Since the last C++ DEV Update, a lot of things happened in the engine room which were not really visible to the outside. This post wants to give an overview about what we are currently working on.

Apart from the features side, Bob has been working on a proposed process for re-licensing of the C++ runtime client code to Apache 2.0, as has been mentioned a few times in the past month or two. Expect more news on that very soon.

Eth Unit-Test Mode

Not only because it is essential for being able to perform our Solidity end-to-end tests via IPC, Dimitry Khoklov and others added some new RPC endpoints to the eth client which allow much more flexibility for testing smart contracts. If you use eth –test -d /tmp/test and connect to the ipc port at /tmp/test/geth.ipc (we recommend using ethereum-console for that because it already has these features added) you can:

• change the blockchain parameters (e.g. remove proof of work checking and pre-fund certain accounts)
• mine a certain amount of blocks (at around 30 blocks per second)
• modify the timestamp of the current block (to e.g. test timeouts in your contracts)
• revert the blockchain to a given block number

This allows us to run our currently 305 Solidity end-to-end tests in around 46 seconds on a moderate computer. Each of these tests include at least two (often more) transactions and the same amount of mined blocks.

More information about these features can be found at https://github.com/ethereum/ethereum-console.

Please note that this is currently only available for the binary that is provided via the ubuntu dev ppa.

Virtual Machine Speedup

Greg Colvin spent the last months speeding up the C++ implementation of the EVM interpreter. He harvested what he calls the low-hanging fruits (he worked for Oracle on the Java interpreter before…).   The most important improvements so far have been replacing 256-bit calculations with 64-bit calculations for gas metering, and making sure that no more metering calculations are done for each VM operation than necessary.  These and other changes resulted in the following results for Paweł Bylica’s nascent benchmark suite. The following chart shows the speedup relative to the old cpp ethereum interpreter (cpp int (old)).

To be fair, we have to tell what these benchmarks measure. The first benchmark (where the evmjit goes off the scale with a speedup of 472x) does a million empty loops, and shows how slow the EVM’s computed goto is compared to the direct jump of a JIT – fixing that is next on the stack.  The second benchmark is a bad random number generator that does a million loops with four multiplications and four additions per loop.  It is dominated by 256-bit calculations, so a JIT makes less difference.  (Note that the Go JIT does not compile to native code, but to a faster interpreted representation.)

In practice, these speedups will only be relevant to “number-crunching” contracts because the computation time is otherwise largely dominated by storage access. On the other hand, the “rng” benchmark is quite similar to cryptographic operations which pulls such things further into the realm of actual on-chain implementations.

Paweł Bylica is working on a C-language interface between the virtual machine implementation and the client that hosts it, with the goal of being able to plug different VMs into an Ethereum client. This way, geth can also potentially benefit from our changes to the C++ virtual machine and especially from the LLVM just-in-time compiler.

Note that these changes are not yet released, but they are part of the ubuntu dev ppa.

Remix

Yann Levreau and Liana Husikyan are working on our new EVM debugger remix. We released the alpha version some days ago:

Application – Instructions

For now, you can “only” use it to inspect every single step in the execution of any transaction in the blockchain, look at the current stack, memory and storage contents and see the sequence of instructions. The next step will be to also allow source-level debugging where you can see the current position in the source code, step on line or instruction level and see the decoded values of the variables (instead of only the raw hex values).

The debugger is for you, the community, and we were delighted to hear that etherscan has already integrated Remix into their blockchain explorer.

Repository Reorganisation

Bob Summerwill is dedicated to bringing back C++-Ethereum to its former home, https://github.com/ethereum/cpp-ethereum and thus remove the unnecessary and confusing split into multiple sub-repositories. We are making great progress there, one of the first really visible steps was to decouple the testing infrastructure of Solidity from the virtual machine implementation. The Solidity tests can now be compiled without the virtual machine and they are run by communicating with a specially configured eth process (the one mentioned above) over the regular IPC interface.

