Coinbase unveiled a developer-focused wallet that automatically activates 4.1% rewards on USDC balances.

Called Coinbase Developer Platform (CDP) Embedded Wallets, the product is part of and is aimed at giving builders the same secure, scalable infrastructure that powers millions of Coinbase accounts, according to an August 5 announcement.

CDP Embedded Wallets support Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible chains and Solana, pairing “web2-style” logins via email, SMS, and OAuth with self-custody. 

Keys are secured in trusted execution environments (TEEs), while developers can define policies and plug into a unified toolkit for onramps, swaps, transfers, balances, staking, and rewards. 

Coinbase says developers can create brandable wallets in under 200ms, then monetize idle balances via the native 4.1% USDC rewards.

Early use cases include remittances, payment links, DeFi marketplaces, B2B payroll, creator payouts, and gaming with on-chain assets and free USDC sends on Base.

As part of the beta, Coinbase Onramp customers can use Embedded Wallets at no cost through September 30.

US stablecoin clarity propels movement

Coinbase ties the launch to fresh US policy momentum on stablecoins. The GENIUS Act cleared the House on July 17. It was signed into law on July 18, establishing the first federal framework for dollar-backed stablecoins and signaling regulatory support for “faster, cheaper” payments. 

The House also passed the CLARITY Act the same day, sending it to the Senate. The CLARITY Act would create a regulatory regime for digital assets other than stablecoins and give the CFTC sole authority over transactions in digital commodities.

With that backdrop, Coinbase says developers are moving quickly to build on stablecoin-native rails, and the wallet’s auto-rewarding USDC feature is positioned to ride that shift.

Coinbase frames CDP Embedded Wallets as a way to cut integration overhead, replacing stitched-together APIs with a single stack while keeping users in a non-custodial flow.

For builders, the proposition offers a faster path to market, complete with familiar logins, end-to-end onboarding, and built-in yield on idle USDC.

Mentioned in this article

San Diego Comic-Con is in full swing, and Google is back with another fun experience for attendees. Last year, the company had a whole Ferris wheel setup, but this time around, the experience is much more immersive, thanks to a collaboration with Monopoly Go! and Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which hits theaters on July 25.

Visitors will be able to take their first steps into the Google Play Rewards Lab, with unique experiences related to each of the members of the Fantastic Four. However, Google also has some rewards for members who aren’t able to experience the Rewards Lab in person.

Taking your first steps

The Google Play Rewards Lab was all about letting you experience what it’s like to be a member of the Fantastic Four. You step onto a conveyor belt that leads you into each of the four pods with four very different experiences.

The first experience was inside the Stretch pod, after Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic. Here, you get to play a game where you try to catch Play Store rewards points utilizing touch pads to control Mister Fantastic’s stretched arms. The goal is to score a certain number of points within a given time.

Image 1 of 2

The second pod is perhaps my favorite, and it’s the Force Field pod. Here, you can hone your inner Sue Storm, aka The Invisible Woman, who is able to create and manipulate force fields.

This pod won’t let you turn invisible, but it will let you manipulate a display of cascading lights with your hands. The lights change colors and move in response to your hands, allowing you to create a variety of figures and images.

Image 1 of 2

The third pod is the Strength pod, which is probably my second favorite area. Here, you can have your own Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, moment and clobber the floor with your feet. You can team up with a few other people to stomp on the digital display on the floor from four different corners of the room, which will crumble beneath your feet to reveal a rather cool (and somewhat disorienting) display.

There are several levels to complete, which means smashing through a few surfaces. Once you smash through enough of the floor, you’ll be rewarded with a special honor for saving the day.

Image 1 of 4

Finally, the last pod was the Fire pod for the fiery Johnny Storm, aka Human Torch. Here, you can “flame on” and become the Human Torch by shooting a video of yourself flying in the air. Your video will be inserted into a clip from the new film, which you can then preview and even send to yourself to share with your friends or on social media.

You can see my video below:

You can stop by the Rewards Lab outside the San Diego Convention Center starting July 24, and you’ll even get prioritized entry and other rewards if you’re a Google Play Points member.

Perks for everyone

If you’re unable to attend San Diego Comic-Con for the full experience, don’t worry, because Google is offering everyone a chance to get in on some rewards. Thanks to the collaboration with Monopoly Go!, players can grab a limited-edition Fantastic Four in-game rewards in the form of an exclusive The Thing Tea Emoji for U.S. players. This can be added to their showrooms, and users can also use it to react to other players.

