Keeping Tabs On The Lab #1

To the Bored,

I’d like to start my first ever “Keeping Tabs On The Lab” newsletter by thanking this community for its support. Without all of you, the Gazette would not be possible! I really appreciate this community voting to support this paper and helping it grow!

Now let’s get into the tabs on the lab! It has been a busy two weeks around the Yuga Labs ecosystem, with members getting updates on things such as staking and utility!

Two months after Apecoin holders passed a pair of staking proposals, the Ape Foundation made an announcement on the state of staking.

In the announcement, the Ape Foundation announced that Horizen Labs would be creating the staking system for the ApeCoin DAO and that staking is expected to begin sometime this Autumn. Note: Horizen Labs is the same company that Yuga Labs partnered with in October 2021 to launch ApeCoin. Horizen Labs’ Co-Founder and President Dean Steinbeck is also a member of the Ape Foundation AKA the DAO’s Board.

Following the Foundation’s announcement, the Bored Ape Gazette interviewed Horizen Labs’ Steinbeck and got more information about the highly anticipated staking system.

In the interview, Steinbeck told the Gazette that his company was selected to build the staking system in June and that “Development is underway, and Horizen Labs is actually farther along in the project than the community may realize,” he said.

The ApeCoin DAO wasn’t the only Yugaverse entity to receive a major update in the past two weeks.

On July 28th, Yuga Labs tweeted from the Meebits Twitter account and announced a 5% royalty on the sales along with upcoming utility. “So, what are we building? While we can’t get into specifics (we like surprises),” Yuga Labs tweeted. “Our vision for Meebits centers around embracing the currents already core to the community – play, DIY experimentation, tech minimalism, and interoperability – and dialing them way up.”

Yuga Labs then followed up its Meebits utility tweet and announced that the company will be releasing new license details for CryptoPunks and Meebit holders on August 15th.

“Punks (and Meebits) will receive BAYC-esque licensing rights, Yuga Labs tweeted from its CryptoPunks Twitter. “This means the community will be able to tap the Punk(s) they own to create myriad kinds of content and derivatives, but Punks can’t be used for unlawful purposes or for hate speech. The NFTs and IP rights are tied together. This means all Punk IP rights will travel from owner to owner, but former owners may continue to use and profit from what they have already created and published.”

Further about NFT licensing, it was a big two weeks for the Bored Ape Yacht Club community.  BoredJobs announced that the company will be taking applications from apes for a line of BAYC inspired figurines. The company is expected to release more information on how apes can apply later this week.  Bored Jobs wasn’t the only crypto company giving BAYC members the chance to license their apes, Non-Fungible Films also announced that they are holding an “Ape Casting Call” for an upcoming ape centric project. BAYC members that are interested in having their apes audition can apply here: https://www.nonfungiblefilms.io/casting

Also, during the past two weeks, Yuga Labs expanded its work force. Longtime BAYC member IllaDaProducer joined the Yuga Labs team as the company’s new Community and Partnership Lead.

“A lot of marginalized and underprivileged communities have been left out of web3,” IllaDaProducer tweeted. “In this role, I’ll be focused on deepening engagement with diverse communities and improving upon the failures of web 1 and 2.”

Just outside the Yugaverse, Adidas gave “Into The Metaverse” NFT holders an update on when they can expect to receive their “Looks Comfy” hoodies.

“The ‘Looks Comfy’ Hoodies will start shipping out today,” Adidas tweeted from its Indigo Herz account on July 28th. “Our priority is to get you your first merch as quickly as possible We can't wait to see how you wear your hoodie Go to Discord for the full announcement.”

In the Discord announcement, Adidas went on to explain that the company decided to ship the hoodies and beanies separately to get holders “looking comfy asap.”

Adidas wasn’t the only major brand making waves recently in the Yuga Labs ecosystem. American Jewelry company Tiffany& Co. also announced its new project, “NFTiff.”

“We’re taking NFTs to the next level,” the company tweeted. “Exclusive to CryptoPunks holders, NFTiff transforms your NFT into a bespoke pendant handcrafted by Tiffany & Co. artisans. You’ll also receive an additional NFT version of the pendant.”

In total, Tiffany& Co. will sell 250 digital passes exclusively to CryptoPunk holders. Each of these NFTs will cost 30 Eth. The sale for the NFTiff passes will begin on August 5th at 10:00 A.M. EST, according to the company’s website.

And finally, congratulations to BAYC members Snoop Dogg and Eminem on their Video Music Award Nomination. Snoop Dogg and Eminem were nominated for Best Hip-Hop for their hit song “From The D 2 The LBC.”

The song features Snoop Dogg and Eminem's Bored Apes throughout the music video and the pair debuted the hit single earlier this summer at Ape Fest 2022.

The VMA’s premiere on August 28th and users can vote everyday for their favorite performers. Be sure to vote for Snoop Dogg and Eminem here: https://www.mtv.com/vma/vote/best-hip-hop

Thank you so much for reading the first edition of Keeping Tabs On The Lab. Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter, “The ApeCoin DAO-N LOW” where the Gazette will take a closer look at the ApeCoin DAO.

Sincerely,

Kyle

Editor-In-Chief

Bored Ape Gazette