The next steps here are to disentangle the rest of the code, modify the test automation and continuous integration accordingly and perform the actual move.

Together with this step, we unfortunately have to say goodbye to Mix and AlethZero (the spirit of mix will live on in the new remix project). The burden they drag along would be too big, because it includes Qt and a tight coupling with Solidity. As already explained in earlier posts, a loose IPC-based coupling of these tools to a small client implementation makes us much more flexible and the community support that comes with a change to JavaScript and Web-based tools like remix and browser-solidity is just overwhelming in comparison.

Formal Verification

We are extending the existing formal verification tools integrated with Solidity to cross-contract calls. This would enable automated proofs that e.g. a recursive call attack is not possible against a certain contract. Also, as why3 (the tool we use to do the heavy lifting) was recently ported to browsers, we can probably expect it to be available right inside browser-solidity and other tools like blockchain explorers!

There is a first proof of concept including explanations that shows how automated verification can be used to show that it is impossible to steal money from a solidity contract, even if recursive calls are allowed.

This proof of concept will hopefully evolve into a usable tool in the next weeks.

Several people from the community and from inside the Foundation are currently working on tools for Solidity or the EVM in general. These include:

1. Solidity AST analysis for warnings by Dave Hoover (@redsquirrel)
2. A Read-Eval-Print version of Solidity by raineorshine: Solidity-repl
3. Control-flow analysis graph also by raineorshine
4. EVM disassembler by Nick Johnson

This week we’re revising the Tech Tree to reflect some new major milestones to Ethereum 1.x R&D that are not quite a complete realization of Stateless Ethereum, but much more reasonably attainable in the mid-term. The most significant addition to the tech tree is Alexey’s reGenesis proposal. This is far from a well-specified upgrade, but the general sentiment from R&D is that reGenesis offers a less dramatic yet much more attainable step towards the ultimate goal of the “fully stateless” vision. In many ways complimentary to reGenesis is a static state network that would help distribute state snapshots and historical chain data in a bittorrent-style DHT-based network. At the same time, more near-term improvements like code merkleization and a binary trie representation of state are getting closer and closer to being EIP-ready. Below, I’ll explain and clarify the changes that have been made, and link to the relevant discussions if you’d like to dive deeper on any particular feature.

Binary Trie

While Ethereum currently uses a hexary Merkle-Patricia Trie to encode state, there are substantial efficiency gains to be had by switching to a binary format, particularly in the anticipated size of witnesses. A complete re-encoding of Ethereum’s state requires the new format to be specified, and a clear strategy for transition. Finally, it needs to be decided whether or not smart contract code will also be merkleized, and if that should be incorporated into the binary trie transition or as a standalone change.

Binary Trie Format

The general idea of a binary trie is a bit simpler (pun intended :)) than Ethereum’s current hexary trie structure. Instead of having one of 16 possible paths to walk from the root of the trie down towards child nodes, a binary trie has 2. With a complete re-specification of the state trie comes additional opportunity to improve upon well-established inefficiencies that have made themselves known now that Ethereum has been in operation for more than 5 years. In particular, it might be an opportunity to make the state much more amenable to the real-world performance challenges of database encoding (outlined in a previous article on state growth).

The discussion on a formal binary trie specification and merkleization rules can be found on ethresearch.

Binary Trie Transition

It’s not just the destination (binary trie format) that’s important, but the journey itself! In an ideal transition there would be no interruption to transaction processing across the nework, which means that clients will need to build the new binary trie at the same time as handling new blocks rolling in every 15 seconds. The transition strategy that continues to look the most promising is dubbed the overlay method, which is based partially on geth’s new snapshotting sync protocol. In short summary, new state changes will be added to the existing (hexary) trie in a binary format, making a sort of binary/hexary hybrid during the transition. The un-touched state is converted as a background process. Once the conversion is complete, the two layers get flattened into a single binary trie.

