Tezos Community Rewards — September 2024

Announcing the CRP Winners for September 2024!

Greetings Tezos Community,

We are pleased to announce the winners of the “Community Rewards Program” CRP for the month of September 2024!

For more details about the various categories please refer to the rewards page on the Tezos Commons website.

The Community Rewards Program is a Tezos Commons Foundation initiative aimed at fostering adoption and supporting the Tezos ecosystem. Every month up to 5,000 tez are rewarded to those that stand out in merit and act in the interest of the Tezos ecosystem as a whole.

In an endeavor to make it easier for community members to nominate their favorite contributors to the ecosystem, the nomination form has been drastically streamlined. Now containing only three questions, it takes less than 30 seconds to submit a nomination.

Don’t have 30 seconds? You can tag any discord message, Reddit post or tweet with #TezosCRP and we will collect them as well!

This is the fifth iteration of the program and we will continue to make changes based on community feedback. Just like the Tezos blockchain, we will be continually evolving this program.

Numerous factors are used when evaluating submissions such as, quality of submissions, quality of activity, number of submissions, and verifiable proof of activity done by the nominee (no single factor is determinative of a winner, as all factors were weighed to select winners). The judges would like to note that for each category, they are looking for the respective monthly related activity meaning submissions should reflect activities done for that current month, i.e.; month of February activities.

Without further delay here are the results of the winners, below.

Assimilation Award

@spike_0124

@InvisibleChicks

@UnknownCo123

Formal Verification Award

@unrealb0x

Helping Hand Award

@SkullDegenClub_

@siftcroix

@libertez_baker

Influencer Award

@TheTezos

@Albert_1Camus

@Tez_Town

Patissier Award

• @TezCapital

• @Zir0h

• @asbjornenge

TEO Award

@_TransparentArt

Tez Dev Award

• @JackTezos

• @DOGGODOG_lab

• @Vivien_0xtz

• @alisis_official

Tezos Tutor Award

• @TezberryPie

• @TezosNFTMusic

• @LMTGT_

• @moneyevery3days

• @captstake

Nominations Are Open For October

With October underway, we have begun accepting nominations for this month. If you know someone that deserves a reward for their contributions to the community or have ideas about other categories that should be recognized then please fill out a nomination located here, or you can tag a post (or discord message) with #TezosCRP.

As mentioned previously, we are still working on long-term improvements to this program. We know this program is far from perfect, so please bear with us while we strive to improve this program based on community feedback. Stay tuned, stay creative, and keep nominating!

As a reminder to the reward winners, the awards are all distributed through Kukai and DirectAuth. If you have issues claiming your awards, please message us here.

Tezos Community Rewards — September 2024 was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Welcome, Tezos community, to another edition of The Baking Sheet! This week, we’re taking inspiration from the ancient city of Qena, known for its rich history along the banks of the Nile and the nearby Dendera Temple Complex, a symbol of resilience and innovation. Much like the city, the Qena proposal is a beacon of stability and forward-thinking for the Tezos network, standing firm with its focus on technical progress while letting the economic framework evolve naturally.

As we approach the final day to vote, let’s dive into what makes the Qena proposal so pivotal as it moves through the Exploration phase. Qena, submitted by Baking Benjamins (Tez Capital), has already passed the Proposal phase and now awaits your vote to move forward as the 17th Tezos upgrade. Time is ticking, so let’s explore what Qena brings to the table.

A Quick Refresher on Qena

Qena offers all the key technical advancements of the Quebec proposals but with a critical distinction — no economic changes. This means it keeps the adaptive issuance mechanism from the Paris upgrade intact, allowing the economic model to stabilize before further tweaks are made.

Here’s why Qena stands out:

8-Second Block Times: Like Quebec A and B, Qena proposes reducing block times to 8 seconds, speeding up transaction finality and improving user experience.

Improved Delegation Calculations: Qena enhances the way baking and delegation rights are calculated, smoothing out issues introduced in earlier upgrades.

Economic Stability: By leaving the economic mechanisms unchanged, Qena ensures the network can continue to evolve without disruptive adjustments to issuance or rewards, focusing solely on technical progress.

One Day Left to Vote!

As the clock winds down, this is your last chance to make your voice heard. Bakers, your vote matters! You can follow the voting progress and learn more about the proposal at Tezos Agora.

To vote for the Qena proposal, use the following command:

octez-client submit ballot for YOUR_ADDRESS PsqenaVwjhUUm1JJXbrZTB1T5RVyQHBGDricbLPXjcZkxogDeTJ yay|nay|pass

The future of Tezos is shaped by each of you — let's see where this journey takes us! One thing to note, if the proposal doesn’t get voted through the exploration phase by reaching the 80% super majority, the governance cycle will revert back to the proposal phase and the protocol will clear for new proposal submissions.

Hidden Gems of the Tezos Ecosystem: 10 Tools You May Not Know About

As we gear up for the final day of voting for the Qena proposal, let’s shift gears a little and talk about something equally important—tools. Whether you're staking, collecting, or building on Tezos, there are probably a few tools out there you haven’t yet explored. Long-time Tezos community member, Cryptonio, has put together a fantastic roundup of 10 Tezos tools that many might have overlooked. Here’s a quick breakdown of these hidden gems:

1. Bandog

A free toolset designed by community member Jack Tezos, Bandog helps artists and collectors track sales, mints, and suspicious activity, all without needing to connect your wallet. From a curated feed to visualizing your network’s impact, Bandog makes navigating the Tezos ecosystem easier for both creators and collectors.

2. Xtzchad

Built by DoctorChad, this set of open-source tools focuses on Tezos staking analytics and much more. Whether you’re comparing bakers, tracking wallet activity, or exploring staking ratios, Xtzchad offers powerful insights. Plus, it’s fun to play around with, especially if you’re curious about Tezos network activity.

3. TzFlow

Want to see the Tezos network in action? TzFlow lets you view live Tezos transactions, from NFT sales to token swaps. Hardcore users love tracking activity to spot trends or identify interesting projects, but even casual observers will find this tool fascinating.

4. TzSafe

For those needing a secure, multi-signature wallet, TzSafe makes it incredibly easy to set one up. Ideal for teams and collaborators, a multi-sig wallet requires multiple users to approve transactions, adding an extra layer of security. TzSafe simplifies the process into just a few steps.

5. Tezos Homebase

For anyone interested in creating a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO), Homebase makes it a breeze. You can create governance tokens, set up tez-based voting, and manage your DAO easily. Used by well-known DAOs like Tezos Domains and Crunchy Network, this tool has become a staple in the ecosystem.

6. Mooncakes

A gamified platform to onboard new users to Tezos and Web3. Mooncakes turns the often overwhelming task of learning about wallets, NFTs, and blockchain interactions into a fun and educational experience, complete with quests.

7. TTC Calendar

Keeping up with Tezos events, spaces, and shows can be tough. TTC Calendar is a community-sourced tool that makes it easier to stay in the loop, allowing users to add and discover Tezos-related events.

8. Cryptonoises Bot

This Telegram and Discord bot tracks various on-chain events like NFT sales, token transfers, and delegation rewards. Free users can track up to 8 wallets, and premium tiers offer even more flexibility.

9. Lockt.io

Lockt.io allows artists to add unlockable content to their NFTs, giving collectors access to exclusive rewards like unminted work, private chats, and more. This feature adds a whole new layer of value to Tezos NFTs.

10. NFTBiker Tools Collection

A multi-toolset for giveaways, airdrops, and batch swaps. NFTBiker also offers various analytics, making it a go-to for both artists and collectors. Some features require specific NFTs, but many are free and incredibly useful.

These tools are just a glimpse into the growing range of resources that are helping to shape the Tezos ecosystem. Whether you're deep into the world of Tezos or just starting to explore, there’s something here that can make your experience smoother and more enriching. If any of these tools pique your interest, take the time to explore them—you might find they open up new possibilities and ways to engage with the Tezos community.

This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem

As Tezos continues to evolve with new features and applications, it’s welcoming yet another powerful tool into its ecosystem. ComPilot, a cutting-edge compliance platform, is now officially available on Tezos, marking an important step toward making blockchain projects easier to manage from a regulatory standpoint.

If you’ve ever dabbled in the world of Web3, you probably know that one of the biggest headaches is making sure everything stays compliant with regulations. Well, the folks over at ComPilot (formerly known as NexeraID) are here to save the day. They’ve officially rolled out their compliance platform on Tezos, which means Web3 builders and developers on our favorite blockchain now have an easy way to handle all that tricky compliance stuff.

So, What’s ComPilot All About?

In the Web3 space, things move fast, and keeping up with both innovation and regulation can be a tall order. That’s where ComPilot comes in. Their platform pretty much takes the stress out of managing all the regulatory requirements. We’re talking about things like anti-money laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), Know Your Business (KYB), and even wallet screening. These are critical pieces for any legit Web3 project, and ComPilot makes it easy to manage it all in one place by pulling data from both Web2 and Web3 worlds.

But why is this such a big deal for Tezos? Well, it means that builders can now focus on what they’re good at—creating awesome, innovative projects—without constantly worrying about getting buried in paperwork or compliance issues.

Here’s what this integration brings to the Tezos community:

Less Hassle, More Innovation: Compliance processes like AML and KYC are simplified and automated, freeing up developers’ time to actually build.

Fostering Web3 Adoption: When projects are compliant, they’re more likely to gain trust and adoption from the general public.

Reducing Risks: Let’s face it, fraud and scams happen, but with advanced tools for screening and compliance, builders can sleep a little easier at night.

And it couldn’t have come at a better time. After the ‘Paris’ upgrade, the Tezos ecosystem has been ramping up scalability with things like the Data Availability Layer (DAL) for Smart Rollups on Layer 2. Now with ComPilot on board, the compliance side of things is getting just as robust.

What’s Next for ComPilot on Tezos?

Rachid Ajaja, the CEO and Founder of ComPilot, summed it up pretty nicely: “We’re proud to be the compliance layer for the Tezos blockchain. This collaboration shows that compliance is essential for preparing blockchain’s future. With ComPilot, our goal is to allow project builders to focus on innovation while remaining compliant with current regulations.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Compliance is crucial, especially as regulations like MiCA are set to roll out in 2024. Having a platform like ComPilot in place ensures that Web3 projects on Tezos can keep building, scaling, and growing without the risk of regulatory backlash. Cédric Roche from Nomadic Labs also pointed out how critical tools like ComPilot are for ensuring a secure and sustainable future for Tezos projects. And I think we can all agree—this is a big win for the entire ecosystem.

So if you’re a builder or even just a curious Tezos enthusiast, I highly recommend checking out ComPilot. It’s one more reason why Tezos is continuing to lead the way in decentralized tech for the real world. Want to dive deeper? Head over to compilot.ai for more info.

Game Spotlight: BattleTabs

Remember those intense family game nights playing Battleship, the thrill of calling out a shot, and hearing the words, “You sunk my battleship!”? Well, BattleTabs takes that nostalgic feeling and launches it into the future with a mix of strategic, card-based gameplay like Hearthstone—and yes, it's all happening on Web3.

BattleTabs has reimagined the classic Battleship game, adding new dimensions with special abilities, collectible cards, obstacles, and a vibrant 3D world that turns each match into an exciting, tactical adventure. The game's unique combination of strategy and creativity makes it stand out as a fresh take on the naval warfare we all know and love.

Quick and Easy Start

Don’t worry about complicated setups—BattleTabs has a fast, straightforward tutorial that guides you through the basics. You’ll learn how to position your ships, plan attacks, and leverage your fleet's special abilities. It’s a breeze to get going, whether you’re playing quick, five-minute matches or slower, more strategic 24-hour games. Head over to BattleTabs.io to dive right in.

Features to Explore:

Short & Long Battles: Choose between quick five-minute games or intense, multi-day matches.

Tournaments: Compete against others in bracket-style competitions via their Discord's Battle Bot.

Collectible Cards: Enhance your gameplay with limited-edition digital collectibles, each with unique perks and customization options for your fleet.

With upcoming apps for both Google Play and Apple’s App Store, the world of BattleTabs is expanding rapidly. Whether you’re jumping into a quick match or grinding through collectible card tournaments, BattleTabs offers a new level of excitement in the world of Web3 gaming and you can play it today at BattleTabs.io 

🔴 Now Streaming: Building on Etherlink with Renora's Stan Kozyakov

This week on TezTalks Radio, we’re joined by Stan Kozyakov, co-founder of Renora, a non-custodial SaaS platform that makes crypto investing easy through automation. Stan shares how Renora went from a personal project to a startup that's simplifying investment strategies for the crypto space.

🌟 Our special guest is Stan Kozyakov, sharing his journey and insights on navigating the world of automated crypto investing.

🔍 In this episode, we'll explore:

The Origin of Renora - Discover how Renora started as a personal tool for automated crypto investing and quickly gained traction within Stan’s network.

Renora's Evolution: - Learn how the platform is addressing the needs of busy professionals with automated solutions and its plans to integrate yield protocols and selling strategies.

Market Trends: - Stan discusses the shifting dynamics between CeFi and DeFi, the impact of crypto winter on investor behavior, and the importance of Singapore as a digital asset hub.

Support from Fortify Labs: - Find out how Fortify Labs played a crucial role in Renora’s growth and development.

Advice for New Investors: - Hear Stan's tips on why education and hands-on experience are essential for anyone looking to engage with digital assets.

Now Streaming:

YouTube | X

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Hidden Gems of the Tezos Ecosystem: 5 More Tezos Tools You Might Not Know About [Part II]

A look into 5 more Tezos tools that you should be aware of!

One article is not enough to cover all the amazing tools that exist in the Tezos ecosystem, so as promised, here is the second part, with 5 more interesting tools that you might find useful in your Tezos journey.

Once again we will look at tools that are free to use, and that are directed to artists, collectors, project creators, or any Tezos enthusiasts. In case you missed it, you can find part 1 here. Let’s get right into it!

Mooncakes

First on the list is Mooncakes, a platform that I consider one of the best tools for onboarding new people to the Tezos and the Web3 world in general. We’ve all been in that situation where we try to explain to a friend about wallets, NFTs, how to interact with the blockchain etc., but the info is just so much that we fear we will get them overwhelmed.

Well, Mooncakes takes all that hustle and turns the learning experience into fun. From creating a wallet, signing transactions, collecting and trading NFTs, to interacting with various Tezos platforms, Mooncakes teaches newcomers all that through fun quests and with actual practice, not just theory. All your friend will need to get started is 1–2 tez to use for gas for all the transactions and off they go on their journey into Web3. If you’d like to learn more about Mooncakes, I have written this guide that you can help your journey.

TTC Calendar

Next up we got the TTC calendar. A community-sourced initiative that aims to help Tezos enthusiasts keep up with spaces, shows, and all kinds of important events in the Tezos ecosystem. At the same time, it works as a place for users to highlight their projects, as anyone can submit events to the calendar and get more exposure to their initiatives.