Furthermore, Google is letting Play Points members redeem their points for other exclusives, such as a Fantastic Four Fan Pack, an enamel The Thing pin, a signed comic book, and even a Citizen watch.

Image 1 of 2

Google’s Four Days of Fantastic Rewards is available from July 24 to 27, while the exclusive in-game Monopoly Go! reward will be available until August 4, which you can redeem over on the Play Store.

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How liquid staking and restaking are reshaping the DeFi landscape in 2025

Since its inception, the DeFi (decentralized finance) ecosystem has transformed unbelievably, with staking mechanisms evolving and no longer existing in the simple form of receiving PoS (proof-of-stake) rewards, as they are currently being advanced as quite elaborate yield-generating schemes.

The rise of liquid staking and restaking protocols is one of the essential DeFi trends of 2025, as the technology transforms how users engage with blockchains to get rewards and obtain returns.

Difficulty in registering disasters and disaster gaps filling the traditional staking bottleneck

Despite its role as the basis of PoS networks, classical staking has long entailed two potential costs – its users have to give up liquidity by locking the tokens to provide their network with security and earn remuneration in society.

Such a constraint has always kept other investors outside the process of staking, especially those interested in having the freedom of selling or frequently using their resources, like in other DeFi services and protocols.

As DeFi transitioned into a mature product, the problem was even more imminent.

The users were forced to either stake to receive the staking rewards or engage in other yield-generating ones, such as lending, borrowing or supplying liquidity to DEXs (decentralized exchanges).

To a large extent, this type of either-or situation left too much value at the table, resulting in inefficient use of capital throughout the ecosystem.

That is the liquid staking revolution.

Liquid staking was created to solve this dilemma elegantly and enable the user to stake their tokens and maintain liquid derivative tokens reflecting their stake.

These LSTs (liquid staking tokens) are freely tradable. They can be secured as collateral or create leverage in other DeFi protocols, thus removing what is known as the liquidity penalty of traditional staking.

This idea became popular with protocols like Lido Finance that offered stETH (staked Ethereum) as a fluid version of staked ETH.

This new technology made the possible use cases and yield strategies floodgates.

By now, users could stake ETH and in return, get their teeth – then use it in DeFi solutions like providing liquidity on DEXs, gaining more rewards by lending protocols or following other DeFi ideas.

The implications have been enormous.

These protocols boosted the overall security of the network by allowing staked assets to be withdrawn when a stake was less likely to be attacked by a lazy observer, since this raised the number of people staking – thus making the network more secure – and because it added capital to the DeFi ecosystem by making more capital available to be staked and therefore used by all the protocols available.

The new frontier – restaking

Restaking has become the logical upgrade based on the effectiveness of liquid staking.

With restaking, the users may increase the security assurances of their collateral possessions to cover other blockchain services and protocols and earn other payoffs simultaneously.

EigenLayer is one of the first to enter this market, and they have developed what some are referring to as a paradigm shift in how blockchain security is handled.

Instead of having each new protocol require booting up its security, restaking enables sharing staked assets to secure many services via a single staking set.

That makes the security model more efficient and gives stakes more revenue opportunities.

The technology does not end at that point. The LRTs (liquid restaking tokens) are a second layer of such an ecosystem and enable the liquidity of restated positions in the same way LSTs enable traditional staking.

This forms a compound effect where users can obtain rewards generated by a single source while keeping their liquidity and capability to engage in other DeFi processes.

The awakening of the institution

The fact that more and more institutions have become interested in the DeFi staking mechanisms was perhaps the most critical development in 2025.

DeFi has been used to define many of the current financial services based in the traditional financial world, but they are becoming more open to the value proposition of these developed staking tactics.

Several factors are causing the shift.

First, the regulatory climate has improved, and some straightforward rules are crystallizing regarding the staking of digital assets and DeFi engagement.

Second, the infrastructure has become highly mature, and forms of institutional-grade custody and compliance tools allow traditional finance to enter the space more safely.

Leading financial institutions have stopped seeing DeFi as a speculative turf and instead see it as a plausible yield source that can supplement conventional investment.