It’s important to note that the binary transition is one context in which client diversity is very important. Every client will need to either implement their own version of the transition or rely on other clients to convert and wait for the new trie on the other side of conversion. This will definitely be a ‘measure twice, cut once’ sort of situation, with all client teams working together to implement test, and coordinate the switchover. It is possible that in the interest of safety and security, the network will need to briefly suspend service (e.g. mine a few empty blocks) over the course of the transition, but agreeing on any specific plan is too far out to predict at this time.

Code Merkleization

Smart Contract code makes up a significant portion of the Ethereum state trie (around 1 GB of the ~50GB of state). A witness for any smart contract interaction will necessarily have to provide the code it’s interacting with to calculate a codeHash, and that could be quite a lot of extra data. Code Merkleization is a means of splitting up contract code into smaller chunks, and replacing codeHash with the root of another merkle trie. Doing so would allow a witness to replace potentially large portions of smart contract code with reference hashes, shaving off crucial kilobytes of witness data.

There are a few approaches to code merkleization schemes, which range from chunking universally (for example, into 64 byte pieces) on the simple side to more complex methods like static analysis based on Solidity’s functionId or JUMPDEST instructions. The optimal strategy for code merkleization will ultimately rely on what seems to work best with real data collected from mainnet.

reGenesis

The best place to get a handle on the reGenesis proposal is this explanation by @mandrigin or the full proposal by @realLedgerwatch, but the TL;DR is that reGenesis is essentially “spring cleaning for the blockchain”. The full state would be conceptually divided into an ‘active’ and an ‘inactive’ state. Periodically, the entire ‘active’ state would be de-activated and new transactions would start to build an active state again from almost nothing (hence the name “reGenesis”). If a transaction needed an old part of state, it would provide a witness very similar to what would be required for Stateless Ethereum: a Merkle proof proving that the state change is consistent with some piece of inactive state. If a transaction touches an ‘inactive’ portion of the state, it automatically elevates it to ‘active’ (whether or not the transaction is successful) where it remains until the next reGenesis event. This has the nice property of creating some of the economic bounds on state usage that state rent had without actually deleting any state, and allowing transaction sender unable to generate a witness to just blindly keep trying a transaction until everything it touches is ‘active’ again.

The fun part about reGenesis is that it gets Ethereum much closer to the ultimate goal of Stateless, but sidesteps some of the largest challenges with Statelessness, i.e. how witness gas accounting works during EVM execution. It also gets some version of transaction witnesses moving around the network, allowing for leaner, lighter clients and more opportunity for dapp developers to get used to the stateless paradigm and witness production. “True” Statelessness after reGenesis would then be a matter of degree: Stateless Ethereum is really just reGenesis after each and every block.

State Network

A better network protocol has been a ‘side-quest’ on the tech tree from the beginning, but with the addition of reGenesis to the scope of Stateless Ethereum, finding alternative network primitives for sharing Ethereum chain data (including state) now seems to fit a lot better into the main quest. Ethereum’s current network protocol is a monolith, when in fact there are several distinct types of data that could be shared using different ‘sub-networks’ optimized for different things.

Previously, this has been talked about as the “Three Networks” on earlier Stateless calls, with a DHT-based network able to more effectively serve some of the data that doesn’t change from moment to moment. With the introduction of reGenesis, the ‘inactive’ state would fit into this category of unchanging data, and could be theoretically served by a bittorrent-style swarming network instead of piece-by-piece from a fully synced client as is currently done.

A network passing around the un-changing state since the last reGenesis event would be a static state network, and could be built by extending the new Discovery v5.1 spec in the devp2p library (Ethereum’s networking protocol). Previous proposals such as Merry-go-Round sync and the (more mature) SNAP protocol for syncing active state would still be valuable steps toward a fully distributed dynamic state network for clients trying to rapidly sync the full state.

Wrapping up

A more condensed and technical version of every leaf in the Stateless Tech Tree (not just the updated ones) is available on the Stateless Ethereum specs repo, and active discussions on all of the topics covered here are in the Eth1x/2 R&D Discord – please ask for an invite on ethresear.ch if you’d like to join. As always, tweet @gichiba or @JHancock for feedback, questions, and suggestions for new topics.

