Gaming
Bored Ape Yacht Club and Animoca Brands Collaboration Criticized for KYC Requirements
Bored Ape Yacht Club’s new collaboration with blockchain gaming firm Animoca Brands has been criticized for its KYC requirements, breaking away from the privacy-driven ethos of cryptocurrency. “The Hash” crew discusses the “maturation” of the NFT space as partnerships develop with mainstream brands and the possibility of a community-oriented project from this partnership.

Bitcoin Jumps to $40K Following Positive Shift Reported by Putin in Russia-Ukraine Talks
David Gan, OP Crypto founder & general partner, joins “First Mover” to provide his crypto markets update as bitcoin’s price jumps to $40,000 following Vladimir Putin’s statement about a positive shift in the peace talks with Ukraine.

How Gaming Intersects With Crypto Investing, NFTs and More
“New Money” hosts Spencer Dinwiddie and Solo Ceesay ask competitive gaming experts Denver Moore and Cole Rodey about their investment strategies, looking specifically at the gaming community’s involvement in the cryptocurrency space. Plus, a discussion on integrating crypto technology into gaming through NFTs and in-game currencies.

How to Become a Successful YouTube Gamer
Competitive gaming pros “That Denver Guy” Denver Moore and The Rodey Bros’ Cole Rodey chat with “New Money” hosts Spencer Dinwiddie and Solo Ceesay to discuss their lives in gaming, sharing tips for starting and maintaining a successful YouTube gaming channel.

Griffin Gaming Partners Raises $750M for Web 3
Gaming-focused venture capital firm Griffin Gaming Partners has announced a new fund of $750 million that has already logged 16 investments related to Web 3. “The Hash” team discusses the longstanding tension between the gaming community and the crypto space while looking at the possible ways to integrate digital assets in games through features like tradable skins.

Crypto Losses Not Protected in China; India’s Bitcoin Premium
Chinese court reiterates stance that the law cannot cover crypto losses. Chinese tech giant Alibaba offers NFTs as blockchain game rewards. Indian investors hungry for bitcoin despite premium. These stories and other news shaping the cryptocurrency and blockchain world in this episode of “The Daily Forkast.”

Could Chainlink Be the Driver for DeFi’s Growth? Bank of America Thinks So
Chainlink (LINK) could accelerate the adoption of next-generation blockchain use across finance, insurance, supply chain, gaming and gambling, Bank of America said in a research report following an investor call with Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov.

What Is the Metaverse? An Animated Explanation
CoinDesk’s Christine Lee explains what the metaverse concept entails, going back to its roots in the 1992 sci-fi novel "Snow Crash" and what it means in the current tech and gaming ecosystems. Watch Christine’s animated avatar speak on Facebook's metaverse venture, potential sources of revenue for creators in virtual spaces and the role of NFTs.

GameStop Taps Immutable X for NFT Marketplace, Launches $100M Gaming Fund
After hinting its plans for the metaverse in a Web 3 job posting in October, GameStop is partnering with layer 2 system Immutable X for the launch of its non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace. “The Hash” panel discusses the implications of the rollout amid continued NFT backlash in the gaming community.

The Father of PlayStation Doesn’t Like Metaverse or VR Headsets
In an interview with Bloomberg, PlayStation creator Ken Kutaragi called the metaverse “isolating” and VR headsets “annoying.” Kutaragi equated the metaverse to nothing more than an anonymous message board. “The Hash” hosts discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Kutaragi’s criticisms amid the metaverse increasingly moving to lead the gaming revolution.