The fact that liquid staking and restaking protocols allow for the earning of many incomes – keeping the option of moving the positions due to varying market realities – fits the practices of institutional risk management.

Risks and its considerations and challenges

Along with the thrilling prospects, the development of staking procedures has given rise to new risks that one will have to pay close attention to.

The risk of smart contracts has also been compounded, given that people are dealing with more complex protocols.

All abstractions between liquid staking, restaking and liquid restaking introduce possible sources of failure.

There are more nuances to slashing risks. In classical staking, users are subjected to cuts due to validator malpractices on an individual network.

When restaking, these risks add on top of each other on various services and protocols. When a validator is malicious when securing more than one network by staking, the fines may even be more drastic.

The complexity of such systems also causes new types of systemic risk. The more capital that flows into interconnected staking protocols, the greater the chance of an escalating failure.

The potential effects of a serious problem with one of the largest liquid staking providers on the DeFi ecosystem are huge.

To the future – Future of yield

This path of the development of DeFi staking speaks of the idea that we are just at the beginning of a paradigm shift, like blockchain networks secured and rewarded to users.

The concept of yield staking – the possibility to earn more than one source of income on one underlying asset – is becoming more advanced.

Further advancements can also involve cross-chain restaking when the value staked on the first blockchain can be used to secure the services on the other chains.

This would make the multi-chain ecosystem even more intertwined and efficient and present users with even more varied sources of revenue.

There is also a high probability that integrating traditional finance with such DeFi mechanisms will speed up.

There is a potential to create new financial instruments to offer the DeFi rates to the conventional investment portfolio as institutions gain more comfort with the risk-reward curves of more advanced staking strategies.

Clarity of regulation will remain extremely important to this evolution.

The more lawmakers and regulatory authorities have an insight into the inner workings of these systems, the more guidelines of ease or restriction may emerge that can either speed up the use of these mechanisms or narrow down how they evolve.

Conclusion

The development of simple staking to more sophisticated yield-generation strategies is an evolution of technology and a paradigm shift in our capital efficiency and blockchain security models.

By removing the trade-offs that restricted stake participation in the past, liquid staking and restaking protocols are opening up new opportunities for individual and institutional investors.

As these mechanisms keep maturing and becoming mainstream, they are bound to play a focal role in the overall transformation of the financial system.

It is possible to have several income streams in one asset, remain liquid and be a part of a larger system of financial services, which has a strong appeal to the point where conventional finance is finding it difficult to ignore.

The critical point is that the participants should clearly view the risks and rewards of these opportunities.

New optics in DeFi will create a new opportunity, and whoever best understands how to operate in the complexity and manage the risks will be in the best situation to take advantage of this new paradigm.

Erick Otieno Odhiambo is a full-stack developer freelancing for crypto-based projects and blogs, with a strong interest in blockchain technology. He has years of experience in software development and creating content. His goal is to teach and encourage with well-researched stories about Web 3.0.

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June 20th, 2025 – Dubai, UAE

In the rapidly evolving Web3 landscape, Meta Earth is carving a bold path with ME Network 2.0, a modular blockchain ecosystem designed to redefine decentralized economies.

Launched on May 19, 2025, at block height 6,624,500, this upgrade marks the Odyssey phase, a pivotal moment of technical breakthroughs and community-driven growth. With a robust suite of technical advancements, generous Airdrop rewards, enhanced ME Pass 3.0 features, and a lineup of high-profile 2025 events, Meta Earth is inviting users worldwide to join its transformative journey. Here’s why ME Network 2.0 marks a pivotal shift—and what it means for those looking to participate.

ME Network 2.0: A Technical Powerhouse

ME Network 2.0 introduces a modular architecture that decouples the execution layer (RollApp), settlement layer (ME-Hub), and data availability layer (ME-DA), delivering unmatched scalability, security, and ecosystem compatibility. This three-layer design enables sovereign Rollup chains to process transactions in parallel with customizable virtual machines (EVM/WASM), slashing storage costs by 98% through data availability sampling (DAS) and 2D erasure coding. The result is skyrocketing throughput, optimized costs, and rapid iteration for decentralized applications (DApps).

