It’s no secret that over the last few years, many physical events have now digital iterations or have even been completely digitized into virtual reality. Recently, in Colombia, a local judge decided to bring a court hearing into the metaverse as an experiment with the technology. It was a civil case involving a traffic incident, which will progress further “partially” in the metaverse. While many believe that the metaverse will reshape our social lives, it begs the question if digital reality can best serve important societal moments such as court cases where an individual’s future may be at stake. Cointelegraph …

Two United States senators have penned a letter asking Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to halt a plan to allow young adults to access the firm’s metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds. In a March 1 letter, Senators Edward Markey and Richard Blumenthal said that Meta’s reported plan to “invite young users into a digital space rife with potential harms” should not be implemented if the strategy was driven by profit. According to the two lawmakers, allowing teenagers between 13 and 17 years old access to the virtual environment posed “serious risks”, citing privacy concerns, eye strain, and online bullying. “Meta’s plan to …

In this week’s newsletter, read about how a whale sold 1,010 nonfungible tokens (NFTs) within 48 hours. The Blur NFT marketplace captured the space’s attention, and the manuscript that coined the term “metaverse” is being auctioned by Sotheby’s. In other news, find out users’ motivations behind their NFT purchases, and don’t forget this week’s Nifty News, featuring a Twitch streamer earning 1,000 ETH in exchange for the Golden Key NFT. Whale sells 1,010 NFTs in 48 hours in ‘largest NFT dump ever’ NFT whale Jeffrey Hwang, also known as Machi Big Brother, sold 1,010 NFTs within 48 hours. The NFTs …

Despite a broader downturn in related markets, multinational corporations don’t appear to have slowed down on their trademark applications covering Web3, crypto, nonfungible tokens (NFTs), and the Metaverse. The month of February — now drawing to a close — saw the likes of General Motors and Lacoste, and Walmart making their territory with Web3-related trademark applications. January was an even busier month. One of the latest NFT-related filings involved automotive giant General Motors, which filed for two new trademark applications on Feb. 16 covering its Chevrolet and Cadillac brands. According to the filing, the firm is interested in downloadable digital …

According to metaverse platform, Metajuice, almost three out of four of the nonfungible token (NFT) collectors on its platform purchase NFTs for status, uniqueness and aesthetics. While current NFT sales are not as high as during the peak in 2021, the space still holds on, with users giving various reasons for buying NFTs. In an announcement sent to Cointelegraph, Metajuice highlighted that their team surveyed over 6,000 NFT users to discover the motivations behind NFT purchases. The survey results showed that among the reasons laid out by the researchers, standing out and wearing the NFTs as their avatar were the …

Interest in the metaverse is accelerating at a global rate, with countries all over the world joining in the rush to get involved. In Japan, a country often associated with its legacy technology sector, a group of well-known tech companies entered into an agreement on Feb. 27 to forward the creation of the “Japan Metaverse Economic Zone." Along with creating the Japan Metaverse Economic Zone, the agreement's focus is on building an open metaverse infrastructure called “Ryugukoku," which will spark the next wave of metaverse development. This open metaverse infrastructure will help create interoperable tools available for users and developers …

A Colombian court recently hosted its first legal trial in the Metaverse, with the court magistrate saying it felt “more real than a video call,” according to a recent report. According to a Reuters report published on Feb. 24, Colombia’s Magdalena Administrative Court held a court case in the Metaverse on Feb. 15, involving participants in a traffic dispute. The case, which went on for two-hours, was brought by a regional transport union against the police, which will progress “partly” in the metaverse, with a potential for the verdict to also be given in the metaverse. The participants appeared as …

The original manuscript of Neil Stephenson’s Snow Crash — the book which coined the term “Metaverse,” — will be auctioned by Sotheby’s, according to a page on Sotheby’s official website. The auction is part of a Feb. 23 series called “Infocalypse” that includes six physical and six digital items related to the famous book. The original manuscript is in Lot 2 of the series. It is “wrapped in original Xerox 4200 Paper,” secured with masking tape and contains “corrections and notations throughout in Neal Stephenson's hand in blue ink.” It also has the title of the book written on the …

The growing GameFi sector has caught the attention of the video game industry, leading many brands to create their own unique blockchain games. However, despite the popularity of these projects, many lack engaging gameplay mechanics and the entertainment value found in successful traditional games. With a focus on high production values, replayability and entertainment, the upcoming blockchain gaming project Undeads aims to bring these much-needed elements to the forefront of the Web3 space. Undeads’ head of community Jan Emil Christiansen will get into more detail about the ambitious gaming project in an AMA on Feb. 22, 3:00 pm UTC. Undeads …

A partnership between Web3 payment protocol Immersve and payments giant Mastercard will allow users to make crypto payments on digital, physical and the Metaverse worlds. USD Coin (USDC) tokens — a US dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Circle — will be used to settle transactions on Mastercard’s network. The Mastercard-Immersve partnership uses decentralized protocols to settle real-time cryptocurrency transactions on outlets accepting Mastercard payments online. Users will be able to use their existing Web3 wallets to make direct crypto payments without relying on a third party for collateral. Instead, Immersve will partner with a third-party settlement provider and allow its users …

The game industry has taken notice of the growing GameFi sector, which utilizes blockchain technology, and many brands have launched their own unique blockchain games. However, many of these games lack the engaging gameplay mechanics and enjoyment found in successful traditional games. Undeads aims to bring these elements to the forefront with high production values, high entertainment and replayability values not yet seen in the Web3 space. Undeads Metaverse is a AAA survival game that is revolutionizing the world of blockchain gaming. The team of over 70 developers is using play-to-earn mechanics, a well-designed game economy and high production values …

Google-owned YouTube has appointed Web3-friendly exec Neal Mohan as its new CEO following the departure of Susan Wojcicki this week. Wojcicki stepped down from YouTube on Feb. 16 after nine years at the helm, outlining plans to start a “new chapter” focused on family, health and personal projects. During her tenure, she oversaw the pivotal introduction of the revenue-sharing model, among other things. Moving forward she will remain an advisor for Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc. Thank you, @SusanWojcicki. It's been amazing to work with you over the years. You've built YouTube into an extraordinary home for creators and viewers. …