Six trends for blockchain in 2022: Web3, NFTs DeFi and more

Over 2,000 blockchain enthusiasts came together in Hamburg at BLOCKCHANCE 2021 to take stock and talk about the future of blockchain

With over 120 presentations six trends emerged from the conference

  1. Web3, Metaverse and DAOs
  2. NFTs everywhere
  3. Integration with current systems
  4. A multi-chain future
  5. 2022 – the year for DeFi?
  6. Regulation and sustainability

 

As cryptostars Joseph Lubin, Michael Saylor, Justin Sun, Raoul Pal, and Fabian Vogelsteller provided insights, it became clear that blockchain no longer is a hype but is becoming established in businesses and society.

The future is Web3, NFTs and DAOs

Web3 continues to expand, driven by the boom in Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and the development of Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs). “DAO-tools will enable democratic participation, while keeping efficient financial management structures,” says Max Hartmann, Head of Consulting at BLOCKCHANCE

NFTs everywhere

NFT-trading and integration are expected to grow, not least as gamers will be able to own and monetise NFTs and the NFT-Art boom continues. “The NFT-infrastructure, competing marketplaces and the aggregation of a fragmented crypto space are developments we expect.”

Integration with current systems

Decentralized technologies such as blockchain can be used to preserve liberal democracies rather than clashing with current systems. This is a move towards a more rationally based model of how blockchain can serve different sectors.

“For blockchain to arrive in the mainstream public, we need to educate them how blockchain can shape a positive and sustainable future,” explains Fabian Friedrich, CEO and Founder of BLOCKCHANCE.

BLOCKCHANCE, together with European universities, is establishing the skill-building hub BLOCKCHANCEx, to raise a blockchain-savvy generation of students. We need to empower the next generation who will live in a future we can barely imagine,” explains Fabian Friedrich.

A multi-chain future

Interoperability will be a key topic in 2022. Cross-chain protocols allow exchange between application-specific chains. Ethereum, already a strong contender as the foundation for Web3, allows transactions between different blockchain applications and is already the dominant smart contract platform. Competitors such as Solana will continue to co-exist, providing a healthy balance in the market.

2022 – the year for DeFi?

Hindered by regulation and lack of trust, Decentralised Finance (DeFi) may see a comeback. Players such as AAVE, Compound, YFI and innovative projects such as Protocol Controlled Value (PCV) and Liquidity as a Service (LaaS) will continue to expand. New concepts will help resolve operational and regulatory issues, causing further disruption in the finance sector.

Regulation and sustainability

As regulators zoom in on blockchain, many companies will aim to for more compliance and transparency.

With NFTs, cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications on the rise, so is their environmental footprint. Increasingly investors are looking for sustainable solutions, just as more blockchain companies are using renewables or tap excess energy directly from the producers.

With better governance and clearer regulations, institutional investors and the mainstream public may find themselves sooner rather than later in some corner of the metaverse.

Blockchain Games: What You Need to Know

Blockchain technology is on the rise and is growing at a neck-breaking speed, with over $2.3 billion raised in ICO in 2017 and more digital currencies in circulation than we can count.

As it begins to enter our day-to-day lives, we shouldn’t really be surprised that developers are busy finding ways to implement the technology into gaming. We’re already seeing opportunities to build earnings through blockchain games, and sites such as play to earn are key examples of the demand for information on developing that income stream.

But before you leap in, it’s essential to make sure that you have some background knowledge along with an awareness of some of the challenges that blockchain gaming has experienced. 

What is a blockchain?

A blockchain is a digital ledger of records that cannot be changed without altering all subsequent blocks. It has been described as a “new foundational layer” for the internet and other digital products and services, taking place beneath the applications we typically use on a day-to-day basis. In more practical terms, it’s simply an online database that stores data in encrypted form. It can only be accessed by someone who has keys to the encryption.

To add information to a blockchain, others must verify it before it can be accepted as true. Once verified (through proof-of-work or proof-of-stake), every node in the network updates its copy of the ledger with this new entry. This ensures that no block is ever altered retroactively without the alteration of all subsequent blocks, making it nearly impossible to forge even a single record.

The first blockchain was conceptualized by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 and implemented in 2009 as part of the digital currency bitcoin. There it serves as the public ledger for all transactions on the network. The invention of the blockchain for bitcoin made it the first digital currency to solve the double-spending problem without requiring a trusted authority or central server. 