The network’s economic model is equally revolutionary. MEC, the native token, unifies all layers, with cross-chain mappings (MEC-CI for RollApp gas fees and governance, MEC-DA for the data layer) replacing native tokens to create a closed value loop. Users pay only local RollApp gas fees, while Sequencers handle cross-layer costs, streamlining transactions. The decentralized Sequencer network, powered by CometBFT consensus, enhances security with slashing mechanisms for malicious nodes, fraud proofs, and zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) compression via the Groth16 algorithm, cutting gas costs by 90%. A Watch Relayer monitors anomalies in real time, ensuring robust protection.

Cross-chain communication is another standout feature. The Multi-Blockchain Communication (MBC) protocol addresses Optimistic Rollup pain points, enabling instant withdrawals through market maker prepayments and incentivizing fraud detection. EVM compatibility, via Ethermint integration, supports Solidity 0.6.0–0.8.17 and tools like MetaMask, while dual EVM/WASM virtual machines bridge Ethereum and Cosmos ecosystems. A DID-based identity system stores only certificate hashes on-chain, encrypting private data off-chain for privacy and enabling cross-chain verification.

Additional improvements include dynamic gas pricing to counter Sybil attacks, optimized relayers for trustless communication, and enhanced security requiring two-thirds honest nodes. The ME-DA layer’s initial validator nodes, staked with 552,900 MEC from regional treasuries (India, China, ME_EARTH, USA), underscore community-driven governance, with future allocations guided by transparent DAO proposals. These advancements position ME Network 2.0 as a scalable, secure foundation for the next generation of Web3 applications.

Airdrop Rewards: Embarking on the Odyssey

ME Network 2.0 Odyssey isn’t just about technology—it’s about empowering users. Meta Earth’s Airdrop reward system, accessible via ME Pass, offers six ways to earn MEC, catering to both novices and veterans:

• Unconditional Basic Income (UBI): Users who complete KYC for their ME ID receive 1 permanently staked MEC, yielding daily passive income at 12.5% APY. Verification must be completed in ME Pass to begin earning.
• Daily Check-In Rewards: Users can check in daily to earn MEC—starting at 0.0001 MEC (gas-free for the first check-in), increasing by 0.0001 MEC/day to a cap of 0.003 MEC/day (30x). Missed check-ins can be made up within 7 days for a small fee.
• Staking Rewards: MEC can be staked in ME Pass’s “Assets” section, with a 360-day lock offering up to 25% APY. Flexible lock periods are also available for tailored returns.
• Community Rewards: Joining any Meta Earth node community for a one-time 0.01 MEC reward, enabling users to integrate into the broader ecosystem.
• Referral Rewards: By sharing a ME Pass invite link, users earn 0.1 MEC per new user who completes KYC.
• Monthly Airdrop: ME ID holders automatically receive 0.01 MEC monthly, deposited directly into their ME Pass wallet.

These rewards make participation rewarding and inclusive, encouraging users to grow their MEC holdings while fueling ecosystem expansion.

ME Pass 3.0: The Gateway to Web3

ME Pass 3.0, the cornerstone of user interaction, has been revamped to enhance the Web3 experience. Its sleek new UI offers seamless navigation, while bolstered security features, including multi-factor authentication and passkey setup, protect users’ assets. Users can now manage NFTs—displaying, transferring, and browsing collections—directly in the app. Cross-chain transactions between the ME-Hub and RollApps streamline asset movement, and a new “Explore” section introduces ME Mini-Programs and an app marketplace for richer content discovery. Community features like real-time messaging, large group chats, and end-to-end encryption foster engagement, making ME Pass 3.0 a powerful tool for Web3 exploration.

2025: Discovering Meta Earth Offline

Meta Earth is taking its vision global with a series of high-profile offline events in 2025, offering opportunities to connect with the community and explore ME Network 2.0 firsthand:

• Istanbul Blockchain Week (June): Attendees can join the event in Turkey for insights into Web3 innovation.
• WebX Asia 2025, Tokyo, Japan (August): Participants will have the opportunity to explore Meta Earth’s latest advancements in Asia’s leading crypto hub.
• TOKEN2049, Singapore (October): A premier gathering to connect with global Web3 leaders and explore emerging trends in the space.

These events will feature demos, workshops, and networking, showcasing Meta Earth’s technology and rewarding opportunities. Stay tuned for details on how to participate.

