Projet Icare

• 3HOUSE, the leading Web3 investment community, recently launched a new initiative to provide comprehensive “deep dives” for Web3 investors.
• The “Campfire” initiative is designed to help investors gain a deeper understanding of investment principles and access high-quality information when making critical investment decisions in the rapidly growing and constantly evolving Web3 industry.
• Campfire is the 3HOUSE community’s fortnightly focus direction, allowing users to get to the heart of complex issues together to better inform investment decisions and cut through the noise of traditional content platforms.

3HOUSE, the leading Web3 investment community, recently introduced a new initiative to foster a more comprehensive understanding of the ever-changing Web3 industry. The Campfire initiative is designed to provide investors with the tools and resources necessary to make informed and impactful decisions when it comes to their investments.

The Campfire initiative is a fortnightly focus direction, allowing users to get to the heart of complex issues together to better inform their investment decisions. The 3HOUSE development team, in collaboration with the community, work together to look at an important and relevant issue within the crypto industry and unpack it from multiple angles. This effort is meant to provide users with the highest quality information and resources available, so they can make the most informed decisions possible.

Dylan O’Hanrahan, Head of Business Development at 3HOUSE, emphasized the importance of having a deep understanding of investment principles and access to high-quality information when making critical investment decisions, particularly in the Web3 space. He noted that the Campfire initiative is designed to cut through the noise of traditional content platforms and provide users with the most comprehensive place for Web3 investment-related content online.

The 3HOUSE platform is currently available as a web app and can be accessed by connecting a wallet and burning one of the project’s native ERC20 governance tokens. Each user is limited to one account with a unique username, and the focus is on ensuring that each feature adds value to the user experience and supports effective decision-making.

The Campfire initiative provides users with the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and share knowledge with the larger Web3 investment community. With access to the highest quality information and resources, users can make informed decisions when investing in the constantly evolving Web3 industry. 3HOUSE is committed to providing investors with the necessary tools and resources to ensure success in their investments.

• Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) has slashed the prices of its vehicles in the United States and other key markets in Europe.
• The price slash ranges from 1% to 17% depending on the specification of the car, as highlighted by Reuters, giving reference to the Model 3 and Y vehicles in Germany.
• This latest price cut by Tesla is becoming a trend and it represents almost the third time the firm will be slashing its car prices around the world.

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) has recently announced a price slash for its vehicles in the United States and other key markets in Europe. This latest price cut, which is becoming a trend, represents almost the third time the firm will be slashing its car prices around the world.

The price slash ranges from 1% to 17% depending on the specification of the car, as highlighted by Reuters, giving reference to the Model 3 and Y vehicles in Germany. This move is motivated by the need to attract new buyers at a time when more competing electric vehicle makers are introducing cheaper cars into the market. Tesla is facing a significant headwind as it competes with the likes of Volkswagen ID.4 and other similar models.

Tesla’s Model 3 remains one of the top-demanded vehicles in Germany and the current price slash may serve as a way to boost market share. In the US, the price slash is expected to be more significant than in Europe, as the firm seeks to remain competitive in the market.

The news of this latest price cut has been met with mixed reactions. On the one hand, Tesla’s loyal customer base is pleased with the price slash, as it will make the vehicles more affordable. On the other hand, some analysts are concerned that the price slash may be indicative of a larger problem, such as a lack of demand or a drop in production.

Despite these concerns, Tesla has reiterated its commitment to producing quality products at competitive prices. The firm has also expressed its confidence that its products will remain competitive, even in the face of increased competition in the market.

Overall, this latest price cut by Tesla is a sign that the firm is determined to remain competitive in the market. The firm is clearly responding to the competitive pressures in the market and is attempting to make its vehicles more affordable. This is a positive step for Tesla, and it is likely that the firm will continue to adjust its prices in the future as the market changes.

• Shopify merchants can now mint and list their NFTs through their storefronts using Venly, a blockchain app.
• Merchants do not need to refer clients to popular, dedicated NFT marketplaces like OpenSea, Rarible, or Magic Eden.
• Shoppers will not need to have an Avalanche wallet to buy NFTs and will not have to handle crypto but can make fiat payments to receive a link to their Avalanche wallet holding the NFT.

