It’s that time of year again Uptober, and we hope it lives up to its name! The markets are buzzing with excitement, and we at The Moon Mag are thrilled to be part of this incredible moment in crypto. With new projects on the horizon like NOSANA and many more we’re watching closely, the possibilities feel endless. There’s never been a better time to dive in.
But let’s talk about something that’s been on many minds lately how to invest in Bitcoin without actually buying Bitcoin. Sounds impossible? It’s not. From derivatives ETFs to mining stocks and even DeFi platforms, the paths to Bitcoin exposure are becoming more diverse than ever before. This Uptober could be the perfect time to explore these options, as Bitcoin continues to show its long-term potential.
Daniel recently asked a big question: "Are NFTs dead?" At first glance, it’s easy to think the NFT bubble may have burst. But the crypto world always has a way of surprising us. At the time of writing, CryptoPunk 1563 was recently sold for a jaw-dropping $56 million. If that’s not a sign of a revival, I’m not sure what is.
Josh brought up another interesting topic this month: the creation of a new elite in crypto. It’s not just the old guard of bankers and financiers anymore. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and similar luxury brands once symbolised clout and status in the traditional financial world. But as Josh points out, we’re witnessing the rise of a new elite in the crypto space.
The game is changing, and now blockchain technology is the new frontier for influence and wealth creation. While these brands remain powerful in their own right, crypto is reshaping the landscape of status.
As always, I’m here to provide you with everything you need to know about trading in this evolving market.
Of course, the crypto space isn’t without its dark sides. Unfortunately, rug pulls and scams are still rampant, and the industry can be toxic at times. As we bring you all you need to know about trading, we are also committed to keeping you informed about the risks. It’s important to always stay vigilant and do thorough research. At The Moon Mag, we pride ourselves on cutting through the noise and bringing you the best parts of the crypto.
This Uptober, we’re not just here for the hype but for the long term. Stick with us as we navigate the excitement, risks, and opportunities this new wave of crypto projects is bringing.
Let’s make it a month to remember! And always remember to add your STOP LOSS!
The beauty of the Moon Mag is not only the stunning front covers but the actual content. Content that is written to be useful. To be read again and again, just once or earmarked as a useful resource for future musings. It's written for the clueless and the informed, the aspirational wealth creator and the seasoned investor. For everyone.
In this issue, we've got something for you whether you're a trader, HODLer or just obsessed with the world of crypto. Lisa gets down to specifics with trading and offers valuable insights, we take a look at investing in Bitcoins without buying bitcoins and we scour the market for interesting projects that we think have great potential.
I have produced an article with insights on the new crypto elite and how crypto has become a way to flaunt wealth. For some, this is the very reason they are in crypto. For others, it's simply a means to an end, with the crypto world being a glinting oasis of possibilities, offering ways to enhance their lifestyles. Of course, there is the oftforgotten niche of people in the crypto industry who have already 'made it' or accumulated wealth via traditional avenues outside of crypto. I'm fascinated by the reasons why these people have decided to dip their toes or even submerge themselves in crypto.
Whether they are looking for alternative asset classes or seriously interested in the technology behind the way crypto works or a myriad of other reasons, more often than not, they are wealthy because they continue to make wealth-making choices. Perhaps an article in there somewhere for a future Moon Mag issue?
In the meantime, enjoy issue 38 and do share the Moon Mag far and wide with as many people as possible. It's for everyone. Thanks for reading!
Lisa
A note from Josh
SPONSORS
We are incredibly grateful to the following sponsors for their support. We run a ‘Sponsor A Writer’ campaign where crypto projects take part in an altruistic act of sponsoring our talented writers. By doing so, they play a crucial role in keeping the crypto economy alive and thriving, not only for our readership, but for the writers who provide the awesome articles.
DISCLAIMER
All the content provided for you as part of the Moon Mag has been researched thoroughly and to the best of our ability however it is your choice, and your choice only, whether you wish to invest or participate in any of the projects. We cannot be held responsible for your decisions and the consequences of your actions. We do not provide financial advice. Please DYOR and above all, enjoy the content!
CONTRIBUTORS
Daniel
Daniel has been a blockchain technologyevangelist since 2012 and is a faithful believer in the Crypto ecosystem. Daniel also writes for Coin Telegraph!
Samantha
Freelance journalist dedicated to digital media, enthusiast of the crypto ecosystem and disruptive technologies MDC writer since 2018, currently writer for CryptoTrendencia.
Chris
I joined the crypto party in 2017 Worked as a DAO contributor, startup advisor, lead researcher and co-author My superpower? Translating complex blockchain concepts into clear, engaging content that resonates.
TRADERS PERSPECTIVE
What You Want to Know About Trading
(And The Common Mistakes)
written by Lisa N. Edwards
If you’re new to trading, you’ve probably wondered how some people seem to have it all figured out always buying at the right time, selling at the peak, and walking away with massive gains.
The reality? Most traders don’t hit the jackpot by luck. Instead, they develop strategies and, importantly, avoid common mistakes. Think about trading as a profession just like being a doctor, it requires dedication, learning, and constant improvement. You wouldn't expect to become a doctor without years of studying, training, and practice, right? The same goes for trading. You must invest time in understanding the markets, learning strategies, and mastering the game's technical and emotional aspects. Especially your emotions!!!
There's always something to learn, whether studying technical analysis, understanding market psychology, or staying current on the latest financial news. The best traders are the ones who treat it like a craft constantly refining their skills, learning from their mistakes, and never assuming they know it all. Success in trading doesn’t come from luck or guessing; it comes from preparation and knowledge.
So, if you’re serious about it, treat trading like the profession it is, and never stop studying. I know I’m always learning especially in the crypto world, where the market moves so fast, and new trends pop up almost overnight. One minute, a project is the next big thing; the next, it’s yesterday’s news. Staying on top means constantly adapting, evolving your strategies, and keeping up with the latest developments. The key is to embrace that challenge and make ongoing learning a part of your routine. That’s what separates the successful traders from the rest.
Here’s a breakdown of what most people are curious about when it comes to trading, the traps they fall into, and how to fix them.
1. Spotting Market Trends: Where’s the Market Going?
A big question on everyone’s mind is: how do you know if the market is going up or down? Getting caught up in short-term price swings or following the latest hype is easy. But chasing trends without proper analysis? That’s a fast track to losses.
The Fix: Get familiar with the basics of technical analysis (TA). Indicators like moving averages and the RSI (Relative Strength Index) are great tools to help you identify when a market is trending up or down. Take your time to learn them you’ll thank yourself later when you avoid buying at the top or selling at the bottom.
2. Risk Management: How Do I Avoid Losing It All?
One of the biggest concerns for traders is losing too much money on a single trade. And unfortunately, many do exactly that because they don’t manage their risk properly. No stoploss, betting half their portfolio on one trade sound familiar?
The Fix: For SPOT - Stick to the 10% rule only risk 10% of your total portfolio per trade. That way, even if things go south, you’re not wiping out your whole account. And always use stop-loss orders to limit potential losses. Think of them as a safety net when things don’t go your way.
For LEVERAGE AND MARGIN TRADES - Stick to the 1% rule only risk 1% of your total portfolio per trade. That way, even if things go south, you’re not wiping out your whole account. And always use stop-loss orders to limit potential losses. Think of them as a safety net when things don’t go your way.
3. Emotional Trading: How Do I Keep My Cool?
We’ve all been there. You see a sudden dip, and panic sets in “Should I sell before it gets worse?” Or maybe the market is rallying, and FOMO kicks in, pushing you to buy when it’s already too late. Trading on emotions rarely ends well.
The Fix: The key is to stick to your plan. Trading based on emotions is like driving without a map you’ll end up lost. Set your strategy ahead of time and rely on data, not gut feelings. And when the market gets wild, take a step back. A clear head will help you make better decisions.
4. Overtrading: When Should I Sit It Out?
It’s tempting to constantly jump in and out of the market, especially when things are moving fast. But trading too often can lead to higher fees and more mistakes, which chip away at your profits.
The Fix: Less is often more. Focus on making fewer, higher-quality trades based on solid analysis. Be patient sometimes, the best trade is no trade - sit on your hands, so to speak!
It’s all about timing and making smart moves rather than constant action. Unless you’re scalping and are highly skilled in executing rapid trades, you might want to consider swing trading instead. Swing trading allows you to take advantage of larger market movements over days or weeks, giving you more time to make informed decisions. It’s a great balance between the fast pace of day trading and the long-term hold strategy, offering more breathing room while capitalising on price fluctuations.
5. Ignoring the Fundamentals: What’s the Project All About?
Technical analysis is great, but you could be missing the bigger picture if you’re not looking at the fundamentals behind the assets you’re trading. Many traders make the mistake of ignoring the long-term potential of a project.