Submitting an event is really an easy process and you can also choose if your events are a one-time thing or recurring. I would love to see this tool being utilized more as I’m also a Tezos enthusiast myself and it’s no lie that it’s getting harder and harder to keep up with everything happening in Tezos.

CryptoNoises Bot

Another great tool that many might not be aware of is the Cryptonoises bot. Cryptonoises is a bot for telegram and discord that allows you to track and get notified for a variety of on-chain events. This includes but is not limited to NFT sales and purchases, NFT offers and auctions, incoming and outgoing transactions of tokens including delegation rewards, and much more.

If you are using Telegram or Discord, Cryptonoises is a must as it makes keeping track of your wallets and activity much easier. The free version allows you to track up to 8 wallets and follow up to 100 users, which if you need to, you can extend by subscribing to one of their premium tiers.

Lockt.io

Lockt.io is another great tool for artists as it allows you to add unlockable content to any Tezos NFT. This way artists can add extra value for their collectors and reward them with extra material that unlocks only by holding a specific NFT.

For example, you could make one of your collections the key for people to get access to un-minted work of yours, links to exclusive content or private chat groups where you share extra tips and info, and much more. To be honest, the potential use cases here are only limited by our imagination.

NFTBiker Tools Collection

Last but not least, we have a set of tools that many of you might already know but which is still worth mentioning for the new people in the ecosystem. I’m talking about none other than the NFTBiker multitool.

This set of tools can make the lives of artists and collectors much easier as it offers tools for giveaways, airdrops, batch swaps, a variety of analytics, and much much more. While some of the tools require you to be a holder of specific NFTBiker NFTs to use them, the open-for-all tools are still super helpful and you should definitely check them out.

That’s all for part 2 friends! Yes, I know, there are still many more tools out there that should be mentioned but I don’t want to make these articles too long. Also, keep in mind that I haven’t included tools that are directed to more niche groups like bakers, etc.

So will there be a part 3? At some point yes, it’s inevitable as the Tezos ecosystem keeps growing and more new tools are created by the community all the time. With that in mind, I would love your suggestions on tools you think should be on that list. Until then, put your explorer hat on, and go check out the tools listed above. You just might be surprised and hooked even deeper into the Tezos ecosystem.

Hidden Gems of the Tezos Ecosystem: 5 Tezos Tools You Might Not Know About [Part II] was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The browser-based wallet just got an update on mobile.

I recently had the pleasure of downloading and playing with the new Kukai Wallet mobile app on iOS. Mobile wallets can be tricky, as they need to be familiar while embracing the natural inputs that mobile users are used to. I was very pleasantly surprised by my experience with Kukai.

The Kukai Wallet app is lightweight and easy to install and offers one of the most effortless wallet creation experiences I’ve ever had. One of Kukai’s standout features is the ability to sign in using your social accounts, which, for me, instantly pulls up my tz2 address linked to my X (formerly Twitter) account. The app’s minimalist design and naturally intuitive navigation make the process quick and easy, ensuring a fast and stress-free experience.

The user experience is a major focus, and finding different functions or tools within the wallet feels intuitive. Users can quickly switch between active wallets at the top of the app, access a QR scanner at the top right, and activate a slide-out menu at the top left for settings or to send and receive tez. Additionally, the slide-out menu allows you to disconnect any previously connected apps.

Sending tez inside the app is straightforward as well: click on your XTZ balance, tap “Send,” and paste the recipient’s address. It’s clean and hassle-free, just as a mobile wallet should be.

One of the app’s most convenient features is its use of Face ID. Once set up, you can authorize transactions with a glance, providing a layer of biometric security and making transactions faster and more seamless. Another security-focused feature is the ability to export your keys to your social login account. Previously, a ban on a social platform could lock you out of your social wallet permanently, but now, Kukai allows you to export your seed phrase for safekeeping. The ability to export this phrase gives you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can always restore your wallet in an emergency. Just remember: never share your seed phrase with anyone.

The NFT gallery feature particularly impressed me. The app organizes your NFTs by collection, with clear, high-quality thumbnails for each item. You can also search your NFTs and tag your favorites for easy access. When you tap on an NFT, you get a closer view, complete with details like its description and attributes. If you encounter NFTs you’d rather not see, Kukai lets you hide collections and individual tokens.

Connecting to marketplaces like Objkt.com has never been simpler. The Beacon integration allows you to choose between using the app or browser version of Kukai. Selecting the app prompts a quick switch, letting you verify and confirm your connection. Once done, you can return to Objkt in your browser, where you’ll be automatically connected. It’s fast, easy, and seamless.

Performance-wise, the app has been snappy and responsive throughout. The dark mode looks sleek and is painless on the eyes, which is always a plus for frequent users. Delegating your tez is just as simple. Once you’ve selected your XTZ from the token menu, the delegation option appears next to your balance. You can either pick from a list of bakeries or input your custom address.

While I haven’t yet found a way to stake directly through the app, I suspect this feature will be available soon. For now, you can simply just go to stake.tezos.com and connect your wallet and stake.

What sets Kukai apart the most is its seamless integration of social logins. At a time when cryptocurrency can feel overly complicated, Kukai simplifies access by allowing users to secure and authenticate their wallets using familiar services like X and Google. With the added security of two-factor authentication tied to your social accounts, Kukai provides an extra layer of protection for your assets.

Overall, the Kukai Wallet app delivers on its promise of being user-friendly and accessible, particularly for those new to crypto or looking for a more effortless experience. With its social login integration, smooth interface, and security features like Face ID and seed phrase export, Kukai balances simplicity and functionality. Whether managing XTZ, browsing your NFT collection, or scouring Objkt for the next grail, the app provides a reliable and efficient tool for interacting with all your favorite Tezos projects.

A Closer Look at the New Kukai Wallet App for iPhone was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Month At A Glance — September 2024

A quick rundown of the latest happenings and significant milestones within the Tezos ecosystem for September 2024.

Welcome to our latest issue, Month At A Glance (September 2024), where we give a quick rundown of the latest happenings and significant milestones in the Tezos ecosystem on a monthly cadence.

Like a repeating record, September 2024 was an exciting month for Tezos, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Tezos position paper, governance updates, and Staketember.

Let’s break it all down.

Ecosystem Insights

10 Years of Tezos!

If you think about it, there are few blockchain projects that can say they’ve been around since Ethereum’s conception. One of the fundamental ideas with Ethereum in the first place was this inherent limitation of Bitcoin of enabling smart contracts natively. When we look at the leaders of the space today, virtually all that pops into my mind comes from this era, such as Zooko Wilcox or Vitalik Buterin, to be precise. Then there’s Arthur Breitman, also known as L.M. Goodman.

If you listened to the Justin Bons interview Arthur was on not too long ago, he really dived deep into his background. To me, as someone who’s been in the Tezos ecosystem since 2018, it was very interesting to hear just how established Arthur was in the space before the conception of Tezos. Here are some snippets if you’d like more color; bear in mind the initial question is asked at around the 9-minute and 38-second mark.

I would say my motivation for decentralized governance in Tezos came from objections of the Bitcoin community around improvement. I first started thinking about this in 2011. I’m in London and in the hacker space, and I meet Amir Taaki, and I say well, I like Bitcoin, but I don’t really like the PoW aspect. Because it means essentially you have permanent inflation or you lack your security budget. He said, but you know Bitcoin is not an algorithm. It’s a ledger fundamentally. So long as you presume it’s a ledger, you can always change the underlying algorithm. That made me very confrontable because, fundamentally, what matters is shelling point or focal point that people have around this ledger. How you power it in some sense doesn’t really matter, so I’m thinking through this, but I’m also thinking in some sense, we agree that this is a ledger, but we also agree on the rules for changing it and how do we agree to change the algorithm. If there’s to be a change, how does that work?

So, I started thinking about this for a few years, and then it’s 2, and there’s a lot of innovation coming. I’m reading a lot about proof of stake at the time. I’m reading a lot about zero-knowledge proof for privacy, which I think is a big issue in current blockchains. I’m also reading about smart contracts, and I’m very excited because, oh, finally, a lot of the issues that I see in Bitcoin will be fixed. This is around the zero coin paper and zcash paper, I realize in the Bitcoin community there’s basically this idea oh no we’re not going to put that in Bitcoin. Like wait a second, that’s a problem, and at the end of the day, who decides what gets into Bitcoin? The general feeling becomes, well, you know, if we let anyone have a say in what gets into Bitcoin, then some people could just decide to do bad things. Which I completely buy.

So, I’m thinking of governance in terms of, in some sense, things which are good and which all agree are good. So, you know, if your blockchain is faster as opposed to slower, that’s a good thing. If your blockchain is safer as opposed to less safe, that’s a good thing. They’re not very controversial, so you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck if your governance lets you prevent bad things. So, as long as you have a governance system that will say someone is trying to take over the ledger, clearly, we don’t want that. Then, you get a lot of the benefits of governance without all the risks.

Pretty cool to see Arthur active and interested in the crypto space since as early as 2011. Even more unique, the Ethereum whitepaper wasn’t released until December 2014, a few months after the Tezos whitepaper. This showcases the level of technical acumen we place here in the Tezos ecosystem. Legitimate problems were conceived, and a solution was proposed before everyone else started to think the same way.

Nevertheless, there’s a ton to celebrate. I encourage you to read Cryptonio’s piece on 10 years of Tezos! Personally, one of my favorite moments was when I went deep down the rabbit hole in 2018. It seems so long ago, I remember reading the whitepaper amazed. So much so that I wrote a piece titled Why Tezos is the most advanced Blockchain to date.

I just about lost it when Kathleen tweeted my article. Of course, the rest is history after being here with Tezos Commons since then!

Tezos Governance Gets Even More Exciting

For the first time since the Brest proposal, a protocol upgrade proposal that was not promoted as a protocol upgrade passed the proposal stage. As we’ve learned, Nomadic Labs shared more details on the Quebec A and B proposals earlier in the month. Below is an infographic I produced, including Qena, which managed to pass the proposal phase!

In the current stage of voting, the Qena proposal has entered the exploration phase with a few days remaining. Interestingly enough, a large baker POS Dog immediately downvoted the proposal following the passing of the proposal phase. There’s a ton of elements on why some people feel the way they do about Qena or the other variants and it’s truly fascinating to see on-chain governance in action like it is today.

Overwhelmingly, consensus has shown people fall on the side of wanting to have the technical improvements of Quebec without the economic changes induced by the 2 variants in Qena. It’s an amazing time to be part of Tezos governance right now. Make sure to keep up with the discussion on X or Tezos Agora. You can also track the progress here and of course, be sure to vote!

#Staketember

You may not have noticed, but an entirely new staking mechanism has been introduced to Tezos. One of the main events was spreading awareness of the new mechanism for September. Enter Staketember — a neat way to drum up interest in the new staking mechanism on Tezos.

If you’re unsure how to stake (still), check out the video shared on the Tezos X account. Also, feel free to check out my X thread. Previously, the only option of delegating did not involve putting tez at stake, so it’s not “staking”, but delegating. It’s sometimes been loosely called staking, but that is no longer the proper terminology with the advent of actual staking. Check out the thread from our X page to learn more about the difference!

The event ran throughout the month and awarded people with Gengoya Club NFTs. Pretty neat way to give back to the community! Winners for the month included:

Sift (best meme)

Everstake (most external stake increase in 5 cycles)

As we move into October, let’s make sure to stake your tez if you haven’t yet. After all, nearly double the rewards is a pretty nice incentive if you ask me!

News From The Tezos Ecosystem: Quick Bits

ECAD Labs secures a grant from the Tezos Foundation

ECAD Labs is a software development company focused on Tezos. Their Taquito library makes interacting with the Tezos blockchain easier, enabling developers to create robust applications with less friction. Learn more about their grant here.

Tezos Foundation shares grant recap for August 2024

Notable grants include Explours from Functori, a powerful new block explorer offering in-depth insights into the Tezos network’s on-chain data. The Graph also received a grant from the Tezos Foundation for their work in integrating with Etherlink.

xalts x Tezos

Backed by Citi Ventures and Accel, xalts provides infrastructure for programmable assets. They are a plug-and-play solution that tokenizes real-world assets and builds blockchain apps on Tezos. Learn more about them and their collaboration here.

VNX launches new stablecoins on Tezos

VNX is a digital platform for tokenizing RWA licensed by the Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority (FMA). As part of their onboarding to Tezos, they generate stablecoins referencing two most popular European fiat currencies — VNX Euro (VEUR) and VNX Swiss Franc (VCHF). Both of these are now tradable on Plenty.

Robinhood Crypto now supports tez for NY residents

If you're in NY, you can now buy and sell tez on the Robinhood app. This addition marks 14 total digital assets supported for the region within the app.

Events

Tuesday TezDay w Arthur Breitman — September 3rd

TezTalks Radio w Imran Haqeem of TZ APAC — September 4th

Artz Friday w StrokeDriven — September 6th

Tuesday TezDay w BattleRise Game — September 10th

TezTalks Live w Nikolai Mitev of Sugarverse — September 12th

Artz Friday w Victoria West — September 13th

Tuesday TezDay w Beata Lipska — September 17th

Tezos Presence @ Token2049 — September 18th

TezTalks Radio w Maria Belashova of Everstake — September 19th

Artz Friday w HPLoveBux — September 20th

Tuesday TezDay Community Call — September 24th

Founder Pass: Discover Etherlink’s 1st Gaming NFT! X Space w BattleRise — September 25th

TezTalks Live w Jeremy Foo — September 25th

Artz Friday Community Call — September 27th

Subjective Art Festival — September 27–29

Community Rewards Program

The Community Rewards Program (CRP) is a Tezos Commons Foundation initiative to foster adoption and support the Tezos ecosystem. Every month, up to 5,000 tez are rewarded to those who stand out in merit and act in the interest of the Tezos ecosystem as a whole.

The nomination form has been drastically streamlined to make it easier for community members to nominate their favorite contributors to the ecosystem. Now containing only three questions, submitting a nomination takes less than 30 seconds.

Don’t have 30 seconds? Tag any Discord message or tweet with #TezosCRP, and we will collect the messages!

The categories and nomination standards have remained the same. For more information, visit the refreshed landing page here. We’ve also announced the August 2024 winners, so check out the recap here.

Stay in the Conversation, Stay in the Know

Tezos Commons hosts a variety of community-oriented events and content. To stay up to date, please visit our events page!

TezTalks Live

TezTalks Radio

X Spaces

X Shorts

Baking Sheet Newsletter

In-Depth Articles

You can also contact us on X or via email at social@tezoscommons.org.