Shopify, the leading e-commerce platform, recently announced the addition of support for Avalanche NFTs through Venly, a blockchain app. This new development will make it easier for Shopify merchants to mint and list their NFTs through their storefronts, without the need to refer customers to popular, dedicated NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea, Rarible, or Magic Eden.

The integration of Avalanche NFTs into Shopify will enable shoppers to make payments in fiat currency and receive a link to a newly-created Avalanche wallet holding the freshly-minted NFT, which they are free to transfer to another wallet. This means that shoppers will not need to have an Avalanche wallet or handle crypto in order to purchase NFTs. Furthermore, merchants will be able to use NFTs for a range of purposes including selling them, offering NFT-gated experiences, and using them for authentication by tying them to physical products.

Venly, the blockchain app through which this integration has been enabled, is one of the few blockchain apps available on Shopify and is the only one that currently supports Avalanche. It is a layer-1 blockchain platform that allows merchants to mint NFTs on the Avalanche blockchain. The app is currently in the early stages of development but is expected to grow in popularity in the coming months as more merchants become aware of the potential benefits of using NFTs in their business.

The addition of Avalanche support through Venly is a major development for Shopify merchants, as it gives them the ability to capitalize on the growing popularity of NFTs. By being able to mint and list their own NFTs, merchants can create unique experiences for their customers while also unlocking new revenue streams. Furthermore, the use of NFTs for authentication purposes means that merchants can ensure the authenticity of the products they sell, providing customers with peace of mind.

Overall, the integration of Avalanche NFTs into Shopify is a major step forward for the platform and its users. By providing merchants with more options for minting and selling NFTs, Shopify is further cementing its position as one of the leading e-commerce platforms. With the growing popularity of NFTs, this new integration is sure to open up new opportunities for Shopify merchants and help them to capitalize on the trend.

• The New York Attorney General has sued the former Celsius Network CEO, Alex Mashinsky, for defrauding investors out of billions of dollars.
• The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2022 in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
• In June, Celsius halted customer withdrawals citing “extreme market conditions” and the CEO resigned in September after reportedly withdrawing $10 million from the company weeks before the stoppage.

The state of New York’s Attorney General Letitia James recently revealed on Twitter that she is suing the former Celsius Network head, Alex Mashinsky, for defrauding investors out of billions of dollars. This news comes as a surprise to many in the crypto industry, as Mashinsky was once a highly respected figure within the community. His alleged deception has now led to many questioning just how much trust they can put in the industry.

The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2022 in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, hoping that the process would help the company to stabilize and develop a restructuring plan. In an effort to boost confidence in the company, the CEO boasted of a solid and experienced team to help in the restructuring process.

Unfortunately, the situation quickly began to deteriorate. In June, Celsius halted customer withdrawals citing “extreme market conditions”, causing a great deal of concern amongst customers. This was followed by the CEO resigning in September, shortly after he reportedly withdrew $10 million from Celsius weeks before the company stopped withdrawals.

This prompted the New York Attorney General to take legal action against Mashinsky, accusing him of defrauding investors. This case could have a major impact on the crypto industry as a whole, as it could lead to tighter regulations and stricter oversight of crypto businesses.

It remains to be seen what the final outcome of this case will be and what impact it will have on the industry. However, one thing is certain – this case will be closely watched by all involved, as it could shape the future of the crypto world.

Bullet Points:
• Microsoft has high hopes for the metaverse in the future.
• Microsoft Chief Strategy Officer Henry Bzeih discussed the utility of the metaverse in client experience and feedback.
• Microsoft is working on mobility cross-functionality to help customers select cars more efficiently.

Microsoft, the American multinational technological corporation, is looking to the future with high hopes for the metaverse. In a recent talk, Microsoft Chief Strategy Officer Henry Bzeih discussed the utility of the metaverse in client experience and feedback. He believes that the world is moving towards a more profound virtual arena, with a hybrid prototype being the next big thing.

To facilitate customers in their car buying process, Microsoft is currently working on mobility cross-functionality. This will allow customers to customize their vehicle without having to visit a local dealer. They can simply adjust the colors, features, and other details of the vehicle on the platform and make their purchase. This technology is already in use in the Fiat model, which according to Bzeih, is a “natural progression”.

