Web3 Collabs We Have Been Waiting For

GM GM ☀️

Welcome to this week’s 🎣w3.catch-of-the-week, which is a little different than usual.

We love surprises, don’t we?

Just like you, many of our readers want to stay up to date—even while on vacation or enjoying the sunshine.

I get it. I really do.

That’s why this week, I’m sharing my ✨Notes Dump✨ with you. These are thoughts I’ve had throughout the week, along with relevant links to help you dive deeper into the topics.

You’re just 5 minutes away from impressing your friends with the latest in Web3 while enjoying a popsicle 🍭!

Spoiler: Our friends from Circle have a surprise for you.

🚘 The partnerships we didn’t know we needed
🤩 Random stuff you almost forgot about
🤓 Wen Lambo??
👀 A really good read I have been sending to my friends
💸 Circle is coming to Berlin
🔥 What’s Hot next week
☀️ The shifting dynamics in the crypto market

So you know how to make the most of it, I’ve come up with some fitting headlines.

1. The partnerships we didn’t know we needed

Metamask x Mastercard

This collab allows users to buy cryptocurrencies directly within MetaMask using Mastercard, making crypto more accessible and potentially driving broader Web3 adoption.

I was wondering what the difference is compared to the Gnosis Pay Card.

• Unlike the MetaMask integration, the Gnosis Card is a crypto-native debit card linked to Gnosis Safe, designed for those already deeply involved in the crypto space to spend their crypto directly.

• Mastercard x MetaMask lowers the barrier for new crypto users, while the Gnosis Card serves more experienced users with direct crypto spending options.

Bitpanda x AC Milan

Bitpanda has become a Premium Partner and the Official Crypto Trading Partner of AC Milan, aiming to integrate crypto services into the fan experience.

🪄 Yes, the guys who already partnered with FC Bayern München and turned Thomas Müller into a crypto advocate (at least in their latest spot).

I definitely see a growing trend of sports brands embracing cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

I watched the interview with Bitpanda CEO Eric Demuth on the latest OMR Podcast and found the company’s origin story and their sports collaborations incredibly fascinating. Here's the link, definitely worth it.

Polymarket x Perplexity AI

I think the tweet captures the headline perfectly. I'm extremely bullish, as I use both on a daily basis.

Adidas x Doodles

Adidas has teamed up with the NFT project Doodles to create a unique collection that blends physical streetwear with digital collectibles.

Love the fact that Adidas is still going strong. One of the OGs that are working on exciting Web3 Projects since the early NFT days in 2021/22.

✨ Speaking of OGs ✨

That reminded me of my positive surprise with the Hugo Boss Loyalty Program (the announcement is a few weeks old).

The tl;dr: The Hugo Boss Experience (XP) program is a loyalty initiative designed to offer exclusive rewards and personalized experiences to customers, integrating digital and physical touchpoints.

2. Random stuff you almost forgot about

I remember the days everyone was going crazy about this.

Now, after the launch of the Humane AI Pin in November 2023, it has been widely considered a flop based on recent reviews and reports.

What it was meant to do:

👉🏽 Provide users with voice-activated assistance, real-time information, and contextual computing without the need for a smartphone.

😢 The reviews: Slow, unreliable, frustrating.

3. Wen Lambo??

Ok, a couple of weeks ago, Lamborghini was hitting us with with a nostalgic PUB G partnership (at least it’s nostalgic for me. w3.group Co-Founder Nate, Henrik and myself played Pub G a lot during covid, and founded our first company afterwards).

But there is more:

Lamborghini has partnered with Animoca Brands to blend luxury automotive with digital innovation, creating unique experiences for both car enthusiasts and Web3 fans.

The partnership focuses on offering NFTs tied to Lamborghini’s iconic vehicles, providing owners with virtual tours, limited edition artwork, and access to real-world events, thus enhancing brand appeal.

4. A good read I have been sending to my friends

BITKRAFT Ventures envisions the future of gaming through “Synthetic Reality,” a concept that merges physical and digital worlds to create new experiences driven by advancements in technology and the rise of digital natives. Their investment strategy targets early- and mid-stage companies in sectors like Web3 gaming, AR/VR, and generative AI, aiming to shape the gaming landscape’s evolution.

I love the tone and the balancing of technical jargon with readability to engage both industry insiders and broader audiences interested in gaming trends.

Circle is coming to Berlin

Circle is making big moves with some major developments in Europe. They’ve recently secured an e-money license from France’s ACPR, making them the first global stablecoin issuer to align with the EU’s new MiCA regulatory framework. This move ensures that USDC and EURC, Circle’s stablecoins, are now fully compliant with European regulations, reinforcing their strong presence in the region.

Beyond regulatory milestones, Circle’s USDC is now available on several major blockchains—Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, Polygon, and Algorand—making it more accessible than ever. This expansion highlights a great opportunity for anyone looking to dive into the crypto ecosystem.

👀 And now you can meet them in Berlin!

Circle is hosting a developer workshop and cocktail reception at w3.hub on Friday, September 27, from 3:30-7pm.

The event will showcase how to integrate USDC and EURC into your apps using the Circle Developer Platform, with insights from new product launches and an AMA session with CEO Jeremy Allaire.

Don’t miss out—space is limited, so make sure to RSVP.

What’s hot next week?

Web3 Summit in Berlin

Join us at the Web3 Summit from August 19-21, 2024, at the historic Funkhaus. This event offers a dynamic mix of 24/7 hackathons, workshops, inspiring talks, and unconference sessions, all under one roof.

With two stages of thought-provoking content, you'll explore the latest in Web3 advancements, challenges, and opportunities.

Don’t miss keynotes from Jaron Lanier, Richard Stallman, and Phil Zimmermann.

Enjoy additional activities like a digital art installation, wellness sessions, and social events, including:

• Monday, 6pm-9pm: Opening Party

• Tuesday, 6pm-9pm: Happy Hour

Open House Day Series at w3.hub

Perfect Timing to combine this with a comeback of the “w3.hub Open House Days”.

🗝️ We’re opening up w3.hub for 3 days straight (also 19th - 21st of August), inviting everyone in the Web3 community to co-work, connect, and collaborate with like-minded individuals shaping the decentralized internet of tomorrow.

🥐 You’ll experience what it feels like to be a member, which means you can also participate in our community activities, like the brunch on Monday or the run on Tuesday.

Spots are limited, so don’t miss out!

Our General Partner Philipp from w3.wave shared an insightful Post.

TL;DR: The crypto market is maturing, with liquidity increasingly favoring major assets like Bitcoin, while many altcoins struggle to keep pace. The days of indiscriminate bull runs are over, and only those with strong fundamentals will thrive. Active management and rigorous analysis will be crucial in this new era.

Want to learn more?

Check out Philipp’s insights on LinkedIn.

We’re Hiring! Join our growing Web3 team as a Digital Design Working Student and work on diverse, creative projects.

👀 Who We’re Looking For: A talented student to collaborate with our design and marketing teams, creating impactful visual assets for multiple Web3 companies.

🤍 Why Join Us: Gain hands-on experience, work flexibly from Berlin or remotely, and shape the visual identity of our ecosystem.

🎨 What You Need: Experience in Webflow and Figma, strong design skills, fluency in English, and a passion for Web3. Availability of 20 hours/week with a preference for on-site work in Berlin.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Vicky & Marvin are Web3-obsessed. That's why they host a weekly podcast featuring updates and cool stuff.

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