The Fix: Do your homework. Read the whitepaper and THE MOON MAG, study the team behind the project and understand its real-world use case. Fundamentals give you an edge in spotting valuable assets before they skyrocket.
6. Lack of Strategy: Should I Just Wing It?
Trading without a plan is like going into battle without a strategy. Yet many people do just that, hoping to get lucky by guessing the market’s next move.
The Fix: Develop a clear strategy. You need a plan, whether you're day trading, swing trading, or long-term holding. Test your strategy using historical data, refine it, and stick to it. Consistency is key in trading.
Price Action strategies like this one can help you make money without risking the house! The below is called Pyramid trading; it's a strategy where a trader gradually increases their position in a successful trade as the market moves in their favour. Instead of going "all in" at once, the trader adds to their initial position in smaller increments, each at a higher price (for a long trade) or lower price (for a short trade). This method minimises risk by ensuring the trader only adds more capital when the trade is already profitable. Essentially, it’s about "pyramiding" into a trade building a larger position over time while maintaining control over potential losses if the market suddenly turns.
7. Leverage: How Do I Use It Without Getting REKT?
Leverage can be tempting it promises higher returns by borrowing money to increase your position. But misuse it, and you’re looking at amplified losses.
The Fix: Start small. If you’re new to leverage, avoid high multipliers until you fully understand the risks. Leverage isn’t for everyone, and it can quickly turn a winning trade into a massive loss if you’re not careful.
The higher the leverage, the less room for error, as even a small market move in the wrong direction can wipe out your position. For example, trading with 10x leverage means you can potentially earn 10 times the profit on a successful trade but it also means you can lose 10 times as much if the market moves against you. That’s the double-edged sword of leverage: while it can magnify gains, it equally magnifies losses. Beginners should focus on learning proper risk management and trading strategies before diving into high leverage. It’s better to build up your experience with lower leverage, gradually increasing it as you gain confidence and a deeper understanding of how volatile markets can impact leveraged positions.
Always remember leverage amplifies both profits and losses, so proceed with caution.
8. FOMO: How Do I Keep Myself from Jumping in Too Late?
Fear of Missing Out, or FOMO, is one of the biggest drivers of bad trades. You see everyone else jumping into a hot market, and you don’t want to miss the party. The result? You end up buying at the peak and getting stuck when the hype dies down. The Fix: Stay disciplined. There will always be another opportunity. Instead of chasing hype, focus on sound analysis and make your moves based on solid data. Don’t let emotions push you into a bad trade. STICK TO YOUR TRADING PLAN!!!!
How to Fix These Mistakes and Improve Your Trading
So, how can you avoid these common pitfalls and become a better trader? Here are a few tried-and-true techniques to sharpen your skills:
1. Practice with Paper Trading: Don’t risk real money before you’re ready practice trading on a demo account to test your strategy and build confidence.
2. Use Automated Tools: Plenty of tools can help automate your trades, but make sure you understand how they work before relying on them. My team at GettingStartedinCrypto.com and I have created the LISABOT.TRADE, so make sure you check this out!
3. Diversify Your Portfolio: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Spread your investments across different assets to minimise risk.
4. Keep Learning: The crypto market evolves fast, so stay informed. Read up on technical and fundamental analysis and follow industry news.
5. Journal Your Trades: Keep a detailed log of every trade wins and losses. Analysing your own behaviour can help you avoid repeating mistakes and refine your strategy.
Download our trade tracker on the GSIC Start-Up page - perfect for beginners!
Trading can be a rollercoaster, but with the right knowledge and a clear strategy, you can avoid the common pitfalls and set yourself up for success. So, before jumping into your next trade, take a moment to plan, analyse, and stay grounded!
Nosana and the $NOS Token
written by Chris
Key Insights:
● Nosana provides decentralised computing power for Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) processes, optimising workflows for developers.
● The current Galactica project offers an incentivised testnet where users earn tokens for running pipelines, enhancing engagement.
● Mainnet staking, powered by Rust and Solana Program Library, ensures security and rewards participants through a sophisticated staking program.
● The xNOS Rewards Program allows users to claim realtime rewards based on their participation, with manual updates for increased staking multipliers.
● Nosana’s tokenomics includes a detailed breakdown of token pools for public sale, airdrop, mining, liquidity, team, company, and backers, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term value.
● By eliminating reliance on external cloud services, Nosana decentralises computing, offering projects more control, reduced costs, and increased scalability.
Where AI Meets Decentralized Compute
In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, access to computing power is kind of required to run these technologies and has become a major bottleneck in most cases. This is where Nosana comes into play, providing a decentralised solution to one of the most pressing challenges in the tech world today:
resources.
Nosana offers an innovative marketplace for AI inference, where users can access GPU power without the burden of long-term contracts, bottlenecks, or high fees. It’s ondemand computing, perfectly tailored to the user’s needs.
What exactly is Nosana? Nosana is improving the way computing power is accessed and utilised, providing a distributed GPU grid that taps into underutilised hardware whether that be gaming PCs, mining rigs, or even personal devices like MacBooks. This decentralised grid allows anyone to rent out compute power, especially for companies or businesses struggling with the global GPU shortage. Nosana's solution is not just practical but economical, but its competitive pricing makes it accessible for businesses of all sizes looking to build, utilise or scale AI solutions.
Nosana's ultimate vision is to harness the obvious potential of blockchain technology in the AI space. By moving away from centralised megacorporations, Nosana empowers communities to handle their essential computations in a decentralised manner. The platform provides the tools, resources, and scalability needed to keep any AI project running forever powered by its community. Nosana isn’t just a service; it’s a glimpse into the future of decentralised, community-driven technology like it should have always been.
Background & History
Nosana's journey began in 2021 when an ambitious team based in Amsterdam set out to revolutionise how the world accesses computing power. The core team envisioned a decentralised crowd computer specifically designed for CPU computations. Their primary focus at the outset was on transforming the CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment) process, to make software development and deployment faster and more efficient.
Through extensive research in distributed systems, blockchain, and hardware, Nosana developed its solution from scratch. Their hard work and innovation quickly gained recognition when they received a grant from the Solana Foundation. They also successfully launched their native token $NOS and raised pre-seed funding, further accelerating their vision.
Nosana’s Initial DEX Offering (IDO), held from January 10 to January 13, 2022. During this time, 3,000,000 NOS tokens were made available for sale for $0.10 per token, aiming to raise $300,000. The IDO marked an important step in Nosana’s journey toward wider adoption, providing an opportunity for community members to earn NOS tokens by renting out their computing power. This native token facilitates transactions within the platform and rewards contributors, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem.
Backed by notable investors such as In Square Ventures, Nosana’s growth trajectory has been impressive. By 2021, the platform reached a value of $569 million, and projections suggest that figure will soar to $2.43 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 20%..
The Challenges
Despite early successes, Nosana faced significant technical challenges, including issues related to scalability and security. However, the team’s determination never wavered. They refined their platform to improve efficiency, userfriendliness, and security, and their dedication paid off. Large-scale crypto projects began using Nosana's CI/CD engine, running multiple workloads daily. Still, as the project progressed, the team realized that focusing solely on the CI/CD industry wouldn’t provide the scale they were after.
It was then that Nosana took a crucial step: they launched a GPU pilot for AI inference workloads, realising the growing global demand for GPU resources in the booming AI sector. By utilising the collective GPU power of gamers, miners, and everyday computer users, Nosana expanded its scope and positioned itself at the forefront of decentralised GPU computing. The pivot can be considered a success since it enabled Nosana to capitalise on the AI revolution and establish itself as a key player in decentralising compute infrastructure.
Nosana’s strategic choice to build on Solana’s blockchain infrastructure is central to its success. Solana’s ability to handle a high throughput of transactions per second ensures that Nosana can seamlessly manage the rental of GPU resources and other platform interactions. In addition, Solana’s developer-friendly tools and products align perfectly with Nosana’s goal of attracting top-tier developers to continue innovating.
While competitors like Oasis Labs focus on privacy-first cloud computing, Nosana distinguishes itself by prioritising decentralisation and community-driven operations. By leveraging blockchain technology, Nosana avoids single points of failure, fostering a resilient and democratic ecosystem that sets it apart.
Team & Founders: The Visionaries Behind Nosana
Nosana is led by a dynamic duo of co-founders, Sjoerd Kijkstra and Jesse Eisses, who share a deep passion for decentralised computing and AI innovation. Together, they’ve built a platform that aims to democratise access to GPU resources, empowering businesses and developers worldwide to harness AI without the traditional barriers of high costs and resource scarcity.
