Worldwide Web3 Wonderland | Edition #39 – Oct 2023
Fintech Pulse: Monthly Digest (Oct)
Hey there, Virtual Visionaries! ♾️
Can you believe it? We've reached the final chapter of our Web3 Wonderland adventure for this year! 🗓️ As we gather around the digital campfire one last time in 2023, we can't help but marvel at the incredible journey we've embarked upon together. Thank you for being part of our incredible community. Your passion for Web3 technology fuels our quest to bring you the most exciting and relevant updates from the vast expanse of the decentralized universe.
From the rise of mind-bending metaverse experiences to the revolutionary impact of CBDCs, we've got your ticket to the most exciting virtual rollercoaster ride of the year! 🎢
So, buckle up, Wonderland Explorers, because in this edition, we're not just revisiting the past; we're peering into the future! Get ready to unravel the mysteries of the blockchain, uncover the secrets of the crypto cosmos, and discover the trends that will shape the digital landscapes of tomorrow!
Grab your cyber-coffee, put on your favorite VR headset, and let's celebrate the Top 10 web3 highlights from last month that'll leave you both informed and entertained:
Web3's global influence continues to soar – Mastercard partnered with the Reserve Bank of Australia to successfully trial the integration of CBDCs with Ethereum-based NFTs - unlocking a new use case that expands new commerce possibilities. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's NEOM Investment Fund announced its plans to invest $50M into Animoca Brands with the aim of propelling the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, with Animoca Brands providing web3 services and handling related initiatives.
Last month, the headlines lit up with license wins! Ripple obtained a major payments institution license in Singapore that serves as a strategic step toward growing its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and digital asset bank Xapo secured a European broker license, enabling it to offer European customers the ability to trade S&P 500 stocks like Apple alongside crypto wealth management services.
Speaking of stocks, Float set sail with the ‘Float Token’, a globally private debt asset token, in partnership with Sygnum Bank on the Polygon blockchain. The new digital instrument will provide the opportunity to invest in a private debt portfolio alongside Fasanara Capital. Another launch that grabbed attention was Solana Lab's 'Solana Incubator' - a program that will offer fundraising, development, networking and marketing support for web and blockchain projects seeking to build on Solana’s platform.
Europe was quite the hub of web3 activities, with Wirex and Transact Payments joining forces to enhance Wirex's card product offerings for delivering streamlined payment solutions for users in the EEA, and Kraken acquiring Netherlands-based cryptocurrency broker BCM – a move is in line with Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework, promoting compliant growth.
Digital realms observed a vibrant display of innovation – Nomura and its digital assets subsidiary Laser Digital launched the immersive ‘Nomura & Laser Digital Botanical Garden’ experience in The Sandbox metaverse to accelerate the bank’s advancements in the digital asset sector. At the same time, Amazon Web Services (AWS) united with Immutable to streamline the integration of game studios into Web3, ultimately enhancing the concept of digital ownership for in-game assets among millions of gamers across the globe.
Web3 Word of the Month
Masternode
A masternode is a blockchain node that checks transactions, stores the entire history of the blockchain, and may participate in voting, governance of the blockchain, and other special functions such as increasing the privacy of transactions and performing instant transactions. Think of it as a special member that helps run the blockchain smoothly, using a system similar to Proof-of-Stake.
That's all for now!🤘
We hope you enjoyed this edition of the Worldwide web3 Wonderland!
If you're hungry for more fintech insights, check out some of our other work at WhiteSight.
Our latest publications include –
If you're someone who likes to read think pieces, you will likely love our monthly blog, Fintersections, where our team members analyse the convergence of fintech with the world.
Fintech research is in the WhiteSight DNA, so if you'd like to get in touch for features, sponsorships, and content marketing services, reach out to us at hello@whitesight.net.
And lastly, to stay updated on everything fintech and web3, follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter, and don't be shy to show some ❤️