Because bitcoin was the first significant implementation

of Blockchain technology, questions about its scalability, security, and usability have dominated much of the discourse surrounding its development. 

Collectible tokens

The most well-known blockchain game genre is crypto collectibles. CryptoKitties made headlines in December 2017 when users could buy virtual cats for over $100k each, with the most expensive one reaching almost half a million dollars. The success of these collectibles was possible because each individual has unique attributes called cattributes, which, in turn, makes them valuable to collectors.

However, it’s important to note that this wasn’t the first game to use collectibles on the blockchain. Earlier examples include Spells of Genesis, Takara, and EtherGoo. 

So what do these games have in common? They all use non-fungible tokens (NFTs). These are unique tokens able to track information about each token holder, like their name or where they live. Each NFT has different attributes that distinguish it from other assets on the blockchain. It’s easy to see how this applies for collectibles like CryptoKitties, but the possibilities go beyond that: an NFT could be anything from a deed to pay in a game or even tokens for in-game currency.

Manipulating rarity and scarcity

Non-fungible tokens are used to create unique experiences within blockchain games. However, there are other ways that developers can employ the technology to enhance the gaming experience.

Splinterlands, for example, is a post-apocalyptic real-time strategy game where players start as survivors of the great war and develop their colony into an empire that rules the wastelands. One of its unique aspects is that there are different types of resources (wood, ore, etc.) but every item produced using those resources is scarce. 

This scarcity helps create the value of resources on the market and allows users to trade them accordingly. It’s no surprise that this mechanic is popular in blockchain games since it behaves like any other cryptocurrency.

The blockchain infrastructure makes everything slower!

There are many parallels between blockchain and traditional gaming: both use pixels, polygons, and textures, and they both require powerful computer rigs. However, one key difference is the speed of operation.

If we’ve learned anything from watching Mr. Robot, then we know that every time something exciting happens with blockchain technology, it takes about ten minutes for it to be. Even though this might not be a big deal for cryptocurrencies, where ten minutes is a small price to pay for decentralization and security, it’s a critical factor when it comes to games.

When FunFair launched its beta version of FunPass, many people couldn’t play the game because the transaction took too long. To get around this problem, they relied on MetaMask, an Ethereum browser extension that allows users to open accounts in decentralized apps without downloading the entire blockchain. This way, players could still use their Ether wallet from anywhere regardless of how long it would take them to become active again.

It’s not just about creating new gameplay…

It’s also bringing the old one back through blockchain technology! Thanks to ERC721 tokens, players can now have a genuine second-hand experience with games where they buy and sell digital assets. This means returning a game could be as simple as selling all your items on a marketplace and then telling a friend you’re done with it.

One of those games is The Elder Scrolls: Legends, Bethesda’s very successful take on the free-to-play collectible card game genre, which has been around since 2015. After its initial release, many people complained about how the company managed its economy (and even won awards for it!), but it can’t be all that bad since the game is still running.

They did, however, run into problems with their latest expansion. Since they required players to spend money on an Expansion Pack containing multiple cards, many people started claiming refunds because of improper marketing practices. This led to a class-action lawsuit where the company kept denying there was any kind of refund policy – which is entirely understandable given blockchain technology’s decentralized nature and permanence of transactions.

It’s not hard to see why companies like Bethesda and Ubisoft (who both recently launched blockchain-based collectible card games) benefit from this model. Once you’ve bought something, you own it forever unless someone buys it off you first. It allows those who love customizing their characters to come back to their favorite games without having to pay for extra content.

The future of blockchain gaming is bright, but nothing’s set in stone!

Like with any emerging technology, there are many kinks to be worked out regarding blockchain technology and video games. There have even been cases where some companies have taken advantage of gamers’ enthusiasm by injecting malware into their collectible-based projects, which shows you how much vigilance is necessary when launching something on a relatively untested field.

There’s also still a lot of debate over whether non-fungible tokens are the right choice for this new market or if they’ll just end up being a gimmick – which is why many developers are still using ERC20 to create their projects.

The point here is that blockchain technology has the potential to change everything, but it’s always good to be realistic when you’re talking about an emerging market that can take many forms in the coming years.

Keeping this in mind, one thing is absolutely certain: once these barriers are broken down, and more people get involved with blockchain gaming, there will be no looking back! The future promises lots of innovation, better community management, and lots of cool features, all things we’ve come to expect from our favorite video game genres. 