Month At A Glance — September 2024 was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Welcome to another week, Tezos community, and thank you for joining us for a fresh edition of The Baking Sheet! As always, we’re here to keep you updated on all the exciting developments happening across the Tezos ecosystem. Whether you’re here for the latest protocol upgrades, gaming highlights, or insights from the broader Tezos landscape, we’ve got something for everyone. So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive into what’s shaping the future of Tezos this week.

First up: We’ve got some major news on the governance front. The Tezos upgrade proposal Qena, submitted by Baking Benjamins from Tez Capital, has officially passed the proposal phase and is now the focus for the 17th Tezos Upgrade. This is a historic moment because for the first time ever, a proposal has come from a grassroots team in the community.

Now that Qena has moved forward, it’s time for bakers to make their voices heard. Let’s refresh our memories on what this proposal is all about.

What is Qena?

Qena is a protocol proposal designed to bring technical improvements to Tezos without introducing any disruptive changes to the economic model. While it shares key features with previous upgrade proposals like Quebec A and Quebec B, Qena focuses on stability and simplicity. Here’s a quick refresher on what Qena brings to the table:

8-Second Block Times: Just like the Quebec proposals, Qena reduces block times from 10 seconds to 8 seconds, resulting in faster transactions and a better overall user experience.

Amended Delegation Computation: This update addresses issues introduced in the Paris upgrade, ensuring that bakers’ baking rights are not unintentionally reduced when large amounts of tez are transferred between delegators.

No Economic Changes: Unlike the Quebec proposals, Qena does not introduce any economic adjustments like adaptive maximum issuance or changes to delegation weighting. Instead, it advocates for letting the current economic system (introduced in the Paris upgrade) continue to mature before implementing any further changes.

Why Vote for Qena?

Qena strikes a balance between technical progress and economic stability. If you believe that it’s too soon to introduce more economic changes to the Tezos ecosystem and prefer to let the existing system settle in, Qena is your proposal of choice. It offers the network improvements Tezos needs while maintaining stability in its economic policies. One thing to watch is that it might be too early to tweak adaptive issuance based on feedback and we should watch how the staking rate increases over the next few months

Bakers, it’s time to vote!

To vote for the Qena proposal, simply use the following command:

octez-client submit ballot for YOUR_ADDRESS PsqenaVwjhUUm1JJXbrZTB1T5RVyQHBGDricbLPXjcZkxogDeTJ yay|nay|pass

Make your voice heard and help shape the future of Tezos!

Stay tuned and follow the voting progress on Tezos Agora, and learn more about each proposal: Tezos Agora Voting.

Let's keep the momentum going, Tezos! Every vote counts!

Kukai Wallet Launches iOS App: Seamless Experience for All Tezos Users

Following the exciting news about the Qena proposal moving forward, there’s another major development this week for Tezos users. Kukai Wallet has officially launched its long-awaited iOS app, giving Tezos users a sleek, fully native app experience that makes managing your assets smoother than ever.

Kukai has long been a favorite in the Tezos ecosystem, and this iOS launch brings a host of features that both newcomers and seasoned users will appreciate. Whether you’re diving into the world of Tezos for the first time or managing a diverse portfolio of NFTs and DeFi tokens, Kukai’s iOS app has something for everyone.

Here’s what you can expect from the Kukai iOS app:

Easy Social Sign-In for Newcomers: Get started with Tezos effortlessly through social sign-in, making it easier for first-time users to jump in.

Multiple Wallet Management: Power users can import and manage multiple wallets, making it easy to keep track of large collections of tokens and NFTs.

Seamless Token & NFT Discovery: The app automatically discovers all your tokens and NFTs using TzKT indexing by Baking Bad. Even if you have thousands of assets, Kukai has you covered.

Customizable Asset Views: Use favorites, grouping, and recents to organize and view your collections and DeFi tokens in a way that suits you.

Native WalletConnect Integration: Kukai integrates WalletConnect natively for fast and reliable interactions across the Tezos Web3 ecosystem. A standout feature is the ability to switch accounts within Kukai without needing to reconnect, ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted experience.

Generative Art Features: The app also highlights Tezos' strong connection to the art community. Featured artists will be highlighed in the app like "Garden, Monoliths #156" by Zancan from (fx)hash, demonstrating Kukai’s commitment to supporting the creative side of Tezos.

With its sleek interface and powerful features, Kukai for iOS is the perfect tool to manage your Tezos assets on the go. Whether you’re staking, trading, or collecting NFTs, you can now do it all from the palm of your hand.

Download the app and start exploring today! Get Kukai on the App Store.

Electis Rolls Out Blockchain Voting App to 60,000 Schools in France, Powered by Tezos

The headlines continue with more news on how blockchain technology is transforming governance and participation. Electis, a French startup, is set to make a major impact in school elections by launching a blockchain-based voting solution powered by Tezos. This innovative platform is about to roll out across 60,000 schools in France, allowing parents to securely vote for their representatives through a transparent, verifiable system.

Electis first tested this blockchain solution in 2023 at a high school in Occitanie, and it was met with great success. Now, as of October 2024, the platform will enable remote electronic voting for annual school elections, a major leap forward in the application of blockchain technology for educational governance.

Key Features of Electis Voting System:

Blockchain-Powered Voting: By leveraging Tezos, Electis offers a transparent, secure, and anonymous voting experience, moving away from traditional black-box voting systems.

Homomorphic Cryptography: This technology ensures votes can be counted while maintaining voter anonymity, enhancing privacy and security.

Open-Source and Verifiable: Electis provides the first open-source voting platform for internet-based elections, aligning with modern standards for transparency and security.

Expanding Governance Reach: While beginning with school elections, Electis plans to extend its voting solutions to municipalities and even international organizations.

Electis has garnered support from investors and public funding through the France 2030 program, positioning itself to reshape how elections are conducted, starting with schools and potentially extending far beyond. Utilizing Tezos has been the perfect fit considering that one of the biggest strengths of Tezos is its built in governance mechanism and a strong community that advocates for it.

For more information on Electis and its blockchain voting system, check out their website.

This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem

Shifting gears from our headlines, this week in the Tezos Ecosystem saw the third edition of the Tezos Town Hall, focused on an essential topic: Staking on Tezos. Held on October 3rd, this insightful event brought together key voices from across the Tezos ecosystem to break down staking and delegating, debunk myths, and explore how these critical elements contribute to the health and security of the Tezos blockchain.

The Speakers:

Serge Simonian from PK Labs

Kevin Mehrabi from StableTech

Alex Liu from Tezos Commons

Chris Pinnock from Tezos Foundation

Katie Hegarty from Trilitech

The discussion covered everything from the fundamentals of staking and how it works on Tezos, to the practicalities of delegating and managing your staking rewards. The panelists shared their experiences and insights, helping both newcomers and seasoned Tezos users better understand what Staking means on Tezos.

If you missed the live event, don’t worry! You can watch the full recording on YouTube to catch all the valuable takeaways.

Watch Tezos Town Hall #3 here: YouTube Link.

EverStake x Nomadic Labs AMA: Staking

Continuing the theme of staking in the Tezos ecosystem, this week also featured an AMA hosted by EverStake and Nomadic Labs on October 3rd. The event brought together members of the Tezos community eager to dive deeper into the ins and outs of staking on Tezos.

Yuriy Gagol, Head of Engineering at Nomadic Labs, led the discussion, answering questions from the community and sharing his expertise on staking. Topics covered included the technical aspects of staking, common challenges faced by bakers and delegators, and practical tips for those looking to get the most out of their staking experience.

Listen to the AMA recording here: Tezos Staking AMA.

Game Spotlight: SugarVerse

This week’s Game Spotlight shines on SugarVerse, an upcoming Web3 match-3 game that promises intense, head-to-head battles where players compete for sweet rewards! Prepare yourself for fast-paced action as you face off against opponents in this sugar-fueled experience. Ready to dive into the excitement? Check out the Sugar Match trailer above and get ready for the ultimate sugar rush!

SugarVerse is created by XS Software, a game development studio with an impressive track record dating back to 2004. With over 60 million users worldwide across various games, XS Software has built a reputation for putting its players first and consistently meeting community expectations. Now, after dominating the Web2 mobile gaming space, the studio is making its mark in the Web3 world with SugarVerse.

Quick Facts about XS Software:

Khan Wars: 8 million+ players

Lady Popular: 10 million+ players

Imperial Hero: 3 million+ players

With a legacy of building hit games and listening to player feedback, XS Software is taking the plunge into Web3, and SugarVerse is their first step toward creating one of the largest Web3 mobile games ever, powered by Tezos.

Learn more:

Website: SugarVerse

X: @Real_SugarVerse

🔴 Now Streaming: Building on Etherlink with Renora's Stan Kozyakov

This week on TezTalks Radio, we’re joined by Stan Kozyakov, co-founder of Renora, a non-custodial SaaS platform that makes crypto investing easy through automation. Stan shares how Renora went from a personal project to a startup that's simplifying investment strategies for the crypto space.

🌟 Our special guest is Stan Kozyakov, sharing his journey and insights on navigating the world of automated crypto investing.

🔍 In this episode, we'll explore:

The Origin of Renora - Discover how Renora started as a personal tool for automated crypto investing and quickly gained traction within Stan’s network.

Renora's Evolution: - Learn how the platform is addressing the needs of busy professionals with automated solutions and its plans to integrate yield protocols and selling strategies.

Market Trends: - Stan discusses the shifting dynamics between CeFi and DeFi, the impact of crypto winter on investor behavior, and the importance of Singapore as a digital asset hub.

Support from Fortify Labs: - Find out how Fortify Labs played a crucial role in Renora’s growth and development.

Advice for New Investors: - Hear Stan's tips on why education and hands-on experience are essential for anyone looking to engage with digital assets.

Now Streaming:

YouTube | X

Powered by beehiiv

A look at one of the teams building in TZAPAC’s incubator program.

A few days ago, a game called Block Reflex dropped into my lap. At first glance, it just seemed like a simple memory game. You flip over two cards, exposing their hidden symbols. Successfully matching identical symbols clears the cards, and “clearing” the board nets you the win. What caught my attention was the game records your best time directly on-chain. That’s right, every board you clear becomes a permanent, verifiable achievement, all thanks to OnChainVision Labs (OCV).

Not long after clearing a few boards in Block Reflex, my mind began racing around how even a basic memory game could lead to an accurate permanent record. Instead of chasing a personal best score stored in a server, your top score becomes part of an ongoing, shared history outside the game. And all of this is made possible through OCV’s tools by making these records more tangible and lasting.

A Creator’s Playground

For developers, OCV opens the door to a world of possibilities. Creating interactive experiences, like Block Reflex, doesn’t require deep technical expertise in blockchain. The platform allows you to build digital assets using familiar web design tools like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript while offering direct consultation from OCV to meet your personal needs.

The Asset Studio consists of several tools developers can use to explore, manage, and build assets. Each tool simplifies the process, allowing you to focus on simple integration instead of compromising your creativity. If you want to add some permanent record, like the game I played, or maybe even push the envelope further, OCV is ready to help.

Breathing Life Into Digital Art

What happens if you add an element of audience participation into your NFTs? Imagine creating a piece of art that instantly reacts to a viewer’s interactions or a painting that slowly shifts colors based on the time of day. OCV lets you take things a step further. Their examples in their marketplace frankly blew me away. Watching the TetraClocks update in real time is unbelievably satisfying.

If you’ve been looking for opportunities to engage with your audience directly through your art, this could give your projects a new experience. The artwork can take on a life of its own as it shifts and changes, adding a deeper and more memorable connection for your audience. With tools like this, OCV allows artists to breathe real life into their work.

Real-World Applications for Digital Assets

Another potential avenue for exploration is OCV’s push to bridge real-world physical assets into the digital space. Let’s say, for example, you own a piece of real estate. Instead of a listing consisting of photos or a street-view-style walkthrough, a listing could be an immersive, 3D digital version of the property that someone could explore more deeply. By linking these assets to digital representations, OCV enables greater transparency and interactions.

Enhanced Development with Etherlink Support

OCV has chosen support for the Etherlink network. Integrating Etherlink, an L2 on the Tezos network, allows OCV to handle interactive digital assets quickly and efficiently. Etherlink also makes it easier to scale creators’ projects and simplifies the management of digital art and game assets.

The Future of Digital Interaction

What excites me about OnChainVision Labs is the collection of tools and support they have provided in one place. Imagine what will happen when people realize how much easier it is to implement meaningful and memorable web3 aspects into their projects. Even the simple process of recording and preserving a high score, like Block Reflex, turns a game traditionally played with cards on a table into a digital competition worldwide.

Between artists, developers, or even someone curious about where digital technology is heading, OCV is providing the tools and support to get you started right now. With the right tools, you might be surprised at where the journey takes you.

So, what will you create? OCV is ready to help you push the limits of your imagination.

OnChainVision Labs: Tools To Bring Your Assets To Web3 was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Hidden Gems of the Tezos Ecosystem: 5 Tezos Tools You Might Not Know About

A look into some powerful yet lesser-known Tezos tools that you may not be familiar with — but definitely should be.

Regardless of how active we are in the Tezos ecosystem, I think that it’s impossible to keep track and stay updated on everything. This means that there are probably some Tezos related stuff that we often miss completely, stuff that if we knew about, might come in very handy in our Tezos journey.

In this article, I thought I would create a list with a few Tezos tools that I’m sure many people aren’t aware of, and that could be useful for artists, collectors, developers, or even holders and enthusiasts. Let’s have a look.

1. Bandog.tez.page

First up on the list, we got Bandog. A free to use set of tools created by a very active community member (Jack Tezos), that is designed to help artists and collectors on their journey inside the Tezos ecosystem. Bandog allows users to track and analyze their sales and mints, to spot bad actors and suspicious transaction patterns, as well as a personally curated feed and network visualization to better picture your connections and impact in the ecosystem.

It’s worth mentioning that you can use all those tools simply by pasting your wallet address, and there is no need to connect your wallet. For more info on Bandog and its tools, you can check my “Bandog: The Secret Weapon for Tezos Artists and Collectors” article.

2. Xtzchad.xyz

Xtzchad.xyz is another set of tools built by a community member known as DoctorChad. These tools are all open-source and they are focused on Tezos staking as well as other analytics for the Tezos ecosystem.

From staking and comparing bakers that you can stake with, getting snapshots for your node, and tracking wallets with inflows and outflows to identify connections to having fun watching visualizations or playing with various scenarios for the Tezos staking ratio and issuance. Definitely a website you should keep in mind (or your bookmarks). If you wanna learn more details about each of its tools, make sure to check out my “From Staking to Fun: Unveiling xtzchad.xyz’s Tools” article.

3. TzFlow.com

Next up on the list is tzflow.com, another cool tool that you might not be aware of. With Tzflow, you can watch the Tezos network activity live. From simple tez transfers to NFT sales, token swaps, and much more. On top of that, it shows interesting Tezos metrics like the average fees, transactions per second, volume of the network, and more.