April 30th, 2025 – Victoria, Seychelles

The exclusive wallets made their debut at the TOKEN2049 event, where attendees had the chance to receive them for free through on-site interactive activities.

This special edition wallet retains the advanced security features of the original Ledger Nano X, while incorporating custom BYDFi design elements, including visual branding and customized packaging. Symbolizing a deep collaboration on user asset protection and Web3 innovation, the wallet is equipped with a secure element chip, supports the offline storage of a wide range of digital assets, and defends against common forms of cyberattack—offering users an enhanced standard of self-custody.

Secure by Design: Ledger x BYDFi Hardware Wallet Makes Its Official Launch

The launch drew large crowds to the BYDFi booth at TOKEN2049, where many attendees successfully received the limited edition wallet by completing live interactions. Designed for secure self-custody, the Ledger x BYDFi wallet gives users full control over their private keys and assets, reducing reliance on centralized platforms and elevating personal asset sovereignty.

Michael, Co-founder of BYDFi, commented at the event:

“TOKEN2049 coincides with BYDFi’s fifth anniversary, making this a milestone moment for us. This collaboration with Ledger reflects our continued commitment to asset security. The limited edition wallet is designed especially for high-net-worth individuals who demand institutional-grade protection for their digital assets.”

Expanding Horizons: BYDFi’s Vision for Global Growth and Market Leadership

In addition to the co-branded wallet, BYDFi showcased its on-chain trading solution, MoonX, at the event. As a flagship product of BYDFi’s “CEX + DEX” dual-engine strategy, MoonX merges the transparency of on-chain execution with the high-speed performance of centralized systems—delivering an ultra-smooth, seamless trading experience tailored to the rising demands of DeFi users.

The launch of MoonX not only expands the boundaries of BYDFi’s trading ecosystem, but also promotes greater diversity in trading methods and empowers users with more choice and flexibility.

Looking ahead, BYDFi will continue to strengthen collaborations with global partners and infrastructure providers, accelerating the deployment of innovative products and further solidifying its global service capabilities.

About Ledger Nano X

The Ledger Nano X is a hardware wallet certified by independent security labs. It features a tamper-proof secure element chip that safely stores users’ private keys. Any unauthorized access attempts trigger a self-destruct mechanism, ensuring maximum protection. Additional features include PIN protection, a 24-word recovery phrase, encrypted Bluetooth connectivity, and hidden wallets accessible via separate PINs—delivering comprehensive security for crypto asset holders.

 More info: https://www.ledger.com

About BYDFi

Founded in 2020, BYDFi has been recognized by Forbes as one of the world’s top 10 crypto exchanges, is officially listed on CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko, and holds MSB licenses in multiple jurisdictions. It is also a member of South Korea’s CODE VASP Alliance.

Today, BYDFi serves users in 190+ countries, with a global user base exceeding 1,000,000. The platform supports spot, perpetual, and on-chain trading, enabling access to over 600 cryptocurrencies and 500,000+ memecoin pairs. BYDFi is committed to delivering a world-class crypto trading experience. BUIDL Your Dream Finance.

• Website: https://www.bydfi.com
• Support Email: cs@bydfi.com
• Business Partnerships: bd@bydfi.com
• Media Inquiries: media@bydfi.com

Twitter( X )| LinkedIn| Facebook | Telegram| YouTube

Contact

Senior Marketing Director
Chloe
BYDFi Fintech LTD
chloe@bydfi.com

Recap: Playing modern high-end games on handheld devices, even with technical compromises, was considered impossible before the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck arrived. Their success has likely inspired Sony and Microsoft: the latter plans to leverage the emerging handheld PC market, and reports indicate a handheld companion to the PlayStation 6 is in the works.

A prolific leaker recently provided basic hardware specs indicating that a rumored portable companion to the PlayStation 6 is significantly weaker than the company’s current console. If the information proves accurate, it might conflict with prior reports that a handheld device designed to play PlayStation 5 games is in early development.

