Welcome to the OpenSea digest. Let’s look back through the biggest NFT and web3 news of the week.

Animoca Brands takes majority stake in Cool Cats NFT collection

Animoca Brands, the Hong Kong-based web3 gaming company behind The Sandbox, has acquired a majority stake in Cool Cats Group, the creator of the 9,999-piece Ethereum NFT series inspired by artist Colin “Clon” Egan’s 2013 Blue Cat character. 

The collection, which has reportedly generated more than $410 million in volume, ranks among the top 20 NFT projects, according to data aggregator CryptoSlam. Animoca will integrate Cool Cats into its Mocaverse ecosystem and Moca Network, a decentralized identity platform linking over 570 portfolio companies and 700 million users, with the aim of building shared perks and community connections across Eastern and Western markets.

According to the announcement, Animoca co-founder Yat Siu and Mocaverse project lead Kenneth Shek will join Cool Cats’ board.

Moonbirds to launch KaitoAI-powered community leaderboard

Moonbirds will debut a new leaderboard in partnership with analytics platform KaitoAI on Aug. 18. Holders and fans can boost their rank by posting about Moonbirds, its Mythics series, and Oddities spin-off to earn in-platform points called “Yaps.” 

The project says additional rewards tied to ecosystem engagement will be announced for top participants in the coming weeks.

Stripe and Circle build their own blockchains to power stablecoin tools

Stripe and Circle are developing their own blockchains—Tempo and Arc, respectively—in a bid to handle stablecoin payments more efficiently. 

Tempo, created with venture firm Paradigm, is built on Ethereum-compatible technology to allow faster settlement while remaining accessible to existing developers. Meanwhile, Arc is reportedly more tailored for Circle’s USDC stablecoin and offers sub-second transactions, automatic currency conversion and the ability to use USDC to pay network fees. 

The initiatives reflect a shift from using public blockchains like Ethereum toward proprietary networks designed for payments. Their long-term impact hinges on whether businesses and developers adopt them.

Azuki and H. Moser & Cie launch Ethereum-connected luxury watches

Azuki has teamed up with Swiss watchmaker H. Moser & Cie on Elements of Time, a collection of mechanical watches connected to the Ethereum blockchain. 

There are four Pioneer Centre Seconds models based on Fire, Earth, Water, and Lightning, each capped at 24 pieces, plus four one-of-a-kind Pioneer Tourbillon watches. 

Every watch comes with a Physical Backed Token, or PBT, which is a digital record on Ethereum that proves who owns it and that it’s authentic. 

Ibiza nightclub opens permanent art gallery with Beeple and Mad Dog Jones

Hï Ibiza, named the world’s top club by DJ Mag for four years running, has opened what it calls the first permanent art gallery inside a nightclub. 

Created with nightlife group The Night League and London’s W1 Curates, the space mixes digital and physical works, including augmented-reality murals, large sculptures, and mirrored LED gallery walls. 

The debut lineup features artists such as Beeple, Mad Dog Jones, WhIsBe, KidEight, and Annibale Siconolfi. Exhibitions will reportedly change every two weeks during the summer. Visitors can interact with pieces using a smartphone app, and some works are available for purchase.

Pudgy Party brings battle royale penguins to mobile in soft launch

Pudgy Penguins has released Pudgy Party, a mobile battle royale game now in soft launch on iOS and Android. 

In the game, players compete as customizable penguin characters in fast-paced matches, taking the popular NFT brand even deeper into interactive gaming. 

The launch follows news that Nasdaq-listed blockchain company BTCS has reportedly acquired Pudgy Penguins NFTs for its corporate treasury.

The game is available in select regions ahead of a wider release.

Professional Fighters League launches global fan loyalty app with Futureverse

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has rolled out PFL Rewards, a global fan loyalty program built into its new iOS and Android app and powered by the web3 technology company Futureverse. 

According to a press release shared with OpenSea, fans in more than 160 countries can now rack up points for things like streaming fights, making predictions, or catching highlight reels, then cash them in for merch, tickets, and VIP perks.

It all runs on The Root Network, Futureverse’s blockchain, so the rewards live in one connected digital hub instead of being scattered across platforms. PFL says more is coming soon, including digital collectibles and invite-only event access, to keep fans plugged in all year, not just on fight night.

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