Why do people want an alternative currency?

Why do people want an alternative currency?

Bitcoin is still a raging sensation in the Crypto market, even after twelve years of its launch by the anonymous philanthropist. Satoshi Nakamoto wanted to build an effective system of digital transactions. The aim was to remove the interference of the third party, that is, the financial institutions.

Financial institutions worldwide had been set up to regulate the money flow in each country. The financial system was established with the World Bank at the top to influence the cash flow in all nations. First world countries have always benefited from this structure. The rest of the world suffers.

Nakamoto must have been concerned about these issues over a long period. He was finally able to come up with a solution to this- Bitcoin and Blockchain Technology.

In an estimate by crypto genius the increasing value of Bitcoin has resulted in the number of investors soaring. The youth worldwide are well-informed and take serious note of the rise in the value of Bitcoin. The digital era is the time for the millennials to shine. They put it to the best use and reap its benefits. Let us discuss the various advantages that come with adopting Cryptocurrency like Bitcoin over fiat currency.

Advantages of Bitcoin

Bitcoin is uncontrollable by the market forces. It is beyond the grasp of those who run the show. The manipulation of market forces which results in inflation raises the value of a dollar and heavily affects other downtrodden countries that cannot influence the value of Bitcoin anywhere in the world. Bitcoin can only be affected by the network of users who have access to the public ledger, which keeps the record of all transactions.

Bitcoin, if considered a currency, has its perks. It is also a lucrative investment. Its value rises with time. The graph has only ever been upward sloping if taken from the beginning. If a person is open to accepting payment in Bitcoin, the chances of the value going up are favourable.

The time taken for the payments to be sanctioned is infinitesimally small compared to those that happen across the border, including the financial institutions. There is a protocol to be followed. A bank takes more than three days to transfer an amount that is not conventionally low to another branch in the same country. Imagine the time it requires to get money transferred via banks to some other country.

Blockchain Technology is the boon of the century, perhaps. It maintains adequate security throughout the chain of data. Each block has transactional information encrypted on them. The data is beyond the capacity of anyone to tamper with. Since the blocks are interlinked, the information, if changed in one, will need to be changed in all the others simultaneously. With the ongoing mining of Bitcoin, the blocks in the blockchain system are exponentially rising. This rise in the number of blocks ensures that these blocks will always maintain their confidentiality.

Bitcoin, if stored properly, cannot be stolen, unlike fiat currency. Bitcoin scams are not entirely a thing of the past. Scams and thefts still happen. However, Blockchain has upgraded so that it can almost guarantee the safe storage of one’s bitcoin, only if they are ready to be vigilant too. Storing one’s bitcoins in hardware is the safest thing to do. Blockchain does not allow the user name to be revealed. The anonymity maintained by the users is one of the most pertinent reasons why Bitcoin is so secure to deal in.

Conclusion

The advantages paint a picture where Bitcoin seems like an ideal option. However, in a world with such diverse features, Cryptocurrency remains unachievable to many people worldwide. However, once the developers find a way to mine sustainably, Bitcoin would only have made life easy for those who face disparity at every level of their existence.

Hard Forks and Blockchain Technology

Forking is used in both Cryptocurrency as well as Blockchain technology.  There are two types of forks: Hard Fork and Soft Fork. Forking refers to the process of dividing a Blockchain into two new paths. Usually, a Hard Fork or a Soft Fork is introduced in the system when the security of the network is at risk.

What does a Hard Fork mean?

The function of a Hard Fork is to divide the blockchain network into two branches. One of the branches will follow the old protocol, whereas a new one will follow a new protocol. Forking takes place only when there arises an urgent need to change protocols in the blockchain network.  As soon as a Hard Fork is used, the users willing to follow the new protocol will have to update the protocol software.

Blockchain developers and Cryptocurrency users can use Hard Forks if they deem fit. A Hard Fork is introduced in the process when a consensus is reached regarding the fact that new rules have to be incorporated in the system. This happens at a time when a breach is detected in the network. Hard Fork is also used when the users of a certain Cryptocurrency platform grow tired of the same old functionalities. They try to introduce changes beneficial to them.

A Hard Fork creates a divergence from the previously existing blockchain. The users require updates of the software for carrying on transactions. The blocks are divided into two branches. The users with updated versions get to use the new path formed using the Hard Fork. The ones who do not update continue with the previous protocol for some time before it stops working completely. Then it becomes a compulsion to get the software updated.

