🔥 PayPal's Game Changer: A U.S. Dollar Stablecoin Set to Dominate the Crypto World - Proof of Intel

First things first, if you’re munching on that breakfast toast and sipping your coffee (or tea, if you swing that way), give me a few minutes of your scrolling time. It's Mochi here, your favorite scoop of tech deliciousness from Proof of Intel (PoI). And oh boy, oh boy, have we got a sprinkling of digital delights for you today!

SUMMARY 📓🖋️

🟧 PayPal introduces dollar-backed stablecoin, shares skyrocket!

🟧 Shiba Inu focuses on digital IDs to level-up its DeFi game and break free from its meme legacy.

🟧 Neopets drops NFT-based Metaverse plans due to negative sentiment; focuses on classic gameplay.

🟧 Virtual retailing heats up in 2023; Ralph Lauren's Fortnite collab and Lacoste's virtual store lead the parade.

TL;DR at the bottom.

🍦🚀 PayPal's Icy Plunge into Stablecoins

We used to think stablecoins were like that one family member who keeps boasting about their stamp collection. Interesting to some, but not exactly headline news. Well, slap me with a wet fish and call me Sally because guess what? PayPal, the godfather of online payments, just proved us wrong by dipping its toes (or rather, its entire corporate foot) into the waters of cryptocurrency.

PayPal announced its own U.S. dollar stablecoin and guess what happened next? Its shares went to the moon, well, increased by 2.66%, but who's counting? This digital dalliance by PayPal is a big thumbs up to the crypto universe, which has been having a teeny bit of a midlife crisis lately, what with regulatory facepalms and high-profile crashes. While stablecoins have been floating around the crypto space for some time, they've mostly been the go-to currency for crypto trading and not so much for that latte you've been craving.

And oh, a bit of nostalgia alert: Remember Facebook's (now all fancy and called Meta) attempt at launching their own stablecoin, Libra? That got more blocks than a game of Tetris. But, PayPal, being the smart cookie it is, seems to have cracked the code. The cherry on top? Their stablecoin is backed by U.S. dollar deposits and some snazzy U.S Treasuries. Not to forget, you can swap it for U.S. dollars anytime you want! If that's not being the cool kid in the crypto-block, I don't know what is. Brace yourselves, folks, because PayPal USD is set to make waves!

🐕🆔 Shiba's Glow Up: From Meme to DeFi Dream!

Remember our pal Shiba Inu, best known as the meme coin that made us chuckle? Well, wipe that grin off and put on your serious specs because Shiba is making power moves to step into the big leagues!

In a stunning wag of its tail, Shiba Inu is integrating digital identity services across its platform. No, we're not just talking cute puppy pictures! This is all about adding blockchain-based digital identities, reinforcing trust with its devout followers, and giving a cheeky wink to governments. The endgame? To shake off its meme collar and fetch a seat at the decentralized finance (DeFi) table.

But wait, there's more flavor to this ice cream! Ever heard of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI)? Think of it as the snazzy digital twin of your ID cards, except it lets you control how much of your personal info goes trotting around online. Shiba devs, being the good boys they are, have been rubbing noses with community projects, ensuring that this SSI thing becomes their next big trick.

Now, let’s sprinkle on some tidbits from the lead dev, Shytoshi Kusama. He mentioned laying a solid foundation for “decentralized digital trust and international identity verification.” Big words for a dog, but we're here for it! And let's not forget the upcoming Shibarium, the layer 2 network poised to utilize various tokens and streamline transactions.

🐾🎮 Neopets' Crypto Conundrum: To NFT or Not to NFT

Ah, Neopets. Who can forget the virtual pets we desperately tried to keep happy, all while drowning in a sea of omelettes? In recent developments, Neopets had been cooking up an NFT-powered game called Neopets Metaverse. However, just when we thought we'd be prancing with pixelated pets on the blockchain, they hit the brakes! The plan has been discarded and now, the game's assets are being channeled into a fresh mobile escapade, "World of Neopets", minus the crypto razzle-dazzle.

Dominic Law, the head honcho and CEO of Neopets, dropped some pearls of wisdom on this twist. After breaking free from the parental nest and fluttering under the World of Neopia banner, Neopets found itself tiptoeing like a ballerina amidst a cacophony of public sentiment regarding crypto. Law chimed in, “At this stage, they probably care less about what Web3 is about,” hinting at a mountain of meh vibes tied to Web3 in the mass market.

Remember the golden era when Neopets was the talk of the town with 150 million users? Dominic does, with a twinkle in his eye. His dream? To see that swarm buzz back, and then some. Alas, crypto didn’t turn out to be the honey he anticipated. It seemed to ruffle the feathers of the nostalgic flock. However, as they recalibrate their compass towards foundational tweaks, especially post the Adobe Flash curtain call, don't for a second think they've bid adieu to crypto!

Amidst the swirling clouds of doubt, Mr. Law spies silver linings in certain Web3 technologies that could sprinkle some magic on the Neopets gaming arena. So, Neopets might have paused, but it hasn't powered down on crypto. In the twisty-turny tech tale, the mantra? Always keep them guessing!

🎮🛍️ Virtual Strolls and IRL Goals: Web3's Fashion Fiesta!

If you pegged 2023 as just another digital doodle, brace yourselves for a whirlwind. This year, the boundary between your game avatar's swanky wardrobe and yours is fuzzier than my noggin post a web3 code fest!

Lacoste's Virtual Leap: Dive headfirst into the pixelated pond, because Lacoste is flaunting its Summer 2023 collection in a sizzling, hyperrealistic virtual playground. With enticing gamified escapades and whispered token-only treats, the French maestro is sketching its metaverse masterpiece. Imagine shopping, but instead of battling with buttons and collars, you're wrangling virtual crocs. Classic Lacoste, keeping us on a hop, skip, and a jump!

Ralph Lauren's Reality Raid: In another corner of the digital realm, Ralph Lauren is stirring some buzz (or should I say boot steps?). Morphing virtual vogue into tangible threads, ever fancied strutting in your game persona's stilettos? Here's your golden ticket! But, a teensy heads-up: spotting these kicks IRL might be as rare as catching a glimpse of Bigfoot at a ballet, owing to their exclusive release. A mere 300 pairs? Dash, before they become the digital treasure that slipped away!

Crafty Couture by The Fabricant: Painting yet another pixel portrait, The Fabricant is unveiling a line that's a cocktail of retro charm and neon-soaked '90s disco aesthetics. Will they be the next big Web3 wardrobe wizard? The sands of time will spill the beans, but this brand is certainly weaving a tantalizing tapestry.

TL;DR: 🔻💯

🟧 PayPal's diving into the crypto pool with its very own U.S. dollar stablecoin. Shares go up, and the crypto world welcomes a new player in town. Party hats on!

🟧 Shiba Inu, once just a meme-coin pupper, is now learning new tricks like digital identities and serious blockchain development. Who's a good boy? Shiba is!

🟧 Neopets ditched its NFT-based Metaverse game due to unfavorable community sentiment. Instead, they're focusing on core game improvements. However, they're not closing the door on crypto forever.

🟧 Lacoste dives deep into the virtual retail space, while Ralph Lauren turns the game's pixels into real-life kicks. The Fabricant flirts with high-end virtual couture, bringing historic garments to digital life.