Late last year, Bloomberg reported that the project is likely years away from launch, and Sony might still decide against releasing it. It would build upon the PlayStation Portal – a successful handheld designed to stream PS5 software – to compete with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

According to KeplerL2, Sony’s device will use a 3nm SoC that draws 15W, likely falling far short of the horsepower to play PS5 games natively. However, those specs could significantly outperform today’s handhelds. In comparison, the Steam Deck utilizes a 6nm 15W APU, the Asus ROG Ally X employs a 4nm chip that can reach 30W, and the Switch 2 runs on an 8nm SoC at an unspecified wattage. In light of this, developers could conceivably patch PS5 games to add “portable” modes for a new Sony handheld.

The recent rumors support Kepler’s earlier leaks, which indicated that Sony is developing two SoCs for the PlayStation 6, one of which could power a portable variant. The designs, set for A0 tapeout later this year, utilize AMD’s upcoming Zen 6 and UDNA architectures.

Zen 6 CPUs will mostly utilize 3nm transistors but might also incorporate components based on a 2nm node and are expected to debut in consumer PCs next year, with the PS6 following in 2027 or 2028. Meanwhile, UDNA will succeed RDNA 4 graphics.

Microsoft also reportedly plans to release a new console in 2027, and an Xbox-branded handheld gaming PC is expected to emerge later this year. The portable device, codenamed “Keenan,” will likely include functionality resembling the Asus ROG Ally but feature Microsoft’s design language and introduce a handheld-oriented user interface for Windows. The company aims to combine “the best” of Xbox and Windows but hasn’t specified how, igniting speculation that its future devices might land somewhere between PCs and consoles, similar to the Steam Deck.

Let’s just get this out of the way — there are so many mobile controllers at your disposal that we probably don’t actually need anymore. Especially if it’s just a one-off or one with a different color compared to what was originally released.

That being said, an exception should be made for controllers and other peripherals that hit that nostalgia bone in the right way. Such is the case with the Backbone One: Xbox Edition, which came as a surprise announcement on a random Thursday in March.

The Backbone One was originally launched all the way back in 2020. Then, an updated iteration landed in 2023, implementing a few improvements while also arriving after Apple made the switch from Lightning to USB-C and introducing the PlayStation Edition.

Fast forward to 2025, and there’s now an Xbox Edition, but it doesn’t just slap lipstick on and call itself a by different name. Backbone worked with Microsoft to bring us a controller with the same Translucent Green color scheme as the original Halo Special Edition Xbox. And it looks simply incredible.

While the PlayStation Edition ditches the ABXY buttons to match up with the shapes on the DualSense controller, you won’t find a dedicated PlayStation button. On this latest iteration, the “Capture” button has been (somewhat) surprisingly replaced by an Xbox logo. I say somewhat because I can only assume that this was probably one of Microsoft’s requirements before signing off on such a collaboration.

It would’ve been awesome to have the original Xbox logo, but let’s be honest; it’s not like there’s really much real estate to work with here. Plus, who cares?!? I seriously haven’t been this excited about a controller since Nintendo started releasing modern versions of its classic controllers.

While my excitement levels are off the charts, Backbone isn’t the only company working with Microsoft on similar collaborations. Earlier this year, 8Bitdo released the Retro 87 keyboard and Retro R8 Mouse, both of which are also equipped with the same Translucent Green shell from the original Xbox.

8Bitdo also added a bit of extra flair, as the directional keys are translucent and aim to match up with the ABXY colors from the Duke. Now, I want to see what other accessory makers can come up with, provided that devices or accessories are created with some guidance from Microsoft.

That last little bit is important, as it’s not like the idea of attempting to invoke nostalgia is new. Far from it. However, most of the time, there’s a difference when a company just tries to do something on its own versus when it’s able to work with whatever company made the original. And I can’t help but feel like that shows very well here.

