Category: Events

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Australia Events Metaverse NFTs Sports

Cricket Australia to Launch Official NFTs of Memorable Moments

Taking its first official step into the space, Cricket Australia will launch an official range of NFTs marking some of the most memorable moments in Australian cricket, joining a boom industry which has already recorded US$11.8 billion in trading volume this year.

The NFTs will be available to own and trade under an NFT licensing agreement. Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) have announced a multi-year partnership with Singapore-based collectibles platform Rario and NFT trading company BlockTrust, which will mint historic incidents in Australian cricket.

Cricket lovers globally can now own and trade NFTs of key events in the sport that took place on Australian soil. According to a tweet by Rario, the partnership will “give cricket lovers the opportunity to own a part of the sport they love and indulge in cricket NFT-based games in the Rario metaverse”:

Relive Australian Cricket History

As with all sports memorabilia, the value of NFTs is determined by demand, and there is certainly demand in a cricket-obsessed nation such as Australia. This partnership means that unique, digital versions of moments such as Steve Waugh’s Ashes hundred on the last ball of the day at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2003, Peter Siddle’s Ashes hat-trick in 2010, and Ellyse Perry’s double century in 2017 will now be available to own and trade.

Fans of the sport are understandably excited by the news:

Environmental Concerns Bowled Out

NFTs have long been criticised for their associated high carbon emissions, but in a joint statement, Rario, CA and the ACA say they are “committed to a partnership that [will see] NFTs produced in a sustainable manner”. The cricket NFTs will make use of the Ethereum side-chain Polygon, which they say “translates to more eco-friendliness and considerably fewer carbon emissions”.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said in a statement:

We are excited to step into the metaverse with our partners Rario, BlockTrust and the ACA for this historic deal, which will open up huge opportunities for innovation and fan engagement. The game’s deep connection with its past, the passion of our fans and the appeal of Australian cricketers to a global audience means the incorporation of NFTs is another way that fans can engage and be part of the sport. This is just the start and I have no doubt we will see enormous benefit for fans, players and the sport itself as we build this exciting partnership.

Nick Hockley, CEO, Cricket Australia

Todd Greenberg, CEO of the ACA, issued his own statement:

Once you begin to learn about NFTs you soon understand [that] the engagement possibilities between past and present players [and] fans are huge. We all look forward to bringing this program to life in the coming months with new and innovative concepts.

Todd Greenberg, CEO, Australian Cricketers Association

Cricket NFTs Are No New Idea

Although this collection of NFTs will capture memorable moments in Australian cricket history, it is not the first time the sport has entered the NFT space. Last year, Crypto News Australia reported how Aussie legend Adam Gilchrist would digitise cricket moments to NFTs. The world’s first cricket-based NFTs were also launched last year ahead of the T20 World Cup.

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Australia Events NFTs

NFT Music Marketplace ‘Serenade’ Raises $6 Million Backed by Hugh Jackman

After launching an artist/fan-centric NFT platform last year, Australian music technology company Serenade has now announced its raising of US$6 million in a round of funding backed by several high-profile investors, including Australian actor Hugh Jackman:

Still Early Days For Music NFTs

The funding round was led by Bain Capital Ventures, with participation from AngelList, Boost VC, and others. Serenade was launched with the aim of allowing musicians to retain the copyright to their work. The platform allows artists to upload their music and mint it as an NFT, which can then be sold on the platform.

As the artists retain the copyrights, they can also set the price. Proceeds from sales on the platform are split between Serenade and the artist, with the company taking a 10 percent cut of each sale.

Serenade founder Max Shand has said the mission of the platform is to “enable artists to build closer relationships with fans while creating dynamic new revenue streams”.

Serenade has already collaborated with music bigwigs at the Brit Awards 2022. The result is the Genesis NFT collection, 13 NFTs that celebrate the Awards’ 13 winners:

NFTs are a new and exciting way for artists to monetise their work. Serenade provides artists with a simple and efficient way to mint and sell their NFTs, while also providing buyers with a one-stop shop for buying NFTs.

Hugh Jackman, actor

In the words of Serenade CEO and co-founder John Palfreyman, “We believe that NFTs are going to be a key part of the music ecosystem.” Echoing a comment made by A-list actor Hugh Jackman, he added: “They provide a new way for artists to monetise their work and connect with their fans.”

The seed funding will be used to grow the team at Serenade and launch new features on the platform. Although Serenade is still in private beta, it plans to launch publicly later in the year.