Believe it or not, hardcore users are finding opportunities in those transactions by watching mass sales of a specific NFT, swaps in specific smart contracts and generally identifying sudden patterns that occur in the network. If that sounds too much for you, you should still try it out as I’m sure at the very least, you’ll find new Tezos projects that you weren’t aware of showing up in the transactions.

4. Tzsafe.org

Time to get into the more geeky stuff. Tzsafe is a tool that allows you to easily create a multi signature (multi-sig) wallet, and when I say easily, I mean in like 3 steps. Multi-sig wallets allow multiple people to control a wallet, requiring a specific number of them to approve any transactions.

These kinds of wallets are ideal for teams, collaborators, and other cases where multiple parties need to control funds collectively and they need extra security for them. Tzsafe takes this concept and makes it accessible to everyone, through their website that offers an easy to understand UI. If you would like to learn more about multi-sig wallets and the tzsafe tool, I have written a guide that walks you through the whole process here.

5. Tezos-homebase.io

Last but not least, Tezos Homebase is a tool that allows anyone to create a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) with just a few clicks. Even if you don’t have a governance token for your DAO, Homebase allows you to easily create one and distribute it to the people you want.

With the most recent update of the tool, it is also possible to have tez-based voting for your DAO if you prefer that. Its interface is pretty intuitive and it makes the creation and management of DAOs a piece of cake. It’s no wonder DAOS like the Tezos Domains, Tezos Ecosystem DAO, Crunchy network, and many others have used it for their governance.

With the Tezos ecosystem and especially the art scene growing so fast, it’s impossible to keep up with all the tools and projects that come out. That means that there are many more tools that need to be discovered and highlighted. So if you know some that you feel should be on this list, put them down in the comments and I will try to cover them in “Part II” of this article.

Let’s support and share the work of our community builders and let’s make sure their work is seen by as many people as possible. And hey, at the same time, you might make the life of many fellow Tezos users easier. Artists, collectors, developers, or enthusiasts, there are definitely tools that can help you in your Tezos journey. So what are you waiting for, go ahead and check them out!

Hidden Gems of the Tezos Ecosystem: Tezos Tools You Might Not Know About was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Welcome to this week's edition of The Baking Sheet! We’re at a pivotal moment in the Tezos ecosystem, as today marks the last day for voting on the Quebec protocol proposals. Three distinct proposals—Quebec A, Quebec B, and Qena—are up for consideration, each with its own vision for the future of Tezos.

To kick off this week's edition, we’re featuring a special guest post from one of our very own, long-time Tezos community member Cryptonio, who will guide us through the key differences between these proposals. Let’s explore what’s at stake and what these proposals mean for the next chapter of the Tezos journey!

Tezos Upgrade Showdown: The Key Differences Between Quebec A, B, and Qena

Tezos is once again presenting the community with a set of important protocol proposals: Quebec A, Quebec B, and Qena. Each of these proposals brings a set of technical improvements, but they also diverge when it comes to changes in Tezos’ economic model. Whether you’re a baker or a participant in the Tezos ecosystem, it’s essential to understand these differences, as the proposals have distinct implications for the network’s future, especially regarding inflation, staking, and delegation.

In this article, we’ll break down the technical upgrades common to all proposals and dive into the unique aspects of each one. Finally, we’ll look at who might prefer each proposal and why this variety of proposals is a win for the Tezos community.

What All Three Proposals Offer

Before we get into the specifics of each proposal, it’s worth noting that all three share a set of technical improvements. These upgrades focus on performance, user experience, and fairness, ensuring that regardless of the outcome, the Tezos network will see positive advancements.

Here are the core upgrades found in Quebec A, Quebec B, and Qena:

8-Second Block Times: All three proposals aim to reduce block times from the current 10 seconds to 8 seconds. This means faster transaction processing and a better user experience. Shorter block times reduce finality, meaning transactions are confirmed more quickly — helpful for both everyday users and developers working on dApps.

Amended Delegation Computation: The proposals address an issue introduced in the Paris upgrade, which led to some unintended consequences for bakers. The new computation method ensures that large transfers between delegators don’t accidentally reduce a baker’s baking rights. This update should make the delegation system smoother and fairer for both bakers and delegators.

Improvements to Delegation Rights Calculation: An updated formula makes it easier for bakers and delegators to understand their baking power throughout the cycle. This improvement reduces confusion and ensures everyone has a clearer idea of their potential rewards.

In short, no matter which proposal wins, Tezos will benefit from faster transaction speeds and a more straightforward delegation system. But what about the differences?

Quebec A: Controlling Max Issuance

Quebec A takes the shared technical improvements and adds a significant economic tweak: the adaptive maximum issuance bound. This mechanism adjusts the maximum amount of tez that can be issued based on how close the network is to its target staking ratio of 50%. The closer the network gets to the 50% target, the lower the maximum issuance allowed, preventing excessive inflation.

This is important because Tezos uses an adaptive issuance model where rewards adjust based on staking participation. When fewer people stake, rewards increase to incentivize more staking. But without this cap, if participation is near the target, the issuance might remain high even when it’s not necessary, leading to unnecessary inflation. The adaptive maximum bound solves this by dynamically lowering the maximum issuance as the target is approached, keeping inflation in check while ensuring the network has enough rewards to secure itself.

Why vote for Quebec A?You want to reduce inflation and make tez more scarce. Quebec A is for those who think controlling the supply of new tez is essential for the network’s long-term growth and value.

Quebec B: More Staking, Less Delegation

Quebec B includes everything Quebec A offers — technical improvements and the adaptive maximum issuance bound — but takes the economic adjustments one step further. In addition to the adaptive maximum issuance bound, Quebec B proposes to reduce the power of delegated funds when calculating baking rights.

Currently, when you delegate tez to a baker, those funds count toward the baker’s overall staking power. Right now, delegated funds are weighted at 50% of their nominal value when calculating baking power. In Quebec B, that percentage is reduced to 33%. In other words, delegation becomes slightly less powerful, pushing people to stake their own tez instead of relying heavily on delegation.

This change is designed to push more people toward staking instead of delegating. By reducing the influence of delegated funds, Quebec B increases the incentive for users that have more “skin in the game.” Those who stake will see greater rewards relative to those who rely heavily on delegations.

Why vote for Quebec B?You believe that the more direct participation and personal stake you have, the greater your rewards should be. Quebec B is ideal for those who want to encourage more staking rather than delegating.

Qena: Keep the Tech, Skip the Economics

Qena includes all the same technical upgrades as Quebec A and Quebec B — 8-second block times, smoother delegation calculations, and overall network improvements — but it skips the economic adjustments altogether.

Qena is for those who believe that it’s too early to introduce more economic adjustments. The Paris upgrade, which just activated two months ago, brought in a huge economic overhaul, and many think we should let that play out longer before making further changes.

In other words, Qena appeals to people who want to give the current system time to settle before adding more complexity to the economic model. It’s for those who think we should focus on the technical upgrades now and reconsider economic tweaks later once we’ve seen how things develop post-Paris.

Why vote for Qena?If you believe it’s too soon to make more changes to the economic model after the big Paris upgrade and want to give the current system more time, Qena is the way to go. It’s for those who think the technical improvements are enough for now, and we shouldn’t rush into additional economic changes.

A Win for the Community

Regardless of which proposal wins, it’s important to recognize that having three different options — including one from the community itself (Qena) — is a victory for Tezos governance. It highlights the power of a decentralized, community-driven blockchain, where different voices can present their vision for the network’s future.

Vote for Quebec A if you want to reduce inflation and make tez more scarce.

Vote for Quebec B if you also want to reduce the influence of delegated funds and encourage more staking.

Vote for Qena if you believe it’s too soon for more economic changes and think the technical upgrades are enough for now.

If you’re a baker, make sure to vote and help shape the future of Tezos. If you’re not a baker, engage in discussions with the community and your baker about their vote. The future of Tezos is shaped by the community, and every voice counts. Let’s continue to push Tezos forward — together.

Quick Comparison: Quebec A vs. Quebec B vs. Qena

Feature

Quebec A

Quebec B

Qena

Block Times

8 seconds

8 seconds

8 seconds

Adaptive Maximum Issuance Bound

Yes

Yes

No

Delegated Funds Weight

No changes (1/2 of nominal value)

1/3 of nominal value

No changes (1/2 of nominal value)

Economic Adjustments

Yes (Issuance mechanism updates)

Yes (Issuance and delegated weight)

No economic adjustments

Target Audience

Bakers and delegators looking for a stable but improved issuance model

Bakers looking for more aggressive staking incentives

Community members favoring stability and market predictability

Call to Action

With Quebec A, Quebec B, and Qena all on the table, the choice is in your hands, Tezos community! Each proposal offers a unique path forward, whether it's through faster block times, adjusting baking power, or focusing on economic stability. This is your chance to shape the next step for Tezos.

For bakers, now is the time to vote for your preferred protocol upgrade. Use the following commands to submit your proposal of choice:

Quebec A:

octez-client submit proposals for YOUR_ADDRESS PsquebeCaYyvBEESCaXL8B8Tn8BcEhps2Zke1xMVtyr7X4qMfxT

Quebec B

octez-client submit proposals for YOUR_ADDRESS PsQuebecBo3zZmhQT7KdEQ2RRDtncE6gQFRPgwkKEyC1ea995G1

Qena:

octez-client submit proposals for YOUR_ADDRESS PsqenaVwjhUUm1JJXbrZTB1T5RVyQHBGDricbLPXjcZkxogDeTJ

Stay tuned and follow the voting progress on Tezos Agora, and learn more about each proposal: Tezos Agora Voting.

Let's keep the momentum going, Tezos! Every vote counts!

Robinhood offers XTZ in New York

As the Quebec upgrade proposals near the final hours of voting, the excitement in the Tezos ecosystem doesn't stop there. In another boost for Tezos accessibility, Robinhood has just announced that New York residents can now buy and sell Tezos (XTZ) on their platform. This addition means New York-based users can now buy, sell, and trade Tezos, bringing the total number of cryptocurrencies available through Robinhood in New York to 14.

Given New York's strict regulatory environment for digital assets, this is an awesome step for Tezos, showcasing its growing presence in one of the most challenging markets. Robinhood’s move to include Tezos not only broadens access for New York users but also demonstrates the increasing traction of Tezos in multiple verticals like gaming, DeFi, and art.

For anyone using Robinhood in New York, Tezos is now just a tap away.

Tezos Community Rewards Program: Only 3 Days Left to Nominate!

Lastly for the headlines this week, the clock is ticking, and there are just 3 days left to submit your nominations for the September edition of the Tezos Community Rewards Program! This is your chance to recognize and celebrate those who have made exceptional contributions to the Tezos ecosystem over the past month.

The Community Rewards Program is an initiative by Tezos Commons to foster growth, engagement, and support within the Tezos community. Up to 5,000 tez is rewarded every month to contributors who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, talent, and commitment to the ecosystem.

The categories for this month's rewards include:

Assimilation Award: Recognizing those who welcome, connect, and support members of the Tezos community.

Drill Sergeant Award: For the individuals who help others get up to speed, serve as mentors, or provide guidance in the ecosystem.

Helping Hand Award: For assisting others in the Tezos community through acts of kindness or support.

Influencer Award: For driving engagement, awareness, or adoption of Tezos through thought leadership, content creation, or social media presence.

Patissier Award: Awarded to those who contribute to the baking community by educating, onboarding new bakers, or providing baking services.

TEO Award: For outstanding efforts in furthering Tezos Education Outreach, whether through workshops, events, or educational resources.

Tez Dev Award: For developers building or enhancing projects, applications, or tools on the Tezos blockchain.

Tezos Tutor Award: Recognizing those who help others learn about Tezos through educational resources or tutorials.

The Formal Verification Award: For engaging in constructive exchange in Tezos and setting the example for good argumentation, defining terms, reasoning from first principles, sharing evidence, and avoiding logical fallacies.

Don't miss this opportunity to nominate someone you believe has made a difference in the Tezos ecosystem. Visit tezoscommons.org/rewards to submit your nomination today!

This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem

Magic Hits a New High with 50K+ npm Downloads

Shifting to news and updates around the Tezos Ecosystem updates, This week a key achievement was celebrated with our friends at Magic. Magic has surpassed an impressive 50,000 npm downloads, with nearly 3,000 downloads in just the past few weeks! This milestone showcases the growing interest in Magic’s seamless authentication and wallet integration, making it easier than ever for developers to build on Tezos.

But that's not all—there’s been a surge of interest in Etherlink, with the Etherlink documentation page becoming one of the most visited blockchain pages for Magic’s developer community. It's clear signal that the Tezos ecosystem continues to attract attention, especially from developers eager to integrate blockchain based solutions.

If you’re ready to jump in and start building with Tezos and Magic’s wallet integration, check out their developer docs here 👉 Magic + Etherlink Developer Docs.

Game Spotlight: BattleRise

Step into BattleRise: Kingdom of Champions, a fantasy-themed role-playing game blending turn-based battles, immersive storytelling, and endless dungeons. Set in the world of Eos, you'll unite brave warriors to battle against ancient evils threatening all of creation.

Dungeons: Make strategic decisions in dynamic dungeon runs where every choice influences your journey.

Arena: Face off against other players in real-time PvP battles.

Champions: Choose from a diverse roster of heroes from different factions, each with unique skills and synergies.

Artifacts: Equip your champions with legendary weapons and artifacts to enhance their powers.

Story Mode: Explore a rich fantasy narrative and embark on epic quests.

Learn more and download at battlerise.com

Also, Catch up on the recent X Space discussing the Etherlink Founders Pass, BattleRise's gaming NFT: Listen here

🔴 Now Streaming: Gaming on Tezos with Jeremy Foo

This week on TezTalks LIVE, we’re joined by Jeremy Foo, the Global Head of Gaming at TZ APAC, to dive into the latest developments in blockchain gaming, both in the Asia Pacific region and across the Tezos ecosystem.

🌟 Our special guest is Jeremy Foo, who brings his wealth of experience from the gaming industry to his mission of growing gaming on Tezos.

🔍 In this episode, we'll explore:

What is TZ APAC? Learn about TZ APAC’s role in driving Tezos adoption, especially in the gaming sector across the Asia Pacific region.

Jeremy's Journey: Hear about Jeremy’s path from consulting at McKinsey to leading strategic investments in gaming and how he became the Global Head of Gaming at TZAPAC.

Supporting Game Developers: Discover the resources and support TZ APAC offers to game developers building on Tezos, including funding, strategy, marketing, and technical guidance.

Upcoming Game Releases: Get the latest on exciting new games like Pike’s Arena and how they’re shaping the future of blockchain-powered gaming on Tezos.