Last year, Sony refreshed its lineup of devices to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original PlayStation. Unfortunately, I missed out on getting my hands on any of those before the scalpers got there, but I keep thinking about how it was also a missed opportunity. Imagining a Backbone One styled like the 30th anniversary DualSense would be simply incredible, and you can bet the house that I would have tried to buy one.

Just like how I immediately ordered the new Xbox Edition as soon as I saw that it was announced.

If you’ve ever experienced the thrill of playing classic Atari games—or if you’re simply curious about how Web3 is redefining collectibles—you’re in for a treat. Atari has teamed up with a new blockchain-powered marketplace called DYLI to release 500 limited-edition physical patch packs, each linked to a redeemable NFT. In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating story behind Atari’s shift into blockchain, explain how these special patches work, and help you decide if they’re worth adding to your collection.

Why Atari’s Latest Blockchain Venture Matters

Picture yourself back in the 1980s, grinning ear to ear as you slam a joystick back and forth, trying to set a new record in Asteroids or Breakout. Atari was king of the arcade, and the brand came to symbolize a golden era of gaming. Decades later, Atari is making waves again—but not with a new console. Instead, it’s harnessing blockchain technology to keep its retro charm alive while embracing the future of digital ownership.

In this guide, you’ll learn why Atari’s collaboration with DYLI stands out among the latest Web3 projects. We’ll go step-by-step through everything you need to know—from how blockchain can ensure authenticity of collectibles to the thrill of unboxing a physical patch that could be signed by Atari founder Nolan Bushnell himself.

Atari’s Web3 Evolution

Atari didn’t jump into blockchain overnight. In fact, the company first tested the waters in 2018 by introducing a cryptocurrency called ATRI. While ATRI faced its share of bumps in the road, it showcased Atari’s willingness to explore new technology. By 2022, Atari had consolidated its Web3 initiatives under something called Atari X, an umbrella project that manages the company’s crypto and NFT experiments.

Since then, Atari has collaborated with well-known industry players such as Coinbase, Enjin, and The Sandbox to bring beloved games like Asteroids and Breakout onto blockchain platforms. Though Atari encountered a few hurdles along the way—like early regulatory challenges with ATRI—the brand showed impressive resilience, continuing to innovate even when things got tough.

Key Milestones

• 2018: Launch of the ATRI token, marking Atari’s first big move into crypto.

• 2022: Unveiling of Atari X, a unifying hub for the company’s NFT and blockchain efforts.

• Partnerships: Building NFT experiences with Enjin and bringing classic games to Coinbase’s Layer-2 blockchain, Base.

• OnChain Arcade: A program that turns retro Atari games into interactive blockchain experiences with features like NFT leaderboards.

These accomplishments set the stage for the latest collaboration between Atari and DYLI—a limited-edition patch pack drop that blends physical merchandise with blockchain-based authenticity.

What Is DYLI (Do You Like It?)

DYLI is an emerging social e-commerce platform built to make collecting and trading items in both the physical and digital realms more user-friendly. The name stands for “Do You Like It?,” reflecting the platform’s goal of making NFTs more approachable and fun for everyone. DYLI accomplishes this by hosting unique “drops” that combine nostalgia, pop culture, and blockchain technology into a single experience.

DYLI is powered by Abstract Chain, an upcoming Layer-2 (L2) solution on Ethereum. If you’re new to blockchain terms, think of a Layer-2 as a network built on top of Ethereum that speeds up transactions and reduces fees. That means when you buy or sell something on DYLI, you won’t have to pay hefty gas fees or deal with sluggish transaction times. Instead, Abstract Chain handles these transactions off Ethereum’s main network and then finalizes them efficiently on the main chain.

One of the major goals of DYLI is user-friendly NFT adoption. Traditional NFT platforms can be overwhelming, especially for someone just dipping their toes into crypto. DYLI streamlines this process by integrating a built-in wallet (powered by a service called Privy) and covering gas fees for its users. This makes it much easier for newbies to buy and trade collectibles without having to mess with multiple wallet setups or complicated payment processes.