NFT Marketplaces Popping Up Left, Right, and Centre

As the NFT market continues to boom, many are trying to cash in on the craze while it lasts, and this has led to the proliferation of new NFT marketplaces. In January, Crypto News Australia reported on the launch of LooksRare, which has since exploded in sales volume. Even the New York Stock Exchange is considering getting on board the NFT train.

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CEEK VR Events Metaverse

Metaverse Token ‘CEEK VR’ Surges 100% Following Exposure at Grammy Awards 

CEEK VR (CEEK) has witnessed a growth spurt of 100 percent amid metaverse development after it received priceless exposure at last week’s Grammy Awards.

CEEK attracted the attention of many investors as it hosted a booth at this year’s Grammy Awards. Also contributing to the surge in price is that the project is constantly working towards trending concepts such as DeFi, NFTs, and the metaverse. CEEK aims to capitalise on these concepts by helping to enhance users’ experience but also contributing to the global adoption of blockchain technology.

CEEK Partners with Universal Music

CEEK is a developer of premium social, virtual and augmented reality experiences and its mission is to empower creators to generate new revenue streams by providing them with digital tools. CEEK connects fans and artists through its virtual world for long-term engagement.

The company helps athletes, musicians, digital content creators and event organisers to create fan experiences and monetise their work. CEEK has undertaken a partnership with major record company Universal Music, which grants it the right to conduct live performances with top-tier artists such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Sting, and Ziggy Marley.

Contributing Factors to CEEK’s Growth

CEEK hit a daily high on April 7 as its 24-hour trading volume spiked 178 percent. At the time of writing, CEEK was trading at US$0.4465 according to data from CoinMarketCap. The surge in price is due to several reasons, including deeper integration with the BNB Smart Chain (BSC), various new cryptocurrency exchange listings, and getting featured in the gift lounge at the Grammys.

Along with Universal Music, CEEK has also collaborated with Apple, Meta Oculus, and Microsoft, three of the biggest names working on the development of virtual reality technology.

Could 2022 Be the Year of the Metaverse?

With growth akin to that of NFTs in 2021, it looks like 2022 will be the year of the metaverse. HSBC Bank has launched a metaverse fund for its wealthy clients in Asia, allowing them to invest in the project, though they are still not allowed to purchase crypto. Payments giant American Express has joined peers Visa and Mastercard in venturing into the metaverse and will explore Web3 applications while firmly planting itself in the space.

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Crypto News Events NFTs

Warner Bros is Creating 6 Million DC Comics with Redeemable NFTs

Warner Bros Consumer Products along with Cartamundi are launching DC Hybrid NFT trading cards. The ‘hybrid’ card packs will be priced from a modest US$5 to US$120, with buyers using an app called Hro to gain access to their physical cards’ redeemable NFTs.

Warner is creating over six million DC Comics-inspired physical trading cards packaged with redeemable NFTs, available later this month. Cartamundi, a card and board game manufacturer, is responsible for the design of the cards, which will feature 155 different superheroes. The accompanying NFTs will be minted on the Ethereum sidechain Immutable X.

Beginning with the first DC-based hybrid NFT trading cards, Hro will give fans the opportunity to own a physical trading card with an NFT component, bringing blockchain technology together with physical in-store presence for the first time. Using NFTs minted on Immutable X, DC Hybrid Trading Cards by Hro will hit shelves and digital wallets in March 2022, with additional and limited-edition content coming throughout the year.

Cartamundi and Warner Bros joint release

Warner also has plans to issue a few limited-edition cards using images from characters in the latest DC Comics hit movie, The Batman. This is not the first NFT endeavour for WarnerMedia-owned DC Comics. Last year, the two companies announced a partnership with Palm NFT Studio to create a new line of free NFTs tied into upcoming events. For its part in the collaboration, DC offered up digital collectibles based on popular comic book covers such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn.

NFTs the New Trading Cards

NFTs are akin to the trading cards of the past because of their subjective value, collectible ethos, and variable rarities.

As Pam Lifford, president of WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences, has said, “Trading cards have been a favourite of fans for decades. Combining that enthusiasm for collecting with a custom NFT is just brilliant, and this program brings the DC brand to fans in a way that’s never been done before.”