Now Streaming:

YouTube | X

Events

Join us for the first annual Subjective Art Festival, taking place from September 27-29 at LUME Studios in Tribeca, NYC. Curated by Victoria West and sponsored by Tezos Commons, this event brings together over 150 artists and showcases cutting-edge art and technology across six floors of installations.

Location: LUME Studios, 393 Broadway, New York, NY 10013, USA

Sign Up Here

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A dive into the release of NFTimbre 2.2 from La Poste-Philaposte and philately in the web3 space.

If you're any bit like me, you've probably seen NFTimbre pop up on your timeline. I wasn't entirely sure what it was, nor did I know who La Poste was, as is the case for many European companies collaborating within the Tezos ecosystem. But it's pretty interesting, and La Poste is no small company.

Let's dive into NFTimbre, the latest release of 2.2, who La Poste is, and more!

What is NFTimbre?

Before we discuss NFTimbre deeply, it's worth pointing out who La Poste is. La Poste Groupe is France's national postal service, operating in several sectors: mail, banking, parcel delivery, and digital services. In 2022, it generated €35.4 billion in revenue and employed about 238,000 people. La Poste ranks among Europe's largest postal operators, though it trails behind Deutsche Post DHL and USPS in size.

In terms of NFTimbre, it's a project from La Poste-Philaposte with collaboration from Nomadic Labs. La Poste-Philaposte is La Poste's philately division, responsible for designing and producing French stamps and collectors focusing on cultural and commemorative themes. The division operates semi-independently within La Poste's broader structure.

NFTimbre is a philatelic project that combines traditional postage stamps with digital NFTs. Each NFTimbre has a physical stamp and its digital counterpart, which was created on the Tezos blockchain. Users can collect, exchange, and display these digital stamps in their Tezos wallets. The stamps are linked to the Tezos blockchain and help ensure authenticity and ownership.

The very first piece showcases a whirlwind of objects coming out of a mailbox. Pretty much as if the box were opened to release a whole world: postcards, envelopes, administrative mail, gifts, and everything in between. The neat thing about these La Poste NFT stamps is that they can be collected or used for mailing. The digital version, typically a video or HD image, reveals hidden details of the physical stamp that aren't visible otherwise.

Per the roadmap, NFTimbre2 is currently a three-part NFT stamp collection. A third edition, NFTimbre 2.3, will be released in November 2024. That said, the collection follows a young woman at the center of a journey symbolized by her stance and the environment around her. In both cases, she is shown facing an open space, more clearly a window in NFTimbre2.2.

The first edition shows very fuzzy and digital anecdotes, which fit the theme of connecting the physical and digital realms. The most obvious parallel here is the concept of a physical copy of the stamp itself and its digital "twin" counterpart.

The editions can be purchased on the NFTimbre site for about €8 each. I must admit that, as a U.S. resident, it would not let me purchase them when I started to enter my shipping details. Perhaps it was still possible; the site seemed not to let me move further once that information was provided. So, if you're in the European region, get your hands on some!

Final Thoughts

As a coin collector, I feel drawn to stamps and the whole collecting aspect of it all. Combining postage stamps with NFTs makes perfect sense as an application of blockchain. Blockchain helps ensure transparency and authenticity, making it ideal for collectibles like stamps. You can't alter the information once it's on the chain, and there are many cool things you can do with it, as evident here. This is important, though, when it comes to preserving the stamp's provenance and ownership history, and what better way to do just that than on the Tezos blockchain?

When we consider some of the most successful verticals for blockchain, we're immediately brought to something similar: art. There's a reason for that. Not only does it help eliminate this rampant issue of forgery or processes to verify the authenticity of physical collectibles, but I think it's part of where everything is moving towards. Our books, collectibles, and even money are virtually all being digitized. You hardly see anyone pull out a checkbook these days except my dad.

Jokes aside, blockchain simplifies this entire process, and there's virtually no trade-off. When you have a technology like that that eliminates so much friction, it seems like a matter of time. I'm excited to see the next edition of NFTimbre come out in November of this year. Be sure to be on the lookout for that!

A Closer Look at NFTimbre was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

A Closer Look at Tezos’ Latest Proposals: Quebec A, Quebec B, and Qena

Tezos is once again presenting the community with a set of important protocol proposals: Quebec A, Quebec B, and Qena. Each of these proposals brings a set of technical improvements, but they also diverge when it comes to changes in Tezos’ economic model. Whether you’re a baker or a participant in the Tezos ecosystem, it’s essential to understand these differences, as the proposals have distinct implications for the network’s future, especially regarding inflation, staking, and delegation.

In this article, we’ll break down the technical upgrades common to all proposals and dive into the unique aspects of each one. Finally, we’ll look at who might prefer each proposal and why this variety of proposals is a win for the Tezos community.

What All Three Proposals Offer

Before we get into the specifics of each proposal, it’s worth noting that all three share a set of technical improvements. These upgrades focus on performance, user experience, and fairness, ensuring that regardless of the outcome, the Tezos network will see positive advancements.

Here are the core upgrades found in Quebec A, Quebec B, and Qena:

8-Second Block Times: All three proposals aim to reduce block times from the current 10 seconds to 8 seconds. This means faster transaction processing and a better user experience. Shorter block times reduce finality, meaning transactions are confirmed more quickly — helpful for both everyday users and developers working on dApps.

Amended Delegation Computation: The proposals address an issue introduced in the Paris upgrade, which led to some unintended consequences for bakers. The new computation method ensures that large transfers between delegators don’t accidentally reduce a baker’s baking rights. This update should make the delegation system smoother and fairer for both bakers and delegators.

Improvements to Delegation Rights Calculation: An updated formula makes it easier for bakers and delegators to understand their baking power throughout the cycle. This improvement reduces confusion and ensures everyone has a clearer idea of their potential rewards.

In short, no matter which proposal wins, Tezos will benefit from faster transaction speeds and a more straightforward delegation system. But what about the differences?

Quebec A: Controlling Max Issuance

Quebec A takes the shared technical improvements and adds a significant economic tweak: the adaptive maximum issuance bound. This mechanism adjusts the maximum amount of tez that can be issued based on how close the network is to its target staking ratio of 50%. The closer the network gets to the 50% target, the lower the maximum issuance allowed, preventing excessive inflation.

This is important because Tezos uses an adaptive issuance model where rewards adjust based on staking participation. When fewer people stake, rewards increase to incentivize more staking. But without this cap, if participation is near the target, the issuance might remain high even when it’s not necessary, leading to unnecessary inflation. The adaptive maximum bound solves this by dynamically lowering the maximum issuance as the target is approached, keeping inflation in check while ensuring the network has enough rewards to secure itself.

Why vote for Quebec A?You want to reduce inflation and make tez more scarce. Quebec A is for those who think controlling the supply of new tez is essential for the network’s long-term growth and value.

Quebec B: More Staking, Less Delegation

Quebec B includes everything Quebec A offers — technical improvements and the adaptive maximum issuance bound — but takes the economic adjustments one step further. In addition to the adaptive maximum issuance bound, Quebec B proposes to reduce the power of delegated funds when calculating baking rights.

Currently, when you delegate tez to a baker, those funds count toward the baker’s overall staking power. Right now, delegated funds are weighted at 50% of their nominal value when calculating baking power. In Quebec B, that percentage is reduced to 33%. In other words, delegation becomes slightly less powerful, pushing people to stake their own tez instead of relying heavily on delegation.

This change is designed to push more people toward staking instead of delegating. By reducing the influence of delegated funds, Quebec B increases the incentive for users that have more “skin in the game.” Those who stake will see greater rewards relative to those who rely heavily on delegations.

Why vote for Quebec B?You believe that the more direct participation and personal stake you have, the greater your rewards should be. Quebec B is ideal for those who want to encourage more staking rather than delegating.

Qena: Keep the Tech, Skip the Economics

Qena includes all the same technical upgrades as Quebec A and Quebec B — 8-second block times, smoother delegation calculations, and overall network improvements — but it skips the economic adjustments altogether.

Qena is for those who believe that it’s too early to introduce more economic adjustments. The Paris upgrade, which just activated two months ago, brought in a huge economic overhaul, and many think we should let that play out longer before making further changes.

In other words, Qena appeals to people who want to give the current system time to settle before adding more complexity to the economic model. It’s for those who think we should focus on the technical upgrades now and reconsider economic tweaks later once we’ve seen how things develop post-Paris.

Why vote for Qena?If you believe it’s too soon to make more changes to the economic model after the big Paris upgrade and want to give the current system more time, Qena is the way to go. It’s for those who think the technical improvements are enough for now, and we shouldn’t rush into additional economic changes.

A Win for the Community

Regardless of which proposal wins, it’s important to recognize that having three different options — including one from the community itself (Qena) — is a victory for Tezos governance. It highlights the power of a decentralized, community-driven blockchain, where different voices can present their vision for the network’s future.

Vote for Quebec A if you want to reduce inflation and make tez more scarce.

Vote for Quebec B if you also want to reduce the influence of delegated funds and encourage more staking.

Vote for Qena if you believe it’s too soon for more economic changes and think the technical upgrades are enough for now.

If you’re a baker, make sure to vote and help shape the future of Tezos. If you’re not a baker, engage in discussions with the community and your baker about their vote. The future of Tezos is shaped by the community, and every voice counts. Let’s continue to push Tezos forward — together.

Tezos Upgrade Showdown: The Key Differences Between Quebec A, B, and Qena was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Spotlighting The Artists Unable to Spotlight Themselves On X

Social media and the connections we forge within these platforms often open doors to opportunities that are hard to come by in the real world. In light of the recent ban of X (Twitter) in Brazil, we’re spotlighting some of the incredible Brazilian artists contributing to the vibrant Tezos ecosystem. (I couldn’t cover all the talented Brazilian artists in the Tezos community as there are just way too many talented artists from Brazil.) Brazilian art enriches the world with its diverse and unique cultural perspectives, and these artists are committed to sharing their work, no matter the obstacles.

Thank You Tezos Community, For Being Who You Are

We first want to express our gratitude to the Tezos Community, which has rallied together with heartfelt, grassroots initiatives to support artists who may be affected by this recent ban. A special shoutout goes to @pravijn, who has been curating a list of over 45 Brazilian artists for the past two years — this resource can be found here. Another recent effort led by the team at Objkt.com offers a thread of valuable information to help preserve and share Brazilian artwork, which you can explore here. We also want to acknowledge @terabitcoins for creating the Portuguese-speaking #TezosCommunity Directory, which is accessible here. Thank you to TeraBitcoins and also to Malicious Sheep for helping bring balanced perspectives and information to light amongst all of the chaos.

The Tezos Community continues to exemplify the heart and spirit of humanity, proving that nothing will halt our journey toward a digital art revolution. Let’s celebrate the exceptional talent of Brazilian artists and keep supporting this global digital art movement.

Here are some of the Brazilian Artists of Tezos, Their Artworks, And Alternative Socials

Solidarity by Gravotopia — Polychrome Engraving Gravotopia (@Gravotopia)

Gravotopia is a visual arts studio celebrated for its diverse and intricate engravings, capturing themes ranging from urban landscapes to symbolic and abstract compositions. Their work often delves into the intersections of nature, society, and the metaphysical, emphasizing physical prints in practice. Despite the recent ban from X, Gravotopia remains active and continues to share their evolving portfolio on Instagram and through their Linktree. As a versatile contributor to the Tezos art community, Gravotopia’s works push boundaries, blending traditional engraving techniques with contemporary digital narratives. Supporting their journey is vital as they navigate the uncertainties of current events.

Pano de Alaká by Marco Palhano Marcos Palhano (@MarcosPalhano16)

Marcos Palhano is a Brazilian photographer whose work beautifully captures the essence of culture and everyday life in Brazil. Known for his evocative and detailed close-ups of traditional celebrations and cultural practices, Palhano’s photography highlights the beauty of exploring Brazil. Despite the recent ban on X, he continues to share his work through Instagram and his website, allowing his audience to experience the rich visual stories of Brazilian culture through his photography. Supporting artists like Palhano helps maintain the visibility of Brazil’s vibrant art scene and gain more exposure to the digital art world.

Enjoy Nature by Doug CriptoFace Doug CriptoFace (@criptoface21)

Doug CriptoFace is a Brazilian street artist who co-hosted spaces from BrazilTezos every Tuesday until recently and continues contributing to the Tezos art community. His popular collection on Objkt, “Yellow Faces”, combines traditional street art style with new digital elements. For every Yellow Faces NFT sold, Doug has committed to painting an edition on the streets in real life. An excellent cross-promotion between the digital and physical art world. He also has a collection offering physical artworks, “Phygital Arts”. Each 1/1 can be sent to collectors upon request. Another notable development is Doug revealing his book of drawings that will be given away to holders of NFTs minted from each page. You can find Doug’s alternative socials on his Linktree and support this artist’s growing momentum.

Curumim by Rosa Morena Rosa Morena (@rosamorena111)

Rosa Morena is a Tattoo artist who has taken her unique trade to web3 by minting amazing tattoo-inspired designs as NFTs on Tezos since September 2021. Rosa is an artist of many medians beyond Tattoo art. Her first series was an awe-inspiring collaboration with her son who was 4 years old at the time, combining his artz scribbles with her digital mixed media techniques. A self-taught artist who expresses herself freely, she has recently begun exploring AI within her creations. Outside of contributing amazing and diverse art to Tezos, she was the fellow co-host of spaces, BrasilTezos, along with Doug CriptoFace. Follow her Objkt profile and help cheer on this Brazilian artist and contributor to the Tezos Community.

More Brazilian Artists On Tezos To Be Spotlighted For Our Upcoming ARTicle Of the Month

Over the coming weeks, we will continue tuning into the developments and pushing forward with efforts to support any artists affected by recent events. As we wrap up this spotlight on the remarkable Brazilian artists navigating the Tezos ecosystem, it’s clear that their resilience and creativity remain unshaken. Their stories and contributions remind us of the boundless spirit of artistic expression and community support that define this global commonwealth revolving around the freedom and opportunities Tezos can provide. Let’s continue to support and uplift these incredible artists, and keep our shared passion for creativity alive. Your support makes all the difference.

Brazilian Artists Of Tezos was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Greetings Tezos community! We’re kicking off this week’s edition of the Baking Sheet with some exciting updates on the upcoming 17th protocol upgrade, Quebec. As always, Tezos keeps pushing forward, and now, we’re getting not one, not two, but three different protocol proposals to consider—Quebec A, Quebec B, and a new twist, the Qena proposal from a community member. Let’s dive into the details!

Announcing Quebec A and Quebec B by Nomadic Labs, Functori, and TriliTech

After the successful activation of the Paris protocol upgrade, which brought significant changes like 10-second block times and the Data Availability Layer (DAL), the Quebec proposal is now ready to take things to the next level.

Both Quebec A and Quebec B build on the foundation of Paris and represent key milestones on the road to Tezos X. While they share several key features, there are notable differences between the two.