Sjoerd, Nosana’s technical mastermind, brings over 10 years of experience in both the corporate and crypto sectors. As a seasoned developer fluent in programming languages such as C++, Kubernetes, Rust, and Python, Sjoerd has led various projects from the ground up, with a focus on scalability and efficiency. His deep technical knowledge allows Nosana to meet the demands of an ever-evolving AI landscape.
On the blockchain side, Jesse has dedicated over a decade to the crypto industry, with a strong academic background in Artificial Intelligence from Amsterdam University. He’s not only a blockchain expert but also a visionary committed to creating a truly decentralised platform. His leadership has been crucial in guiding Nosana through major transitions, including the pivot from CI/CD pipelines to AI workload jobs, a shift that reflects Nosana’s commitment to addressing real-world challenges in GPU accessibility.
Both Sjoerd and Jesse have a track record of building and managing successful companies at the executive level, which gives Nosana a firm foundation in both technical and strategic leadership. Their combined expertise ensures that Nosana is continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Nosana’s global team spans multiple time zones, allowing for around-the-clock development and innovation. This setup not only maximises productivity but also promotes a healthier work-life balance for team members. With contributors spread across the globe, Nosana benefits from diverse perspectives and constant innovation, allowing the platform to grow and adapt in real time.
The Milestones
Since its launch in 2021, Nosana has achieved significant milestones, including the introduction of its decentralised CI/CD automation system and, more recently, its pivot to AI workload processing. In October 2023, Nosana completed the first phase of its Incentivized Public Test Grid, with over 442 nodes participating. This was followed by a successful partnership with Render Network in February 2024, positioning Nosana as a critical player in bridging the AI inference community with Render's GPU network.
Despite these achievements, Nosana’s journey is far from over. The company is continuously looking for talented individuals developers, marketers, designers, and more to join its mission of revolutionising decentralized computing. With Nosana’s mainnet launch slated for January 14, 2025, the team is gearing up for even more groundbreaking developments in the months to come.
If you’re passionate about decentralisation, AI, and computing innovation, Nosana offers a unique opportunity to be part of a project that is truly shaping the future of technology.
The NOS Token
Here are the market stats of the NOS token at the time of
Website: https://nosana.io/
Docs: https://docs.nosana.com/
Github: https://github.com/opentensor
Discord: https://discord.gg/nosana-ai
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nosana_ai
NOS Stats 23/09/24 | Source: CoinGecko
Roadmap: A Glimpse Into
Nosana's Past & Future
Nosana’s roadmap is a bold vision that outlines its journey to becoming the world’s largest distributed GPU network. The roadmap is broken into five major release cycles, each marking significant advancements in both the platform’s capabilities and user experience.
Genesis (v0.1 - H2 2023)
This phase marked the platform’s inception. During Genesis, Nosana focused on bootstrapping its GPU network through alpha and beta testing. Early adopters were onboarded, and the system went into rigorous stress tests to ensure stability, performance, and reliability. The goal of that phase was to replicate demand > supply > demand throughput, laying the foundation for future scalability. The feedback collected during this stage influenced directly the next upgrades
Source: Nosana’s docs
Upcoming Phases
Galactica (v1.0 - H1/H2 2024)
Nosana’s Galactica release saw the main grid go live, with the public gaining access to the network. Critical features such as the CLI and SDK were launched, allowing developers to seamlessly connect to the network. A Container Node for consumer GPUs also debutted, making it easier for a broader audience to contribute to and benefit from Nosana's decentralized GPU marketplace. The focus here is continuously scaling the network and expanding the user base, preparing for the platform’s next phase of growth.
Triangulum (v1.X - H2 2024)
With the Triangulum phase, Nosana is enhancing interoperability by integrating major machine learning protocols like PyTorch, HuggingFace, and TensorFlow. The Community Connector Library will be introduced, simplifying the process of connecting popular ML tools to the network. This phase prioritises usability, compatibility, and developer experience, ensuring that AI companies and researchers can leverage Nosana for their machine learning workloads with minimal friction.
Whirlpool (v1.X - H1 2025)
With Whirlpool, Nosana will broaden its hardware support, adding compatibility with GPUs from AMD, Intel, and Apple Silicon This expansion will make Nosana’s network more accessible to a wider range of users, including those who prefer alternative hardware to NVIDIA. As Nosana aims to become the world’s largest compute grid, this phase presents both a technical challenge and an opportunity to further decentralise AI computing across diverse devices and use cases.
Sombrero (v1.X - H2 2025)
The Sombrero phase is designed to meet the needs of medium- and large-sized businesses. In this phase, Nosana will introduce features like fiat currency ramping, billing, and collaborative tools. These new capabilities will allow larger enterprises to adopt Nosana’s platform for their AI workloads, expanding the platform's reach and commercial viability. The focus will shift towards business growth and community expansion, ensuring Nosana can support a broader and more varied user base.
Milestones on the Horizon
Nosana’s roadmap isn’t just about technical upgrades it’s about community, collaboration, and continuous innovation. Key milestones include:
● September 30, 2024: Test Grid Phase 3 begins, marking the final testing phase before the full launch of Nosana’s mainnet. This phase focuses on refining the platform’s pricing models, staking mechanisms, and other critical components.
● January 14, 2025: Nosana Mainnet Launch a major leap forward, bringing the decentralised GPU grid into full operation. This launch will unlock features like dynamic pricing, advanced job-to-node matching, and unrestricted GPU access, transforming how users and GPU providers engage with the platform.
● Q2 2025: Global Hackathon Nosana will host its first major event, inviting developers and startups to create innovative AI applications using the platform’s GPU resources. This hackathon is expected to attract global attention, fostering a vibrant ecosystem around Nosana’s decentralised infrastructure.
The journey is just beginning, and Nosana invites everyone to be part of the AI revolution.
$NOS Tokenomics
Nosana's native token, $NOS, serves as the backbone of the Nosana network, facilitating its operations and incentivising users. In exchange for NOS tokens, users gain access to the platform’s services, including the execution of AI workloads. Here's a breakdown of the NOS token distribution and its various use cases within the ecosystem:
The total supply of 100 million NOS tokens is allocated across seven main pools:
1. Public Sale Tokens (3%)
These tokens are made available through Nosana’s Public Sale event, accounting for 3% of the total supply. Users can acquire these tokens during the distribution phase.
2. Airdrop Tokens (5%)
Airdrop tokens are distributed through Nosana’s Incentivised Testnet programme, accounting for 5% of the total token supply. This pool is designed to reward early participants and those testing the network’s functionalities.
3. Mining Tokens (20%)
Mining tokens are earned by nodes that perform AI workloads on the Nosana network. These tokens make up a significant 20% of the total supply, released linearly over a 24-month period following token distribution. The goal is to incentivise miners while securing network operations.
4. Team Tokens (20%)
20% of NOS tokens are allocated to the Nosana team. These tokens vest over 48 months (4 years), ensuring long-term commitment and alignment with the project’s success.
5. Liquidity Tokens (10%)
Liquidity tokens, accounting for 10% of the total supply, are earmarked for establishing trading pools. These tokens are available immediately at the time of distribution to support liquidity in decentralised markets.
6. Company Tokens (25%)
The largest pool, representing 25% of the total token supply, is allocated to the development and expansion of Nosana’s platform. These tokens will be utilised for marketing, engineering, advisors, and business development. The tokens vest over 36 months, with 10% released at the time of distribution.
7. Backers Tokens (17%)
Backers tokens, obtained through a private sale, account for 17% of the total supply. These tokens are released over 9 months, with 10% available at the initial token distribution.
Into Nosana’s Tech
What is CI/CD in Nosana's Ecosystem?
In modern software development, Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) are essential practices that help maintain code quality and accelerate release cycles. These processes ensure that teams can work together efficiently, even when developers work independently on different parts of a project.
Continuous Integration (CI)
CI allows developers to merge their individual code frequently changes into a shared repository. This regular merging ensures that new code is quickly integrated into the larger project without introducing issues like conflicts or bugs. Automated tests and checks are performed every time new code is merged, helping catch any problems early in the development cycle. This proactive approach to testing fosters code stability and enhances the software's overall quality, ensuring potential errors are addressed before they escalate.
Continuous Deployment (CD)
CD is the natural next step following CI. Once the code is successfully tested and integrated, the software is packaged and deployed automatically based on predefined configurations and rules. This deployment can be directed to various environments, such as testing, staging, or production, ensuring that releases are consistent and reliable. By automating the deployment process, CD minimises the risk of human error and ensures smooth, predictable software releases.
How Nosana Powers CI/CD Workflows
Nosana provides the computational power necessary to fuel these CI/CD processes, allowing developers to focus on code and deployment without needing to rely on external cloud providers. Through its decentralised GPU network, Nosana's Galactica release offers projects the ability to streamline their development workflows while reducing costs and dependence on large technology companies. This democratizes access to high-performance computing for CI/CD, enabling teams to build, test, and deploy software in a faster, more efficient, and scalable way.