What is the difference between a Hard Fork and a Soft Fork?

There is not much difference between a Hard Fork and a Soft Fork. Both the forks create a divergence in the existing block, and serve similar purposes. However, the Hard Fork does not deem the previous path invalid, which is the case in Soft Fork. The Soft Fork does not allow the users to use the old path. It renders them invalid. No transaction takes place along that path.

Even though a greater computing power is required for the introduction of a Hard Fork, all developers choose Hard Fork instead of Soft Fork. A Hard Fork works more efficiently in case of a security breach. It covers all grounds for the users, and makes the functioning of the system as smooth as possible.

What are Hard Forks used for?

An exemplary use of Hard Fork was seen when the Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DOA) was hacked. A Hard Fork is used to make remedies in a faulty security system, to strengthen the same system, or to reverse transactions which may have happened due to the activities of hackers.

People who invest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum will be well-versed with these. It is a very safe time to invest in cryptocurrencies, given that technology has progressed to such an extent that hacks are being reversed and users are getting their currencies back after they have been looted. Platforms for bitcoin and blockchain that provide beginners with an overall idea of the workings of the cryptocurrencies.

When a hack like the one at DOA happens, the entire crypto community takes a unanimous decision to introduce a Hard Fork. Ethereum worth millions of dollars was refunded in the crypto account of the DOA. A smart contract was instantly made with the help of the Hard Fork. The hacker’s account was identified, and the Hard Fork enabled the reversal of the transaction.

Conclusion

Thus, with the help of Hard Fork, Blockchain technology and the Cryptocurrency market have made immense progress. They are able to immediately troubleshoot any problem or discrepancy that arises in the network. 

Understanding the Blockchain technology and its implications on Financial Platforms

Blockchain refers to a technology that helps to maintain the record of all the transactions of a currency in a detailed form. There are no centralized records maintained for these transactions, and they are decentralized in nature. This helps all the players to maintain the record of all the transactions with themselves. The transactions are stored in the blocks keeping the records of all the currency in a detailed form before the currency even reached the user’s wallet. The records of all the operations are maintained in a public ledger so that everyone can access them and see them whenever they want to. For example, in case you are receiving a dollar, the block is going to maintain a record of the usage of the dollar.

Use of Blockchain in Financial Industry 

Blockchain has come out as a technology that has the potential to dislocate the financial industry that is used on a daily basis in the transactions of businesses. You can earn a great sum of money by bitcoin investment which is another method from which financial industry is benefitted. Let’s understand what can be the impact of blockchain technology on financial sectors. 

The payment mechanism gets enhanced by the Decentralised system.

The concept of blockchain transactions is completely different from centralised or traditional systems. In traditional payment systems, contracts or deals are made when any central authority meets a specific criterion. This isn’t the case of blockchain transactions, as it allows the two parties to make and complete the agreement and store all the contracts in its distributed public ledger without allowing any intermediary to involve. Payments get completed in no time, and definitely, it is a smart way to complete the agreement.

There is great potential in blockchain technology to regulate the mechanism of real-time payments, which is beneficial for businesses and companies. It provides fast and cost-effective techniques to complete the financial transactions without looking upon central authorities to settle the contract or clear it. But still, in distributed ledger mechanism, it has been observed that there’s a delay in clearing or settling the transactions or funds and also a sense of customer dissatisfaction. The outcome of this may be that customers seek the development of new technologies to offer better solutions. 

Therefore, it is imperative to understand how blockchain technology works and how it to process payments to understand it in depth with example. For instance, a person named ABC wants to transfer funds to another person named XYZ. The transaction is gathered into a block, and the other information required to complete the transaction gets connected to validate the transaction to get approved. As soon as the transaction is verified and validated, the money gets transferred to XYZ. Therefore the transaction gets recorded in a distributed public ledger in a sequential manner. 

By checking the above instance, it is clear that no central authority’s approval is required to validate the transactions, which are the main benefit of the blockchain mechanism. 

 

Bitcoin Trading

With blockchain technology, not only the exchange sector has benefited, but the financial economy has also grown. Even though its powerful mechanisms it has the potential to renovate the bitcoin trading platform. Businesses used to do bookkeeping to maintain the records of ownership. Still, with the introduction of this digital ledger, the trading sector has been boosted, and there’s no requirement to pay hefty costs in order to maintain the books and validate the transactions record. 

