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

The Sandbox will launch its own blockchain for creators

The Sandbox, an Ethereum-based gaming world where users build and play on virtual land, will introduce a new blockchain called SANDchain in October. 

Designed as a layer-two (L2) built on Ethereum, the network reportedly aims to give creators direct control over their digital content and ways to earn from their work without relying on outside platforms. 

The new chain will use the $SAND token for transaction fees, and it will add tools such as SANDpoints, which track user activity, and Creator Tokens, which are transferable digital items linked to individual creators.

People can sign up for early access starting Oct. 1, with a trial version of the network, called a testnet, expected on Oct. 14. 

The first groups working with the project include Hong Kong gaming investor Animoca Brands, Cool Cats NFT collection; ZKSync, a developer of Ethereum-linked blockchains that use zero-knowledge cryptography and Pucca, a Korean cartoon series.

Phantom launches Phantom Cash as its new payments tool

Phantom, the crypto wallet provider introduced Phantom Cash, effectively transforming its wallet into a broader money app. 

The tool reportedly lets users add funds via bank or card, buy and sell stablecoins without fees, pay via Visa using Apple Pay or Google Pay and send money to others.

It’s powered by $CASH, a new stablecoin token issued through Stripe’s Open Issuance platform. The rollout marks the first public use of Stripe’s stablecoin infrastructure by a consumer app.

BlockDAG partners with Alpine Formula One team in Singapore

BlockDAG, a blockchain developer known for building faster transaction systems, announced its new partnership with the BWT Alpine Formula One racing team during a packed event in Singapore. 

According to the post on X, the company marked the news with a conference, cocktail event and race car demonstration. 

Formula One has already welcomed sponsors such as Crypto.com and Tezos, making BlockDAG the latest blockchain company to join the racing circuit. 

Doodles teams with Froot Loops for limited cereal box drop

Doodles, the Ethereum NFT collection known for its colorful cartoon characters, partnered with Kellogg’s Froot Loops to drop 500 custom cereal boxes. 

Each $50 box sold out in hours and came with a digital collectible in the form of an NFT minted on Coinbase’s Base blockchain network. 

A portion (10%) of the boxes display signatures from Doodles artist and CEO Scott “Burnt Toast” Martin, and one carries an original sketch. 

The release follows earlier Doodles collaborations with McDonald’s, Adidas and musician Pharrell Williams.

Swift to build blockchain ledger for cross-border payments

Global financial messaging network Swift this week announced it will add a blockchain-based shared ledger to its infrastructure to handle real-time, 24/7 cross-border payments. 

The project is being developed with Consensys, a New York software company that makes Ethereum-based blockchain tools, alongside more than 30 banks worldwide including JPMorgan, HSBC, Deutsche Bank and Bank of America.

The ledger is designed to serve as a secure, always-updating log of transactions between banks and will use computer-coded agreements known as smart contracts to enforce rules automatically. 

Swift said the first phase will involve completing a prototype and then defining the next stages of development.

CryptoPunks exhibition scheduled in Palo Alto in January

CryptoPunks, the 10,000-piece pixel art collection that helped launch the NFT movement, will be displayed in Palo Alto from Jan. 23 to 25. 

The exhibition is organized by Node Foundation, a nonprofit focused on preserving and presenting digital art, in partnership with Larva Labs, the project’s creator and original owner. 

Visitors can expect a full look at the collection’s 221 colors, 87 attributes and five character types that turned the series into a cultural touchstone.

Note: The mention of any token is for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or investment advice.