Moreover, the metaverse will also be used to improve customer feedback. Customers will be able to provide feedback on the platform itself, as well as interact more effectively with corporate stakeholders. This will help to build relationships between customers and companies, as well as provide better customer service.

Microsoft’s association with the metaverse firm Touchcast has already resulted in data manufacture of the Fiat model. This is seen as a major step forward in the development of the metaverse, and Bzeih has expressed his hope that it will be used to create a better customer experience.

The metaverse is an exciting new technology that has the potential to drastically change the way we interact with each other and with companies. Microsoft’s high hopes for the metaverse indicate that it is likely to become an integral part of the future. With its help, customers will be able to make purchases more efficiently, while companies will be able to build better relationships with their customers.

• Shopify has added support for Avalanche NFTs by introducing Venly’s Shopify NFT minting app.
• Venly allows merchants to mint and list their NFTs through their storefronts without referring to popular marketplaces.
• Shoppers do not need to have an Avalanche wallet to buy NFTs; they can make fiat payments and receive a link to a newly-created Avalanche wallet holding the NFT.

Shopify, the popular e-commerce platform, has announced the addition of Avalanche NFTs to its platform through Venly’s Shopify NFT minting app. The app is available to all merchants and allows them to mint and list their NFTs through their storefronts without referring to popular marketplaces like OpenSea, Rarible, or Magic Eden. This new feature opens up a world of possibilities for Shopify merchants, who can now use NFTs to offer unique experiences to their customers.

The Venly app makes it easy to mint and list NFTs on Avalanche, a layer-1 blockchain platform. Shoppers do not need to have an Avalanche wallet to buy NFTs; they can make fiat payments and receive a link to a newly-created Avalanche wallet holding the NFT. This wallet holds the freshly-minted NFT and shoppers are free to transfer it to another wallet.

Using Venly, sellers on Shopify can not only sell NFTs, but also offer NFT-gated experiences or use NFTs for authentication by tying them to physical products. For example, a store selling art prints can attach an NFT to each print, making it easy to authenticate and prove the provenance of the artwork.

The addition of Avalanche support on Shopify is expected to open up a world of opportunities for merchants who are looking to get into the NFT space. It is now easier than ever for merchants to mint, list and sell their own NFTs, helping them to stand out from the competition. With more and more people entering the NFT market, it is likely that the use cases for NFTs will continue to grow.

• Elon Musk asked a question on Twitter on Monday, and it received over 17.5 million responses.
• Dogecoin’s (DOGE) price fell after the announcement, reaching a low of $0.07003 on December 19.
• The privacy-based Mimblewimble Extension Blocks (MWEB) upgrade for Litecoin (LTC) has been its biggest upgrade this year, while Snowfall Protocol (SNW) is performing very well in presale stage 3.

On Monday, Elon Musk asked a question on Twitter, and it sparked a massive response with over 17.5 million responses. The billionaire asked whether he should resign as CEO of the social networking firm. 57.7% of voters would like him to leave his position, according to the final results, while 42.5% do not. After the announcement, the value of Dogecoin (DOGE) started to decline.

Dogecoin (DOGE) reached a market high of $0.11172 on December 5; however, since that point, growing sell pressure has led to a 37% decline, which reached a low of $0.07003 on December 19. The current Dogecoin (DOGE) price is $0.07, with a $484 million 24-hour trading volume. In the past 24 hours, Dogecoin (DOGE) is down 4.29%.

On the other hand, Litecoin (LTC) got an upgrade this year with the privacy-based Mimblewimble Extension Blocks (MWEB). This upgrade was completed in May 2022 and increased the currency’s possibility of becoming the preferred payment method for private transactions. This is the biggest upgrade the currency has had this year and has been a major factor in its success.

Snowfall Protocol (SNW) is also performing very well in presale stage 3. The project is a decentralized data marketplace that enables its users to monetize their data. The protocol also offers a privacy-preserving layer that ensures data is kept secure and cannot be shared without the user’s consent. The project has raised over $20 million in its presale, making it one of the most successful presale launches of the year.