Here’s a breakdown of what each proposal brings:

Shared Features in Quebec A & B

8-Second Block Times: Both proposals aim to reduce block times from 10 seconds to 8, improving transaction speed and user experience on Tezos Layer 1.

Adaptive Maximum Issuance Bound: The proposals introduce a new mechanism to keep issuance rates from becoming excessively high, especially when the staked ratio is close to the 50% target. This is an update to the existing Adaptive Issuance feature and ensures a more stable issuance model.

Amended Delegation Rights: Both proposals also tackle issues around the computation of minimal delegated balances, addressing unexpected dilution of baking rights and improving UX for bakers and delegators alike.

The Key Difference - Quebec B

Delegated Funds Baking Power Reduction: Quebec B proposes to reduce the weight of delegated funds in the computation of baking power from one half- one third of their nominal value. This change incentivizes delegators to become stakers and nudges public bakers to embrace staking more aggressively.

With these changes, Quebec B takes a bolder approach toward adjusting the balance of baking power, while Quebec A maintains a more conservative stance.

Enter Qena: An Alternative Proposal from Tez Capital

The plot thickens with the introduction of Qena, a community-proposed alternative from Tez Capital that provides all the technical improvements of Quebec without making any economic changes.

What Does Qena Propose?

No Economic Adjustments: Unlike Quebec A and B, Qena avoids the changes to the adaptive issuance mechanism and keeps the current system intact. The focus here is on stability, allowing the adaptive issuance to mature naturally.

Long-Term Growth: Qena prioritizes market stability and avoids frequent changes that could introduce economic unpredictability.

Focus on Technical Progress: Qena incorporates all technical advancements in Quebec, such as the 8-second block times and improved delegation mechanics, without disrupting the current economic dynamics of the ecosystem.

Quick Comparison: Quebec A vs. Quebec B vs. Qena

Feature

Quebec A

Quebec B

Qena

Block Times

8 seconds

8 seconds

8 seconds

Adaptive Maximum Issuance Bound

Yes

Yes

No

Delegated Funds Weight

1/2 of nominal value

1/3 of nominal value

No changes

Economic Adjustments

Yes (Issuance mechanism updates)

Yes (Issuance and delegated weight)

No economic adjustments

Target Audience

Bakers and delegators looking for a stable but improved issuance model

Bakers looking for more aggressive staking incentives

Community members favoring stability and market predictability

Call to Action

With Quebec A, Quebec B, and Qena all on the table, the choice is in your hands, Tezos community! Each proposal offers a unique path forward, whether it's through faster block times, adjusting baking power, or focusing on economic stability. This is your chance to shape the next step for Tezos.

For bakers, now is the time to vote for your preferred protocol upgrade. Use the following commands to submit your proposal of choice:

Quebec A:

octez-client submit proposals for YOUR_ADDRESS PsquebeCaYyvBEESCaXL8B8Tn8BcEhps2Zke1xMVtyr7X4qMfxT

Quebec B

octez-client submit proposals for YOUR_ADDRESS PsQuebecBo3zZmhQT7KdEQ2RRDtncE6gQFRPgwkKEyC1ea995G1

Qena:

octez-client submit proposals for YOUR_ADDRESS PsqenaVwjhUUm1JJXbrZTB1T5RVyQHBGDricbLPXjcZkxogDeTJ

Stay tuned and follow the voting progress on Tezos Agora, and learn more about each proposal: Tezos Agora Voting.

Let's keep the momentum going, Tezos! Every vote counts!

This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem

Let’s dive into This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem by kicking off with the exciting updates from TOKEN2049, where Tezos made a powerful impression with key announcements and side events that took place throughout the week.

Token 2049: Tezos’ “Broadband Moment”

At the heart of Tezos' presence at TOKEN2049 was co-founder Arthur Breitman’s keynote address, dubbed Tezos’ "Broadband Moment." Arthur discussed Tezos X, marking the next generation of Tezos.

One of the standout features Arthur discussed was JSTZ, an experimental rollup with a JavaScript execution environment. This new rollup aims to broaden accessibility for developers by allowing them to write smart contracts and applications using JavaScript, one of the world’s most popular programming languages. This bold step is set to transform Tezos by making blockchain development more approachable and encouraging more developers to build within the ecosystem.

Arthur's speech at TOKEN2049 signals a pivotal moment for Tezos, solidifying its place as a leader in pushing the boundaries of scalability, composability, and interoperability.

Tezos Realm: A Full Immersive Experience

Tezos Realm, held at the historic CHIJMES Hall in Singapore, was the center of blockchain innovation. Attendees explored four themed realms—Culture & Community, DeFi, Gaming, and Etherlink—each showcasing cutting-edge projects from across the Tezos ecosystem.

Featured projects included:

akaSwap and Objkt in the Culture & Community realm

BattleRise and Ladder Protocol in the Gaming realm

Hanji and Superlend in the DeFi realm

Kredete and YourD in the Etherlink realm

Guests collected stamps after exploring these exhibits, unlocking exclusive Tezos Realm merchandise and prizes. For those unable to attend in person, the event was also available through the TZ Apex Hybrid Edition, allowing the global community to interact with the showcased projects remotely and win exciting rewards, including tez, NFTs, and in-game items.

Zeeve’s Rollup Day

Tezos was also featured at Zeeve’s Rollup Day, where Siddharth Singhal from Trilitech spoke on the "To Roll-up or not: Tackling the Conundrum" panel. The discussion focused on the transformative potential of rollups, a crucial component of Tezos X, and how they can drive scalability and innovation in the blockchain space.

CryptoCarnival Celebration

Rounding off the week was the CryptoCarnival, an event sponsored by Etherlink in celebration of Trust Wallet, CoinMarketCap, and 1inch. The lively festival atmosphere brought together key players from the crypto world and featured exclusive giveaways, merchandise, and a fireside chat discussing the latest developments in blockchain.

Entangled: The Exhibition – An Immersive Journey into Generative Art

As we continue This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem, we shift our focus to Belgium, where a captivating art experience is unfolding. Entangled: The Exhibition is a must-see event taking place at Wintercircus in Ghent, from September 17-22, bringing together the worlds of generative art, digital interaction, and quantum mechanics.

Hosted by nonfigurativ in collaboration with fx(hash, this on-chain generative art collection, "Entangled," invites visitors to explore the complex interplay between the physical and digital realms. The exhibition is more than just a visual treat—it includes a cutting-edge multimedia robotics installation that ties into the themes of quantum mechanics.

Key Highlights:

Meet the Artists: Attendees will have the chance to engage directly with the minds behind the artwork, learning about their creative processes and inspirations.

Venue Tours: Explore the iconic Wintercircus venue while diving deep into the fascinating world of generative art.

Educational Programs: The exhibition is not just about viewing but also about learning. Through workshops and talks organized in partnership with Tezos, visitors can deepen their understanding of the intersection between art and blockchain technology.

Event Details:

Dates: September 17-22

Location: Wintercircus, Ghent, Belgium

RSVP for the Opening: Experience a night of art, talks, and networking with like-minded art enthusiasts and blockchain innovators. RSVP here.

For those looking to join in on the public programs, the event includes workshops and educational tours aimed at exploring the future of art through blockchain. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register for free before it’s too late.

IguanaDEX Version 3 Launches on Etherlink, Now Tracked by DefiLlama

In exciting news for the Tezos DeFi landscape, IguanaDEX Version 3 has officially launched on Etherlink, the Tezos Layer 2 rollup network, bringing new decentralized trading and earning opportunities. IguanaDEX allows users to trade and earn cryptocurrencies without relying on centralized exchanges or intermediaries, providing a seamless, user-friendly experience powered by Tezos.

Key Features of IguanaDEX:

Decentralized Trading: Users can swap tokens and create liquidity pools on Etherlink without requiring permissions, using EVM-compatible wallets like MetaMask, Rabby Wallet, and Coinbase Wallet.

Liquidity Provision: Liquidity providers can earn rewards from trading fees and IGN token incentives while participating in the platform’s liquidity pools.

Token Bridging: IguanaDEX supports token bridging from networks like BNB Chain, Ethereum, and Polygon, ensuring that users can transfer assets to Etherlink with ease.

Security: The platform uses smart contracts based on PancakeSwap and Uniswap, benefiting from their established security audits.

Additionally, DefiLlama, a leading DeFi analytics platform, is now tracking IguanaDEX on Etherlink, boosting its visibility and providing key insights such as total value locked (TVL) metrics.

The launch of IguanaDEX marks a significant step for Tezos DeFi, offering a robust, decentralized platform for trading and liquidity provision, all while leveraging the efficiency and security of Tezos’ Layer 2 solution, Etherlink.

Tezos Game Spotlight: AutoHero

Get ready for this week’s Game Spotlight on AutoHero, an exhilarating next-gen experience built on Tezos! If you're a fan of intense shooting games filled with fiery gun battles and heavy weapons, AutoHero Tezos is the game for you.

In AutoHero, you take full control of your hero’s movement while the game’s auto-shooting mechanics do the rest. As a 2D side-scroller platform battle game, it delivers fast-paced action where you navigate your character through hordes of enemies while wielding powerful guns. The auto-shooting feature ensures seamless gameplay, allowing players to focus on strategy and movement as they face off against relentless waves of evil monsters.

🔫 Key Features:

Auto-shooting: Focus on navigating your hero’s movement while automatic shooting takes care of the enemies.

Heavy Weaponry: Arm your hero with powerful weapons to blast away the opposition.

Monsters Beware: Monsters won’t have a chance to hide in this fast-paced battle environment.

🎮 Download now: AutoHero

🔴 Now Streaming: Staking with Everstake featuring Maria Belashova

This week on TezTalks Radio, we’re joined by Maria Belashova, Tezos Blockchain Manager at Everstake, to discuss the vital role of Everstake as a staking and validator service provider for Tezos and other blockchain networks.

🌟 Our special guest is Maria Belashova, sharing her insights on staking and the importance of security and decentralization.

🔍 In this episode, we'll explore:

What is Everstake? - Learn how Everstake supports Tezos through staking and validation services, providing competitive fees and transparent operations.

Benefits of Staking: - Discover how staking allows users to earn passive income, support the Tezos network, and participate in on-chain governance.

Tezos' Paris Upgrade: - Maria discusses the recent Paris upgrade and how it introduced new staking functionalities.

Now Streaming Everywhere:

Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music | YouTube | X

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Oobit’s Crypto Payments App Lets You Use Tez Like Cash — Here’s How

For anyone who’s been holding Tez and wondering when they’ll actually get to use it in their daily life, the news that Oobit integrated Tezos into its payment system is huge. As a long-time Tezos user, I’ve enjoyed staking, using decentralized applications (Dapps), and generally being a part of the Tezos ecosystem. But up until recently, the idea of actually spending my Tez in the real world felt like a distant dream. Now, with Oobit’s help, I was able to buy a coffee using my tez— yes, you read that right!

This isn’t just good news for people using Oobit. It’s a major step forward for Tezos itself. Here’s how it all works and why this matters for us Tezos fans.

What is Oobit?

So, what’s Oobit? Basically, it’s a crypto payments app that aims to make spending your coins as simple as tapping your card or phone. It’s designed to bridge the gap between crypto wallets and real-world purchases, letting you use your favorite cryptocurrencies like actual money.

That’s cool and all, but the real highlight for us is that they’ve integrated Tezos. This means you can now use your tez in the real world just as easily as you would use any other payment method. You can now spend your tez to buy stuff and we’re not talking about niche, obscure purchases — this could be coffee, groceries, or whatever else you can pay for using tap-to-pay methods.

For me, it’s not just about the app — it’s about the fact that Tezos is becoming a cryptocurrency I can actively use in day-to-day life. That’s a big win for Tezos adoption.

How to Use Oobit to Pay with tez.

So, how does this work? If you’re holding tez and you want to try this out, the process is pretty simple:

Download the App: First, grab the Oobit app (available on iOS and Android). It’s super easy to set up.

Complete KYC: Yes, there’s a KYC step, but it’s quick. Basically, it’s a security thing to make sure you’re legit. It took just a few minutes.

Send Tez: Transfer your tez to the Tezos address you are given in Oobit. The transaction is fast, and as always, Tezos’ low fees make it super cheap.

Tap to Pay: When you’re ready to pay, just tap your phone at any terminal that accepts tap-to-pay, select Tez as the currency, and you’re done! I used it to buy coffee, and it worked perfectly.

Right now, Oobit’s tap-to-pay feature is available in several regions (mostly Europe), but I’m hopeful we’ll see more widespread availability soon as they have stated that USA and LATAM are in their roadmap for 2025. The more merchants and countries that get on board, the better for Tezos holders looking to spend their crypto.

Why This is Great News for Tezos Users?

Here’s why this development matters: Tezos has always been about more than just being another cryptocurrency. It’s a self-upgrading blockchain with a focus on sustainability, low fees, and strong governance. However, for all its strengths, one area where all cryptocurrencies lagged a bit is real-world utility. You can stake your tez, you can vote on protocol changes, but actually using it to pay for everyday things? That’s been limited — until now.

With Oobit’s integration, we’re finally seeing Tezos stepping into the realm of everyday spending. It’s something you can use to buy your morning coffee, groceries, or even a new TV — anything that supports tap-to-pay. This makes tez much more than just a speculative asset or a tool for governance — it becomes a true currency.

<a href="https://medium.com/media/28764a07ca4caf13ed0d108671b2b6b2/href">https://medium.com/media/28764a07ca4caf13ed0d108671b2b6b2/href</a>

The ease of use, low fees, and fast transaction and finality times make Tezos perfect for this kind of real-world usage. And as more apps and platforms integrate Tezos, it could quickly gain traction as a go-to option for payments. This is good news not just for Tezos holders but for the entire crypto space, as it sets an example of how blockchain can blend into our daily lives without being overly complicated.

So, what’s the takeaway here? Oobit’s integration is just one step, but it’s a significant one for the Tezos ecosystem. If you’re a fan of Tezos like me, this is something to get excited about. It’s not just about the app — it’s about the future of Tezos as a currency.

Give it a try if you’re interested, and who knows? You might soon be buying coffee with Tez just like I did!

Tezos in Action: Spend Your Tez in Local Stores was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

How Tezos — the First True Proof of Stake (PoS) Blockchain — Has Redefined Staking for Everyone.

Tezos has established itself as a pioneer in the blockchain world by being the first major blockchain to introduce a truly decentralized and efficient Proof of Stake (PoS) mechanism. Many chains have followed in its footsteps, adopting similar mechanisms over time.

For instance, Ethereum transitioned from Proof of Work (PoW) to PoS, and even though delegations aren’t natively built into their protocol, Ethereum staking services have adopted terms like “Delegate” and “Delegators” — concepts that have long been native to Tezos. Cardano’s “liquid staking,” praised as an innovative feature, has actually been a staple of Tezos since day one.

