Newsletter #173: Crypto Politics Boom
Newsletter #173: Crypto Politics Boom
Plus, an NFT that could send you to space
This week’s featured collector is ProBlockchain
With a username of ProBlockchain, it is obvious this collector is bullish on blockchain technology. Browse their collection at lazy.com/problockchain
The results of last week’s poll: Which aspect of crypto culture do you find most intriguing?
Last week’s poll on the most intriguing aspects of crypto culture reveals a notable emphasis on its foundational principles and technological innovations. The philosophy of decentralization emerged as the top interest, capturing 33% of respondents' votes, underscoring the ideological appeal of crypto. Interestingly, both the underlying technology and DeFi (Decentralized Finance) tied for second place at 22% each, highlighting a strong fascination with the technical and financial innovation potential of cryptocurrencies. In contrast, the more visible and often headline-grabbing aspects of crypto culture – meme culture and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) – garnered less attention, each receiving 11% of the votes, suggesting that while these elements have their enthusiasts, the community's core interests lie in the transformative potential of blockchain technology and its philosophical underpinnings.
Crypto Politics Boom: U.S. Presidential Candidates Embrace Crypto
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, the world of cryptocurrency and NFTs is taking center stage in political discussions, presenting a potentially bright future for digital asset enthusiasts and collectors. Former President Donald Trump has made a significant pivot towards embracing cryptocurrency, positioning himself as a champion of digital assets at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville. This dramatic shift from his earlier skepticism could signal a more favorable environment for NFTs and other digital collectibles if he were to return to office. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party's stance on crypto is evolving, with growing recognition of digital assets' importance.
The journey of cryptocurrency from a fringe technology to a mainstream political issue has been nothing short of remarkable. What was once dismissed as a niche interest for tech enthusiasts and libertarians has now become a central topic in economic and political debates. This shift reflects the growing understanding among policymakers of blockchain technology's potential to revolutionize finance, art, and digital ownership. The fact that presidential candidates are now actively courting the crypto community and shaping their platforms around digital asset policies demonstrates how integral these technologies have become to discussions about America's economic future.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, is actively engaging with the crypto community through initiatives like Crypto4Harris, a group dedicated to enhancing her appeal on cryptocurrency issues. This outreach demonstrates the importance of this topic in the upcoming election and could lead to policies that support innovation in the NFT space. The bipartisan interest in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology from both major parties could result in a regulatory framework that protects NFT collectors while fostering innovation in the blockchain, crypto and digital asset space.
For NFT collectors, these political developments could bring several potential benefits. These include increased legitimacy and mainstream adoption of digital collectibles, enhanced protection for collectors through balanced regulation, new opportunities for innovation in the NFT space, and a possible increase in the value and liquidity of NFT assets. As the political landscape continues to evolve, NFT collectors can look forward to potentially favorable policies and increased attention to the digital asset space, regardless of the election outcome. This convergence of politics and crypto suggests an exciting future for the NFT ecosystem, with the potential for growth and innovation supported by a more understanding and supportive regulatory environment.
SERA Launches Space-Themed NFTs with Potential Astronaut Selection Opportunity
Private space company SERA (Space Exploration & Research Agency) has introduced a new NFT collection on Coinbase's Layer 2 network, Base, as part of the crypto exchange's "onchain summer" initiative. The collection, named Space Summer NFT, consists of three space-themed tokens that provide holders with access to SERA's astronaut selection program. The primary feature of this NFT project is the opportunity for token holders to potentially secure one of six seats SERA has reserved on an upcoming Blue Origin New Shepard rocket flight to low Earth orbit.
SERA plans to implement an onchain voting system for the astronaut selection process. NFT holders will receive a mission badge in the form of an NFT, which will be used to track votes in various phases of the selection. SERA claims this blockchain-based approach will ensure transparency in the voting process. In addition to the seat available through the NFT program, five seats are reserved for astronauts from countries with limited or no previous representation in space missions, including India, Nigeria, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
This project represents a fascinating intersection of NFT technology, space exploration, and blockchain-based voting systems. SERA has previous experience with token-based space flight opportunities, having facilitated a seat for Brazilian engineer Victor Hespanha on a Blue Origin rocket in 2022 through a similar process.
This week’s poll: How much will a politician's stance on cryptocurrency influence your voting decision?
We ❤️ Feedback
We would love to hear from you as we continue to build out new features for Lazy! Love the site? Have an idea on how we can improve it? Drop us a line at info@lazy.com