According to PANews, SoftBank Vision Fund has agreed to invest $500 million in OpenAI's latest funding round. Prior to this investment, OpenAI was valued at $150 billion. This marks SoftBank's first investment in a company led by Sam Altman. Thrive Capital is the lead investor in this round, contributing over $1 billion. Other participants in the funding include Tiger Global, Coatue Management, and Microsoft.

According to PANews, October will witness significant developments in the Web3 sector, including major token unlocks, policy announcements, and industry events. Notably, Celestia's token unlock is expected to reach an impressive $1 billion, drawing substantial market attention. Additionally, the confirmation hearing for FTX's restructuring plan and the release of September's seasonally adjusted non-farm payroll data are anticipated to have profound impacts on market trends.

According to Odaily, Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Labs, announced on X that Masaaki Taira, a member of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and former head of a Web3 project team, is likely to become Japan's Digital Minister next week. This development is seen as a positive sign for the future of Web3 in Japan. Taira is well-versed in Web3 and has consistently supported the industry.

According to PANews, the Web3 sector experienced significant financial losses in the third quarter of 2024 due to cyber attacks, phishing scams, and project-related rug pulls. As of September 25, the total losses amounted to $730 million. The primary incidents included 23 major attacks resulting in approximately $430 million in losses, three rug pull events causing around $4.24 million in losses, and phishing scams leading to about $295 million in losses. Centralized exchanges (CEX) were the most affected, with three attacks causing losses of approximately $297 million, accounting for 40.6% of the total attack-related losses. Ethereum remained the most targeted blockchain, with 21 attacks and phishing incidents resulting in $348 million in losses, representing 47.6% of the total losses. Private key leaks were the most common attack method, with five incidents causing $305 million in losses, making up 41.7% of the total attack-related losses. Only about $16.9 million of the stolen funds have been frozen or recovered, while the majority (approximately 78.9%) remain in the attackers' blockchain addresses. Compared to the same period in 2023, the total losses in Q3 2024 saw a slight decrease from $889 million to $730 million. Factors such as the decline in cryptocurrency prices contributed to the reduction in total losses. However, the overall security situation in the Web3 sector remains concerning. Out of the more than 20 attacks in Q3, 18 were due to contract vulnerabilities. It is recommended that project teams seek professional security audits before launching their projects.

According to PANews, decentralized identity project Worldcoin has announced the launch of its Orb verification services in Guatemala, Poland, and Malaysia. The Orb verification, which involves iris scanning, is now complemented by a new feature called Face Auth. Face Auth is an addition to the World ID suite, enabling other applications to verify if the person using the ID is the same individual who was authenticated through the Orb device at a Worldcoin center. This process utilizes information stored on the user's phone, ensuring data privacy and preventing potential fraud from stolen devices.

According to Odaily, the blockchain gaming platform Tabi has officially launched its V2 'Yoake' testnet. During the V1 testnet phase, the project attracted over 1 million $GG token holders, more than 2 million wallet addresses, and recorded a total transaction volume exceeding 110 million. Tabi aims to build on Telegram and LINE to promote large-scale consumer-facing dApp applications and achieve cross-platform and blockchain interoperability.