Overall, the crypto market is seeing a lot of movement and the future looks promising for the industry. Dogecoin (DOGE) has seen a significant price dip since Elon Musk’s announcement, but it is still up significantly from the beginning of the year. Litecoin (LTC) continues to benefit from its MWEB upgrade, while Snowfall Protocol (SNW) is experiencing a successful presale stage 3. As the industry continues to evolve, the future looks bright for digital currencies.

• VanEck has suspended two Russia ETFs due to a lack of Western investment interest.
• The decision follows the Russian-Ukraine strife and ongoing Western sanctions against Russia.
• VanEck said the Funds’ inability to buy, sell, and take or make delivery of Russian securities has made it impossible to manage the Funds consistent with their investment objectives.

Investment firm VanEck recently announced that it is suspending two Russia exchange-traded funds (ETFs) due to a lack of Western investment interest. The decision follows the Russian-Ukraine strife and ongoing Western sanctions against Russia, which are proving to be a major deterrent to profitability.

VanEck is a New York-based asset manager, and the decision to wind down its Russia ETFs was explained in a press release Wednesday. The statement read: “The Funds’ inability to buy, sell, and take or make delivery of Russian securities has made it impossible to manage the Funds consistent with their investment objectives. The Funds will not engage in any business or investment activities that would be prohibited by law or sanctions of the United States.”

Since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine, the country’s stock market has taken a hit, with Moscow’s stock market closing temporarily. The ongoing Western sanctions against Russia essentially prohibit its major stocks, including Gazprom, from trading in the West. This, combined with the lack of Western investment interest, has caused liquidity issues for the funds.

Due to the prolonged inactivity, VanEck is liquidating its Russia ETFs. The company is also warning investors that, during the liquidation process, the funds may be unable to pay out the full amount of their net assets to shareholders prior to their termination.

VanEck’s decision to suspend the two Russia ETFs is likely to have a ripple effect across the entire sector, as ETFs were some of the most popular ways for investors to get exposure to the Russian market. The situation could also have major implications for the Russian economy, as the lack of Western investment could lead to a downturn in the country’s stock market.

For investors, the news is a reminder of the importance of diversifying their portfolios and remaining vigilant about market developments. With geopolitical tensions continuing to simmer, investors should keep a close eye on the situation and be prepared to adjust their investments accordingly.

• Baidu, a Chinese search engine and tech giant, has secured the first license to test driverless vehicles on the roads of Beijing.
• Baidu has been experimenting with self-driving technologies for the past five years and its Robotaxis have already captured 10% ride-hailing market in the suburbs of Beijing.
• The company is planning to add an additional 200 Robotaxis to its wide network across China over the coming year 2023.

Today, Chinese search engine and tech giant Baidu announced that it has secured the first license to test driverless vehicles on the roads of Beijing. For the past five years, Baidu has been experimenting with self-driving technologies, and its Robotaxis have already captured 10% of the ride-hailing market in the suburbs of Beijing. As a result, the company is planning to add an additional 200 Robotaxis to its wide network across China over the coming year 2023.

Baidu believes that its Robotaxis should eventually cost half of the cost incurred in a commercial car with a driver. Over the last few years, the company has been making strides in the autonomous vehicle industry, and with this new license, it can now officially begin testing its driverless cars on the roads of Beijing. Back in October 2020, Baidu began offering free robotaxi rides in Yizhuang, a suburb of Beijing, and by August 2022, its Robotaxis had already captured 10% of the ride-hailing market in the suburbs of the city.

The license from the Beijing government will allow Baidu to further expand its driverless car tests and make its services more widely available. The company is also planning to introduce new safety measures and protocols in order to ensure the safety of its passengers. In addition, Baidu is working with local authorities in order to develop new regulations and guidelines for Robotaxis, in order to ensure that the company is compliant with local laws.

Baidu’s new license is a major milestone for the autonomous vehicle industry in China, and it shows that the country is becoming increasingly open to the idea of driverless cars. With this new license, Baidu can now look to expand its driverless car testing and make its services more widely available to the public. In the coming years, it will be interesting to see how the company’s robotaxi services evolve and how they will help to shape the future of autonomous vehicles in China.