Inside the Limited-Edition Patch Packs

There are 500 patch packs available, each costing $15. Inside each pack, you’ll discover:

• One of Seven Brand-New Atari Patches: Fresh designs that pay tribute to Atari’s gaming roots while blending modern flair.

• Rare Vintage Patches from the 1980s: Some packs contain a genuine piece of Atari history.

• Bonus Surprises: A few special packs come with stickers, gift cards, or other hidden treats.

• The Holy Grail (Signed Patch): One lucky buyer will find a patch signed by Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari.

It’s a bit like opening a blind box or a booster pack of trading cards—you won’t know exactly which design or extras you’ll get until you purchase it (and redeem the physical version).

Each pack costs $15, which is reasonable in the NFT market where prices can reach the thousands. There is a limited run of 500 packs, meaning that if demand exceeds supply, scarcity could drive their value up in the secondary market.

Once you buy a patch pack NFT on DYLI, you can hold it in your DYLI wallet indefinitely or even flip it on DYLI’s secondary marketplace if you think the hype will grow. But the real thrill comes from redeeming it physically. When you do, that’s when you discover if you landed a brand-new patch design or one of the vintage gems. Bonus items, like gift cards or the super-rare signed patch, remain hidden until you open the real-world package.

How DYLI Redeemable NFTs Work

A redeemable NFT is like a digital ticket that represents a real-world item. When you purchase your patch pack on DYLI, you receive an NFT that proves you’re the owner of that specific physical pack. You can keep that NFT, trade it with others on the marketplace, or eventually exchange it for the actual patch you can hold in your hands.

One of the biggest barriers for newcomers to NFTs is dealing with “gas fees.” These fees are the costs paid to blockchain miners or validators for processing transactions. DYLI solves this by covering all transaction fees on Abstract Chain. Think of it like going to a store where the merchant pays for shipping. You get your item without any hidden costs.

This approach is powered by something called “native paymasters,” which automatically pay for your transactions on the network. The result? You can focus on enjoying collectibles instead of worrying about how much each click on the blockchain will cost.

Collectors love scarcity and exclusivity. Because these patch packs are limited to 500 units, they could become hot commodities, especially once people start opening them and revealing which patches they got. The fact that you can trade the unopened NFT means it retains a sense of mystery—like a sealed pack of rare trading cards—and that can drive up demand.

Atari’s Broader Strategy

This patch pack release is just one part of Atari’s broader plan to bridge nostalgia with modern blockchain technology. Under the Atari X program, the company has been rolling out ideas that breathe new life into classic games. For instance, Asteroids and Breakout got an upgrade on Coinbase’s Layer-2 network, Base, complete with NFT-based leaderboards and prizes. It’s a clever way to engage both hardcore retro gamers and new fans eager to collect digital rewards.

Atari isn’t the only big name exploring Web3. Sega has partnered with Oasys to bring titles like Sangokushi Taisen onto the blockchain, and Ubisoft is launching its own blockchain-based game, Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles. But Atari is doing something different. Instead of just focusing on games, it’s going after the whole NFT spectrum—from digital game assets to physical collectibles that link back to the chain.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Secure Your Atari x DYLI Patch Pack

Ready to get one for yourself? Here’s how:

Pre-Launch Registration

1. Go to DYLI’s Website: Look for the Atari patch pack promo or sign up link.

2. Create an Account: DYLI will ask you to sign up with your email or social media.

3. Set Up Your DYLI Wallet: A wallet is like your personal storage space on the blockchain. Don’t worry—DYLI’s built-in wallet makes this easy. No prior crypto experience is needed.

Wallet Setup

• Powered by Privy: This wallet service specializes in making blockchain use simple and secure.

• Compatible With USDC: USDC is a type of stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar, so you won’t have to guess how much your crypto is worth.

• Gas-Free Convenience: Because DYLI covers transaction fees, you won’t need to keep Ether (ETH) or any other token in your wallet to cover gas costs.