Nosana's role in automating and powering these essential workflows makes it an invaluable resource for teams striving for speed, quality, and reliability in their software development pipelines.
Key features of the Galactica Program
Incentivised Testnet
A standout feature of Galactica is its incentivised testnet. Participants are rewarded with tokens for running pipelines, which are automated sequences of tasks that aid in the Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) processes. These tokens can only be utilised within the testnet, providing an in-platform incentive for active engagement. By allowing developers to execute pipelines via Nosana's interface or command-line tools, Galactica ensures consistent, reproducible builds within a containerised environment, enhancing the overall development process.
Mainnet Staking
Another key feature is Nosana’s mainnet staking, designed to enhance network security while offering rewards for participants. Built in Rust, a language renowned for its safety and performance, the staking mechanism utilises Solana’s Program Library (SPL) to manage key components such as the user account, vault account, and stake authority. Developers can initiate staking via a handler function, specifying the staking amount, duration, and necessary checks to ensure compliance with network requirements.
Nosana’s Mainnet is poised to launch on the 14th of January 2025, so keep an eye on that.
Nosana simplifies the staking process by automating token transfers and account setup. Once the necessary checks are validated, the system initialises the user’s stake and vault accounts, ensuring they are properly configured to track the staking journey. The tokens are then transferred from the user’s account to the vault using the built-in transfer macros, streamlining the entire process. This ease of use encourages greater participation and enhances network security through broader staking activity.
Nosana Rewards
Last but not least, Galactica introduced the Nosana Rewards Programme, which incentivises active participation by offering staking rewards. The system uses an innovative token reflection model to allocate fees in real time, without the need for complex loops. Participants are rewarded based on their xNOS score, which determines their share of the network fees relative to other users. To fully benefit from the programme, participants must explicitly opt-in and manually update their rewards account when increasing their stake. This ensures they receive an updated xNOS score and maximise their potential rewards. Rewards can be claimed at any time without the need for unstaking, offering flexibility for users.
Final Push: Powering Innovation
As Nosana continues to evolve, it’s clear that the platform is set to drive meaningful change in how decentralised computing power supports development workflows. By integrating AI, blockchain, and a robust tokenomics system, Nosana is positioned to redefine scalability and efficiency for developers globally. With a strong foundation of incentivisation, security, and autonomy, Nosana offers a unique solution that empowers teams to scale their projects seamlessly while maintaining full control over their processes. This is just the beginning, as Nosana’s mission of decentralisation paves the way for a future where innovation knows no bounds.
How do you invest in Bitcoin without buying Bitcoins?
written by Daniel
There is currently a high level of interest in gaining some exposure to Bitcoin, especially among investors who have historically been looking for opportunities in the market.
While it's true that Bitcoin can be a volatile, high-risk asset since its inception, its growing value has proven it to be an investment vehicle worth considering in any investor's portfolio, regardless of its size or the investor’s affinity with the crypto ecosystem.
Fortunately, it has now become possible for those investors who are not tech-savvy to invest in Bitcoin without buying it directly, allowing them to diversify their portfolio without worrying about the complexities of managing cryptocurrencies.
If you're an investor who does not resonate with blockchain technology or cryptocurrencyrelated terms like Bitcoin but wishes to benefit from its growth, this post may be for you. Now, I'll show you some of the most popular strategies for investing in Bitcoin without acquiring it directly!
“Buying” Cryptocurrencies
Buying cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin works almost the same way as buying stocks in the traditional market: you take your money, find a broker, deposit funds, and purchase the shares you choose.
Source: Koinly
The principal difference between ‘buying’ cryptos and stocks lies in the medium through which you acquire them: instead of using a broker, you use an exchange (CEX or DEX) to obtain your cryptos!
Of course, this involves a few steps, such as:
● Choosing a cryptocurrency from a universe of thousands of options,
● Deciding whether to use a centralised exchange or decentralised options if you’re techsavvy,
● Choosing your preferred payment option, and finally,
● Storing your cryptos in a safe place to avoid exposure to vulnerabilities that could put your assets at risk.
Although the process is generally simple, once you get familiar with it, many investors need to learn or have the time to deal with the complications of storing cryptocurrencies like BITCOIN!
These are the main reasons institutional investors and individuals with significant purchasing power have stayed away from the ecosystem until now!
Why Expose Yourself to Bitcoin?
One of the big questions investors ask themselves, especially those who traditionally invest in stocks, is why risk getting exposed to Bitcoin, even if indirectly.?
Although cryptocurrencies are generally labelled as 'high risk', investing in Bitcoin can be a strategic financial decision due to its growth potential. More importantly, Bitcoin offers independence, not to mention its ability to act as a hedge against inflation, particularly in countries with volatile fiat currencies.
Beyond the risks of the cryptocurrency market's volatility, the possibility of diversification and its growing global acceptance make Bitcoin an attractive option to include in an investment portfolio.
Furthermore, as more institutions and countries begin incorporating Bitcoin into their financial operations, there is a growing consensus about its long-term viability. Governments are even adopting more favourable regulatory positions to encourage institutional use.
In short, some of the most favourable reasons why you should consider exposure to Bitcoin include:
● High-profit potential: Since its creation, BTC has experienced astounding price increases, and projections indicate that it will continue to grow.
Source: X
Source: PlanB
● Decentralisation and personal control: As a decentralised system, Bitcoin is not controlled by any financial institution or government, offering investors total control over their assets 24/7.
● Inflation hedge: Bitcoin has a limited supply of 21 million coins, creating inherent scarcity, so its value tends to remain stable or even appreciated in unstable economic environments. Venezuela has been an exceptional example of using BTC as a hedge against inflation.
● Accessibility and Liquidity: Bitcoin's divisibility allows individuals from anywhere in the world with internet access to buy fractions of BTC, making the asset accessible without requiring large amounts of money. Additionally, as the main asset in the ecosystem, Bitcoin has sufficient market liquidity today to allow investors to enter or exit positions.
Bitcoin can also be transacted between jurisdictions, creating a potential “global internet of value” that allows assets to move frictionlessly at low cost and in almost real-time across borders.
● Promising Future: Beyond BTC’s value, Bitcoin and its underlying blockchain technology redefine how we think about money and financial transactions. Its use in areas like insurance, payment processors, and finance, in general, is transforming the daily lives of millions.
Ways to Invest in Bitcoin without Acquiring it Directly
As we mentioned at the start of this post, there are effective ways for investors or the general public to gain exposure to Bitcoin without acquiring it directly. Let’s explore some of these options.
Bitcoin ETFs
As we highlighted in issue 24 of Moon Mag, regarding Bitcoin, an ETF is a financial product that allows investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin’s price movements, acting as the underlying asset, without actually owning it.
Since investors do not acquire direct exposure to the cryptocurrency i.e., they do not buy units of Bitcoin but rather shares in the fund that manages and handles the purchase of Bitcoins they do not need to worry about the technical aspects of cryptocurrencies, such as key custody and decentralised wallets.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) offer a simplified way to invest in cryptocurrencies through traditional investment accounts. Since January 2024, Bitcoin ETFs have been available in various regions, making it easier for investors. Previously, they were only accessible in the United States.
The most popular ETF in America, with the highest trading volume, is the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), managed by Blackrock, which has acquired over 357,000 bitcoins to meet demand.
Source: iSHARES
Source: The Block
In Europe, while the iShares Bitcoin Trust is not accessible, alternatives such as the Bitcoin Exchange Traded Crypto ETF (BTCE.DE), which physically replicates Bitcoin, and the VanEck Bitcoin ETF, traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, are available.
It’s important to note that Bitcoin ETFs are regulated products and are an excellent option for those who prefer a more traditional approach to investment through the stock market. The ETFs can be purchased through a brokerage account or with a financial adviser.
According to Coinglass data, the total volume of Bitcoin ETFs exceeds $1.79 billion, with a market cap close to $57 billion. In the last seven days alone (when writing this post), US spot Bitcoin ETFs had a net inflow of $436 million.
Source: Coinglass
Futures contracts are one of the most traditional and widely traded derivatives in the investment world. Essentially, they are an agreement to buy or sell a specified amount of an underlying asset at a predetermined future date for a specified price.
Before ETFs, Bitcoin futures were one of the most common options for institutional investors wanting exposure to the asset without directly holding them in a wallet.
By nature, futures are purely speculative, like any other commodity futures contract. However, Bitcoin's volatility offers the potential to benefit from price fluctuations, providing more dynamic returns in a portfolio.
