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

MetaMask Enables ETH to Fiat Conversion

The leading Ethereum wallet MetaMask has unveiled a new feature allowing users to sell their ETH tokens for fiat currency. This move aims to simplify the process of cashing out ETH, making the process more accessible to a broader audience.

Users can now link their MetaMask wallet with their bank accounts or PayPal accounts to exchange their ETH holdings for traditional, fiat currency. The feature allows users to simply open their Metamask Portfolio and select “Sell” from the toolbar to cash out their crypto to fiat in the U.S. (with some restrictions based on state), U.K., and parts of Europe. MetaMask aims to roll out the Sell feature to more regions soon and eventually extend its future reach to a global audience. 

While only available for ETH on Ethereum Mainnet initially, MetaMask also plans to make the Sell feature compatible with native gas tokens on layer 2 networks. Step-by-step instructions are available on the MetaMask blog. 

RTFKT's New Mobile App ‘Cryptokicks iRL’ Combines Sneakers and NFTs

Sneakerheads, rejoice! This week, Zaptio, one of the masterminds behind the sneaker-focused digital collectible marketplace RTFKT, announced updates are en route for the Cryptokick iRL app that launched on August 24.

Cryptokick iRL connects to your Cryptokicks collection, with a focus on the iRL model. For those who don’t know, Cryptokicks iRLs are no ordinary sneakers; they boast autolacing technology, a feature reminiscent of the iconic Nike Air Mags from 2016. The app includes features to manage this functionality, along with some other fun surprises. Only 5,993 pairs of Cryptokicks iRL exist, adding an air of rarity and exclusivity to the mix. The sneakers were crafted with the same meticulous care that went into the creation of the RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1s.

The Cryptokick mobile app is now available for both iOS and Android and is divided into four main sections:

• My Fits: Users pair their iRL sneakers with their account and fine-tune autolacing and preset adjustments.
• Lights: Unleash your creativity with various "light packs" that allow you to customize the illumination of your iRL sneakers.
• Explore: Stay up-to-date with the latest news on new drops, RTFKT updates, and upcoming features.
• Inventory: Easily view all your RTFKT NFTs in one place.

App users can also look forward to Quests, a real-life adventure exclusive to iRL holders focused on gamified physical activity that tracks steps and movement. The Quests feature has been forthcoming from Cryptokicks since the idea was first announced in December 2022. 

The official details of the app's features and functionality are yet to be fully disclosed, but it's clear that RTFKT is continuing to innovate in the NFT space, and Cryptokick iRL is poised to be an exciting addition to its offerings.

Adidas Launches Web3-based Artist Residency Program

Adidas and its web3 innovation arm, Triple Stripes Studio, have launched a digital artist residency program, providing artists with a platform to explore blockchain technology and NFTs. 

The program, announced on August 31, runs from September 4 to September 11 and seeks to connect budding digital creators with the Adidas collector community. The first pair of artists to be featured are Adra Kandil, known as Dearnostalgia, and MonkeeMoto, also known as Moto.

The program kicked off with the sale of two open-edition and two limited-edition NFT art pieces on September 6. Open editions are priced at 0.03 ETH (approximately $49 at the time of writing), while limited editions are set at 0.15 ETH (about $245). 

This exciting news was announced during Korea Blockchain Week 2023, a yearly event founded by web3 accelerator FACTBLOCK and co-hosted by South Korea-based web3 venture fund Hashed. The event boasts over 200 notable speakers, this year including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, Wemade CEO Henry Chang, Maelstrom CIO Arthur Hayes, Hashed CEO Simon Kim, BitGo co-founder and CEO Mike Belshe, Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal, Line Next's business director Woosuk Kim, and SkyBridge Capital's founder and managing partner Anthony Scaramucci.

Lufthansa Introduces NFT Loyalty Program on Polygon

Lufthansa, a major German airline, is breaking new ground by launching an NFT loyalty program on the Polygon blockchain. Passengers can now earn and redeem NFT rewards through their loyalty program. 

Interactions occur through the airline’s Uptrip mobile application, a collaborative pairing between Lufthansa Innovation Hub, the airline's digital innovation arm, and its frequent flier program Miles & More. The process is straightforward: travelers scan their boarding passes using the Uptrip app and connect their crypto wallets to collect the Uptrip NFT trading cards. Completing specific NFT collections within the app unlocks rewards like flight upgrades, access to airport lounges, elevated frequent flier status, and bonus award miles.

Lufthansa's foray into NFT loyalty rewards follows an emerging trend within the airline industry. In 2022, Emirates, the largest airline company in the United Arab Emirates, also revealed its plans to accept Bitcoin payments and embark on NFT initiatives.

Christie's Auctions Keith Haring Art as NFTs

This month renowned auction house Christie's will auction five NFT versions of digital artwork by the iconic contemporary American pop artist Keith Haring. The digital masterpieces comprising “Keith Haring: Pixel Pioneer,” were originally crafted by Haring on a Commodore Amiga computer in 1987 that’s fabled to have been gifted to the artist by the late psychologist and psychedelic advocate Timothy Leary. Until now, the artwork has only existed on a floppy disc. 

The freshly transformed NFT pieces are set to hit the auction block from September 12 to 20 after an exhibition in Seoul, South Korea from September 7 to 8 and then at Christie’s New York from September 14 to 19. Bidding is estimated to range from $220,000 to $500,000 per piece. 

Haring's innovative artwork, recognized for its vibrant colors and figurative shapes, defied categorization when it first appeared on the scene, due to the way it blended popular culture, street art, and traditional gallery art. His legacy has endured since his untimely passing from AIDS-related complications in 1990, and his work can now be found in prestigious institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). 

This will be The Keith Haring Foundation’s second time embracing web3 technology: In March 2022 the foundation collaborated with MAC Cosmetics and web3 software company ConsenSys to create a collection of 5,275 NFTs featuring animated versions of MAC's Viva Glam lipstick adorned with Keith Haring's iconic artworks. The 2022 initiative commemorated National Youth AIDS Awareness Day and generated charitable contributions through sales of the digital items.

Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong Reveals the 10 Ideas He’s Most Excited About in Crypto

This week, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong tweeted a link to a blog post containing the 10 ideas he's most excited about in crypto right now with a Request for Builders. 

Armstrong started off by saying, “We’re building lots at Coinbase, but we don't have time to tackle everything,” prompting hundreds of replies from the web3 community either calling out existing solutions to his ideas or voicing their excitement about them.

Writing about things from on-chain reputation to the tokenization of real-world assets, Armstrong's post on X and linked blog post focused on his idea that “[b]ear markets are the best time for building." He encouraged builders in the space to apply to Coinbase's Ventures Summit in Malibu, CA which will be held this October.