There isn’t any requirement to maintain similar records of intermediaries, brokers, settlement and clearing houses, and brokers. The public ledger facilities the two parties that require completing the transaction to access their data at the same time. This makes the entire process must easier, smoother, and transparent. 

The duo of blockchain and Fintech

Businesses can grow by using the duo of blockchain and Fintech as it adds to the core value of businesses and organisations. Suppose the duo is implemented with great planning. In that case, it helps by assuring data integrity, providing financial contracts evidently, and computerising the laborious records with blockchain technology, which will help track the ownership source. Not only in businesses but blockchain technology can provide ultimate benefits to the banking sector as well. 

 

Is bitcoin effective in changing the world?

If you have heard about cryptocurrencies, you must have heard about blockchain technology. It is the technology on which almost all cryptocurrencies are based on. In the crypto space, blockchain technology is considered one of the most influential technology in finance, business, and computer science. Many traders are coming forward to invest in bitcoin through Bitcoin trading, which states that it provides an opportunity to make money. 

If you are unaware of blockchain technology and its working, you need to uncover its working and learn about it as blockchain technology changes the present and future. Instead of reading from other online sources, read here as this article will provide you with a complete understanding of what blockchain technology is and how is it changing the way of working. 

 

What exactly is blockchain technology?

Blockchain technology came into existence in 2009, and the first and most trending cryptocurrency in the crypto space, Bitcoin. It is the technology that allows information and payments to be made without involving intermediaries. Blockchain technology works on the proof of work consensus method, and therefore it works by eliminating the need for intermediaries. In simple words, a blockchain is a digital ledger that records all transactions using a huge computer network. Because the records recorded in the blockchain ledger aren’t controlled or governed by anyone, these are easily accessible to people across the world. 

 

Blockchain is a distributed public ledger that makes record transparent to everyone. It works in a decentralised way which helps reduce the risks of hack, attacks and corruption. Working in a decentralised way makes blockchain more secure as compared to other technologies and methods of working. 

 

However, blockchain was introduced with bitcoin, but its advantages aren’t limited to bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Let’s dive into the way of working blockchain and learn how it helps change the world. 

 

Enhanced marketing and advertisement

The best thing that businesses can gain from this new and emerging technology is enhancing public relations and marketing. For instance, businesses and PR firms can estimate the number of mentions and clicks they get on their social media handles are from bots or real humans. PR firms and companies can determine the human engagement they receive, which can help them be positioned better. 

Companies that use blockchain technology can get an idea of the right statistics, which can help them improve their marketing efforts. 

Improved healthcare

Before the emergence of Blockchain technology, there were many issues in healthcare systems, but blockchain has provided multiple solutions to the issues in the system. Blockchain has helped maintain the medical records and make sure that no one tampers with them. It is important to have authentic medical records to know the history of patients and uphold justice in any legal cases.

 

This technology also helps with consent management. The appointment list of patients can be tracked with the use of blockchain technology. 

Increased cybersecurity 

Blockchain was developed with bitcoin, and it was developed with the motive to facilitate safe transactions. It is of no shock that blockchain technology is changing the world by driving security in today’s time. With the use of blockchain technology, clients or customers will never hesitate while sharing their documents.

 A plethora of blockchain applications have been developed to provide more security to user’s data by limiting access and improving user authentication. There will be fewer reports of security breaches by using blockchain applications. 

More funding for startups

The new and best way to raise money for all the blockchain startup projects is through Initial Coin Offerings (ICO). Businesses that want to conduct ICO campaigns need to know that they need to generate a white paper explaining the entire structure of technology, stating how it was developed and other highlights. With the help of ICOs, blockchain startups have become possible as people can gather the required funds. 

Conducting financial operations in a better way

Blockchain is highly affecting the finance sector as it allows and makes easy cross-border transactions. Makes recording and verifying the process of transactions easy by using the public digital ledger. Other benefits that it provides in making financial operations easy is by allowing fast and low-cost transactions. Blockchain is the future that will replace traditional banks.

Nokia launches blockchain-powered Data Marketplace for secure data trading and AI models

Nokia today announced the launch of Nokia Data Marketplace as-a-service to facilitate secure sharing of data and AI models, enabling digital transformation and data monetization for enterprises.

As data volumes continue to surge, AI and machine learning are increasingly crucial in business decision making. Nokia Data Marketplace is designed to help enterprises and communications service providers (CSPs) use data in strategic decision making, by providing real-time access to massive trusted datasets.

