The Sinopsis: What Can We Learn From the History of NFTs?

Sino Global Capital's Newsletter Issue #5. This week we delve into the history of NFTs, the challenges around web3 gaming, the regulatory landscape in India, and an initiative in the MENA region.

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Insights

The Journey of NFTs Through the Cycles

Vish BR, strategy and operations lead

The history of NFTs is relatively short but it’s also a rich one. Vish BR reflects on the evolution of this unique digital asset class.

The Challenges of Web3 Gaming

by Adam Kreitzman, intern & Juan Aranovich, editorial research

Despite its potential to revolutionize the way we play and own in-game assets, web3 gaming has yet to explode in popularity. In this article, we explore the challenges facing the industry.

Can BIS Unite the International Community on Cryptoassets?

by Ian Wittkopp, COO and head of investment

The Bank of International Settlements (BIS) published a bulletin on ‘Addressing the Risks in Crypto: Laying Out the Options’ that summarizes the key lessons of 2022 and offers insights on how to move forward.

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Regional Insights

SGC’s 'Regional Desk' provides insights into emerging markets all over the world. Our team of experts offers in-depth analysis on key topics such as macroeconomics, cultural trends, regulation, and crypto adoption to foster a closer connection with these communities.

In this edition, we delve into MENA and India.

Taxir Is the MENA Initiative Accelerating Blockchain Adoption in the Region

by Farah Ibrahim, social media manager and content editor

This web3 initiative is hoping to educate people in the MENA region about how blockchain can solve pressing issues.

Rebuilding the Cryptoasset Industry, One Sandbox at a Time

by Ian Wittkopp, COO and head of investment

Ian delves into why sandboxes are crucial for emerging technologies to succeed.

Implications of Tax Structures on Virtual Digital Assets in India

by Vish BR, strategy and operations lead

Does formal recognition of virtual assets put a strain on traders due to increased taxation?

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Sino’s Updates

We Went to Plurality Institute’s Research Network Conference, Here Are the Big Takeaways

Polygon PoS Hardfork

Polygon @0xPolygon

The Polygon PoS network has been upgraded 👏👏👏 To learn more about the upgrade, check out 👇 polygon.technology/blog/hardfork-…

Binance Facilitates Institutional Crypto Trading With New Feature

Binance Facilitates Institutional Crypto Trading With New Feature

Sui testnet wave 2 is coming soon

Sui @SuiNetwork

📝🧪Testnet Wave 2 will focus on testing epoch management, tokenomics, and stake delegation. 🕹️It will also feature a new game focused on tokenomics and staking that anyone will be able to play

Sui announced a developer grant program

Sui Foundation @SuiFoundation

🎉We’re excited to announce the 🌊Round 1 recipients of the Developer Grant Program! We awarded $415,000 to a diverse array of projects that showcased innovative, open source solutions that will benefit the Sui ecosystem. Learn more about the 12 teams in our 🧵: #SuiGrants

Index Coop launched dsETH

Index Coop 🦉 @indexcoop

Introducing the Diversified Staked ETH Index 📢 Diversify your portfolio. Decentralize the network.

Buidlers Tribe announced RFBs

BuidlersTribe @BuidlersTribe

Founders, looking for the next big idea in web3?💡 Announcing RFBs!👉 buidl.so/rfb Get pre-validated ideas to buidl with fast-tracked ecosystem support🚀 Find 50+ requests from the biggest names in web3 @Filecoin @LitProtocol @SeiNetwork🤯🔥 youtu.be/X7cFP06Z8-8

youtu.beWhat is RFBs and what’s in it for a founder? - Product UpdateFounders, we have something in store for you - we’re launching a new initiative!Announcing RFBs by buidl.so - a collation of requests from different web3 eco...

Core DAO partnered with Layer Zero Labs

Core DAO @Coredao_Org

We’re excited to announce our integration with @LayerZero_Labs 🤝 With Layer Zero, Core protocols can interact seamlessly with other blockchains, opening up endless opportunities for builders and users on Core. Read more: medium.com/@core_dao/our-… #CoreDAO #LayerZero #CORExLZ

medium.comOur Integration with Layer ZeroToday, we’re excited to announce Core’s integration with LayerZero, the omnichain interoperability protocol pioneered by LayerZero Labs.

Ethereum developers deployed Shanghai shadow fork

Marinade Finance announced rewards to boost liquid staking on Solana

Marinade Finance (mSOL, MNDE) @MarinadeFinance

📣 Introducing the Open Doors Program! Marinade is a public good that aims to be governed ultimately by the greater Solana community. The mission of Open Doors is to incentivize Solana's builders to support decentralization and asset liquidity through $mSOL. 🧵 Here's how: 👇

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The Feedback Loop: The MENA Investment Landscape with Muna AbuSulayman

Our host Mona Hamdy is joined by American-born Saudi entrepreneur and activist Muna AbuSulayman to look at the trajectory of MENA’s investment ecosystem, the world of venture capital and her philanthropic ventures across the world.

Founder’s Funnel: Scaling the Metaverse With the Founders of MetaGravity

We spoke with MetaGravity CEO Rashid Mansour and their CBO Tobin Ireland about where the future of the space is headed, and how they hope to fill a significant gap in its engineering.

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Learn With Sino

Here are some interesting reads that we recently enjoyed:

1. How DeFi Can Cut Costs & Boost Transparency in Foreign Exchange Markets by Uniswap

   On-chain foreign exchange (FX) is a new model of global value exchange that offers a faster, cheaper, and more efficient alternative for cross-border payments for businesses and consumers — and address longstanding risks in the FX market.

2. Tarun Chitra, CEO at Gauntlet, on auctions in NFTs:

   Tarun Chitra @tarunchitra

   While @artgobblers isn't exactly my cup of tea, the novel NFT auction mechanism ford is cool from an auction theory perspective— but is it incentive compatible (IC) for both buyers and sellers? tl;dr: It is *not* IC but can be modified to be IC! people.eecs.berkeley.edu/~ksk/files/GDA…

   

   

3. The State of Zero-Knowledge Applications in Ethereum Part 1 by andyguzman.eth

4. Elias Tazartes on smart contracts in Starknet:

   Elias Tazartes @ETazou

   In yesterday's @KakarotZkEvm community call, we discussed different infrastructure important choices! Should Kakarot remain a smart-contract on top of Starknet or should it be its own chain? Let's deep dive! 👇🧵

5. Fais Khan on zero-knowledge proofs:

   Zero Knowledge Influencer: Are ZKPs Worth the Hype?

6. Chainlink on stablecoins and crypto adoption:

   Chainlink @chainlink

   #Stablecoins are a key on-ramp for #crypto adoption. Here’s why 🧵👇

7. Degen Sensei on decentralized LIBOR Rates:

   DeFi Credit Rates - IPOR

8. Evertas on policy types for cryptoassets:

Evertas @EvertAs

Insurance comes in a lot of flavors, and many can be used to protect digital assets stored on an exchange. One gives crypto something in common with every Ocean's 11 plot. Learn all the ways insurance can support #Web3.

evertas.comPolicy Types for Cryptoassets | EvertasSpecific policy types where Evertas brings brokerage, underwriting, and policy language expertise are included within our Policy Types.

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