About Meta Earth

ME Network 2.0’s technical prowess—modular scalability, cost efficiency, and cross-chain interoperability—sets a new standard for decentralized networks. Coupled with inclusive Airdrop rewards and an intuitive ME Pass 3.0, Meta Earth is democratizing Web3 access. As MEC demand grows with ecosystem expansion, its deflationary model and diverse use cases (staking, fees, storage) promise long-term value appreciation.

To Get Involved Today: Users can download the ME Pass, complete KYC to unlock rewards, and join the Meta Earth community for updates. Users and welcome to join their 2025 events to experience the future of Web3 firsthand. With Meta Earth, it’s ME, My Way!

Stay Connected with Meta Earth

Users can stay updated on Meta Earth’s official social media and communities for the latest information:

Website?X?Telegram ?Discord? Instagram? Youtube ?TikTok? Linkedin

Contact

BD Manager
Penny
Meta Earth
bd@mec.me

In the world of Web3 gaming, early access is no longer just about bug testing—it’s about building thriving, invested communities from day one. Rather than sending out generic invite codes or opening the floodgates to everyone, many projects are turning to token-gated betas (see our complete guide to token-gating in Web3): private, NFT-powered trials that reward participation and amplify community involvement.

By combining digital ownership with smart community tools and in-game incentives, developers can create a Web3 game beta experience that feels exclusive, rewarding, and aligned with the long-term goals of the project.

This guide breaks down how to launch your own token-gated beta—from the tech stack to the community strategy that will keep testers engaged.

Key Takeaways

• Use NFTs as digital keys for exclusive beta access.

• Sync NFT ownership with Discord gated channels.

• Reward players with rare cosmetics, soulbound tokens, or even future revenue shares.

• Break your beta launch into three clear phases: Pre-Launch, Minting, and Activation.

• Leverage tools to launch token-gated beta like Collab.Land, Sequence Builder, and Moralis.

Key Components of a Token-Gated Beta

1. NFT-Based Access Control

Turn Access Into Ownership

Traditional betas often struggle to control who participates and how to engage them. By using NFTs as access passes, developers can not only limit entry but also give players a digital badge of participation that holds long-term value.

How It Works

Each player must own a specific NFT to join the beta. These NFTs can have different traits—like rarity levels or expiry dates—to create tiers of access and scarcity.

If you’re new to NFT creation, check out our guide on how to generate a full NFT collection using AI tools.

Steps to Implement

• Mint a limited collection of access NFTs (e.g., 1,000 units).

• Include utility-based metadata such as access duration or unlockable content.

• Integrate wallet verification (via MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet) on your game’s beta portal or website.

For instance, Ubisoft’s Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. offered NFT beta access, successfully driving exclusivity and early interest among fans.

2. Discord Integration for Community Building

Build a Real-Time Community Hub

A beta isn’t just about testing bugs—it’s about feedback, community bonding, and iteration. Discord is the preferred platform for Web3 projects, but managing exclusive access manually is unsustainable.

How It Works

You can automate access to Discord gated channels based on NFT ownership. This creates a structured space where only verified holders can join key conversations.

Steps to Implement

• Set up private channels (e.g., #beta-testers, #feedback, #events).

• Use a bot like Collab.Land or MEE6 to verify wallet ownership and assign roles.

• Run regular community events—AMA sessions, dev updates, or sneak peeks—to keep members engaged.

Benefits

• Create a feedback loop between devs and players.

• Maintain a tight-knit, engaged testing group.

• Reward active testers with shout-outs or exclusive perks.

3. In-Game Rewards and Incentives

Make Feedback Feel Rewarding

Players who help shape your game deserve more than a thank-you. Web3 enables unique reward mechanics that link directly to wallets and on-chain activity, adding real value to participation.

Reward Types

• Exclusive Items: NFTs tied to cosmetic upgrades (e.g., rare skins, weapons).

• Soulbound Tokens (SBTs): Non-transferable tokens earned by reporting bugs, completing tasks, or attending beta events.

• Monetization Perks: Beta NFTs can evolve to offer airdrops or a share of future in-game earnings.

How to Execute

• Assign rewards based on wallet activity and milestones.

• Use metadata or off-chain tracking to ensure accuracy.

• Distribute rewards through platforms like Venly or directly via smart contracts.

Steps to Launch a Token-Gated Beta

Phase 1: Pre-Launch Preparation

Before opening your beta, clarify your purpose. Are you stress-testing servers, building hype, or rewarding early supporters?

