Crypto NFT Today: The latest news in blockchain, cryptocurrency and NFT: 21-27 September 2022
Welcome to another edition of Crypto NFT Today! If you like cryptocurrency, NFTs and riding emotional roller coasters, this is the place to be.
Are you ready for the crunch? Let’s get started.
Robinhood rolls out beta version of Web3 Wallet
Trading platform Robinhood rolled out a beta version of its Web3 wallet on Tuesday, allowing users to exchange assets on their non-custodial wallet. Officially called Robinhood Wallet, the standalone app will support Polygon as its first blockchain network.
During the beta, participating customers will be able to download the app and fund their wallet with USDC as the primary fiat representative token, trade and exchange crypto without network fees, earn crypto rewards, store and track their blockchain portfolio, and connect to decentralized apps (dapps) to achieve yield. Viewing NFTs and connecting to NFT marketplaces will be supported when Robinhood Wallet is available to the general public, but it is not part of the beta program.
Walmart enters the Metaverse
Walmart has officially entered the metaverse. The retail giant took its first steps into the virtual world with the launch of Walmart Land and Walmart’s Universe of Play on Roblox.
According to the company’s Monday announcement, Walmart Land focuses on “immersive experiences,” with key features including a physics-defying Ferris wheel, unlockable tokens and badges, an interactive piano aisle and a DJ booth for users. Walmart’s chief marketing officer, William White, said the company will use Roblox as a testing ground as it considers other moves in the metaverse and beyond.
Fed Chair Urges Caution on DeFi Regulation
Following the collapse of the TerraUSD stablecoin, which was supposed to maintain its value against fiat currency, and the emergence of the recent “crypto winter”, some politicians were keen to enact regulations on the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. However, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said on Tuesday that regulation of DeFi must be done “carefully and thoughtfully” given its limited impact on the real economy.
Powell also suggested he was in no rush to introduce a digital central bank currency, a digital form of public money that is under consideration in a number of jurisdictions around the world. The measured approach Powell suggests could bolster the crypto market in the short term as investors get a temporary reprieve from a major market shake-up. Common cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ether are up Tuesday following the comments.
AC Milan partners with Web3 Soccer Game, Mints NFTs
Historic Italian football club AC Milan has partnered with Solana-based MonkeyLeague, a web3 football game.
MonkeyLeague is a strategy-based soccer game, where users build and manage their own dream team of at least six MonkeyPlayer NFTs (striker, midfielder, defender and goalkeeper), compete against real players and climb the league ranks. The game economy is centered around an in-game currency, MonkeyBucks ($MBS), and in-game assets that hold value in and out of the game.
The new partnership between MonkeyLeague and AC Milan includes the creation of exclusive, Rossoneri-branded NFT playing assets, wearables, special gaming tournaments, co-marketing events and a number of other exciting initiatives, such as club players testing the game.
As part of the deal, MonkeyLeague will work closely with AC Milan to launch a new collection of branded NFT assets, including new MonkeyPlayers, skins and stadiums. The first batch will be auctioned on October 6th at MagicEden, with the NFTs going to the highest bidder.
