A Half-Billion Dollar Yacht, NFT Hospitality Memberships, & an Upcoming Merge
Crypto, NFTs, & the Metaverse
At 8 AM in Hong Kong, Bitcoin was trading at US$23,347, down 2.16% over the previous 24 hours, while Ether was down 2.2% at US$1,835. The only cryptocurrency in the top 10 on CoinMarketCap to defy the trend was XRP, which increased 0.7% to US$0.38 after Ripple, the token’s issuer, was recognized as one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private U.S. firms. Among the top 10, Dogecoin suffered the worst losses, falling 7.4% to $0.08 US. Additionally, down 6.5% to US$0.00001478, was Shiba Inu token. Recent Consumer Price Index statistics did show that U.S. inflation is slowing, with annual growth in July falling to 8.5% from June’s 9.1%.
The Ethereum proof-of-work chain and the proof-of-stake Beacon chain, both of which have been operational since December 2020, will be combined in September, when they are expected to merge. After the update, Ether’s total new issuance will probably fall by 90%, giving the coin a hold of value appeal. This decision, made by Coinbase, will also temporarily halt new Ethereum deposits and withdrawals until the September merge.
The Metaverse is one of the top five innovative tech concepts for 2022, according to Gartner. By 2024, it is anticipated that global spending on Metaverse technology will have increased almost five-fold, from roughly $15 billion to almost $73 billion. In May, Meta’s president of international affairs, Nick Clegg, said that the Metaverse may one day grow to be a $200 billion sector with 770,000 employees. As a result, Meta is investing enormous sums of money in an effort to lead that transformation.
Leading companies in gaming, retail, education, the arts, healthcare, business solutions, and blockchain have all invested in this quickly developing and rising ecosystem, which JPMorgan has even referred to as “the next trillion-dollar opportunity.” According to Citi, the Metaverse may just be in its infancy, but it may offer $13 trillion in potential revenue and have a significant impact on both major IT companies and cryptocurrencies.
Documentarian, Joe Hunting, has released his HBO Max documentary, We Met in Virtual Reality, last month to rave reviews. The movie follows a group of real people as they go about their daily lives while using VR software, participating in sign language lessons, going on road trips, staging wild weddings, and giving moving eulogies. Hunting frequently spent 15 hours per week engaged in the VRChat app while using Meta’s Oculus Quest headset during the 14-month long filming process. Many opponents of the Metaverse ponder why someone would choose a made-up reality over an authentic one. Similar worries are shared by many over the jargon-filled Metaverse ambitions of major corporations looking to cash-in on the coming digital life era. There are still concerns over data collecting, privacy, and the sale of digital items.
The solutions to all of those concerns are not found in Hunting or his film. However, the movie does give an interesting glimpse into the enjoyment and amusement that people are already experiencing in virtual worlds. Hunting is a living example of how virtual reality may transform people’s lives. Hunting, now 23 years old, established himself as a filmmaker throughout the film’s production, made lasting connections, and even fell in love with his current partner. He sees virtual reality as an essential, seamless part of his life in the twenty-first century, rather than a dystopian labyrinth or a marketing scheme. He claims, “In VR, I felt the most present I’ve ever felt. I’ve come to find a family through all of this.”
Luxury Travel & Hospitality
The second-richest person in the world, Jeff Bezos, will soon take ownership of a $500 million mega yacht that has just been built in the Netherlands. Although there isn’t much information available about the super yacht, a few details may be found on the website of the ship’s manufacturer and in a few media reports. Yet, it is known that this yacht will be 417 feet (127 meters) long, have multiple decks, and have three enormous black masts (via Bloomberg). According to reports, Oceanco, a custom ship builder that creates some of the biggest and most opulent yachts in the world, built the vessel known as the Y721. Mohammed Al Barwani, an Omani millionaire businessman, is the owner of the company, which is headquartered in the Netherlands.