There are some key points to consider when exposing yourself to Bitcoin through futures contracts:
● Volatility: Be aware that price fluctuations in BTC are common, and the direction of the price can move up or down over short periods, potentially leading to significant losses or gains depending on your open position (long/short).
● Leverage: Most brokers and centralised cryptocurrency exchanges allow leverage, which can work in your favour or against you, depending on the outcome when the contract expires and your position.
Source:
● Margin: It’s necessary to meet margin requirements (funds) to maintain a futures position. Make sure you understand how these work on your chosen platform.
● Settlement: Contracts can settle in crypto or fiat, depending on the platform, so you must check how it works with your broker.
● Regulations: With today’s regulatory environment, it’s vital to consider a regulated platform in the country where it operates. Bitcoin futures are generally regulated on most platforms offering them.
Options for Bitcoin exposure through futures contracts are diverse and include traditional stock market brokers such as CME Group and centralised cryptocurrency exchanges (CEXs) like Binance or Kraken, both regulated in most regions worldwide.
This market represents around $32 billion across the principal cryptocurrency platforms offering this product.
Source: SoSoValue
The successful cases of Coinbase and MicroStrategy have highlighted this practice, which has proven highly lucrative for early-stage investors in these types of companies. The relationship between the share prices of these companies and Bitcoin can be closely correlated, offering appealing opportunities for cryptocurrency market investors.
Source: YouTube
Examples like Riot Blockchain and Marathon Digital, US-based Bitcoin mining companies, have been investment options for many traditional investors.
Another way to invest in Bitcoin is through companies like Nvidia, which manufactures graphics cards used in cryptocurrency mining. Their demand increases during market peaks, and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) growth, which overlaps with the crypto sector in some projects, has left investors with a positive outcome in Nvidia's latest bullish cycle.
The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) is another attractive example of how to gain exposure to Bitcoin without needing to deal with the security or custody of cryptocurrencies. The GBTC is a fund that holds large amounts of Bitcoin (285K+ BTC), and investors can buy shares in the fund instead of buying Bitcoin directly.
Source: Canva
Source: CoinAnk
Bitcoin Options
Bitcoin Options is another tool investors can use to gain exposure to Bitcoin without buying it directly. Similar to futures, they link to an underlying asset with a predetermined date and price agreed upon between the parties.
The difference from futures is that the underlying asset does not necessarily have to be bought or sold at the contract's expiry, meaning there is no obligation, which makes it more flexible and less risky than futures trading.
There are two types of Bitcoin Options: call options, which allow you to buy the underlying asset at a set price before the contract expires, and call options, ideal if you believe the market direction will be bullish.
The call option gives its holder the right to buy an asset at a fixed price in the future. For this privilege, the buyer pays an upfront amount known as a premium.
On the other hand, there are put options, which allow you to sell an asset at an agreed, On the other hand, put options allow you to sell an asset at an agreed price when the contract expires and are ideal if you think the asset will decrease in value.
The put option allows its holder to sell an asset at a fixed price in the future, serving as a strategy for downside protection. Meanwhile, selling a put option offers exposure to rising prices.
Although options are less risky than Bitcoin futures, as they only involve the possibility of making a transaction, option sellers can face significant risks if they sell uncovered options without holding the underlying assets, such as Bitcoin.
Buying Bitcoin futures can be profitable during bullish markets, but the problem arises when dealing with liquidations if the price of BTC falls. Professional traders use option strategies to maximise their profits and limit their losses.
One noteworthy point about Bitcoin options is that there are European-style and American-style option contracts, depending on the expiration date. The American style allows for execution before the contract’s expiry, a key difference from its European counterpart.
If you're considering using Bitcoin options, you can consult your financial adviser or preferred broker to study the risks and limitations of this type of tool. Furthermore, various centralised cryptocurrency exchanges offer in-depth tutorials explaining how to operate and the risks involved with these investment instruments for gaining exposure to Bitcoin without directly acquiring it.
At the time of writing this post, the Bitcoin options market represents around $24.8 billion, according to data gathered by The Block from major cryptocurrency exchanges that offer this product.
Source: The Block
CFDs
Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are another investment tool that allows exposure to Bitcoin’s price movements without acquiring it. Used by most brokers and trading platforms, it enables investors to speculate on price movements with less capital due to leverage.
Source: AvaTrade
One of the main characteristics of CFDs is their flexibility. Unlike traditional investments, CFD contracts typically don’t have an expiry date, allowing you to maintain positions for as long as you like.
Additionally, CFDs are often exempt from stamp duty, reducing overall transaction costs in some countries.
Another advantage of CFDs is the ability to take long or short positions on an asset, meaning you could benefit from both upward and downward price movements, depending on your market forecasts.
Source: AvaTrade
However, due to leverage and speculative actions, the risks of losses are very high if price movements do not favour your open position.
These instruments incur costs such as spreads and overnight fees, depending on the platform used for trading, which can impact profitability.
There are numerous examples where you can trade CFDs on the BTC/USD pair as part of a wide range of markets, including stocks, indices, and other crypto assets in addition to Bitcoin.
Final Thoughts
Bitcoin is the most widely adopted digital asset, holding over 57% of the $2.2 trillion market capitalisation, according to data by CoinmarketCap. Since its launch in 2009, its adoption has been steadily increasing due to various factors, including its potential to reinvent money as we know it today, despite the volatility it has exhibited.
Source:
As we've seen, investing in Bitcoin can be simple and accessible, even if you do not wish to do so directly to avoid complications while using and handling Web3-related interfaces.
Given the growing interest in gaining exposure to the leading cryptocurrency, options like ETFs, futures, and shares in related companies are some investment tools available for investors of all sizes who wish to gain exposure to Bitcoin without having acquired it directly. These options allow them to diversify their portfolio without worrying about cryptocurrency management.
However, keep in mind that the strategies outlined here carry risks, so it is crucial for every user or investor, regardless of size, to do their due diligence in researching the tool that best suits their risk profile and to seek professional financial advice before making any investment decisions.
At this point, I'd like to highlight the Getting Started In Crypto (GSIC) team, who offer the necessary educational tools to mitigate the risks of exposure to crypto assets like Bitcoin, directly and indirectly.
Projects We Are Watching
written by Chris
A Glimpse into the Future of Blockchain
Projects in development often hold the most promise for innovation and growth in this space. The following projects we are discussing are still in their testnet phase. Still, those earlystage tokens provide unique opportunities for those looking to get involved at the ground level of innovative developments. Right now, we’re keeping a close eye on three standout projects that each bring something new to the table: Analog, Pixelport, and Berachain
What makes these projects particularly exciting is their potential for high upside being in this phase, they offer early adopters the chance to get involved before public listings. Whether you’re interested in crosschain swaps, NFT interoperability, or new consensus mechanisms, these ventures are pushing the boundaries of what blockchain technology can achieve. Let’s dive into what makes each of these projects worth your attention
Analog: The Future of Blockchain Interoperability?
Analog is a suite of interoperability protocols built on Substrate SDK and it positions itself as a cornerstone when it comes to ‘true blockchain interoperability.’ Its focus on making cross-chain communication seamless, efficient, and scalable has caught the attention of both developers, investors and enthusiasts alike. Still in its testnet phase, Analog offers a unique opportunity for early involvement, particularly as it remains unlisted at the time of writing. With a growing user base (over 370k members on Twitter) and strong backing, this is a project that’s quickly gaining momentum.
Solving the Cross-Chain Problem
One of the major issues in crypto and DeFi, in general, is the lack of seamless communication between different chains. Right now, moving assets or data across blockchains is timeconsuming and inefficient, requiring bridges or complicated swap processes (not to mention security risks). This limitation hinders innovation and restricts developers from building truly interconnected dApps
Analog’s General Message Passing (GMP) protocol changes this by allowing smooth communication between blockchains. Developers can now build applications that interact across multiple chains without the need for complex workarounds. GMP offers scalability, security, and ease of use, making it a game-changer for anyone who wants to develop a dApp
What sets Analog apart is the Timechain, a permissionless network that ensures synchronization across chains with multi-layered security mechanisms. Threshold cryptography and the NPoS consensus protocol provide robust protection, while the Chronicle Nodes decentralized validators monitor transactions across external chains, ensuring a seamless, trust-minimized interaction. This approach decentralizes security, making it possible for anyone to participate as a node operator, adding layers of protection and true decentralization to the system. Meanwhile, the Analog Watch provides a unified GraphQL API, allowing developers to access blockchain data without extensive coding, significantly speeding up dApp development.
Why Analog Deserves Your Attention
What sets Analog apart is its significant backing and growing traction. With investment from Binance Labs and over 100,000 users actively testing the platform, Analog is building momentum. The upcoming Mainnet launch (Q4 2024) and TGE are highly anticipated milestones that everyone keeps an eye on.
