Coinpaprika News Overview (March 1st)

Bank of England deputy governor endorses CBDCs and financial inclusion

Bank of England's Deputy Governor for Financial Stability, Sir Jon Cunliffe, spoke at the Feb. 28 Treasury Committee on the crypto asset industry about the benefits of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and their potential to improve financial inclusion. Cunliffe said a CBDC could have significant benefits for the economy and society and that it provides another payment system in terms of resilience, citing his willingness to explore the introduction of a CBDC or some other form of a stablecoin. He also noted that a public and politically accountable asset was important and that it was more important for central banks to create a CBDC than for a "libertarian tech gazillionaire" to do so. Cunliffe warned against a stablecoin untethered to anything other than the central bank itself.

Crypto casino Roobet announces partnership with Snoop Dogg

Crypto casino platform Roobet has announced a partnership with music icon Snoop Dogg, aiming to leverage his international fan base. Snoop Dogg is no stranger to the crypto industry and the metaverse, having made waves when someone paid $450,000 to buy a lot in The Sandbox next to his virtual home. Last summer, he also cooperated with Food Fighters Universe to open an NFT-themed restaurant. Roobet claims over 3 billion wagers have been bet on the site since its 2019 launch, even though it only operates in select markets. The platform plans to hold several events and raffles to celebrate the partnership, including a meet and greet and backstage passes.

Voyager's bankruptcy plan approved by customers, SEC, and regulators object to sale to Binance.US

Crypto broker Voyager has revealed that 97% of its customers have voted in favor of its bankruptcy plan, which involves selling its assets to Binance.US. The votes equate to approximately $541.61m in total claims. Voyager plans to reveal further details after its court hearing on Mar. 2. However, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and regulators from New Jersey and Texas have opposed the plan, citing concerns about transferring customer data and Binance.US operating in the US market without proper licensing. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also raised objections, saying the bankruptcy plan would allow Voyager to evade accountability for misconduct.

The launch of HyperPlay - Web3 gaming launcher from former MetaMask operations lead

Former MetaMask operations lead, JacobC.eth has released HyperPlay, a Web3 gaming launcher that is now live in early access. The launcher is optimized for MetaMask users but is available for all major platforms. It offers a range of games, including non-crypto and Web3 titles, as well as the Epic Games and Good Old Games stores within its interface. HyperPlay generates revenue by offering "convenience features" within the app rather than taking a cut of game sales or transactions. The launcher "paints" a MetaMask layer in-game on top of the gameplay experience so users can complete transactions without switching windows, similar to Steam's in-game overlay. HyperPlay also examines and vets each game submitted to its launcher. It is developing its own sandboxes to isolate each game and restrict any undesired permissions or elements that could present a potential user security risk. Jacob sees a Web3 game launcher as important for broader crypto mass adoption, particularly in regions where people have been historically locked out of the financial system.

Swedish central bank chief reassures public over CBDC privacy concerns

Swedish Central Bank official reassures public on CBDC privacy concerns. Mithra Sunberg, - head of the E-krona division, stated that neither the state nor the central bank has any interest in monitoring how people pay for things. Privacy is an important consideration when talking about digital currencies, including CBDCs. While Sweden ran tests for CBDCs in 2022, Sunberg spoke as if a final decision hadn't been made yet about the e-Krona, and the CBDC "remains a topical subject" for Sweden.

French lawmakers approve stricter rules for crypto companies

France has approved new rules for crypto companies, subject to President Emmanuel Macron's signature. The legislation includes an amendment that imposes tighter requirements on new entrants to the French crypto market. However, the new regulations will not affect the 60 companies that have already registered under the country's two-tier system. Companies can apply for simple registration or full licensing, with none of the firms registered in France choosing full licensing. The new rules could challenge France's push to become Europe's crypto hub, with EU-wide regulations set to come into effect in 2026.

Unity adds a "decentralization" category to Asset Store for Web3 gaming tools

Unity, a popular game development engine, has added a "decentralization" category to its Asset Store. The category includes 13 different "verified solutions," including Algorand, Solana, Tezos, and Dapper Labs, that Unity has vetted for developers to integrate into their video games. The move is significant for the future of blockchain games, as many indie developers use Unity for game development, and Web3 titles like The Sandbox and Decentraland were also made using Unity's software. The Web3 gaming tools can be added directly to projects through Unity's Asset Store, simplifying the adoption process for developers.

Visa and Mastercard delay crypto plans amid market collapse and regulatory uncertainty

Visa and Mastercard have reportedly put their crypto-related plans on hold, including suspending new partnerships with crypto firms and delaying the launch of crypto-related services due to the recent market collapse and unclear regulation. Visa has partnered with over 70 crypto firms to help users purchase crypto seamlessly. However, the recent collapse of the crypto market, which pushed many firms into bankruptcy, has forced both payment giants to rethink their strategies. While Visa has stated that it will not change its positive stance on crypto, the companies will wait until market conditions and regulatory frameworks improve before forging new partnerships.