When finished, this ultra-luxurious vessel is anticipated to be the largest sailing yacht in the world, according to the upscale publication Robb Report. The industrialist calls his boat “one of the best sailing yachts in existence” in his book “Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire.” Although it will most likely feature finery suited for a business tycoon like Bezos, this luxury cruiser is also advertised as being environmentally sustainable. The blueprint was based on Oceanco’s award-winning, environmentally friendly Black Pearl Yacht. According to the company’s website, this vessel can traverse the Atlantic without using any fossil fuels and is one of the biggest and greenest sailing yachts in the world.
“Egypt played a significant role in the Four Seasons’ expansion into the Middle East 22 years ago, making it a significant travel destination. Our sustained dedication to the area and everything it has to offer for upscale visitors and homeowners is demonstrated by our continued expansion,” the President of Global Business Development and Portfolio Management, Bart Carnahan, explained. Luxor, which is located in southern Egypt on the Nile River and is one of the most famous cities in the country, is regarded as one of the greatest ancient sites in the entire world.
This incredibly historic city serves as an open-air museum, with some of Egypt’s greatest antiquities on prominent display. It is most renowned for its history as the historical city of Thebes, and its spectacular Karnak and Luxor temple sites. The 200 guest rooms and suites at the Four Seasons Hotel Luxor, which is scheduled to debut in 2025, will each feature views of the Nile River, the Valley of the Kings, and the Valley of the Queens. The hotel will be situated close to the renowned Luxor Temple, which was built around 1400 BC.
West Palm Beach is now home to the NFT restaurant craze. A South Florida restaurant concept called Vinyl Fish Club (VFC) offers an upgraded take on an evening out by going “beyond the dining experience” with the added element of a social club with exceptional flare. The setting includes musical and visual components intended to elevate your mood. Your social membership is available through the Vinyl Fish Club NFT, with members who own NFTs receiving access to a luxurious concierge dining experience. By using a token, the club member purchases ownership, and NFT collectors and market newcomers are welcome to apply for membership. For VFC, this was the initial step in creating a product beyond a hospitality service; like many utility tokens, a social membership including a tradeable component, offers it both tangible and prospective growth value.
Similar to Vinyl Fish Club’s hospitality membership, NFT and luxury hospitality company, Lazy 8ight Yacht Club (L8YC), is integrating Web0 (real world) utility hospitality membership into the Web3 space. In addition to private luxury events in Web0, and one-of-a-kind traversable mega-yacht NFTs, L8YC provides unprecedented yachting services and unique experiences through its exclusive hospitality partnerships. L8YC’s experienced in-house sales team assists with yacht sales needs, whether one is looking to buy their first boat, or trading up for something new. L8YC members enjoy day charters on one of L8YC’s yachts, starting at just $300. With full and half days options available, holders enjoy access to over 500 day charter yachts, both across the U.S., as well as internationally. L8YC’s in-house team of charter brokers help plan the perfect charter, whether an overnight excursion in Mykonos, or a week-long trip to Alaska. Lazy 8ight designs everything, from the itinerary and activities, down to the vessel itself, all while negotiating the best rates.
Additionally, Lazy 8ight offers private chef services. Their catering partner, The Herbal Chef, curates high-end nights to remember, with the option of CBD & THC infusion to enhance multi-course meals. Chris Sayegh, and his team, create luxury catering for events, offering options like caviar stations, raw seafood bars, luxury buffets, prime beef carving stations, king salmon filets and more. L8YC is also pleased to now offer event security, through their partner, Security & Consulting, and their team of experienced military special operations individuals, ex-law enforcement, and retired members of the intelligence communities.
Be sure to visit Lazy 8ight Yacht Club’s website at http://L8yachtclub.com for minting and luxury hospitality service inquiries, or visit their Discord, Twitter, Medium, and Instagram pages on social media to stay up-to-date on current L8YC news.
New to trading? Try crypto trading bots or copy trading