Over time, Tezos has continually improved its staking model, making it one of the most accessible, secure, flexible, and rewarding systems available. Let’s take a deeper look into these qualities.

Accessibility: Staking Without Barriers.

One of Tezos’ standout features is its unparalleled accessibility. Unlike many other blockchains, Tezos imposes no minimum staking requirement, allowing anyone to stake their tez (XTZ) with any amount, making it one of the most inclusive staking ecosystems in the blockchain space.

In contrast, Ethereum requires 32 ETH to stake as a validator — putting direct participation out of reach for most users. While third-party services and staking derivatives enable staking with smaller amounts on Ethereum, these solutions often come at the cost of self-custody, requiring users to trust intermediaries. This brings us to the next point.

Self-Custody: Secure Staking from Your Wallet.

Tezos staking is all about self-custody, meaning you keep full control of your funds the entire time. You can stake directly from your wallet without moving your XTZ anywhere. Even if you use a hardware wallet like Ledger, you can stake your tez while keeping it safely offline.

Unlike Ethereum, there’s no need to send your funds to staking contracts or trust any third party. You just open your wallet, pick a baker (validator), and boom — you’re earning rewards. Plus, with the new staker role, rewards are automatically sent straight to your wallet by the protocol. Super simple, super secure.

High Rewards: Why Tezos Staking Yields More.

Right now, Tezos is offering an impressive ~16.5% APY on staking rewards, which is way higher than what you’ll find on most other blockchains. In contrast:

Ethereum 4–6%

Solana 5–7%

Cardano 3–6%

This boost is thanks to the latest protocol upgrade (ParisB), which introduced adaptive issuance and a new staking role. In this updated model, more emphasis is placed on locked staking versus delegations, so stakers are earning double the rewards compared to delegators.

Since not many people have jumped over to the new staking option yet, those who do are reaping the benefits of higher rewards. It’s not due to crazy inflation — it’s more of a hidden opportunity that most people haven’t caught onto yet.

Flexibility: Options for Every Staking Preference.

Another one of Tezos’ biggest strengths is the flexibility it offers in staking, providing options that cater to different preferences and levels of commitment. Whether you’re after higher rewards or want to keep your funds easily accessible, Tezos has a solution for you:

Staking: For those looking to maximize returns, staking offers significantly higher rewards, with APYs that are double what you’d earn through delegation. Keep in mind that the locking period in Tezos is ~11 days (4 cycles), which is much shorter compared to other chains. For example, Cosmos requires a 21-day unbonding period, while Polkadot locks funds for 28 days. In Tezos, you get the benefit of locked staking without having to wait nearly as long to access your funds.

Delegation: If you prefer to keep your XTZ liquid, Tezos lets you delegate your funds to a Baker without locking them up. This allows you to participate in staking while maintaining the flexibility to withdraw or move your funds whenever you like, still earning rewards on your liquid balance.

The beauty of Tezos staking is that you aren’t locked into just one approach. You can choose to lock up a portion of your XTZ for higher returns while delegating the rest of your wallet’s balance to stay liquid, giving you the best of both worlds. This kind of flexibility — allowing you to strike the perfect balance between staying liquid and maximizing your rewards — is hard to find in other blockchain ecosystems, making Tezos truly unique.

Tezos has really nailed its staking system, offering the perfect mix of accessibility, control, great rewards, and flexibility. With choices that suit any staking preference, Tezos allows you to be as hands-on or hands-off as you like while still benefiting from one of the most rewarding and flexible staking models available. And with a solid ~16.5% APY, there’s no better time to jump in.

Sounds too good to be true? That’s because it really is that good. Go ahead and stake your tez today and see why Tezos staking stands out. If you want to learn more about how it all works, check out this guide I put together for an easy breakdown.

Stake your tez, earn rewards, and stay in control — Tezos makes it that simple.

Tezos: Leading the Way in Staking Innovation was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Tezos Community Rewards — August 2024

Announcing the CRP Winners for August!

Greetings Tezos Community,

We are pleased to announce the winners of the “Community Rewards Program” CRP for the month of August 2024!

For more details about the various categories please refer to the rewards page on the Tezos Commons website.

The Community Rewards Program is a Tezos Commons Foundation initiative aimed at fostering adoption and supporting the Tezos ecosystem. Every month up to 5,000 tez are rewarded to those that stand out in merit and act in the interest of the Tezos ecosystem as a whole.

In an endeavor to make it easier for community members to nominate their favorite contributors to the ecosystem, the nomination form has been drastically streamlined. Now containing only three questions, it takes less than 30 seconds to submit a nomination.

Don’t have 30 seconds? You can tag any discord message, Reddit post or tweet with #TezosCRP and we will collect them as well!

This is the fifth iteration of the program and we will continue to make changes based on community feedback. Just like the Tezos blockchain, we will be continually evolving this program.

Numerous factors are used when evaluating submissions such as, quality of submissions, quality of activity, number of submissions, and verifiable proof of activity done by the nominee (no single factor is determinative of a winner, as all factors were weighed to select winners). The judges would like to note that for each category, they are looking for the respective monthly related activity meaning submissions should reflect activities done for that current month, i.e.; month of February activities.

Without further delay here are the results of the winners, below.

Assimilation Award

@spike_0124

@malsheep56

@BosqueGracias

@retro_manni

Formal Verification Award

@andrevv_jones

Helping Hand Award

@libertez_baker

@AuRo404

@TheTezos

u/Tycrist8

@SkullDegenClub

Influencer Award

@_FirstRain_

@tezfriends

@blockbakery

@jawniest

Patissier Award

@TezBlocks

@BakingBenjamins

@Zir0h

@AnonBakery

TEO Award

@the1hashbrown

@siftcroix

Tez Dev Award

@JestemZero

@alisis_official

@BanzaiTokyo

@webidente

Tezos Tutor Award

@TezosNFTMusic

@moneyevery3days

Nominations Are Open For September

With September underway, we have begun accepting nominations for this month. If you know someone that deserves a reward for their contributions to the community or have ideas about other categories that should be recognized then please fill out a nomination located here, or you can tag a post (or discord message) with #TezosCRP.

As mentioned previously, we are still working on long-term improvements to this program. We know this program is far from being perfect so please bear with us while we strive to keep improving this program based on community feedback. Stay tuned, stay creative, and keep nominating!

As a reminder to the reward winners, the awards are all distributed through Kukai and DirectAuth. If you are having any issues claiming your awards, please message us here.

Tezos Community Rewards — August 2024 was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Everything You Need to Know About The TezTones Artletics Premier League

If you’ve been tuning into our weekly X Space called Artz Friday, you’re likely already familiar with TezTones, the groundbreaking project that has just launched its second season! With a live-streamed, competitive twist to the collaborative creation process, TezTones Season 2 brings exciting new changes that set it apart from its inaugural run. In this article, we’ll dive into these updates, explore the artists involved, and celebrate the new season by spreading the word.

TezTones began as a grassroots community initiative, sparked by the visionary mind of musician, audio engineer, and off-grid rapper, Hashbrown. Now leading the charge as League Commissioner, Hashbrown has transformed his early 2022 question — “What would a sports league for artists look like?” — into a reality. Supported by a diverse group of artists from around the globe, TezTones continues to evolve, blending creativity with the competitive spirit of a sports league and the excitement of going to a game.

What’s New in Season 2?

Season 2 introduces a major change to the format: instead of creating artwork over four weeks and then revealing the results live, artists have just four hours to complete their pieces, with the entire process streamed in real-time. TezTones currently has 32 amazing artists from the Tezos Community participating in season 2, with three matches planned for EVERY 2 WEEKS! Each team has a private channel for discussion and planning and a general channel on Discord. Join the TezTones discord and watch the announcement channel for any updates to the schedule, times, and more. As of now, we have matches set for Wednesdays and Saturdays. These shifts not only heighten the challenge but also amplify the immediacy and excitement of the competition, giving audiences a weekly opportunity at a front-row seat to the creative journey as it unfolds.

A New Season, New Challenges

The first match of Season 2 took place on September 11th, 2024, showcasing the fresh format and challenges of this evolving league. In this opening event, the all-AI team “The Vill-AI-ns” faced off against the team, “Tzeyond” (pronounced “beyond”). As the match began, a wheel of themes was spun, landing on “Latin America,” which served as the creative prompt. From there, the artists were given free rein, with no restrictions to how the theme was interpreted, offering viewers a thrilling, real-time glimpse into the creative process. During this match, Hashbrown served as an announcer of the stream, moving viewers between teams and offering commentary along the way. Truly a spectacle worth experiencing. These changes lean into the fast-paced environment of today’s social media and entertainment while maintaining the creative focal points for TezTones artists.

Bridging Web2 and Web3

A distinctive feature of the TezTones collective is its commitment to bridging the gap between the traditional web (Web2) and the decentralized world of Web3. While most TezTones members were discovered within the Tezos community, their collaborations are primarily showcased on more traditional platforms like YouTube, with plans to expand into other social media outlets through short-form content. Although an NFT collection is on the horizon, to be released on the Teztones Objkt account soon, the collective remains dedicated to engaging with the billions of people who are not yet part of the NFT ecosystem, knowing the Tezos part of the story will be discovered by new fans along the way. Visit their YouTube channel here and subscribe to catch the live matches!

Some Thoughts From TezTones Artletes Following The Premier Match of TezTones Season 2

This past Wednesday was the first match of the regular season, and now that we have started seeing the vision come to life, below are some quotes from artists who have now tasted the season 2 structure. You can also tune in and hear artists discussing their experiences at the TezTones weekly public work calls, hosted and recorded as X spaces every Tuesday.

Working with 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥•𝐀𝐈•𝐧𝐬 during our preseason match was an exciting challenge. We quickly learned to adapt and collaborate, balancing the technical aspects with creativity. The audio and visual teams worked in harmony, each bringing their strengths to the table. By the end, we had created something that showcased our skills and teamwork, setting a strong foundation for the season ahead. -@StrokeDriven

The success of our first live matches is one of the most rewarding and exciting things I have been a part of! I’m super grateful to all the artists who are stepping up to compete and share their creative process live. I firmly believe through the course of honing this season we will strike, extract, and refine gold! -@the1hashbrown

Shockingly found myself singing classical style melodies over AI tango music, after translating lyrics from one of my old love songs into Spanish, with prompting, mixing and visual creation support from @FendelMarc and @StrokeDriven of The Vill-AI-ns, and that’s why we subject ourselves to this innovative chaos called @teztones. -@YinYangYoeshi

We Hope To See You Tuning Into The Next Teztones Live Match

With TezTones Season 2 now underway, the league is not just evolving — it’s revolutionizing how we experience collaborative art. The fresh format, talented lineup, and the unique blend of Web2 and Web3 engagement promise an exhilarating journey for artists and audiences alike. Whether you’re deep in the Tezos community or just discovering this innovative world, now is the perfect time to jump in, get inspired, and witness the creative process unfold live. So tune in, cheer on your favorite teams, and be part of a season that’s pushing the boundaries of digital art collaboration. The action has just begun, and TezTones is set to redefine the game. Are you ready?

TAPL Season 2 NOW LIVE! was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Hello, Tezos community! We’re kicking off this week with exciting updates and developments from across the ecosystem. But first, we have some major insights to share from the Q2 2024 Messari Report on the State of Tezos. Let’s dive into the key highlights that showcase Tezos' continued growth, adaptability, and evolution as a leading edge blockchain.

5 Key Insights from the Q2 2024 Messari Report

1. Tezos X Roadmap Unveiled In Q2, the Tezos team introduced Tezos X, a forward-looking roadmap that focuses on expanding scalability and composability. One of the standout innovations is the Canonical Rollup, designed to enhance the blockchain’s flexibility. The goal is to make Tezos more versatile, with support for mainstream programming languages and increased interoperability, offering developers the ability to create complex applications with ease.

2. Etherlink Mainnet Beta Launch Etherlink, a non-custodial, EVM-compatible Layer-2 blockchain powered by The State of Tezos, went live in its mainnet beta stage in May 2024. This is the last step before its full launch and represents a significant move toward offering fast, low-cost transaction solutions for developers using Ethereum-based tools.

3. Paris Upgrade: Boosting Performance The The State of Tezos was successfully implemented in June, bringing a host of new features to Tezos. These include reducing block times to 10 seconds, introducing the The State of Tezos to improve network scalability, and rolling out The State of Tezos, which dynamically adjusts token issuance to maintain a balanced staking ratio.

4. Developer Ecosystem & Community Growth Tezos continues to attract developers with its innovative platform, ranking 44th globally with 228 active developers as of July 2024. The blockchain's focus on scalability and composability, highlighted by the launch of Smart Rollups, has provided new avenues for developers to build sophisticated applications.

5. Total Value Locked (TVL) Tezos saw a decrease in TVL in USD terms, falling by 15% QoQ. However, TVL in XTZ terms surged by 42%, indicating that the decline was more about lower asset values rather than withdrawals from the network.

Key Metrics and Financial Overview

Despite the broader crypto market cooling down in Q2, Tezos maintained a solid market position. Transaction fees dropped to $11,000, down 51% QoQ, as activity shifted to Layer-2 solutions like Smart Rollups. The market cap fell to $800 million, reflecting a 44.9% drop, aligning with market trends post-March 2024 highs.

The circulating supply of XTZ reached 1 billion tokens by the end of Q2, while the annualized real yield for validators saw a slight QoQ increase to 1.6%. Adaptive Issuance continues to play a crucial role in maintaining security by dynamically adjusting staking rewards based on staked supply, ensuring that Tezos remains economically sustainable.

Network Performance and Upgrades

The launch of Etherlink in Q2 marked a significant step for Tezos, expanding its ecosystem with EVM compatibility and non-custodial Layer-2 scaling. This development paves the way for further integration with Ethereum-based dApps, enhancing transaction speeds and lowering costs.

The Paris upgrade brought significant improvements, including faster block times, better scalability through DAL, and further refinements to the PoS mechanism. While a critical bug initially caused issues with withdrawals from Etherlink to Layer-1, the swift response from Nomadic Labs and the implementation of the Paris C emergency bug fix showcased Tezos’ agility in addressing challenges.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

As we head into the next quarter, Tezos is set to build on the foundations laid in Q2 with the full launch of Etherlink, continued growth of Tezos X, and a focus on composability and interoperability. The report highlights the potential for Tezos to become a leader in blockchain scalability, offering developers more flexible environments for building complex applications.

The future of Tezos is bright, with exciting developments on the horizon, including the roll-out of additional rollup environments and broader use cases in DeFi, gaming, and NFTs.

For more detailed insights, you can check out the full Messari report here.