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Blockchain Crypto Art Cryptocurrencies Events NFTs

Emergence Conference in Sydney to Explore Blockchain and Crypto Opportunities

Sydney is set to host a three-day conference exploring potential opportunities for blockchain and crypto technology. The Emergence22 conference (March 9-11) at the Fullerton Hotel in the city’s Martin Place will feature more than 40 guest speakers, with free virtual passes on offer for those who wish to attend digitally.

https://www.emergence22.com/
Emergence22 conference banner ad. Source: Emergence22

From Fintech to Web3 and NFT Art

Day one of Emergence Sydney is dedicated to discussion on renewable energy and the power grid, following a keynote address. Attendees can expect day two to touch on fintech and health care, and day three totally devoted to crypto with sessions on Web3 and NFTs and a lengthy list of industry guest speakers. The conference will also feature what Binance Australia is calling “the first NFT art gallery”.

There are free virtual passes to attend online, with live attendance tickets priced at A$101. For a more in-depth rundown of what’s available across the three-day event, access Emergence Sydney’s itinerary online. If you are looking to attend in person, limited tickets are still available.

More Notable Crypto Dates for 2022

March is action-packed in crypto terms, with several partnerships, announcements, rebrands and conferences greenlit. Most of this month’s live events are online, though we’ve compiled a full list of dates to make it easy for you to keep up.

The Gold Coast is set to host Australia’s largest crypto convention in September. This not-to-be-missed weekend will feature guest speakers, workshops, networkers, and more. Crypto News Australia has two weekend conference passes to give away. Visit our Twitter page for info on how to enter the draw:

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Bitcoin Crypto News Events Tether

Swiss City of Lugano to Make BTC and USDT ‘De Facto’ Legal Tender

This week, Switzerland’s ninth-largest city, Lugano, played host to “Plan ₿”, where the city proudly announced plans to make both BTC and Tether (USDT) “de facto” legal tender.

Europe’s Aspiring Bitcoin Capital

In the livestreamed event, Mayor Michele Foletti and CTO of Tether, Paolo Ardoino, announced plans to make both bitcoin and USDT legal tender in Lugano, a city with just over 60,000 residents.

Once passed, residents will be able to make payment for public services, fees and taxes in bitcoin or USDT. Mayor Foletti described the move as a “de facto” legalisation, given that the the Swiss franc would remain as official legal tender in the city and elsewhere in Switzerland.

In addition to the proposed changes to legal tender laws, Plan ₿ also involves establishing a Bitcoin and blockchain hub, where entrepreneurs can congregate, collaborate, network and host Bitcoin meetups and workshops.

This [the Bitcoin hub] is probably the most important thing of this project.

Paolo Ardoino, CTO of Tether

A City Following in El Salvador’s Footsteps

Since El Salvador declared bitcoin legal tender, its GDP has increased by 10 percent and its tourism by 30 percent. “Imagine what we can do in a city at the centre of Europe,” Ardoino added, when speaking of El Salvador’s remarkable progress.

Foletti indicated that the city would “roll [out] the red carpet” for Bitcoin businesses, visitors and new arrivals, offering a business-friendly environment with minimal red tape. El Salvador has similarly taken this approach by creating an attractive investment environment, and exempting foreign investors from capital gains on the bitcoin.

There are a host of other exciting developments happening in Lugano, including a move towards bitcoin mining. To get fully up to speed with the city’s plans, an English translation of the event has been provided below:

As nation states and cities around the world compete for crypto talent, Lugano has put the world on notice that it is serious about becoming a crypto paradise.

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Events

Important Crypto Dates This Month – March 2022

In this article we take a look at important crypto dates and events happening in March 2022.

The selected events include Hard Forks, Partnerships, Announcements, Rebranding, Exchange Listings, Releases, Token Swaps, Important Airdrops, Conferences and more.

Crypto News Partner Events and Announcements

DateEventNote
24 JanPress ReleaseIn-case you missed it, you can now buy the Ledger Nano S Color Edition from Coinstop.
31 JanNews StoryAustralian Homegrown Messaging App ‘Session’ Surpasses 1 Million Downloads.
5 FebPress ReleaseCulture Vault’s Curated NFT Platform Launches With Inaugural Digital-Meets-Physical Exhibition
17 FebPress ReleaseSwyftx has made sporting history, inking a three-year partnership with the National Rugby League (NRL).
17 FebPress ReleaseCoinJar Card is now available in the UK.
22 FebLive EventAustralia Crypto Convention 2022 – Gold Coast Hosts Biggest Live Event of the Year in September.
22 FebGuideHow to Buy on eBay Using Crypto using Bitrefill.
23 FebPress ReleaseCulture Vault Releases New NFTs From Romance Was Born, the Injury, and Pan and the Dream

