Issue #4: TezAsia Hackathon, blockchain gaming... and even more NFTs
Stay up to date with the latest news, updates and activities within the Tezos ecosystem and community.
Welcome to the July edition of TZ APAC’s Fresh Out The Oven. As the Granada update inches ever closer, the Tezos ecosystem in Asia is buzzing with activity, from digital art fairs and gaming to the TezAsia Hackathon. Here’s a rundown of the top stories of the past month.
TZ APAC, Tezos India and Chainstack launch the TezAsia Hackathon
TezAsia aims to help participants learn, grow, and excel in the blockchain domain. The hackathon will be held on the Devfolio platform and offer $14,000 USD in prizes across all tracks. The top five projects will have the opportunity to receive follow-on grants of up to $10,000 USD each, allowing participants to take their projects to the next level.
Marissa Trew explains why NFTs are at the forefront of the digital landscape
Many have used the extreme valuations and public zeal surrounding NFTs as reason to write off much of the activity as hype, to realise how broad the applications of the technology truly is. Others believe that the innovation, ingenuity, and enthusiasm surrounding this technology demonstrates not only how valuable it is rapidly becoming in society, but also how much capacity for growth there still is.
In this article, Marissa Trew touches upon how NFTs can empower the creator economy, particularly in regions like APAC, and address some of the arguments related to its environmental impact.
Julian Low makes the case for CBDCs and the impact they could have on Asian economies
TZ APAC’s Head of Business Development, South Asia, Julian Low explores the merits of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and balances the argument in its utility when compared to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
Said Low, “Central banks serve an essential role in safeguarding their countries’ economies, but their decision-makers need more and better data for a twenty-first-century world that is ever more connected and ever more complicated.”
TezTalks Radio shines a light on the growth of music NFT platforms, AmplifyX and OneOf
July saw not one, but two CEOs talking about the future of NFTs and its impact on the music industry on the TezTalks Radio podcast. AmplifyX and OneOf are both devoted to a core mission of empowering artists and their communities, and revolutionising the way in which people produce, release and monetise their work. However, each platform have adopted fairly different strategies to get there.
Watch the full episode with Adam Cowherd, CEO, AmplifyX:
Listen to the full episode with Lin Dai, CEO, OneOf:
The blockchain gaming boom: the experts weigh in
When global gaming behemoth Ubisoft announced it had partnered with the Paris-based Nomadic Labs to become a corporate baker on the Tezos network, it was a clear signal that blockchain’s uses within gaming is set for an exciting new chapter. In particular, the gaming sector has shown a burgeoning interest in NFTs and its applications within games to engage, reward, and create value for gamers.
In partnership with the Blockchain Gaming Alliance, TZ APAC’s research and adoption manager, Jacob Pouncey led a panel of blockchain and industry leaders to discuss gaming’s brave new world.
TZ APAC supports Crypto Art Week Asia and MetaSeoul 2021, collaborates on an NFT giveaway by Korean digital artist 08AM
Held during Crypto Art Week Asia (CAWA), MetaSeoul was a city-wide festival that aimed to bring Seoul’s diverse online communities together. The first event of 2021 served as an informative session on the value of NFTs and their current ecosystem, as well as an engagement avenue for NFT creators and collectors who have begun to thrive in Web 3.0.
CAWA and MetaSeoul were supported by TZ APAC via its Ecosystem Growth Grant (EGG) program. The event also included an NFT giveaway led by Korean digital artist, 08AM who issued 20 editions of a unique animated Tezos logo.
ICYMI: Watch the global AMA with MVL and TZ APAC, outlining details of their partnership
MVL Foundation partnered with TZ APAC to develop its data business with hybrid blockchain technology, utilizing both Hyperledger Fabric and the Tezos public blockchain. MVL Foundation operates TADA, the world’s first blockchain-based ride-hailing service, which has amassed one million users in Southeast Asia since its launch in 2018.
Australian broadcaster, Ticker News interviews Marissa Trew on clean NFTs
Gemini officially supports Tezos
Tezos’ native cryptocurrency, tez (XTZ) is now officially available on Gemini’s Exchange and Gemini Earn platforms.