One-Click Gaming: Web3 Game STEPN Integrates Apple Pay for Easy In-Game Transactions
Web3 move-to-earn game STEPN has strategically integrated Apple Pay as a fiat onramp for seamless in-app purchases. This integration aims to enhance accessibility and attract a broader user base to the blockchain game. By leveraging Apple Pay, players can easily connect their credit cards, eliminating the complexity of using a crypto wallet for in-game asset purchases. Shiti Manghani, COO of STEPN, believes that fiat onramps such as Apple Play will catalyze the adoption of Web3 for its next 100 million users. The integration of Apple Pay positions STEPN as a pioneering blockchain gaming app, expanding its reach to a larger audience. STEPN's hybrid approach of combining Web2 and Web3 technologies may help facilitate user adoption and help drive mainstream growth in the Web3 space.
From America to the World: Bitcoin-Powered Payment App Strike Expands to 65 Countries
Strike, the Bitcoin-powered payments app led by Jack Mallers, is making significant strides in its global expansion. The company, aiming to be a crypto-powered alternative to Venmo or Cash App, is now available in 65 countries, in addition to its existing operations in the United States, El Salvador, and Argentina. Mallers emphasized Strike's user-friendly app and its ability to offer seamless Bitcoin and Tether transfers. The move to expand globally was partially enabled by relocating Strike's headquarters to El Salvador, which has established a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. Mallers also discussed Bitcoin's distinction as a commodity and the importance of competition within the decentralized ecosystem. Future plans for Strike include enhancing banking services, introducing a debit card, and addressing network congestion and higher transaction fees.
Crypto Regulation in the North: Coinbase Hails Canada’s Engagement-Based Approach
Cryptocurrency exchange giant Coinbase has praised Canada's regulatory approach to crypto, emphasizing its engagement with industry players, compared to the United States, which needs more clarity and primarily relies on enforcement for regulation. The recent U.S. regulatory crackdown has prompted companies and investors to consider relocating. While Canada's Pre-Registration Undertaking regime also applies pressure, Coinbase's VP prefers its engagement-based regulation. Having been invested in Canada for years, Coinbase plans to enhance the fiat-to-crypto experience for Canadian customers by introducing Interac payment rails. Canada's regulatory clarity and the departure of competitors like Binance make it an appealing environment for Coinbase.
Sky Mavis Expands “Axie Infinity: Origins” Reach with Apple Store Launch
Sky Mavis, the creator of Axie Infinity, expands the availability of its card-based strategy game "Axie Infinity: Origins" by launching on the Apple App Store. This opens access to Apple users in Latin America and Asia. Previously limited to specific regions on Google Play and Mavis Hub, the game now reaches countries like Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Venezuela, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. With 1.5 million installations across platforms, Axie Infinity targets mobile users on Google and Apple platforms for further global expansion. This expansion is another pivotal step in fueling the growth of Web3 game adoption by introducing a broader audience to its gaming experience.
Decentralizing the Internet: Jack Dorsey’s TBD Unveils Web5 Toolkit to Fuel New Applications
TBD, a Jack Dorsey's Block division, has unveiled a new open-source toolkit at the Bitcoin 2023 conference in Miami Beach. This toolkit is part of the Web5 project and aims to simplify the creation of decentralized Internet applications (dApps) for developers. The toolkit includes decentralized identifiers that function like email addresses or usernames, verified credentials for secure digital certificates, and decentralized web nodes for decentralized data storage. The complete Web5 platform is set to launch later this year, but developers can already start building decentralized apps on TBD's developer platform. TBD plans to introduce a remittance app using Bitcoin and stablecoins as a near-term application for their Web5 platform.