Upcoming Crypto & Blockchain Conferences

DateEventLocationNotes
1-3 MarchAPAC Blockchain Conference Online, In PersonDeveloped in partnership with Blockchain Australia, APAC Blockchain Conference is the annual meeting place for Australia’s blockchain community and other curious minds from across the region.
17-18 March Blockchain Africa ConferenceOnlineSince 2015, Bitcoin Events’ annual Blockchain Africa Conferences have been the first of their kind in Africa and have brought together some of the top thought leaders from across the globe.
22-23 March Reimagine V.12 The MetaverseOnlineHosted by Mousebelt, a San Francisco-based blockchain accelerator, REIMAGINE is a virtual blockchain conference and networking event designed to educate you to adopt a decentralised future and disrupt the old system.
22 – 24 MarchNFTCON 2022OnlineNFTS are spreading to mass adoption via gaming and metaverses. Collectibles, Gaming, Sports, and Metaverses are transforming and evolving the NFT industry.

Important Cryptocurrency Events

DateCoinEventNotes
4 MarSun Token (SUN)BitMart ListingBitMart lists SUN (@defi_sunio) with SUN/USDT pair.
8 MarVerge (XVG)Block Reward HalvingVERGE BLOCK REWARD HALVING.
8 MarPolkstarter (POLS)Cryptoverse Land We’re set to launch our first NFT land sales for @CryptoverseVIP.
15 MarElrond (EGLD)Metabonding SnapshotsOfficial EGLD staking and LKMEX Metabonding snapshots begin on March 15.
31 MarTHORChain (RUNE)MainnetMainnet is forecast for 2022 Q1.
31 MarAxie Infinity (AXS)Play to Earn AppLate 2021 / Early 2022: $AXS ecosystem begins governance play-to-earn mainstream release of Axie Infinity on iOS/Android.
31 Mar Dock (DOCK)Mobile Wallet AppDock mobile wallet app v0.2 during Q1 2022.
31 MarCosmos (ATOM)Theta Upgrade Cosmos SDK v0.45 | NFT module | Tendermint v0.35 | Liquid Staking | Farming Module | Interchain accounts during Q1 2022.
31 Mar COTI (COTI)Simplex IntegrationBank accounts to be integrated directly into the Viper wallet during Q1 2022.
31 MarUnibright (UBT)MainnetMainnet launch during Q1 2022.
31 MarElrond (EGLD)Staking Phase 4Staking Phase 4, during Q1 2022.
31 MarSwipe (SXP)MainnetDeploy Mainnet, during Q1 2022, and staking.
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ConstitutionDAO Events Sports

‘BuytheBroncos DAO’ is Aiming to Buy NFL Team Denver Broncos for $4 Billion

In attempting to buy the US Constitution and an island in the Caribbean, DAOs (decentralised autonomous organisations) have been raising massive amounts of money in order to spend big. In the most recent of exuberant potential purchases, a DAO is now trying to buy National Football League (NFL) team the Denver Broncos.

DAO is the newest buzzword in the crypto world, and refers to a group of people who come together to raise funds for a common mission – in this case, BuytheBroncos needs US$4 billion to buy the the Denver Broncos.

We know it sounds a bit crazy, but it’s also a bit Badass.

Sean O’Brien, BuytheBroncos DAO

BuytheBroncos DAO frontman Sean O’Brien says that “the purpose essentially is to establish an infrastructure so that fans from all walks of life can be owners of the Denver Broncos”.

Politics Gets Involved

What sets this DAO apart from its precedents is that it has political support. The Governor of Colorado, Jared Polis, told CNBC at last weekend’s ETHDenver event that he would be “excited” to be part of the DAO’s ambitions:

“The challenge will be it’ll take a lot of money … but you know what, if your imagination is big enough, then it can happen. And anything I can do to make it happen, I’d be happy to.”

DAOs With Grand Ambitions

Besides this current attempt to purchase an NFL team, DAOs have already featured in the world of sport. Earlier this month, a group of former Manchester United superstars launched a sports-focused DAO to allow fans to invest in professional football projects alongside them.

In a completely different vein, late last year, the ConstitutionDAO tried to purchase a copy of the US Constitution at a Sotheby’s auction but were ultimately outbid by former Citadel CEO Ken Griffin. The DAO still managed to successfully raise over US$40 million – quite an astonishing feat.

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Australia Brisbane Events Gold Coast The Crypto Den

Australia Crypto Convention 2022 – Gold Coast Hosts Biggest Live Event of the Year in September

The Gold Coast will host Australia’s largest Crypto Convention for 2022, where crypto enthusiasts will join expert speakers, industry exhibitors, education workshops, networkers and more in a jam-packed weekend.