Checklist

• Define Goals: Set clear KPIs—like number of testers, feedback loops, or NFT retention.

• Design NFTs: Create yourself or work with artists to create visually compelling and functional passes.

• Configure Discord: Set up your server with token-gated channels and access bots.

Phase 2: Minting and Distribution

Once your infrastructure is in place, it’s time to release your NFTs.

Strategies

• Allowlist: Offer first access to early community members or partners.

• Public Sale: Use tools like Sequence Builder to host smooth, gas-optimized minting experiences.

Pricing Models

• Free Mints: Great for rewarding loyalty and driving adoption.

• Paid Mints: Set a fair price (e.g., 0.05 ETH) to support development costs.

Be transparent about what each NFT offers—access, rewards, or long-term perks.

Phase 3: Beta Activation

Now you’re live—it’s time to let players in and track engagement.

Steps

• Users connect wallets to your verification tool.

• Discord bots confirm NFT ownership and assign roles.

• In-game systems read wallet metadata to assign rewards or unlock features.

Maintain Engagement

• Run weekly check-ins and bug bounty contests.

• Update users regularly through Discord announcements or newsletters.

• Highlight top contributors to foster recognition.

Recommended Tools and Platforms

Common Challenges and How to Solve Them

• Spoofing/Botting: Add CAPTCHAs or other Sybil-resistant measures during minting.

• Poor Onboarding: Publish simple tutorials on setting up wallets and verifying access.

• User Drop-Off: Schedule weekly events and publish community progress reports to keep momentum.

Security Considerations

Key Risks and Mitigation Strategies

• Wallet Spoofing or Phishing: Use trusted tools and educate users.

• Botting and Sybil Attacks: Combine CAPTCHAs and wallet age filters.

• Smart Contract Vulnerabilities: Audit contracts with security firms like CertiK.

• Discord Exploits: Utilise verified role-gating bots and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for moderators.

• Data Privacy: Be transparent about the data collected from wallets and engagement.

Conclusion

Token-gated betas offer more than bug testing—they’re a powerful way to engage early fans and turn them into evangelists. With NFTs as access keys, Discord as the hub, and in-game rewards for participation, your Web3 game beta becomes a community-building engine.

Done right, your beta becomes the foundation for launch-day success and long-term player loyalty.

The Sandbox has launched the Quick Loop Game Jam, inviting creators to build short-form games focused on replayable loops and offers a total prize pool of 50,000 $SAND tokens, alongside virtual land plots and asset packs.

Participants are required to use the platform’s Game Maker software, a no-code development tool, to create projects based on simple, repeatable gameplay mechanics.

Registration is open until June 11, with final submissions due by June 17 at 16:00 UTC and is open to anyone with a Sandbox account, regardless of prior experience in game development.

What is the Quick Loop Game Jam?

The Quick Loop Game Jam is a timed competition organised by The Sandbox, a metaverse platform that allows users to create and share interactive experiences. This particular event focuses on looping mechanics, meaning gameplay systems that repeat in short intervals—for example, reaction-based challenges, timing tasks, or skill-based mini-games.

All entries must be developed using The Sandbox Game Maker, which is available for free and does not require coding knowledge. Entrants are allowed to use both original and pre-built assets, including options from the platform’s asset library.

A total of 50,000 $SAND tokens will be distributed across the top entries. In addition, 10 LAND plots (virtual parcels within The Sandbox) and CATALYST Packs (which enhance in-game items) will be awarded. The breakdown of rewards is as follows:

• 1st Place: 10,000 $SAND, 1×1 LAND, Gold CATALYST Pack
• 2nd Place: 8,000 $SAND, 1×1 LAND, Silver CATALYST Pack
• 3rd Place: 5,000 $SAND, 1×1 LAND, Silver CATALYST Pack
• 4th Place: 4,000 $SAND, 1×1 LAND, Silver CATALYST Pack
• 5th Place: 3,000 $SAND, 1×1 LAND, Silver CATALYST Pack
• 6th to 10th Place: 2,000 $SAND each, 1×1 LAND, Bronze CATALYST Pack
• Honourable Mentions (up to 10): 1,000 $SAND each

A participation prize of 100 $SAND will also be provided for the first 100 valid submissions (not including those receiving other prizes). All rewards are subject to KYC (Know Your Customer) verification before distribution.

How to participate in the competition?