Purchase & Redemption

1. Buy the Patch Pack: Each pack costs $15. You’ll see a “Buy” button once the drop goes live.

2. Receive Your NFT: Instantly, you’ll get a redeemable NFT in your wallet showing that you own one of the 500 packs.

3. Hold or Trade: You can keep your NFT sealed, or you can head over to DYLI’s secondary marketplace to sell or trade it with other collectors.

4. Redeem Physically: When you’re ready, hit “Redeem.” DYLI will prompt you for a shipping address, and they’ll send the physical patch pack to your door.

5. Open and Enjoy: Here’s the best part—unboxing your patch pack to see which design you got, whether you scored bonus items, and if you found that elusive Nolan Bushnell signed patch.

The Future of Physical-Digital Collectibles

Physical items that are tied to NFTs solve a major authenticity problem. For decades, collectors have worried about counterfeits—from fake baseball cards to knockoff sneakers. But with an NFT, it’s easy to verify who the original owner was, when it was sold, and how many copies exist.

This “digital deed of ownership” could transform how we buy and sell collectibles. Imagine verifying the authenticity of a vintage console or a rare comic book with just a few clicks on the blockchain. Atari’s patch packs are a small but important step in this direction.

If this patch pack sale is successful, it could spark a trend for other gaming and retail brands. Major companies might start releasing limited-edition sneakers, art prints, or action figures that come with blockchain certificates of authenticity. This could encourage mainstream adoption of Web3 tools and provide more transparent, trustless marketplaces for all kinds of merchandise.

• Tyler Drewitz (Atari): “Web3 is the future of gaming and technology. We’re blending legacy with modern solutions to push boundaries.”

• Alex Needelman (DYLI Founder): “Partner drops will help onboard the next million users into Web3. We want to make NFT collecting as simple and exciting as grabbing a limited-run product from your favorite online store.”

A quick scan of Twitter (now called X), Discord and Reddit shows a lot of excitement around the patch packs. Fans are sharing which designs they want to see, speculating on resale value and sharing their hype to own a piece of Atari history.

Collecting Nostalgia in a Web3 World

If you’re an Atari fan, a blockchain enthusiast or just someone who loves exclusive merch, these limited edition patch packs are a new mix of nostalgia and innovation. For collectors who like physical items but also see value in verifiable digital ownership. The Atari x DYLI partnership shows how we’re thinking about collectibles: no longer just physical objects but experiences that can live on your shelf and on the blockchain.

Whether you want to wear it on your denim jacket or stash it away as an investment, this is your chance to get in on the ground floor of memorabilia. As Atari continues to explore Web3, we’ll see even more retro gaming innovation for old school fans and newbies alike. So, what are you waiting for? Level up your collection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What makes these patch packs different from regular Atari merchandise?

These patches are tied to redeemable NFTs, which provide a secure, verifiable digital ownership record. Plus, each pack carries a bit of mystery—you won’t know which patch design you get until you redeem it physically.

2. How do I trade or sell my patch pack NFT?

You can use DYLI’s secondary marketplace. Your unopened patch pack NFT can be listed for sale or traded at any point before you redeem it for the physical version.

3. Is there a time limit to redeem the physical patch?

No official time limit has been announced. However, it’s wise to redeem sooner rather than later to ensure you receive your patch without any unexpected delays.

4. Is this Atari’s first NFT collaboration?

No. Atari has been experimenting with NFTs and crypto since 2018, with projects like the ATRI token and OnChain Arcade. However, the patch packs bring a new twist by merging physical items with blockchain verification.

5. What is Abstract Chain and why is it relevant?

Abstract Chain is a Layer-2 scaling network for Ethereum. It processes transactions faster and at lower cost, allowing DYLI to provide gas-free purchases and redemptions for users. This technology helps make NFT collecting more accessible to everyone.

Editor’s note: This article was written with the assistance of AI. Edited and fact-checked by Owen Skelton.