects (link)
Nansen third-party security breach exposes 6.8% of user emails and some blockchain addresses (link)
Quivr (💰) Launches Digital Identity Badges as NFTs on Solana (link)
South Korea's Dreamus Debuts Avalanche NFT Tickets for Events, K-Pop Concerts (link)
Rainbow wallet introduces Rainbow Extension - Available today for Chrome, Arc, Edge, and Brave (link)
Consensys to sunset Truffle and Ganache developer tools (link)
Stanford University plans to return millions of dollars received from FTX: Bloomberg (link)
25-year old video shows Bitcoin pioneer Hal Finney talking zero-knowledge proofs (link)
Gaming Updates
FTC permits Fortnite players to get $245M in refunds for in-game purchases (link)
UK preliminarily approves Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard (link)
A 4% cap and self-reported data: Inside the rollback of the Unity Runtime Fee (link)
Walmart plans to expand its commercial strategy in the metaverse (link)
Apple to allow mobile developers region-specific pre-orders of their games (link)
South Korean Mobile Developer NHN Is Building Crypto Games on Sui (link)
Korean Gaming Giant, Neowiz, to Build on Avalanche (link)
Major League Baseball, via Improbable, Is Hosting Its First Live Game in a Virtual Stadium (link)
Meta’s Horizon Worlds launches on mobile and web in early access (link)
Roblox is rolling out in-experience subscriptions, but you can’t buy them yet (link)
Yuga expands technical and creative partnerships for Otherside support with new partnerships with Hadean, AccelByte, Bad Rhino Studios, and Faraway (link)
Nefta (💰) and XPLA Partner to Superpower Web3 Gaming (link)
Shrapnel (💰) Unveils GameBridge, A Developer Platform For Seamlessly Onboarding Web3 Features Into Games (link)
Shrapnel (💰) is now live (for wishlist) exclusively on Epic Games Store (link)
Sharbound (💰) hits 40,000 Pre-Registered Players and 1,000 Played at Alpha (link)
Mighty Action Heroes (💰) Releases Mighty Road Update (link)
Final Two Weeks of Everseed (💰) Alpha (link)
Immutable (💰) and Auto Legends (ex-Riot & EA) form partnership to build car-racing game with top car manufacturer licenses signed (link)
Sidus Heroes (💰) and LayerZero form partnership for cross-chain access (link)
Hawku, gaming NFT marketplace, officially shuts down (link)
Pre-register for Hytopia Beta and Get a Lootbox (link)
Xsolla launches Mall, a new alternative purchase platform (link)
My Pet Hooligan kickstarts 12-month collaboration with Amazon Prime Gaming for exclusive digital bundle drops on Prime Gaming every month (link)
My Pet Hooligan Public Early Access is out now, exclusively on the Epic Games Store! (link)
Blocklords soft launch goes live on Epic Games Store! (link)
Decentralized global sports and media group, Veloce ($VEXT), and LayerZero form partnership for cross-chain access (link)
Animoca generated $402M in 2022, up 32% (link)
Newzoo: PC and Console Market in 2023 (link)
AI Updates
Google and the Department of Defense are building an AI-powered microscope to help doctors spot cancer (link)
DeepMind’s New AI Can Predict Genetic Diseases (link)
OpenAI’s Dall-E 3 Is an Art Generator Powered by ChatGPT (link)
OpenAI Aims to Release “Multi-Modal” Model Ahead of Google’s Gemini (link)
YouTube rolls out four new AI tools for creators (link)
TikTok debuts new tools and technology to label AI content (link)
SoftBank Mulls Big Investment in OpenAI Following ARM IPO (link)
Game of Thrones Creator George R.R. Martin Joins Lawsuit Against OpenAI (link)
Other Updates
Instacart Prices IPO at $30 a Share, at Top End of Expectations (link)
Katy Perry sells music catalog for $225M (link)
DOJ investigates Elon Musk perks at Tesla (link)
WhatsApp users in India can now pay businesses with credit card, other UPI apps (link)
WWE’s ‘SmackDown’ to return to NBCUniversal’s USA Network in more than $1.4B deal (link)
Research & Interesting Reads
Not Boring | Capitalism Onchained
Crypto Trader Digest | Are We There Yet?