To enter, participants must first create an account on The Sandbox’s official platform and download the Game Maker tool. Registration is open until June 11 at 23:59 UTC. Once registered, users will receive an email with submission instructions. Completed games must be submitted by June 17 at 16:00 UTC.

The official judging criteria have not been published in detail, but entries are expected to focus on core loop mechanics, user engagement, and functionality within the Game Maker framework. Winners will be announced during a Twitch livestream on July 5 at 18:00 UTC, with results also posted on the project’s official X account.

The Sandbox has provided video tutorials and documentation for those unfamiliar with its development tools. Asset creation can also be enhanced using VoxEdit, an optional tool for designing voxel-based elements.

OpenSea just flipped the switch on its biggest update yet. The platform has officially completed its public beta and relaunched as “OS2″—a fully rebuilt marketplace that opens up the full token universe. Now, users can trade not only NFTs but also fungible tokens across 19 different blockchains.

Alongside this relaunch comes a brand-new rewards program called Voyages, which gives users XP for their on-chain activity. Whether you’re collecting NFTs, swapping tokens, or curating galleries, every move earns you points.

It’s all part of OpenSea’s mission to become the go-to place to discover, own, and trade anything onchain. And with the highly anticipated SEA token airdrop on the way, both old and new users have something to look forward to.

Key Takeaways

• OpenSea is now OS2, a revamped platform that supports trading across 19 blockchains—not just Ethereum.

• It’s more than NFTs now: users can also trade fungible tokens, including those on Solana.

• A new rewards system called Voyages gives users XP points for actions like buying NFTs or swapping tokens.

• SEA, OpenSea’s new token, will be airdropped to past and current users based on their activity.

• Crypto regulations in the U.S. might be softening under the current administration, which could help platforms like OpenSea grow.

• Other projects are doing the same: Pudgy Penguins’ PENGU token recently made headlines with a huge launch.

What’s New with OS2

OpenSea’s relaunch isn’t just a fresh coat of paint—it’s a full rebuild. CEO Devin Finzer said, “OpenSea isn’t just an NFT marketplace anymore. We’re building the best place to discover, own, and trade anything onchain.” It’s now open to everyone after a successful public beta.

It now supports 19 different blockchains and lets users trade more than just NFTs. It’s added tools for minting, made transactions faster, reduced fees, and improved the way assets are discovered. Some old restrictions, like bans and delisted collections, have also been lifted.

Source: OpenSea

Meet Voyages: OpenSea’s New Rewards Program

To make the platform more fun and rewarding, OpenSea has launched Voyages. It’s a new system where users earn XP—or Experience Points—for taking part in the community.

That could mean swapping tokens, collecting NFTs, or even curating galleries. Think of it as gamifying your activity, turning everyday actions into chances to earn.

(XP points are a way to track and reward your engagement across the platform—like a loyalty program but Web3-style.)

SEA Token: What We Know So Far

The SEA token will be the heart of the new OpenSea ecosystem. Although there’s no exact launch date yet (as of May 2025), OpenSea has made it clear: both longtime and recent users will be eligible for a SEA token airdrop.

The token will be introduced after key features go live, so that it offers lasting value from day one. Even more encouraging? SEA will be available in many countries, including the U.S.—despite the ongoing uncertainty around crypto regulations.

Why Now? And Why It Matters

This relaunch comes at a pivotal time. OpenSea has been facing stiff competition from platforms like Blur and Magic Eden. In 2024, it also dealt with lawsuits and questions about whether NFTs and tokens should be treated as securities.

But the regulatory mood in the U.S. seems to be shifting. DonaldTrump has talked about making the country “the world’s crypto capital,” and recent leadership changes at major regulatory agencies suggest a more relaxed approach to oversight.

OpenSea’s SEA launch echoes moves by other big players. Take Pudgy Penguins, for example—their PENGU token hit a $3.5 billion market cap shortly after launch, before stabilizing around $620 million.

Legacy OpenSea vs. OS2: What’s Changed?

Final Thoughts

OpenSea isn’t just updating its look—it’s reimagining its role in the Web3 world. With support for multiple blockchains, better tools, and the upcoming SEA token, the platform is aiming to win back its top spot and make things more rewarding for users.

The SEA token may not have a launch date just yet, but when it arrives, it’ll likely be a major moment for OpenSea.