Looking Ahead: Analog’s Long-Term Vision
As blockchain technology continues to evolve, the need for efficient crosschain communication will only grow. Analog is positioning itself to be at the forefront of this development, offering developers the tools to build the next generation of dApps that can seamlessly interact across chains. With its unique focus on interoperability and strong backing, Analog holds significant long-term potential, making it a project to watch as the industry matures.
Pixelport - The Omni-chain NFT App
Pixelport is an omnichain protocol designed to unlock the full potential of NFTs by enabling seamless cross-chain interoperability. By leveraging Pixelport, you can mint, fractionalise, and transfer NFTs across multiple blockchain networks without relying on bridges. Currently, Pixelport is positioning itself as a nextgeneration NFT platform that could redefine how we think about NFT ownership and trading. With its innovative approach, Pixelport is set to make cross-chain NFTs accessible, secure, and fun for creators, collectors, and traders alike.
The Problem & Pixelport’s Solution
Problem: Cross-chain NFT minting and transfers remain a significant challenge in the current NFT landscape. Creators and collectors often face fragmented ecosystems where assets are trapped on individual chains, limiting liquidity and market access. These limitations create inefficiencies and obstacles for users who want to explore the full potential of their NFTs and get access to liquidity.
Solution: Pixelport addresses these issues with its omnichain infrastructure, eliminating the need for bridges and complex integrations and most importantly, unlocking liquidity through ERC-404. Powered by Analog’s Generic Message Passing (GMP) protocol, Pixelport enables cross-chain transfers, minting, and fractionalization of NFTs. By simplifying the process, it opens up a world of possibilities for creators, enabling them to expand their reach and tap into multiple markets for their NFTs.
Pixelport makes the NFT experience more user-friendly, secure, and scalable, allowing users to focus on creativity and engagement rather than technical barriers.
Why It’s a Project to Watch
Pixelport stands out because of its innovative use of Analog's GMP, a protocol designed to enhance cross-chain communication while minimising gas fees and smart contract risks. This foundational technology gives Pixelport a significant advantage over other platforms by ensuring fast, secure, and low-cost NFT transactions across various blockchains.
In addition, Pixelport leverages the ERC404, a standard that conceptualises a new class of tokens that are both divisible and unique. This approach allows fractional ownership of NFTs. What does this mean in simple words?
Rare NFT pieces can be broken down into fractions of tokens (assets) and can be traded across different markets (thanks to Pixelport’s technology) So essentially it boosts both rare collectors and the broader NFt enthusiasts to sell or tap into high-value digital assets that there were previously unattainable or unliquid.
Forward-Looking Opportunities
As the NFT market continues to evolve, Pixelport has the potential to unlock new opportunities for creators and users alike with its omnichain platform and perhaps is positioned to drive future growth in something we weren’t even thinking before.
As more projects and dApps adopt cross-chain solutions, Pixelport’s infrastructure will serve as the foundation for a more connected and liquid NFT space. With its strong technical base and forward-thinking vision, Pixelport is ready to shape the future of NFTs in ways that are yet to be fully realised.
Berachain: A Game-Changer in DeFi
Berachain was born from the vibrant community of the Bong Bears NFT collection, Berachain is not an NFT project though but an ambitious ecosystem that aims to change how we think about liquidity, governance and blockchain technology.
The Genesis of Berachain
The journey of Berachain started in August 2021 with the launch of the Bong Bears NFT collection. What began as a unique art initiative has blossomed into a comprehensive DeFi protocol. Over three years of dedicated development, the Berachain team has created a platform designed to address the limitations of existing blockchain solutions, combining the aesthetics of NFTs with the robust aspect of DeFi.
What Sets Berachain Apart?
At its core, Berachain leverages the Cosmos SDK, a powerful toolkit for creating application-specific blockchains. By utilising this framework, Berachain stands out with its Proof-of-Liquidity (PoL) consensus mechanism. Unlike traditional staking models, which often rely heavily on a single native token, PoL enables users to stake various assets think ETH, BTC, and stablecoins enhancing liquidity across the network.
This innovation allows Berachain to function as a “communication hub” for multiple tokens, streamlining transactions across different chains. Imagine being able to stake your assets while participating in the governance of the protocol. It’s an appealing proposition for those seeking a more flexible and dynamic DeFi experience.
Native Tokens and Their Roles
Berachain’s ecosystem revolves around three primary tokens:
● BERA: The gas token that fuels transactions on the network.
● HONEY: A stablecoin designed to maintain liquidity and stability within the ecosystem.
● BGT: A unique governance token represented as an NFT, allowing holders to influence the direction of the protocol.
These tokens create a symbiotic relationship, where users can stake BERA to earn BGT and HONEY, thereby creating an incentive structure that encourages active participation in the ecosystem.
The Mechanics of Staking
When users stake their assets, these are deposited into vaults to earn yield. This yield generation occurs through various activities, including liquidity provision on the native DEX (or as they call it, BEX), lending markets, and other DeFi services.
The beauty of Berachain lies in its design, where staked assets serve multiple purposes, from minting stablecoins to participating in governance. This versatility empowers users, allowing them to optimise their assets based on their goals.
Patiently Awaiting…
As Berachain prepares to launch, it stands poised to attract attention not just for its unique tokenomics but also for its commitment to fostering an inclusive DeFi ecosystem that everyone can play along. With numerous projects already building on the platform, Berachain is creating a ‘’fertile ground’’ for innovation and collaboration.
In a landscape cluttered with overly complex solutions, Berachain shines by simplifying the user experience while offering a suite of products for its participants. As it evolves, the project has the potential to transform DeFi, making it accessible to a broader audience.
Looking Ahead While Staying Informed
In summary, Analog, PixelPort, and Berachain each present unique opportunities in this market. Analog focuses on creating true interoperability through its unique set of tools and products, while PixelPort bridges the gap that hinders NFTs, by improving liquidity on different chains. Berachain stands out with its robust DeFi infrastructure, leveraging an all-around ecosystem that is efficient and fair.
All three projects are currently in either the early stage (Pixelport) or in the testnet phase (Analog, Berachain), heightening their attractiveness so we can keep an eye on them and be part of their advancements.
As these projects evolve and start transitioning to mainnet, consider how they could shape the future of blockchain technology and the crypto/NFT market. The next wave of innovation is just around the corner don't miss out!
Are NFTs dead?
written by Daniel
Amid early spring here in the southern hemisphere, one question has been on my mind as I review the market statistics, especially those of NFTs: Are non-fungible tokens dead?
I am sure that regardless of your location, many of you have felt this uncertainty, even more so as we observe that some collections categorised as 'Blue Chips' value declined considerably over the past two years following the sector's boom in 2021.
While the hype may have peaked in that period, I believe that NFTs as a technology have matured out of disillusionment and moved towards widespread adoption, even if many do not know of their underlying use in video game avatars or digital passports.
For this reason, I will try to enlighten the tunnel from the perspective of the verticals underpinning NFTs and their evolution from the current state of the NFT market so you can elucidate why NFTs are back!
Bored Aped Yacht Club (BAYC) - Edited by Stephen Moore
Is it still worth investing in NFTs in today's current market situation?
The NFT market has cooled considerably over the past two years, following its peak between 2021-2022. The trading volumes reported by CryptoSlam are currently a far cry from the numbers achieved by the sector during its hype phase when NFT sales reached figures between $5 billion and $6 billion per month.
Source: Substack
Source: Delphi Digital
A great example of this decline is in Blue Chips NFTs such as CryptoPunks, Azuki or Bored Apes Yacht Club (BAYC). By the way, the latter has gone from a floor price of $600,000 at its peak to a current average of ~$30,000 (a plunge of more than 95%).
Source: @daniejjimenez | Dune Analytics
However, despite the negative figures we see across much of the sector, and with media expectations diminished, it is worth noting that the underlying technology and market maturation suggest that the NFT mania is not yet over.
Several factors contribute to the view that CLS has evolved into a more mature market:
● Firstly, there is a significant decline in speculative investments. Gone are the days of hype about million-dollar sales of JPEGs for no profit. Fewer speculative investors now see NFTs as a way to get rich quickly. Cases like Beeple are unlikely to be repeated one day.
Market consolidation:
Although many projects have failed, the market for NFTs
Marketplaces monopolised by OpenSea during 2021 has now found a diversity of options, with Blur, ImmutableX and OKX as some of the alternative options to OpenSea and Rarible, focusing on long-term usability and innovative use cases.
Source: Christie’s
Source: Coinmonks
Utility development: Beyond the proven cases of NFTs in games and digital art, the technology is usable in realworld applications such as ticketing, loans, passports and real estate.