 

The new service also enables enterprises and CSPs to become data marketplace providers themselves, by monetizing data exchanges between customers or business ecosystem participants.

Nokia Data Marketplace ensures trusted data exchange and authorization mechanisms. This enables a wide range of vertical use cases, including electric vehicle charging, environmental data monetization, supply-chain automation and preventative maintenance powering numerous vertical segments, including transportation, ports, energy, smart cities and healthcare.

Friedrich Trawoeger, Vice President, Cloud and Cognitive Services at Nokia, said: “Our customers need secure and trusted access to data for effective business decision making. With Nokia Data Marketplace, enterprises and CSPs can now benefit from richer insights and predictive models to drive digital ways of working and tap into new revenue streams.”

Nokia Data Marketplace accelerates AI initiatives through federated learning. This approach, combined with orchestration capabilities, facilitates collaborative development of highly accurate machine learning models for analytics use cases. It also meets growing demand for a platform that can efficiently apply AI and machine learning algorithms to in situ data.

Nokia Data Marketplace complements Nokia Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING), which offers global IoT connectivity and vertical applications. For example, Nokia WING’s asset tracking solution is enriched by Nokia Data Marketplace’s blockchain to provide secure and automated data exchange and transactions between logistics’ ecosystem partners for faster turnaround.

Kaladhar Voruganti, Senior Fellow, Office of the CTO at Equinix, said: “Nokia Data Marketplace combined with Equinix data centers allows organisations to share data and algorithms globally at more than 240 metro edge locations. Our Metal platform augments this to provide secure, proximate, on-demand infrastructure to enterprises and government agencies. Sharing and processing of data close to its point of creation mitigates issues related to latency, compliance, and network backhaul cost. These neutral and secure edge locations are connected via high-speed and secure networks to data sources spanning across public clouds, private enterprise data centers and data brokers.”

Wouter van Neerbos, Chief Executive Officer at Marlin, said: “Through automated data exchange among shipping participants, Nokia brings us the transparency and operational efficiency required in our global marine supply chain. This reduces waiting time for shipping participants in the marine ecosystem, enables faster turnaround for ships, and reduces our costs.”

Justin van der Lande, Principal Analyst at Analysys Mason, said: “Data is the energy needed to run all future business; critical to their success in creating the best AI based insights and needs access to the largest data sets. Data sharing between enterprise partners is vital in building complete data sets. Facilitating data sharing using a secure platform, such as Nokia’s blockchain-based Data Marketplace, accelerates enterprises’ building of new data sets and creates richer business partnerships for them.”

Virtually Human Studio signs Three-Year Agreement with ATARI boosting entertainment experience on the blockchain. #ATARI #VHS #Gaming #Blockchain

Video game industry pioneer ATARI and entertainment startup Virtually Human Studio (VHS) announce they have signed a three-year deal to further bring the beloved and iconic ATARI brand into blockchain and NFT gaming.

 VHS, creators of ZED RUN, a game of skill and strategy built on the Ethereum network, allows players to interact with non-fungible tokens in the form of cryptographically unique racehorses. VHS and ATARI will work together to introduce rare and collectible in-game items designed to reflect ATARI’s most memorable games such as Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and more.

 The deal gives VHS full usage of ATARI’s complete catalogue of licenced game assets, logos and marks including in-game sponsorship and brand visibility across the ZED RUN gaming platform.

 

ZED RUN will offer an exclusive ATARI Breeding Program, featuring a series of rare racehorses from which players will be able to spawn offspring for a limited time. Each of these collectible ATARI digital racehorses will be auctioned off to the highest bidder once the Breeding Program concludes.

 To further showcase how blockchain gaming can bridge the gap with traditional gaming, ATARI will also contribute its signature cryptocurrency ATRI (Atari tokens) towards ZED RUN events. These official ATARI-sponsored racing events will include tournament-based qualifiers with main event sessions set to a weekly racing schedule. Bonus ATARI tokens will be rewarded to users for both the qualifier and main events, creating increased utility and demand for ATRI.

 “Partnering with the legendary ATARI brand is an honour. Partnerships like this strengthen our work, reputation and progress within the blockchain and entertainment space. We are deliberate with partnerships that propel us toward expansion and the improvement of the applications we build,” said CEO and Co-founder of VHS Chris Laurent.

