Democratizing crypto at the Superbowl
2022 was the first year to have crypto-related ads in the Super Bowl. We know that Super Bowl ads tend to be some of the most coveted spots on network television. This year a 30 second Super Bowl spot sold for $6.5 million according to NBC. Last year commercials averaged $5.6 million on CBS.
But we can say that the investment is worth it.
Everyone was also talking about the Coinbase commercial during and after the Super Bowl. The ad consisted of a simple QR code changing colors across the screen. Scanning the QR code took viewers to Coinbase's site, where they were promptly asked to sign up for Coinbase.
So many viewers scanned the QR code that Coinbase actually crashed. Furthermore, Coinbase's website generated 20 million hits in 1 minute after its commercial and the app went from 186th to 2nd in the app store.
Then, the ad from Crypto.com showed an older LeBron James going back in time to visit his younger self. Another brilliant ad came from FTX, where comedian Larry David misses out on every major innovation throughout history and now, of course, resists crypto, too.
The FTX and Coinbase commercials have the potential to go down as some of the most impactful commercials made by tech companies of all time, up there with Apple's 1984 Super Bowl commercial.
It is truly amazing to see how far crypto marketing has come over the past few years, as we have moved away from pitching the description of the technology to conveying values, which is far more effective.
🔦 White Star & Portfolio Spotlight
Exclusible has Louis Moinet on its platform
With a limited-edition collection of NFTs, in collaboration with @exclusible, LouisMoinet is bringing high-end watches to the next dimension.
Multis is now open to all crypto businesses and #DAOs
Monitoring cashflows, making payments, tracking multiple Ethereum and Bitcoin wallets, and storing as a team has never been simpler or faster.
Liquality allows using THORChain to swap in the Liquality Wallet
Swap assets seamlessly between Bitcoin and Ethereum today.
🏦 Enterprises & Institutions
New Alfa Romeo SUV uses NFT and blockchain to track car records
The Tonale NFT certifies a car upon purchase and then simply records and keeps data during the vehicle's lifespan.
PayPal establishes advisory council for crypto and blockchain
The payments firm said the addition of six members to its Blockchain, Crypto and Digital Currencies advisory council would help support its current and future products as well as its goal of creating a more inclusive digital financial ecosystem.
McDonald’s and Panera Bread file trademarks for virtual restaurants
Food companies have been slow to enter the metaverse compared to fashion firms, as it’s not clear how users can enjoy virtual dining.
YouTube sees ‘incredible potential’ in Web3 and NFTs
Web3 opens up new opportunities for creators. Youtube believes new technologies like blockchain and NFTs can allow creators to build deeper relationships with their fans.
Uber CEO says rideshare company will accept crypto 'at some point'
The chief executive of rideshare company Uber said Friday that the firm "absolutely" will accept crypto in the future, but prefaced those remarks by saying such a move would only happen under particular conditions.
⚖️ Government & Regulation
South Korea's sovereign wealth fund plots push into AI, metaverse
South Korea's sovereign wealth fund has outlined plans to up its investments in Silicon Valley startups as it looks to increase its exposure to the metaverse, AI, and alternative assets.
Russia set to recognize crypto as a form of currency
Authorities in Russia are set to recognize digital assets as a form of currency, according to local news reports.
El Salvador plans to issue its first bitcoin bond next month
El Salvador plans to issue its first billion-dollar "bitcoin bond" next month, finance minister Alejandro Zelaya said on February 8.
Central Bank of Kenya seeks public input on potential CBDC
The watchdog has given Kenyans until May 20 to submit their comments on the paper that examines the dangers and possibilities of CBDC.
Canadian MP introduces bill aimed at encouraging growth in crypto sector
Michelle Rempel Garner, a member of the House of Commons of Canada, has introduced a bill proposing the government set up a framework to encourage the growth of the cryptocurrency sector in the country.
💰 Funding & Exits
Crypto Mining Data Center Provider Compute North Raises $385M
The company raised $85 million in an equity round and $300 million in debt financing.
Bitcoin payment processor OpenNode raises $20M from Twitter and others
OpenNode, a crypto startup that helps merchants accept bitcoin payments from customers, has raised $20 million in a Series A funding round and is now valued at $220 million.
Investment firm KKR ups Animoca Brands’ newest funding to $500 million
Animoca Brands had just come off the heels of a $358.88 million funding round on January 18, led by Liberty City Ventures.
Metaverse Land Investor Everyrealm Raises $60M
Formerly Republic Realm, the rebranded Everyrealm has pulled in investors like Paris Hilton as it buys up the metaverse.
Is Meta/Facebook Planning to Acquire The Sandbox ?
Rumors are doing the rounds in the crypto sphere that Facebook is planning to acquire The Sandbox Game for their Metaverse development.
🚀 Project Launches & Updates
Manchester United selects Tezos as official blockchain
The football club has selected Tezos as its blockchain of choice, looking toward a future of even richer engagement experiences for its huge and diverse global community of fans and partners.
OpenSea launches venture arm, NFT ecosystem grant program
The NFT marketplace said that it will back companies and projects across the market for non-fungible tokens and Web3 by offering capital and access to its leadership and investors.
Polygon and Cere network to launch Web3 media platform, DaVinci
The DaVinci platform intends to offer perks from subscription NFTs and immersive creator exhibitions to digital and real-world fan events.
The Sandbox is introducing a new staking mechanism that works only with SAND
SAND, the utility and governance token used throughout The Sandbox’s metaverse, will now have a SAND-only staking option.
🔥 Other Bits We're Excited About
Highest-ever CryptoPunk sale nets $24 million
A rare CryptoPunk sold for 8,000 ETH ($23.7 million USD) on February 12, making it the highest-selling CryptoPunk to date.