BAYC

Welcome to the OpenSea Digest, let’s recap the biggest NFT and web3 news of the week.
Amber Vittoria launches 'Auras'
On December 12, abstract artist Amber Vittoria released her latest series 'Auras' on Coinbase Layer 2 (L2) Base, consisting of colorful, dreamlike NFTs. After a three-phase sale for VIPs and the public, this collection of 550 abstract pixelated artworks sold out before noon.
As described in the series, each Aura represents an emotional snapshot of the human experience. Vittoria avoids coding rarity into the artwork or adding utility to reinforce the idea that each piece is a celebration of complex emotions, unique in its own right.

NFT hype peaked in 2021, with record sales and celebrity promotion, however, market and global attention declined throughout 2022 as trading volumes and floor prices fell, a downturn that led some to question the applicability of NFT technology itself.
However, NFTs are far from dead, and their development continues, albeit in a less speculative direction than provocative digital art. Now, more functional types of NFTs are emerging, with some industries using them for gaming, virtual real estate, tokenization of physical assets, and more. In this article, we’ll look at some of the applications of NFTs and why they are far from dead.

The full text is relatively long and is divided into three parts. This article is the first part.
Chapter 1 NFT Ecology
NFT Overview

As we move into 2024, the NFT space will continue to grow, and we can see most of the application layers surrounding NFTs converging on the following points.
Metaverse Interoperability - In 2023, many brands and creators launched proprietary virtual worlds and NFTs, but they remained decentralized. By 2024, cross-platform ecosystems can enable unified digital identities and assets across different A metaverse that will drive virtual experiences that are transferable between worlds.

From a cat to a house, how is NFT driving the world crazy?
Do you remember the 'CryptoKitties' that sold for millions of dollars in 2017? Yes, it's that pixelated cat that looks like it was drawn with Windows 95. At the time, everyone thought the world was crazy - a virtual cat was actually more expensive than a real cat! But who would have thought this was just the beginning of the magical realism of NFTs (non-fungible tokens).
Now, NFTs have evolved from 'CryptoKitties' to 'crypto art', 'crypto real estate', and even 'crypto socks'. Yes, you heard it right, socks can also be NFT-ed, and the price might be more expensive than all the socks in your wardrobe combined. Today, let's talk about this NFT world that has driven countless people crazy and puzzled many others.

Welcome to the OpenSea Digest, where we review the biggest NFT and web3 news of the week.
Jack Butcher Debuts Opepen-themed “Oviators” Sunglasses
In the latest fusion of fashion and digital art, Florentine eyewear designer Salvino Armati and Checks founder Jack Butcher have teamed up to launch a collection of Oviators eyewear that pays homage to Butcher’s famous Openen line.
The eyewear collection debuted during Art Basel Miami in an exhibition space in Miami’s iconic Wynwood neighborhood.

Each pair of Oviators — black rimless lenses designed in the now-famous Opepepen silhouette shape — can be redeemed by purchasing a special-edition NFT.

Welcome to the OpenSea Digest, where we recap this week's major news in NFTs and Web3.
MMO shooter BloodLoop will launch on the Epic Games Store on June 23.
Swiss game studio Ragnarok Games will launch BloodLoop, a free dystopian hero shooter with NFT-driven items, in early access on the Epic Games Store on June 23.
The game is set in the year 2191, where three factions battle in a virtual arena, utilizing gravity manipulation abilities and skill-based tactics. Players can participate in team deathmatches, energy battles, or free-for-all modes, earning and trading on-chain equipment during combat.

Welcome to the OpenSea Digest, where we review the biggest NFT and web3 news of the week.
Azuki announces anime series
Chiru Labs, creators of hit PFP projects Azuki and Beanz, are teaming up with famed Japanese animation director Goro Taniguchi to create an anthology series.
Taniguchi, known for his iconic projects Code Geass and One Piece: The Movie: Red, reportedly sees the collaboration as an opportunity to bring animation to new audiences and open doors for Japanese creators.​
Azuki has also partnered with advertising giant Dentsu and plans to release three stories under the partnership, each with a unique director and character artist. The series is part of Azuki's strategy to deliver diverse content to bring Azuki's universe to life. Integrated with innovative web3-driven storytelling.​

When Yuga Labs announced the acquisition of PROOF, the development team of Moonbirds, there was almost no doubt about Yuga Labs’ “LVMH of NFT” label.
Now, Yuga Labs owns top NFT IP/projects such as CryptoPunks, BAYC, MAYC, BAKC, "Monkeyland" Otherdeed, Meebits, Moonbirds, etc. These projects occupy 8 of the top 15 projects with the largest transaction volume in OpenSea history.

But at the same time, Yuga Labs also encountered the most powerful challenger in history. On February 17, the floor price of Pudgy Penguins surpassed BAYC for the first time. Contrary to Yuga Labs’ continuous progress in acquisitions in recent years, “Boring” The charm of "ape" is constantly fading.

NFT PFPs are more than just profile pictures, they symbolize ownership and are valuable investments;
Each NFT PFP is unique and verified on the blockchain, enhancing its significance for personal expression on social media;
Choosing an NFT PFP requires considering the style, the community behind it, the artist’s reputation, and potential future value;
NFT PFPs can provide access to an exclusive group and may increase in value, but they also come with risks and drawbacks, such as market volatility, scams, and environmental impacts.
NFT Profiles (PFPs) have become one of the most relevant cultural phenomena related to the blockchain and NFT scene. They are both profile pictures and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).