 CEO of ATARI Fred Chesnais said, “We see the vast potential in NFT gaming on the blockchain. VHS showcases what is uniquely possible with blockchain technology for entertainment. Working together with VHS enables us to introduce our loyal ATARI community to an exciting new game such as ZED RUN as we take steps to play our part in shaping the blockchain gaming and technology space.

Technological advancements within Fashion – how is It driving growth #3DPrinting #Tech #Fashion #AI

From the textiles used in garment manufacturing to creating a sustainable supply chain, technological advancements are set to innovate fashion in countless ways. For a long time, the processes used in the fashion sector have remained remarkably unchanged. In the coming years, however, we can expect big things!
As of 2020, fashion generates an estimated $664b revenue, making it one of the biggest industries in the world. Because of this, technological innovations within this sector are set to be nothing less than world-changing and, if implemented correctly, technology in fashion could make an unfathomable change in creating a greener, cleaner world.
From big data to Blockchain technology, let’s take a look at the innovations that we can expect to see in the world of fashion over the coming years and consider the monumental difference that they are going to make.

Novel fabrics

Over recent years, we’ve made some big steps towards more ethical fabric practices. However, new fabrics such as vegan leather are actually damaging to the environment due to their high plastic content. In answer to this, scientists have been developing new novel fabrics, such as lab-grown leather and sustainably produced ‘super-strong’ spider silk.
Tech giant, Google, is also getting involved in this new era of fabric creation. The Google ATAP (advanced technology and projects) lab is currently working on the creation of touch-responsive textiles that are made from conductive threads. These fabrics are being developed further, and there are even plans for colour-changing fabric development within the ATAP lab. These fabrics will be designed to change colour in relation to moods, settings, or temperatures.

Artificial Intelligence

From customer service to inventory tracking, Artificial Intelligence is already becoming a powerful tool that brands can use to predict trends and get ahead of the game. Virtual wardrobes and automated wardrobe planning tools allow users to get creative with their shopping—improving the user experience while also giving brands access to unique, instant, customer data.
AI is also set to personalise the world of fashion down to the finest detail. Some brands are already utilising online ’fit engines’ that help users find the perfect style and fit for them. Say goodbye to the ‘one size fits all’ approach—thanks to AI, the world of fashion is about to get more personal than ever before.

Blockchain

Associated most with the record-keeping of bitcoin technology, blockchain tech is set to revolutionise the way the fashion is shipped, traced, and recorded. Each ‘Block’ within the blockchain is made up of specific pieces of data that store unique digital information about a transaction. This information includes the date and time of the transaction, as well as the monetary value of the purchase.
In the world of fashion, blockchain technology is an up and coming way in which brands are improving their supply chains. Every movement of a product on a supply chain will be recorded on the blockchain, creating a physical-digital link between each product and their digital identities. This unique link means that fakes will be obvious and therefore counterfeiting can be easily detected. Any attempt to divert goods can also be easily tracked in a blockchain system.

3D printing

Speaking of colour-changing technology, those working in the exciting field of 3D printing are also currently working on the development of colour-changing fabric. Using ‘photochromic inks’ that changes colour when exposed to certain wavelengths of UV light, scientists are developing garments and jewellery pieces that have the ability to shift between hues. The first success in this field was the creation of a ring that can be programmed into numerous customisable colours.
As well as colourful innovations like this one, 3D printing is working to innovate the textile industry in many other ways. From accessories to women’s trainers, the possible 3D printing creations seem to be limitless!
3D printing has been used in the realms of runway fashion for a while now. Think back to 2010, when Dutch designer Iris Van Herpen made a statement with her “Crystallization” top, a geometric garment which was 3D printed from white polyamide. Over the next few years, 3D printing will no longer be confined to the catwalk but implemented on a much larger scale as part of the standard fashion supply chain.
From sustainability to the empowerment of individuals, technology is destined to revolutionise the textiles industry on every scale. With increased productivity and ultimate user understanding, the world of fashion will be re-modelled over the coming years and, thanks to technology, the end result will be more efficient, greener, and uniquely suited to every shopper out there.

Sources

https://techpacker.com/blog/design/top-7-fashion-technology-trends/
https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/apparel/how-apply-new-technologies-apparel
https://3dinsider.optitex.com/fashion-supply-chain-technology-rises-challenge/
https://www.statista.com/outlook/244/100/fashion/worldwide
https://www.irisvanherpen.com/haute-couture/crystallization