NotCryptoBro's Memo | Half-life of Web3 Token Projects
Engineer’s Codex | 7 simple habits of the top 1% of engineers
Konvoy | A Fast Growing Market of High Spenders
The GameDiscoverCo | Fortnite Creative 2.0: battle stories from shipping UGC!
Brutally Honest | 11 tips for killer User Acquisition ops (Q3 version)
SuperJoost Playlist | Deep dive on Xbox leak
GameDevReports | Newzoo: PC and Console Market in 2023
NFT Drops & Updates
Mercedes announces adjusted mint date for “The Era of Luxury” of Mercedes-Benz NXT Icons: Tuesday, September 26th (link)
Zynga’s Sugartown releases more details on Oras PFP collection and chapter 0 utility (link)
Pirate Nation - Mystery Chest Free Mint on Manifold post $33M raise announcement (link)
Yuga Labs & NFT NOW Present CryptoPunks Docuseries (link)
Courtyard Sells NFTs on Polygon for Pokemon Cards, Sells Out Quickly (link)
Paris Saint-Germain Is Giving Away Free AI-Generated NFT Posters (link)
Luca and Pudgy Penguins prepare to enter a “Brave New World”, opens personal spaces/podcast schedule to public (link)
The Ultimate Guide To FEWOWORLD - Fewos mint kicks off Sept. 25th (link)
y00ts is transitioning into a lifestyle brand (link)
RSTLSS reveals Mare Bears project and artwork (link)
Cool Cats will be featured in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (link)
Notable Raises
$500B Nomura’s Digital Asset Subsidiary Launches Bitcoin Fund for Institutions (link)
Crypto VC Blockchain Capital scores $580M for two new funds (link)
AI Startup Writer Raises $100M, led by Iconiq Growth, to Pen Corporate Content (link)
Pryon raises $100M, led by Thomas Tull’s U.S. Innovative Technology Fund, to index and analyze enterprise data (link)
Alchemy Pay co-founder launches $60M VC fund with former Lightspeed, Harmony execs as partners (link)
Levelpath Secures $44.5M in Funding, led by Benchmark and Redvoint Ventures, for AI-Powered Procurement Platform (link)
FarmVille co-creator's startup, Proof of Play, raises $33M from a16z crypto and others for on-chain games and infrastructure development (link)
Bastion has raised $25M in a funding round led by a16z crypto to helps companies seamlessly integrate web3 infrastructure, alongside running deep user analytics (link)
Eloelo, Social gaming and livestreaming platform, raises $22M in funding, led by Courtside Ventures and Griffin Gaming Partners, to expand entertainment app (link)
Blockchain tech firm Jiritsu secures $10.2M, led by gumi Cryptos Capital, to develop verifiable computing (link)
Deduce Raises $9M, led by Freestyle Capital, to Tackle AI-Generated Identity Fraud (link)
Series AI raises $7.9M in funding, led by a16z, for AI-powered game-building tools (link)
Hybrid crypto exchange GRVT raised $7.1M in funding at a $39M valuation, co-led by Matrix Partners and Delphi Digital (link)
Essential raises $5.15M in seed funding, led by Maven11, to support development of intent-based infrastructure and tooling (link)
Spectarium, building cross-platform action RPGs, raises 5M euro seed round led by BITKRAFT Ventures with participation from Delphi Digital and Framework Ventures (link)
Freatic emerges from stealth with a $3.6M seed round led by a16z crypto to leverage information markets (link)
Orb has raised $2.3M, from Superscrypt and others, to build an everyday app for web3 social (link)
Billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper initiates new crypto accelerator despite frosty market environment (link)
Mo & Andrew's Curated
Macro
JUST IN: 
US Congressman introduces plan to ban Congress & their spouses from trading stocks.
US Congressman introduces plan to ban Congress & their spouses from trading stocks.
25K
Want to see a crazy trade?
Yesterday, someone OPENED $SPLK 127 calls, for $22,000, expiring tomorrow.
Then today Cisco Systems $CSCO announced acquiring Splunk for $28B, $SPLK up 20%.