According to Cointelegraph, emerging Web3 metaverse platforms like Decentraland and the Sandbox have the potential to address the growing loneliness epidemic in the digital age. Bay Backner, Head Producer at Decentraland and assistant university professor, emphasized the potential of these platforms to create more genuine online connections during an exclusive interview at the European Blockchain Convention in Barcelona. Backner highlighted the importance of self-actualization and connection in virtual worlds, referencing Maslow's hierarchy of needs. She noted that the compelling nature of these virtual environments is why people become passionate about the connections they make within them. Despite the proliferation of Web2-specific social media platforms, loneliness remains a significant issue globally. In the United States, 30% of individuals aged 18 to 34 report feeling lonely daily, according to a September 2024 poll by the American Psychiatric Association’s Healthy Minds Monthly. Additionally, a 2018 Cooper Vision survey found that the US population spends approximately 42% of their waking hours looking at screens. Decentralized metaverses could foster tighter online communities compared to traditional social platforms, thanks to the community-oriented ethos of blockchain and Web3. Backner stressed the importance of developing decentralized, community-owned alternatives to centralized platforms like Fortnite. She expressed concerns about the direction of capitalism and the need to explore alternative models. Decentraland’s Mana (MANA) token is currently the fourth-largest metaverse token, with a market capitalization exceeding $613 million, according to CoinGecko data. Social media usage has also seen a significant increase, growing from an average of 90 minutes daily in 2012 to 143 minutes in 2024, according to Statista. Despite the promise of revenue for users' time spent playing, Web3 or play-to-earn games have yet to achieve mainstream adoption. Backner attributed this to a lack of gameplay-focused projects with solid foundations. She emphasized the need for the Web3 gaming industry to improve its communication, particularly regarding the benefits of blockchain and digital assets within gaming environments. Currently, Pixels is categorized as the largest metaverse platform, with over 1.37 million monthly unique active wallets, according to DappRadar data.

According to PANews, on September 21, during the CryptoRoma conference in Rome, Gate.MT CEO Giovanni Cunti delivered a keynote speech urging the acceleration of Web3 technology adoption in Italy. His call to action sparked lively discussions and positive responses among attendees. In his speech, Cunti reviewed the 15-year development history of Web3 technology, highlighting the significant opportunities and innovation potential within Rome's emerging Web3 ecosystem. He engaged with the audience on the progress of local Web3 projects and shared his insights on how Italy can lead in this global transformation wave. “I am pleased to see the growing interest in Web3 technology in Italy,” Cunti stated. “By sharing knowledge and enhancing collaboration, we can expedite the adoption process of Web3, stimulate more innovation opportunities, and drive economic growth in Europe.” Gate.MT aims to continue playing a crucial role in Europe, leading the wave of innovation in the Web3 sector. Cunti added, “Although the current adoption rate of Web3 is not high, its development potential is considerable.” Gate.MT focuses on providing secure and compliant services, dedicated to advancing and leading the Web3 ecosystem across Europe. Under the upcoming Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework, Gate.MT is actively preparing to expand its operations across the European Economic Area, with a strong emphasis on compliance and security. Gate.MT has been registered in Italy since February 2024 and has held MFSA regulatory approval in Malta since 2018. Cunti previously mentioned that Gate.MT is “fully committed to ensuring smooth compliance with MiCA regulations.” Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an offer, solicitation, or recommendation of any products or services. Always seek independent professional advice before making any investment decisions. The products and/or services mentioned in this article may not be available in your country or region.

According to Foresight News, data-centric blockchain Glacier Network has announced a partnership with on-chain AI oracle Canyon Network to simplify the integration of AI and decentralized applications (dApps). Glacier Network aims to provide Canyon Network with foundational AI data infrastructure and vector databases through this collaboration, enhancing data availability and security while addressing key challenges faced by AI-driven applications. This partnership highlights the practical use cases of GlacierDB, GlacierAI, and GlacierDA. Previously, Foresight News reported that Glacier Network completed an $8 million angel and seed round funding in June this year, achieving a valuation of $100 million. Additionally, Glacier Network has been selected for the University of California, Berkeley's 2024 Blockchain Xcelerator.

According to BlockBeats, on September 27, Stride, a liquidity staking protocol within the Cosmos ecosystem, announced its expansion to Berachain. Due to the non-transferable nature of Berachain's governance token, BGT, Stride has introduced a liquid version of the token, named stBGT.