Date: 16-18 September 2022
Location: Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach
Website: auscryptocon.com
Tickets: Click here for 10% off code CRYPTONEWS

Win tickets: We’re giving away 2 x full weekend passes to Australia Crypto Convention. See our Twitter page to enter.

Sponsors and exhibitors at the event include some of the biggest names: Swyftx, The Crypto Den, Crypto News Australia, Coinstop, Accointing.com and more. If you would like to be involved, enquire here.

The event is being organised by David Haslop, founder of The Crypto Den trading education platform, who wants to help attendees learn more about cryptocurrencies and blockchain, and introduce people to all the exciting projects happening in Australia.

We’ve got international speakers coming over from different countries, obviously people from here … the whole idea of the convention is my philosophy from when I started, mass adoption through education.

David Haslop, Crypto Convention Organiser

What’s Happening at the Event

The exact event day agenda lineups, speakers and exhibitors lists will be announced soon. Also, special accommodation deals will be released in early March. Stay tuned!

Live Speakers – Hear from global visionaries and industry leaders as they speak on stage and participate in panel discussions.

Networking – Interact and network with professionals and experts from within the crypto space.

Exhibitors – Experience some of the most innovative blockchain technology and crypto projects and their use cases first-hand.

Educational Workshops – Learn more about the following topics: Bitcoin, Cryptocurrencies, Crypto Security, The Future of Crypto, Working in Crypto, Trading Crypto and more.

Crypto News – We will be attending the event and providing media coverage, live interviews, social media spotlights, and giveaways!

The Whale Experience

Upgrade your convention experience to a Whale Pass and enjoy a catered lunch daily with networking opportunities and join in on our exclusive WHALE Night event at Nineteen Rooftop Bar At The Star Casino. Find out more here.

This is your opportunity to connect with like-minded Whales who share the same interests and goals as you. Your Whale Pass opens the door to connections inside the space and this is where the magic happens!

Become an Exhibitor

If you would like to become an Exhibitor at the event, you can apply here.

Categories
Blockchain Crypto News Events Metaverse NFTs

Virtual Sporting Company ‘Raramuri’ to Host World’s First Marathon in the Metaverse 

Virtual sporting company Raramuri is hosting the world’s first-ever marathon in the metaverse, where participants can earn digital rewards for running in real life (IRL). The event will take place on June 2, with this year’s annual Global Running Day to be built on the KardiaChain blockchain in what the company is calling its first “run-to-earn event”.

Screenshot of Raramuri marathon in action. Source: Raramuri

Metaverse Marathon Mashup

The in-browser event will host 500 registered participants who will run 26.2 miles (42km) IRL and will be traced using their mobile phones or watches. The race data will correspond to an avatar progressing through Raramuri’s virtual course.

According to Raramuri’s website:

The Metaverse Marathon, the first hybrid race of its kind, allows you to focus on what you love and do best in the physical world: RUNNING, while greatly enhancing your experience with the shared metaverse.

raramuri.io/ 

The company added that physical marathons hold so many logistical boxes to check that they are currently not accessible to a lot of people. The aim of this race is to bring people from around the world together to run in their home towns, all connected by their course.

The race will be coordinated in such a way that spectators can line the virtual course’s track and support their favourite runners by emoting a thumbs up or sending NFTs (non-fungible tokens) to their wallets as they run by in a watch-to-earn incentive model. Whenever a runner passes a competitor, their phone will buzz. Participants are also encouraged to dress their avatars in costumes showcasing their style, cause or inspiration to make the race more theatrical and interesting.

The metaverse has opened up a world of opportunities, but one Twitter user questioned why participating in a marathon would be the first thing to do:

KardiaChain Set to Run Backend Operations

The project’s backend is built on the KardiaChain blockchain. Runners who complete the marathon will be rewarded with a digital asset – an NFT to commemorate their experience, which will feature their race times and grant them early access to future marathon registrations. Participants will own their NFTs and have their race information permanently recorded on the blockchain.

To sign up, visit the Raramuri website for further details.

More and More Events to Take Place in the Metaverse

As the metaverse continues to expand and more companies move into the space, various projects have embraced the innovative platform as a means of hosting. A new project called Animal Concerts is building a virtual touring company to host virtual live music events in the metaverse.

While the everyday person becomes accustomed to the idea of the metaverse, tech companies are accelerating their moves into the space. Microsoft, for example, is set on acquiring gaming giant Activision Blizzard for a whopping US$69 billion as part of its plan.