The contracts were $0.04 yesterday, now $18.30.
They exited today for a 45,650% return...
Yesterday, someone OPENED $SPLK 127 calls, for $22,000, expiring tomorrow.
Then today Cisco Systems $CSCO announced acquiring Splunk for $28B, $SPLK up 20%.
The contracts were $0.04 yesterday, now $18.30.
They exited today for a 45,650% return...
JUST IN: Federal Reserve says they don't see a recession until at least 2027.
Federal Reserve says they don't see a recession until at least 2027.
JUST IN: Sam Bankman-Fried's parents received $16.8 million in stolen customer funds and $16.4 million worth of property in the Bahamas.
I am constantly asked “What price will gold, silver, or Bitcoin be in 2025. My reply is that is a silly question. More important question is how many gold, silver, Bitcoins do you have TODAY? Gold, silver, Bitcoin are bargains today… but not tommow. America is broke. Buy GSBC…
Web3
Why are we here?
Permissionless II opener from @ErikVoorhees that got an entire crypto conference on their feet
Permissionless II opener from @ErikVoorhees that got an entire crypto conference on their feet
JUST IN: 
Japan's largest investment bank Nomura launches #Bitcoin fund for institutional investors.
Japan's largest investment bank Nomura launches #Bitcoin fund for institutional investors.
Because I was struggling with the FTX claims process, I put together some information and want to share in case it may be useful to others
A *successful* web2 start up takes upwards of 3 yrs to reach 10M+ cumulative revenue milestone with a significant employee base
FriendTech has just breached 11 mm USD in protocol fees within *39* days, with *3 employees*
Hate all you want but there is no denying their success
FriendTech has just breached 11 mm USD in protocol fees within *39* days, with *3 employees*
Hate all you want but there is no denying their success
Real World Assets (#RWAs) recently surpassed $3 billion in value and have become the primary focus in the #Token2049.
I believe that the #RWA sector will reach a value of $10 billion, providing a massive return of 20-50X for early investors.
Here is my list of RWA projects
…
I believe that the #RWA sector will reach a value of $10 billion, providing a massive return of 20-50X for early investors.
Here is my list of RWA projects
…
Some prominent trends mentioned at #token2049 . We should to keep an eye on it. #TOKEN2049 is the premier crypto event, organised annually in Singapore, where founders and executives of the leading Web3 companies and projects share their view on the industry
1. Cyber Nation…
1. Cyber Nation…
We’re simplifying how we talk about blockchain. Our network is connecting ecosystems across the digital assets ecosystem to power new and relevant solutions to make the industry accessible for all. Learn more: mastercard.com/news/perspecti…
Start Path Blockchain and Digital Assets…
Start Path Blockchain and Digital Assets…
BR3AKING: Within the next 10 years, Ethereum could reach a $20 trillion dollar market cap which would equate to a price of around $170,000 per ETH as well as $1,000,000 per Bitcoin- according to a recent report by Cathy Woods’ ARK Invest
. @a16zcrypto announced that applications for Spring 2024 Crypto Startup School are now open until October 20, 2023
Crypto Startup School (CSS) is twelve-week accelerator program for early-stage companies, providing expert guidance, capital, and resources tailored for crypto…
Crypto Startup School (CSS) is twelve-week accelerator program for early-stage companies, providing expert guidance, capital, and resources tailored for crypto…
Gaming
TSM has sold their LCS spot for ~$10 million to Shopify and has left NA League of Legends
And Moist Esports is now sharing a Valorant roster with Shopify
Wild day for esports
And Moist Esports is now sharing a Valorant roster with Shopify
Wild day for esports
Legends of the Mara Season 1 open beta goes live Sept. 26. During S1, hatch Mara. Koda holders, get a head start on farming Fragments and hunting Shattered. Beta loot will be mintable at the end of each season and include items for LoTM’s expanding gameplay.
"Web3 games are too tough to get into"
Not anymore.
Here are 10 games you can dive into on @Steam, with gameplay
Not anymore.