Tezos Takes Center Stage at TOKEN2049

Following the recent developments outlined in the Messari report, the Tezos ecosystem is making waves at TOKEN2049—and it's going to be a packed week of activities! Whether you’re new to Tezos or a long-time supporter, TOKEN2049 is the place to explore the latest innovations from Tezos, meet the Tezos Ecosystem teams, and dive into some hands-on experiences.

First up, make sure to visit the Tezos Booth located on Level 4, Booth M72 at the main conference. It's your chance to connect with the Tezos team, discover new projects, and learn more about Tezos.

Here’s what you can expect from the Tezos ecosystem at TOKEN2049:

Tezos Realm: An Immersive Experience

Get ready to dive deep into the Tezos universe at Tezos Realm, held at the iconic CHIJMES Hall in Singapore. Just minutes away from the main TOKEN2049 venue, Tezos Realm will provide an unforgettable experience with interactive exhibits, exclusive demos, and a chance to explore innovative projects in realms dedicated to Culture & Community, DeFi, Gaming, and Etherlink.

Some of the exciting projects featured include:

akaSwap and Objkt (Culture & Community Realm)

BattleRise and Ladder Protocol (Gaming Realm)

Hanji and Renora (DeFi Realm)

Kredete and Questflow (Etherlink Realm)

Whether you’re a Tezos enthusiast or just discovering the ecosystem, Tezos Realm offers a hands-on opportunity to engage with cutting-edge blockchain projects and even earn exclusive Tezos merchandise and rewards.

📍 Location: CHIJMES Hall, Singapore🗓️ Dates: September 18-19, 2024🔗 Register for Tezos Realm here.

Arthur Breitman Speaking at TOKEN2049

One of the highlights of TOKEN2049 is hearing from Arthur Breitman, the co-founder of Tezos. Don’t miss his insights on blockchain innovation and the future of the ecosystem during his speaking slot:

📅 Date: September 18, 2024🕑 Time: 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM (GMT+8)📍 Location: Zeebu Stage, Level 4, TOKEN2049

Zeeve The Rollup Day: Panel Discussion

On September 19, Tezos will be part of a panel discussion at The Rollup Day, diving into one of the most transformative innovations in blockchain technology—Rollups. Siddhart Singhal, Head of Business Development at Trilitech, will discuss the future of scaling and the role of Rollups in the evolving blockchain landscape.

📅 Date: September 19, 2024📍 Location: M Hotel Singapore

Register for The Rollup Day here

CryptoCarnival: A Festival of Blockchain Celebrations

On the evening of September 19, Tezos is sponsoring the CryptoCarnival, celebrating the anniversaries of Trust Wallet, CoinMarketCap, and 1inch. Expect exclusive fireside chats, limited edition merchandise, and an unforgettable party atmosphere as we cap off TOKEN2049 with a festival-themed event.

📅 Date: September 19, 2024🔗 Register for CryptoCarnival here.

This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem

Shifting gears from the headlines, let's dive into what's happening in the Tezos ecosystem this week. One of the exciting developments is the launch of VNX EUR (VEUR) and VNX CHF (VCHF) stablecoins on the Tezos blockchain, marking a significant step forward for both VNX and the Tezos DeFi landscape.

VNX Expands with Stablecoins on Tezos

VNX, a prominent European tokenization platform, has launched its two stablecoins, VEUR and VCHF, on the Tezos blockchain. This expansion allows VNX to tap into the secure, scalable, and energy-efficient infrastructure that Tezos is renowned for, broadening the accessibility of stablecoin options in decentralized finance.

Tezos’ focus on sustainability and seamless on-chain governance made it an ideal choice for VNX. These stablecoins are designed to support efficient cross-border payments, payment processing, and liquidity management, solidifying their role within the Tezos DeFi ecosystem.

A Strong Partnership for Growth

Alexander Tkachenko, CEO and Founder of VNX, emphasized how Tezos aligns with their mission: “Tezos’ focus on sustainability and upgradability aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of digital finance. By integrating our stablecoins on Tezos, we’re not only enhancing our offering but also contributing to the growing ecosystem of blockchain-powered financial solutions.”

Meanwhile, Cedric Roche, Business Development & Technical Support Director at Nomadic Labs, added: “We are delighted to welcome VNX and their stablecoin solutions to the Tezos community, meeting the growing demand for reliable stablecoin options within our DeFi ecosystem.”

Integration into Tezos DeFi

Shortly after their launch, VEUR and VCHF were integrated into the Plenty decentralized exchange, one of the largest DEXs on Tezos. The new VEUR/USDT and VCHF/USDT liquidity pools allow users to seamlessly trade and engage with these stablecoins, further driving DeFi participation on Tezos.

As VNX continues to grow within the Tezos ecosystem, its upcoming VNX Points Campaign will offer users rewards for adopting these stablecoins and participating in the DeFi space. With plans to launch the VNX Community Token, users will soon have voting power and influence over the future direction of the project.

🔴 Now Streaming: Inside Sugarverse with Nikolai Mitev

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Nikolai Mitev, Co-Founder and CEO of Sugarverse, the Tezos-powered mobile gaming ecosystem that’s creating a self-sustaining play-and-earn economy. Get ready to hear all about the exciting developments happening in the Sugarverse and Tezos’ crucial role in bringing it to life.

🌟 Our special guest is Nikolai Mitev, a key figure behind the creation of Sugarverse.

🔍 In this episode, we'll explore:

What is Sugarverse? - Discover the Tezos-powered gaming ecosystem with a play-and-earn economy and a sweet candy theme.

The Origin Story: - Nikolai walks us through how Sugarverse was born and why Tezos was the perfect fit for their vision.

Play-and-Earn Dynamics: - Learn what players can earn in Sugarverse and how the self-sustaining economy works.

Tezos’ Role: - Explore how Tezos powers the Sugarverse experience and why it’s crucial to the project’s success.

🖥 Stream: YouTube | X

Events

Calling All Tezos Artists: Your Chance to Shine at Subjective NYC!

Attention, Tezos Art Community! Are you ready to make your mark in one of the biggest cultural hubs in the world? From September 27-29, your art could be featured at Subjective NYC organized by Victoria West, an exciting event showcasing the best of Tezos-based creativity. This is your opportunity to have your work displayed in the heart of New York City, thanks to the generous support of Tezos Commons.

How to Apply:

Share your best unminted artwork on X using the hashtag #vwsubjective.

Retweet the original event post to help spread the word.

Make sure you follow the event organizer (unless your DMs are already open) to stay updated.

Winning pieces will be minted on objkt.com before the event, so this is your chance to get your art in front of a new audience and be a part of the thriving Tezos art community.

Let’s show NYC the creative power of the Tezos ecosystem. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your work on a global stage!

🗽 Submit today and be part of something unforgettable!

Powered by beehiiv

Manchester United’s NFT trading card collection and fantasy sports league powered by Tezos.

Manchester United, Fantasy United —  view/edit squad preview

Regarding NFTs, I’m a staunch supporter and believer in their potential to revolutionize art and collectibles. Showcasing this potential through real-world applications is crucial, so I was immediately intrigued when I heard about Manchester United’s partnership with Tezos to create an NFT collection. This journey began in December 2022 with the release of The Devil’s PFP collection, which quickly gained online traction. This collection marked only the first step in Manchester United’s Web3 roadmap, hinting at even greater things coming.

Manchester United 24/25 Player Trading Cards —  Minting Site Fantasy United — A Fantasy League Utilizing NFT Trading Cards by Manchester United

Their latest initiative, “Player Trading Cards: 24/25,” features hand-drawn digital trading cards of the current season roster. Each card captures a unique depiction of a player, their stats, and rarity metrics, blending artistry with the thrill of the game. For some collectors, the excitement lies in the potential rarity of these cards, which can drive speculative trading. But in this collection, rarity isn’t just about market value — it also translates into added utility within the fantasy league mechanics.

Packs can be purchased directly from the official minting site here. Each pack of cards costs £3 and can be bought with a credit card or by connecting a Tezos wallet (approximately 5.71 tez at the time of writing). Each pack includes seven cards, and only five are needed to create a squad for a league. Your cards are stored in your Tezos wallet as NFTs, giving you full ownership. You can access, view, transfer, trade, and share your favorite cards via Objkt.com, and even hand-pick specific cards for your squad by collecting on the secondary market.

Example Of A ManU Fantasy United Squad Set Up Collecting Fantasy United Trading Cards and Building Your Fantasy Squad

Manchester United has also introduced a fantasy league called Fantasy United. Upon purchasing a pack, you can open it to reveal your cards through a clean and engaging animation. This unboxing experience adds an extra layer of excitement, drawing collectors deeper into the world of Fantasy United. Once you’ve collected your cards, you can build a squad, and that’s where the magic happens. Teams built for the fantasy league are tracked during every live Manchester United match, with real-life player stats contributing to the points your squad earns. This integration powered by Tezos tech makes it essential for users to follow the season closely, engaging with the real-world performance of their players to optimize their squads.

I’ve personally never been into sports. However, ManU has me checking the rosters to see who’s playing on match day, and they have me excited to track which players have the best stats based on the cards I’ve collected. I even collected more packs to gain the flexibility to build squads for each match.

Points Break Down For Fantasy United Squads Understanding the Point System When Building Your Squad

When creating your squad it’s important to leverage the point boosts offered by rare player cards. One rare card can be used, providing a 2x boost to any points earned, while one ultra-rare card offers a 3x boost. My squad for match two placed first in my mini-league, demonstrating the power of strategic card selection. To maximize your squad’s potential, make sure you select players who are on the roster to incorporate point boosts effectively.

Preview of Fantasy United Page for Leagues Joining a League and Climbing the Leaderboard

Once your squad is set up, navigate to the Leagues tab to join a league. Your Tezos friends might already have one ready, so be sure to ask around for an invite link. You can also create a league or join another directly on the Fantasy United website. At the end of the season, there are exciting prizes for top leagues, including potential VIP experiences, physical trading cards, and signed merchandise by United Stars! You are invited to join the official Tezos league as well. “TezHeads” is where several Tezos Commons folks are already competing including myself. Clicking here will automatically add you to the TezHeads league.

Tezos Commons Will Continue to Cover All of Manchester United’s Projects on Tezos

Stay updated by checking the articles tab on Tezos Commons’ X account for further coverage of Manchester United’s journey on Tezos. Follow us on Medium, and keep sharing this incredible initiative by a world-leading sports team. Reach out to us with any questions or for support. We hope this introduction inspires more of the Tezos community to engage with Manchester United’s active season and related projects. Network metrics already indicate that ManU is leading daily traffic as more users join the leagues. We hope to see you on the virtual pitch and may the best fantasy lineup win!

Fantasy United was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Tezos is building a blockchain for everyone by sticking to the original blockchain principles that we all follow in this space.

Tezos is more than just another blockchain; it’s a beacon of what a blockchain can and should be. By staying true to the fundamental principles that sparked the blockchain/crypto revolution, Tezos has not only developed cutting-edge technology but also fostered a community committed to a decentralized, inclusive, secure, and ever-evolving future.

In this article, I will dive into the key values that have always been at the heart of Tezos’ journey, making it one of the top blockchains out there. Even as new trends and hypes come and go, Tezos sticks to what really matters, and that’s what makes it stand out.

Decentralization

At the core of Tezos is a rock-solid belief in decentralization. While other projects might have drifted away from this, Tezos has fully embraced on-chain governance. This means the community gets to vote on upgrades and changes, keeping control in the hands of its users, not some central authority.

Tezos is also all about censorship resistance. In a world where control over information is often centralized, Tezos ensures that no one can shut down or control what happens on the network.

Tezos also shines when it comes to ensuring that power and influence within its ecosystem are well-distributed. By design, Tezos has prioritized a model that promotes broad participation, allowing a wide range of stakeholders to have a voice in the network’s direction. This design also gives the “small players” a real chance to grow and even outpace the bigger ones.

Inclusiveness

Tezos is for everyone. The community has made sure the platform is accessible by keeping transaction fees low and hardware requirements minimal. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, how tech-savvy you are, or where you’re from — everyone is welcome to start using Tezos and join the community.

And when it comes to getting more involved, Tezos makes it easier too. I recently talked about how much easier it is to become a validator (or “baker”) on Tezos compared to other major blockchains. And to add to that, Tezos has been permissionless from day one, and it’s pretty clear that inclusiveness is a core value here.

This commitment to accessibility, inclusiveness, and its permissionless nature has naturally led to a diverse and vibrant community. People from all over the world contribute to the ecosystem, bringing different perspectives and ideas that enrich the platform. This blend of voices is what keeps Tezos dynamic and forward-thinking, truly making it a blockchain built by everyone, for everyone.

Security

When it comes to security, Tezos really sets the bar high. In a space where new technologies are emerging fast and some projects rush to market, leading to failures, Tezos stands out with its careful and deliberate approach. The Tezos protocol is built in OCaml, a functional programming language known for its “Secure-By-Design” features.

On top of that, Tezos uses Michelson as the base programming language for its smart contracts, which allows for formal verification of code — a big deal for institutions and other high-security applications.

Another key point is that Tezos is open-source and has been thoroughly tested over more than five years, proving its reliability. Plus, Tezos gets upgrades more frequently than any other blockchain, and these upgrades almost always include security improvements, making it even more secure as time goes on. This brings us to our next point.

Evolution

Tezos is built to last. Right from the beginning, it was designed with a future-proof approach that allows it to evolve in a decentralized way and continually enhance its capabilities. Thanks to its self-amending nature, Tezos has undergone 16 major upgrades, with each one pushing its technology forward.

Whether it’s boosting security, improving the user experience, swapping out the consensus algorithm, or introducing cutting-edge features like smart rollups, Tezos is always evolving and scaling. And it does all this without ever compromising the core values that make it stand out.

As we look ahead, Tezos is in it for the long haul, driven by a steadfast commitment to the values that matter most in the blockchain space. It’s not about chasing the latest trends or gimmicks; it’s about building something that lasts, something that stays true to the principles of decentralization, inclusiveness, security, and constant evolution.

For those who’ve been part of the Tezos journey, there’s a lot to be proud of. The platform’s growth and resilience are a testament to the community’s dedication and the solid foundation on which Tezos is built. It’s not just about the technology; it’s about the people who believe in it, contribute to it, and drive it forward. This community, diverse and dynamic, is what truly powers Tezos.

And let’s not forget — the story is not finished. Tezos isn’t done evolving. With TezosX on the horizon, the next chapter promises even more innovation, setting new standards for what a blockchain can achieve. This is just the beginning, and the future looks bright.

In a world where the next big thing is always just around the corner, it’s easy to get distracted. But Tezos reminds us that the real revolution isn’t in the hype; it’s in staying true to the principles that matter most. By focusing on long-term goals and sticking to its core values, Tezos is building a blockchain that’s not just for today, but for the future. And in that future, a truly decentralized, inclusive, and secure digital world is possible — if we stay the course.

Tezos: The Core Values Driving a Decentralized Future was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.