Source: DIBBS
Verticals Currently Underpinning the NFT Market
There are developments within the industry that continue to underpin and drive the growth of the NFT market Despite the low market volumes in the sector and are reason enough to think about the potential that this sector still has within the industry. Let's take a closer look at some of these verticals.
Games
The gaming industry has been and will continue to be one of the most notable use cases for NFTs. Remember playing games and paying to have an avatar that is different from the rest of your competitors? NFTs are about glory, bragging rights and the exclusivity of owning something unique and original, just as Finish Line suggested about Top Shot.
The sense of intellectual property in games has been the catalyst for various platforms, including some centralised ones such as Roblox, to offer this kind of technology or at least dream of making it a reality one day.
Source: Roblox
With the integration of NFTs during this bear market, the gaming industry transformed, generating player-centric economies where tokenisation of assets and 'real' ownership is increasingly evident in the various game development studios.
An example of this is the partnership between Claynosaurz and Gameloft to create a game for mobile devices. Gameloft is a renowned publisher of mobile games and has worked with top titles such as Disney, Minions, LEGO and My Little Pony.
Claynosaurz is a collection of more than 10,000 cartoon dinosaurs that began as digital collectibles but, according to their creators, have taken on a life of their own through the brand's growing social media community.
The above example is one of many that currently exist in the gaming industry and is reflected in the rising metrics that are prominent in blockchain games, also popularised as web3 games that use NFTs as a base asset:
● The number of protocols increased from 681 to 3415 since January 2021, an increase of more than 400%.
● The number of active users across all blockchain games has increased by 13,788% in the last three years, from around thirty-six thousand users to five million daily users on average.
Source: FootPrint Analytics
Axie Infinity, the popular blockchain game, is the Top NFT Collection by Sales Volume in history, with $4.2B in NFT sales. Sorare, another Web3 (fantasy football) game, closes the ranking in tenth position with over $811 million in sales.
Source: CryptoSlam
There has been a notable increase in transactions in the last quarter of this year, adding more than 600 million blockchain transactions over the previous quarter across the various blockchain games using NFTs.
Source: FootPrint Analytics
● The volume of blockchain games has also increased by almost three times its value in the last 365 days, reaching 2,370.95M.
● User retention in some of the top NFT-based games, such as Sorare, remains consistent over time, with an average retention rate of 250 new users daily.
Source: FootPrint Analytics
The metrics shown are just part of the sample to share on the steady growth of the gaming sector, which uses non-fungible tokens as a fundamental part of its economy and demonstrates its even growth and momentum. Who doesn't play with NFT avatars these days?
Art & Collectibles
While Beeple's iconic work ‘The First 5000 Days’ marked the beginning of the NFTs media boom in 2021, the digital art boom has slowed . Nevertheless, artists and creators continue to see NFTs as a historic opportunity to authenticate their work and put the digital stamp of ownership that allows them to sell unique pieces that minimise the impact of counterfeiting their efforts.
In this segment, the NFT sector has been no exception to a general slowdown in the art market, which fell 4% year-on-year in 2023 to an estimated $65 billion, according to ArtBasel data.
In line with the above, art-related NFT sales capped at $1.2 billion in 2023, down 51% from the same period last year, and much of this slowdown is the clean-up of speculative activity, as we noted at the start of this post on the factors inducing the maturation of the non-fungible token sector.
Despite the negative numbers, the art market associated with NFTs has established itself as an option for online sales for artists and creators, who tend to lower-priced sales (under $50,000) online.
On the other hand, while the NFT art sector is far from its peak of $2.9 billion in 2021, it is still more than 60 times the size it had in 2020 when sales did not exceed $20 million.
Source: ArtBasel
In addition, it is worth noting that collectibles still made up the dominant share of sales by value, accounting for 84% of these two segments versus 16% for art-related NFTs.En total, se vendieron hasta 6,300 millones de dólares en collectibles durante el 2023.
As we have highlighted, the Arts & Collectibles NFT sector is showing signs of maturing, establishing itself as an option for different projects seeking to combine culture with innovation to stand out and make their way in an increasingly competitive market.
An example of the constant development of innovation in this vertical of the sector is Doodle's launch of the digital release Dullsville and the Doodleverse and its partnering with Rubik's to create Doodlesthemed Rubik's Cubes, including a 1/1 21.37 carat Diamond Cube. Source: X
NFTs in media, music, and beyond!
Recently, artists like Kings of Leon and Grimes have used NFTs to release albums and exclusive content, creating new revenue streams for musicians. In addition, musicians like Snoop Dogg are key players (beyond the purely speculative end) in the NFT-focused music culture, where they expose NFT Blue Chips collections in the media that stimulate the average investor's curiosity about these assets.
Bored Apes (BAYC) and crypto were briefly mentioned in songs by Big Sean and Eminem ft. 2 Chainz in the same quarter, demonstrating once again the rise of a new music culture that sees this technology as an inspiration for lyrics that reflect the day-to-day lives of a new generation digitally driven in all aspects of their daily lives.
●
●
“F*ck you mean? My life real GTA And I need a payment in ETH Right now the motherf*cker ETA”
“Spoke to Ghazi and he can pay me in crypto (Yeah) Bored Ape Yacht Club, yeah, I'm Ricky Steamboat”
On the other hand, the seventh art and streaming are becoming more and more relevant with the use of NFTs both for the financing of audiovisual projects and for the rethinking of a new digital economy that empowers the user with perks and benefits for the support of the recent development of what experts call ‘film3’.
Examples are in the NFT-based funding model for projects, such as Coinrunners, which seeks funding through its eponymous collection of NFTs, thanks to which it already has a director for its movie based on the true story of a cryptocurrency trader.
In addition, Calladita, another film funded by an NFT collection in 2022, recently reached the number one spot on the Netflix streaming platform in Spain, where the film originates.
Of all the verticals that support the adoption of NFTs, this is undoubtedly one of the least developed, but one that has a promising future because of the revolution it implies in giving more value to artists for the work they do.
As Dolphin Digital pointed out, music NFTs could be a potential game changer for the music industry by allowing a new wave of independent artists to bypass traditional operators and intermediaries. Yes, NFTs can overcome royalties or at least make them fairer.
Source: OpenSea
Fashion & Luxury Goods
Fashion luxury goods are another vertical that has strongly embraced NFTs in its business model during this bear market. Brands like Nike and Gucci are experimenting with digital ownership of physical and virtual items through NFTs.
The case of Nike is quite encouraging and hopeful for the sector. While sporting goods manufacturer Nike has always been at the forefront of digital transformation, the brand has taken steps to harness the excitement around the virtual streams of the metaverse empowered by NFTs to make its presence felt on the web3
Nikeland, experiential shops and pointedly the NFT trainer collections created in collaboration with prestigious studios such as RTFKT called CryptoKicks Dunk Genesis - to name a few - are part of the business strategy the sports giant is adopting to please the younger generation and Generation Z, who live for customisation and exclusivity of unique items over massproduced identical goods.
Source: Nikeland
Source: RTFKT
Nike CryptoKicks Dunk Genesis: 600 pairs of NFT trainers sold in six minutes for $3.1 million
The Nike and Gucci cases are just a sample of the innovation in the NFT-driven sector amid an industry that projects sustained annual growth of 8.94% (CAGR) over the next five years, projected to reach a volume of up to US$1,183.00bn by 2029.
Remember that luxury brands known for their exclusivity, authenticity and high value have entered the NFT market because of the solution this technology has to track the authenticity and provenance of their products on the blockchain.
This NFT capability allows brands to connect the physical world with the digital world while helping to protect against intellectual property theft and assuring consumers of the legitimacy of their purchases, thereby increasing brand trust.
Pharrel Williams designed Louis Vuitton Varsity Jacket with limited physical edition of 200 pieces at a price of $8,000
In addition to Gucci and Louis Vuitton, well-known luxury companies such as Richemont, OTB, Prada Group and LVMH have formed the Aura Blockchain Consortium in response to the growing trend of luxury NFTs. The alliance continues to run from 2021 to promote global acceptance of blockchain solutions for the luxury market.
In response to the growing demand for branded and luxury goods, Galileo Marketplace is one of the emerging options for buying and selling luxury goods, with a digital twin known as pNFT.
Virtual Real Estate
Parallel to the rise of the blockchain gaming narrative, decentralised metaverses emerged as an alternative to explore properties from the comfort of home, as well as offering the possibility of generating income by renting or selling virtual lots on platforms such as Decentraland and The Sandbox, both pioneers in this sector.
Source: Galileo Marketplace
But beyond the immersive social gaming experience underpinning these platforms, the virtual real estate economy is making headway amid growing interest from established brands such as Coca-Cola, Christie's and Samsung, which have paid significant sums for virtual space in some of these decentralised metaverses, driving up the price of lots near these virtual shops on the platforms where they have deployed.