Here are 10 games you can dive into on @Steam, with gameplay
Unveiling Zynga's SugarTown: MeeZee Decodes the Alpha from Ep. 1 Spaces
:1/ Oras Dynamics: Holding multiple Oras offers an advantage. However, there's no need for repetitive actions for each NFT.
2/ Zygna & LiveOps: Zygna's expertise is LiveOps. SugarTown is adopting the…
40,000 PRE-REGISTERED and 1000 PLAYED AT ALPHA...We can see a future where all 40,000 get to play, can you?
Exciting News : Mythical Games will launch the mobile version of the Web3 game @PlayBlankos .Previously, @playmythical had released NFL Rivals on iOS and Android, which received 2.5 million downloads.
NFTs
For the first time, Bored Ape Yacht Club will be open to visitors for an interactive experience for creators, collectors, and the crypto-curious at the “Yacht Club Open House,” on November 5th, 2023 in Hong Kong
openhouse.boredapeyachtclub.com
Tix on-sale Sept. 18, 2023 at 9:00 AM EST
openhouse.boredapeyachtclub.com
Tix on-sale Sept. 18, 2023 at 9:00 AM EST
When the markets are down its time to load.
After investing in @dop_org
I've decided to also buy a blue chip #NFT, the zombie punk by @cryptopunksnfts #3609
420 ETH may seem a lot but i believe that in the long term this is a real gem.
After investing in @dop_org
I've decided to also buy a blue chip #NFT, the zombie punk by @cryptopunksnfts #3609
420 ETH may seem a lot but i believe that in the long term this is a real gem.
BREAKING: This fully on-chain image of a rock just sold for 3 BTC ($81,350)
Ordinals are dead.
Long live Ordinals.
→ ord.io/180
Ordinals are dead.
Long live Ordinals.
→ ord.io/180
I’ve been working on Fewos for over a year. With so many awesome people and so much passion. 
And it’s coming NEXT WEEK!! I can’t believe it. I’m so excited. Make sure to save this graphic with all the details!!! I can’t wait for Fewos to be in the world!!!
And it’s coming NEXT WEEK!! I can’t believe it. I’m so excited. Make sure to save this graphic with all the details!!! I can’t wait for Fewos to be in the world!!!
Azuki - how would you feel about minting and collecting Lore Drops like the "Origin of the Garden" as tokens? The idea is to encapsulate key moments and artwork from the expanding Azuki universe into collectible tokens. As the story unfolds through different mediums, these tokens…
AI
JUST IN : NVIDIA CEO JUST SOLD ANOTHER CHUNK OF NVIDIA SHARES
THIS IS HIS FOURTH SELL IN THE LAST FEW DAYS
HE HAS NOW SOLD $120 MILLION DOLLARS OF NVIDIA SHARES IN THE LAST FEW DAYS
$NVDA
THIS IS HIS FOURTH SELL IN THE LAST FEW DAYS
HE HAS NOW SOLD $120 MILLION DOLLARS OF NVIDIA SHARES IN THE LAST FEW DAYS
$NVDA
Other
Deion Sanders recently launched a line of custom sunglasses with Blenders Eyewear.
So when the Colorado St. head coach commented on him wearing them during interviews, Sanders took advantage.
Coach Prime handed them out to the entire team, which went viral on social media. And…
So when the Colorado St. head coach commented on him wearing them during interviews, Sanders took advantage.
Coach Prime handed them out to the entire team, which went viral on social media. And…
45% of Grindr, $GRND, employees resigned after the company started enforcing a return-to-office mandate per the LA Times.
JUST IN: Elon Musk's SpaceX sues the US Government.
BREAKING: Microsoft, $MSFT, wanted to acquire Nintendo, per leaked emails seen by Forbes.
A record 73.5 million Americans plan to wager on the NFL, according to the American Gaming Association.
💰 = Sfermion Portfolio Company
Curated by @mopat1214 + @AndrewSteinwold
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Sfermion does not offer investment advice/analysis and makes no recommendations on how to act. Information regarding any company or investment in this Newsletter, including any links to information on our website, should not be viewed as an endorsement or recommendation of that company or investment for any purpose whatsoever. Any person receiving this Newsletter is encouraged to consult with their own financial advisor, or relevant personnel, before making any investment decision.