Weekly GameFi Market Report: August 7–13

Gamestarter
6 min readAug 14, 2023

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Welcome to the latest update in the gamefi market. Over the past week, Bitcoin ($BTC) has mostly held its ground, showing a momentary bout of volatility over two days. It briefly dropped to 28.5k and then rebounded to 30.3k, seemingly showing signs of both decline and ascent, before stabilizing around the 29k mark.

On the other hand, there’s been a buzz in the GameFi sector. Some projects have notably surged, with Bluezelle(BLZ) at the forefront, recording a remarkable 110% growth in recent days.

Source: Coingecko Gamefi category

Let’s take a detailed journey through the events and developments that have shaped the GameFi, NFT, and Metaverse sectors over the past week:

Barça Banks Big Bucks: $132M for Fan Fun and Flashy NFTs!

Source: https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/club/news/3544742/barca-vision-the-platform-with-content-about-the-new-digital-espai-barca

FC Barcelona has secured a $132 million investment for its NFT and Web3 initiative, “Barca Vision,” backed by Liberto Football Finance AG and Nipa Capital B.V. This platform will transform fan interaction by offering NFT purchases, fan voting, and exclusive content access. It also promises new revenue sources, strengthening the club’s financial footing.

With a fanbase of over 400 million, FC Barcelona stands to uniquely benefit, creating richer experiences for fans in the Web3 era.

The rising interest in NFTs and Web3 in sports is evident. Many teams are exploring NFT collaborations or launching their own, a trend set to grow as sports entities tap into the growing popularity of these technologies.

Investment highlights:
– Backed by Liberto Football Finance AG and Nipa Capital B.V.
– Supports the growth of Barca Vision, FC Barcelona’s Web3 initiative.
– Set to transform fan interactions with features like NFT purchases, fan voting, and exclusive content.
– Anticipated to generate new revenue streams for the club.
– Highlights FC Barcelona’s commitment to Web3 and the rising interest in NFTs in sports.

Rev Up, Yaris Owners! Toyota’s Taking You to the NFT Fast Lane.

Toyota Australia has introduced a Web3 and NFT initiative, GR-ID, for GR Yaris Rallye owners. This program rewards NFT holders with perks like a $50 VISA digital gift card, the chance to upgrade their NFT design, and access to exclusive events. The NFTs, minted on the Immutable X layer-2 solution on Ethereum, capture the GR Yaris Rallye’s unique features like color, mileage, and performance data. Owners can customize their NFT with stickers and decals.

GR-ID NFT owners can earn extra rewards by driving their car, completing challenges, or referring friends. Toyota will regularly update the GR-ID incentives.

This venture represents Toyota’s entry into the Web3 and NFT domain, joining Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz in the automotive sector’s exploration of these technologies. As companies harness the power of Web3 and NFTs to foster customer engagement and loyalty, it’ll be intriguing to observe the industry’s evolution.

Illuminati’s Shiny $50M Treasure Chest for Web3 Whimsies!

Illuminati Capital, headquartered in Dubai, has raised $50 million for investing in early-stage blockchain startups, especially within the gaming sector. The firm’s partners, boasting past investments in blockchain projects exceeding $1 billion, offer more than just financial support. They are dedicated to enhancing the global Web3 landscape and pioneering changes in decentralized tech. With a history of investing $30 million and yielding exits worth $150 million, Illuminati Capital’s team blends blockchain investors, marketers, and seasoned angel investors to provide hands-on support to startups.

Vickaash Agrawal, a partner, has over 120 successful blockchain investments and plans to infuse his expertise in various areas of the sector. Illuminati Capital’s investment scope spans DeFi, blockchain gaming, AI, NFT infrastructure, and real-world assets, aiming to shape the decentralized economy’s future.

Dhaval Parikh, another partner with a venture capital background, will focus on risk assessment, portfolio management, and keeping abreast of industry shifts. Illuminati Capital’s network and emphasis on Web3 ventures backed by tangible assets place it uniquely to guide portfolio companies. The firm offers support in listings, business expansion, PR, and more. Partner and CEO of LKI Consulting, Laura K. Inamedinova, will advise on marketing and user acquisition, underscoring the firm’s dedication to the sustained success of its investments.

Scam Alert: FBI’s Friendly Reminder to NFT Navigators.

The FBI warns of two prevalent scam tactics in the NFT space. Scammers either impersonate legitimate NFT developers or create deceptive accounts to promote enticing, “limited supply” NFT drops, creating urgency among buyers.

However, the real threat lies in the deceptive links they share. Instead of leading to genuine NFTs, these links guide users to counterfeit NFT sites. Once victims connect their crypto wallets to buy the advertised NFTs, they unknowingly activate ‘drainer smart contracts,’ enabling criminals to siphon funds and NFTs. Stolen assets are then laundered using crypto mixers and exchanges.

The FBI suggests caution against unexpected NFT offers and advises verifying the legitimacy of developers’ social media profiles. Indicators of fraud include misspellings, unusual account histories, and follower count or account age inconsistencies.

Always be wary when linking cryptocurrency wallets online, especially on sites with misspelled domains or malfunctioning links.

Remember: if a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is. Victims of such schemes should report incidents to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center with the keyword “NFTHack.”

San Antonio’s Spicy Slice of Metaverse: Behold the “210 Plaza”!

San Antonio, Texas, has unveiled its digital domain, “210 Plaza,” in the metaverse. Developed by the city’s economic development department and the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, this venture marks San Antonio’s commitment to exploring digital business and tourism prospects.

“210 Plaza” is a detailed virtual representation of San Antonio’s downtown, featuring landmarks like the Alamo, the Tower of the Americas, and the San Antonio River Walk. Mayor Ron Nirenberg states that this platform amplifies the city’s heritage and commerce to a global audience.

Users can access “210 Plaza” via VR headsets or web browsers, enjoying self-led or guided tours. The platform boasts a spectrum of activities, from concerts and art exhibits to business events, mirroring real-world vibrancy.

While other cities like Miami, Los Angeles, and Dubai have tapped into the metaverse trend, San Antonio’s iteration stands out with its expansive 100-acre digital space, recreated landmarks, and continuous updates. Funded by a $1 million city grant, “210 Plaza” serves as an emblem of San Antonio’s innovative spirit, offering potential job opportunities and merging the virtual and real in a new era of connectivity.

In an era where technology bridges the gap between the digital and the tangible, the rise of the metaverse and Web3 technologies heralds unparalleled opportunities for cities, businesses, and enthusiasts alike. Whether it’s redefining fan engagement in sports, offering new avenues for automotive owners, or establishing a city’s virtual identity, the horizon of possibilities is vast.

As we navigate this evolving landscape, it’s crucial to tread with curiosity, diligence, and an eye on the potential these innovations bring. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and embrace the future with open arms.

About Gamestarter

Gamestarter is a complete gaming ecosystem that brings a new standard for blockchain gaming by building a multichain launchpad & NFT marketplace.

Gamestarter also has an in-house game studio focused on building high-quality blockchain games (Gamestarter Originals) like Dark Frontiers & Pixel Pix. Gamestarter Accelerator acts as an investor and advisor to promising games.

Gamestarter adds liquidity, player-ownership, and new funding resourcesto the largest entertainment industry in the world.

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