#59: Back to Reality

Hilton goes beyond Roblox . Multiplayer Web3. NFL's Golden Knights launch NFTs. Forbes launches Web3 community. absolute labs X Google . Coinbase vs. SEC. Mysten Labs X Alibaba. Top charts & more.

📚 Top 4 Reads

• How brands make culture. By Ana Andjelic Link
• Web3 is changing the game for consumer brands. With Marc Baumann . Link
• A brief history of crypto. By Polynya. Link

more top reads...

✨ Web3 + NFTs

“Multiplayer Web3”🥽

A series of brands are meeting customers where they are: online, offline, and on-chain:

• Hilton, together with 11:11 (Paris Hilton’s agency) launched a Roblox experience where players can earn real-world travel rewards. Link
• Just recently, Walmart and Unity teamed up to bring immersive commerce for physical goods to games. Link
• Vegas Golden Knights partnered up with Theta Labs for an NFT loyalty experience, claimable for fans attending the games in the stadium. Link

Zoom out: Brands are meeting digitally native consumers where they’re already spending the most time, combining digital and physical distribution.

• Lacoste ’s virtual store gives UNDW31 NFT holders exclusive access to a VIP space with limited collections.
• The NBA is launching a virtual courtside experience using Meta Quest.

By the numbers: AR is growing into a game-changing field for retail.

• 71% of consumers would shop more often if it involved AR.
• Retailers using AR have seen increases in conversions by up to 40%.

Back to reality: Whether fully virtual or AR, tying it back to IRL experiences is where the magic happens.

Punchline: Crypto, Web3 and immersive commerce are converging. Winners will be those can maser all three.

More on Web3:

• Forbes offers Web3 community free premium content, Link
• absolute labs , the Web3 CRM and analytics tool, launches on Google Marketplaces. Link

continue reading...

🌎 Crypto & Macro

The final battle?

• Coinbase and the SEC went head-to-head in court. The crypto exchange pushed for the regulator's lawsuit to be thrown out. Link

Zoom in: While Coinbase compared buying crypto to collecting Beanie Babies, the SEC labeled them investment securities.

Yes, but: The judge is mindful that her decision doesn’t extend SEC's reach to other collectibles, such as baseball cards or Nike shoes.

Be smart: Bloomberg analyst estimates a 70% chance of Coinbase winning the case.

What’s next: The judge's decision is due in the coming months, potentially leading to a trial next year.

Why it matters: This case could shape SEC's role in overseeing the crypto market, including giants like Coinbase.

More on crypto:

• The SEC has delayed its decision to approve/deny BlackRock’s proposed spot ETH ETF. Link
• Mysten Labs (SUI) partners with Alibaba Cloud. Link

continue reading...