Source: Decentraland
In addition to these forays by established brands into the metaverse, there have been some appealing initiatives in the last year in real estate deals that allow you to explore properties remotely and experience the environment without the need to travel.
Source: The Sandbox
This practice has helped to boost both the rental and sale of properties based on the use of Virtual Reality (VR), where the use of NFTs as a digital representation of the property or the right to it empowers the owner and generates passive income from their trade.
Although metaverses are still in full swing, the exaggerated interest in the metaverse, and thus virtual real estate after the Facebook rebrand to Meta, has slowed considerably in recent years, bringing down the prices we saw at the height of 2022, when the most expensive land at that time was in NFT Worlds, with an average price minimum of 3.29 ETH and an all-time high of 13.5 ETH in March 2022.
So far in 2024, metaverse land values have fallen 72% from their highs recorded in March 2022, according to data reported by Coingecko. Today, we could say that price alignment in these virtual worlds has allowed for an average minimum price between $250 and $5,960, a far cry from the hundreds of thousands it cost two years ago.
However, as discouraging as the above graph may be, it should be considered that metaverse storytelling is not dead and that there are still many years of development ahead, so taking advantage of the low floor prices now may be a well-thought-out long-term strategy. Remember that Meta's (Facebook) euphemism was influential and drove the narrative. As it begins its road in its virtual world development, interest in this type of property may resurface.
Ultimately, these verticals reflect the diversification of NFTs, highlighting how they are becoming less of a speculative asset and more of a fundamental tool across all sectors.
Has the Hype Cycle Culminated?
In the classic Gartner hype cycle, NFTs can be said to have passed the ‘peak of inflated expectations’ and entered the ‘valley of disillusionment’ This phase usually occurs when the initial hype fades and the technology must prove its long-term viability.
Despite this, we are likely about to enter the 'Slope of Enlightenment' as real-world applications become more evident, and this is what we have been seeing in the various verticals we have explored in this post, with well-known brands from both the physical and digital worlds embarking on the NFT narrative, even at the worst time in the market: BUILD!
The above tells us that while it may seem that the NFT hype is over, it is a natural part of the adoption curve, just as in the early days of the internet or even cryptocurrencies, the quiet periods are often when the most significant development occurs.
NFT may no longer be headline news, but the infrastructure is consolidating, and those building in this space focus on creating lasting value.
Whether NFTs are still a good investment depends on your approach. Focus on utility, long-term value, and projects with durable fundamentals, and you’ll find that NFTs may have a bright future ahead just without the noise of speculative mania.
The bottom line is if you're looking for quick gains, the ship may have sailed. But if you believe in the broader vision of NFTs beyond the hype, there are still opportunities for strategic, long-term investments.
Crypto Clout: Minting A New Elite
written by Josh
When we think about social status, certain things come to mind: luxury cars, designer clothes, and that dream home on a private island. But today, there’s a new marker of status that’s shifting the way people flaunt wealth and power and it’s all digital. Crypto is no longer just a tool for investment; it’s become a new symbol of influence. From Bitcoin holdings to NFTs, digital assets are now being used to showcase success and secure social standing in both online and real-world spaces.
Let’s dig into how digital wealth is changing the game and what this means for power, influence, and social status in the future.
The Rise of Digital Wealth as a Status Symbol
Traditionally, wealth has been all about tangible assets mansions, luxury cars, yachts, and the like. But now, with the rise of cryptocurrencies, we’re seeing a shift to purely digital symbols of status. Owning Bitcoin or an expensive NFT has become just as much a badge of success as owning a Rolex or a high-end car.
We’ve all seen it: people posting screenshots of their crypto portfolios on X or Instagram, flashing how much they’ve made in the latest bull run. But it’s not just about the money it’s about signalling that you’re part of something exclusive, something cutting-edge. Holding rare NFTs like Bored Apes or CryptoPunks is essentially the new “luxury handbag.” These digital collectables aren’t just art they’re tickets to exclusive communities and virtual experiences.
Why are people so eager to flaunt digital wealth? The answer is simple: prestige. In the world of crypto, owning a high-value token is like having a VIP pass to the future.
Social Media’s Role in Amplifying Crypto Status
It’s hard to talk about the rise of crypto status without mentioning social media. Platforms like X, Instagram, and Discord have become the battleground for showing off digital wealth. Influencers and crypto “whales” (people who hold massive amounts of crypto) use these platforms to broadcast their success, often in real time.
Take X, for example. You’ve probably seen posts where someone shows off their Bitcoin bags or brags about buying an NFT that skyrocketed in value. This public display of wealth not only boosts their own social standing but also creates a ripple effect. People see it, they get excited, and suddenly, everyone’s talking about the same project or coin. It’s a cycle of hype that social media feeds.
But it’s not just about showing off. Social media validation plays a huge role here. Likes, retweets, and comments create a feedback loop that reinforces the value of what’s being flaunted. The result? FOMO Fear of Missing Out drives more people to jump on the bandwagon, amplifying both the market and the social status attached to these digital assets.
The Emergence of Crypto Elites
Let’s talk about the new elite class that’s emerged from the world of crypto: the “whales.” These are the early adopters who bought Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptos back when they were dirt cheap and now hold significant wealth. Their financial clout allows them to move markets with a single trade, and they wield serious influence over the direction of the crypto space.
What’s fascinating is how these whales aren’t just about money. They often become major players in shaping blockchain governance or influencing the cultural direction of the crypto world. We’re talking about people who sit on the boards of DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), where they have voting power over key decisions that affect entire ecosystems. This kind of decentralised power is completely new and it’s giving rise to a form of influence that doesn’t follow traditional financial structures.
It’s not just about the whales, either. Even those with modest holdings can gain influence by being active in the right communities. The rise of DAOs means that owning a certain amount of tokens can give you a voice in decision-making processes. It’s democratised influence in a way that traditional wealth never did.
NFTs and the Redefinition of Ownership and Exclusivity
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are a huge part of how social status is being reshaped in the digital world. These unique digital assets, whether they’re art, music, or virtual real estate, have become the new “it” items to own. If you hold a rare NFT like a CryptoPunk or a Bored Ape, you’re signalling that you’re not just financially successful you’re also culturally relevant.
It’s not just about owning the artwork either. NFTs come with perks. Many projects offer holders access to exclusive events, communities, or even real-world experiences. This creates a sense of exclusivity that’s key to social status. If you’ve got a high-value NFT, you’re in the club and everyone else wants to be there, too.
And let’s not forget the metaverse. Virtual worlds like Decentraland and The Sandbox are being built on the foundation of NFTs. Owning virtual land in these spaces can give you social clout, as people pay millions for plots in these digital worlds. It’s like owning beachfront property, except it’s in a world that exists entirely online.
Power Dynamics in Crypto: Who Holds the Real Influence?
One interesting thing about crypto is how it’s shaking up traditional power dynamics. In some ways, it’s levelling the playing field. Anyone with internet access can buy into the crypto market, and in theory, anyone can become wealthy. But let’s not kid ourselves there are still barriers to entry. Early adopters who got in before the big boom hold a lot of power, and they’ve created a hierarchy within the space.
There’s also a bit of gatekeeping. Some crypto communities are incredibly tight-knit and difficult for newcomers to break into. Whether it’s because of the technical knowledge required or just the high cost of entry, not everyone can access this new form of wealth.
However, crypto has an undeniably global reach. In some emerging markets, crypto wealth is offering opportunities that wouldn’t have existed otherwise. In countries with unstable currencies or economies, crypto can offer a lifeline and that’s giving rise to a new form of influence in those regions.
The Risks of Tying Social Status to Volatile Assets
Of course, tying your social status to cryptocurrency comes with some risks. Crypto markets are notoriously volatile, and what’s valuable today might not be worth much tomorrow. We’ve seen people lose fortunes overnight during market crashes, and when your social identity is tied to your digital wealth, that’s a huge psychological blow.
There’s also a mental health angle to consider. The pressure to keep up with the fast-paced world of crypto, coupled with the fear of losing status, can create anxiety and stress. It’s not all Lambos and moonshots some people are genuinely struggling to maintain their status in a market that’s constantly shifting.
The Bottom Line
Crypto is undoubtedly reshaping how we think about wealth, status, and power. From Bitcoin whales to NFT collectors, digital assets are giving rise to a new elite class. Social media is amplifying these trends, creating an environment where flaunting digital wealth is as important as owning physical luxuries.
But as much as crypto democratises access to wealth and influence, it’s also creating its own hierarchies and risks. The question is: how will these new power dynamics play out in the long term? Will you be part of it, or will you shape it?
