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

Pixels goes all out for Halloween

Pixels, the popular social open-world farming game, has launched a Halloween event, giving players spooky new challenges, collectible items, and mini-games to play throughout October. 

One game, “Denis the Dentist’s Haunted Harvest,” gives players the opportunity to collect eerie “teeth” prizes by smashing different colored skulls to rack up digital points. Teeth are redeemable for supplies to craft jack-o-lanterns that unlock limited-edition costumes. 

Pixels is also teaming up with gaming protocol Yield Guild Games for a Halloween Energy Party on October 31, featuring special guests, exclusive quests, and a spooky virtual costume contest.

‘Ghost in the Shell’ NFT collection arrives for anime fans and collectors

The Japanese cyberpunk world of “Ghost in the Shell” is stepping into web3 with its first NFT collection, dropping on Oct. 31. Fans of the series can now own digital collectibles inspired by characters from the 1995 anime movie.

The collection launched on Animoca Brands Japan’s NFT platform SORAH. Sales began Oct. 31 at 12:00 JST. 

Peter Thiel's Founders Fund invests in Infinex's Patron NFT

Infinex, a DeFi platform supporting multiple blockchain networks, has secured investment from PayPal co-founder and venture capitalist Peter Thiel’s fund. The funding, part of a $68 million raise, will reportedly help Infinex grow its digital tools for creators and make navigating across multiple protocols easier. 

Other major backers include venture firms like Wintermute Ventures, Framework Ventures, and Solana Ventures, along with individual blockchain leaders like Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin, Solana’s Anatoly Yakovenko, and Aave’s Stani Kulechov.

Kraken unveils new Ethereum L2 built on Optimism’s Superchain

Crypto exchange Kraken is entering the Layer 2 (L2) space with a new Ethereum-compatible solution built on Optimism’s sprawling blockchain network Superchain. The new L2 is designed to support faster and more affordable transactions, thereby helping Kraken add to its services for its growing web3 user base. The platform uses Optimism’s OP Stack, which is reportedly one of the most widely used L2 rollups today.

Polygon boosts cross-chain interoperability with ERC-7683 integration

Polygon, a major L2 scaling network for Ethereum, has rolled out support for ERC-7683, a token standard designed to simplify interoperability, across all three of its core platforms. Known as the “Cross Chain Intents” interface, ERC-7683 is meant to help developers better connect applications across various chains without the need to transfer, or “bridge,” them. 

The new integration is expected to make it easier for users to access digital items and data from multiple blockchains in one unified place. This improvement potentially opens up exciting new ways for developers to build apps that work with DeFi, gaming, and digital payments across blockchains.

Pudgy Toys hit Walgreens shelves nationwide

The loveable toys from Pudgy Penguins are now available in Walgreens stores across the U.S., making it easier than ever to bring these collectibles home. This move from the popular NFT brand is part of its expansion from digital to physical, which now lets anyone snag a Pudgy character without the need to navigate NFT technology.

MLS Quest kicks off on Sui blockchain

Major League Soccer (MLS) has launched MLS Quest, a new NFT collectibles platform on the Sui blockchain in partnership with the crypto startup Sweet. The platform debuted on Oct. 28 and provides new ways for fans to collect “Key Play of the Game” medallions, or digital highlights of standout plays from matches. These medallions can be claimed both online and at in-person pick-up zones at stadiums across North America. Fans who collect a full set of four medallions from a single game can unlock exclusive rewards, such as autographed jerseys, team merch, and tickets. 

Moonray’s GOLDSPAWN NFTs sell out

Moonray, the blockchain gaming studio known for its recently launched multiplayer arena battle game, announced on Oct. 24 a rapid sell-out of its latest NFT mint. The success of the mint marks a milestone for the expanding Moonray Universe, as the studio hints at a new range of benefits for GOLDSPAWN holders, including access to unique seasonal items, bonus battle passes, and invites to future playtests.

OpenSea partners with Art Blocks to empower NFT creators

In advance of the fourth annual Art Blocks Marfa Weekend on November 14-17, 2024, OpenSea is excited to announce a partnership with the renowned generative art platform, Art Blocks. 

As part of the partnership, artists can use a new custom Art Blocks Engine contract when releasing on OpenSea. The companies will also collaborate on product development roadmaps, demo new features together, and iterate on other platform upgrades.

Read the press release for more information.