In this week’s newsletter, read about the United States Secret Service’s nonfungible token (NFT) collection, and how Elon Musk’s tweet caused a surge in an NFT collection’s floor price. Check out how someone tried to sell an image for Bitcoin (BTC) months before the infamous Bitcoin Pizza Day, and learn about LG’s new patent for an NFT-trading TV. And don’t forget this week’s Nifty News, featuring the popular gaming franchise Assassin’s Creed revealing its “smart collectibles.”
Secret Service owns crypto, loves blockchain and has an NFT collection: Reddit AMA
In a recent ask-me-anything (AMA) session on Reddit’s r/cryptocurrency subreddit, representatives from a task force within the United States Secret Service revealed that they own crypto, maintain an NFT collection and recognize the potential of blockchain technology in combating financial crime.
In contrast to some regulators who view cryptocurrencies as tools for fraudsters and scammers, the task force expressed enthusiasm for the transparent and public nature of blockchains. They described it as an “amazing opportunity” for law enforcement agencies to effectively trace the movement of funds, aiding the fight against illicit activities.
Milady NFT floor price surges after Elon Musk tweet
On May 10, Elon Musk’s tweet featuring artwork from the Milady NFT collection caused a surge in the floor price of Milady NFTs. Initially reaching a peak of 7.3 Ether (ETH), the price eventually settled at 5.69 ETH.
The Milady collection, created by digital arts collective Remilia, comprises 10,000 anime profile picture NFTs that draw inspiration from street-style tribes. Artist Charlotte Fang played a significant role in the design process.
The name “Milady” cleverly plays with the expression “my lady,” traditionally used to address noblewomen. However, the internet has satirically associated the expression with overzealous chivalry and “nice guys.”
Primordial NFT? Someone tried to sell a JPEG for BTC months before Bitcoin Pizza Day
On May 14, a tweet by developer Udi Wertheimer ignited a brief frenzy on Crypto Twitter. The tweet suggested that the world’s first real-world purchase made with Bitcoin might have been for a JPEG image, challenging the commonly known narrative of Bitcoin’s first purchase being for pizza.
The shared screenshot, dated Jan. 24, 2010, predates the famous Bitcoin Pizza Day by four months. It shows a user named Sabunir attempting to sell a picture on the Bitcointalk forum for 500 BTC, which was worth approximately $1 at that time. The screenshot even reveals that Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous founder of Bitcoin, was trying to assist in facilitating the sale.
LG Electronics files patent for NFT-trading TV
South Korean company LG Electronics has filed a patent application for a blockchain-based smart TV that enables NFT trading. The application was published in May in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s database.
LG’s proposed technology aims to facilitate seamless connectivity between devices, crypto wallets and an NFT market server, thereby enabling transactions. The smart TV incorporates onscreen QR codes when connected to an NFT market server, allowing users to complete transactions via a cryptocurrency wallet.
Nifty News: Assassin’s Creed unveils ‘smart collectibles,’ MechaFightClub winds down and more
Ubisoft’s popular gaming franchise, Assassin’s Creed, released customizable “smart collectibles” on May 16. These collectibles include a transparent 3D-printed cube housing a character figure and a Polygon-based NFT called a “Digital Soul” that serves as proof of ownership.
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Thanks for reading this digest of the week’s most notable developments in the NFT space. Come again next Wednesday for more reports and insights into this actively evolving space.