According to Cointelegraph, the music industry has been proactive in adopting emerging technologies at the intersection of Web3 and culture. Audius, a decentralized, community-owned, and artist-controlled music-sharing and streaming service, has announced that artists can now be directly paid for their content via stablecoin. This marks a significant development in the integration of Web3 into the music industry. On September 25, Audius announced the successful completion of its private beta phase, which began in November 2023. This update allows artists on the platform to have full control over their pricing and enables them to receive payments in USD Coin (USDC). Fans can use their credit cards to pay artists directly in USDC, and artists can then convert the stablecoin into any currency of their choosing. Additionally, the rollout introduces a community revenue-sharing model, where 10% of each payment will be directed to the Audius community treasury. Governance decisions will determine how these funds are allocated in the future. Audius co-founder and CEO Roneil Rumburg expressed enthusiasm about the platform’s flexibility, noting that artists have already used it to create innovative opportunities. For example, Kato On The Track, an early adopter and beta user, successfully leveraged the marketplace to sell downloads and beats, generating revenue outside traditional streaming models. Rapper MadeinTYO also used Web3 tools on the Audius platform to engage with his community by hosting a contest, allowing him to maintain greater control over his music while fans used his stems to create their own songs. Independent labels like DistroKid, EMPIRE, and Ninja Tune have already signed onto the platform, enabling their artists to capitalize on its features. Moreover, Audius recently secured licensing agreements with major performing rights organizations such as Kobalt, ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, which could further legitimize its role within the broader industry. Earlier this year, Cointelegraph conducted a one-on-one interview with Rumberg, where he shared his vision of a future music industry that is fully decentralized, community-driven, and embracing AI. In June, Cointelegraph also interviewed several musicians who have been actively using Web3 tools to broaden their reach and enhance their experience as artists. While platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have long dominated the streaming market, the rise of decentralized solutions like Audius could slowly challenge these business models.

According to Odaily, Bifrost has announced a strategic investment in the Japanese blockchain project Japan Open Chain (JOC) and has established a partnership. This investment aims to expand the blockchain network through multi-chain technology and create a genuine blockchain ecosystem, facilitating the transition of Web2 enterprises into Web3. The collaboration is expected to accelerate Bifrost's entry into the Japanese market while enhancing JOC's connectivity with the global cross-chain ecosystem. Through this strategic investment, Bifrost also seeks to expand its ecosystem in the Japanese stablecoin sector, contributing to the practical application and popularization of Web3 technology.

According to Odaily, Pop Punk, co-founder of Web3 security and transparency platform g8keep and Gaslite, announced on X the official closure of Gaslite, stating it is the best decision at this time. He explained that since the launch of g8keep a few months ago, it has consumed all his energy. Punk emphasized that if he cannot fully commit to Gaslite, it would be inappropriate to continue its operations. Looking ahead, his sole focus will be on g8keep, which he believes has the potential to make a more significant impact on the ecosystem compared to Gaslite. The past few months have been extremely hectic, Punk noted. Despite gas fees being at historic lows, Gaslite's business has never truly slowed down. He expressed deep gratitude for the trust people have placed in his brand and their willingness to collaborate with Gaslite, even if it only saved their users a small amount of money.

According to BlockBeats, during the 6th Kuala Lumpur Expo on September 25, Mr. Lin Jianzhong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the US Lin Group, announced the group's plan to establish a compliant blockchain trading platform through its subsidiary, Great East Asia Bank. This move marks the group's official entry into the Web3, Metaverse, and AI sectors. Mr. Lin stated, 'Blockchain technology and its derivative Web3 ecosystem will bring revolutionary changes to the traditional financial industry.' The US Lin Group intends to utilize its hotel assets' RWA (Real World Asset Tokenization) to create an innovation fund, incubating AAA-level Web3 blockchain games such as Infinitar and RuneSoul, and further expanding into new financial fields to achieve asset securitization and global listing. The compliant blockchain trading platform is a core part of the US Lin Group's strategic layout, providing investors with a secure and transparent trading platform to ensure the compliance of Web3 and digital assets. By adopting the RWA model, the group will digitize its hotel assets, unlocking asset liquidity and providing continuous funding support for the innovation fund, thereby promoting the development of future Web3 and technology projects. Great East Asia Bank has extensive experience in financial technology, and this foray into the blockchain and Web3 sectors is a significant step for the US Lin Group in keeping with technological innovation trends. Additionally, the US Lin Group will host the 'Tech Innovation Oscar Conference' in the United States in October, further driving global technological innovation and bringing significant opportunities to the industry.

According to Odaily, Ethena has announced the development progress of its DVN forfeiture framework in collaboration with Symbiotic and LayerZero. Ethena revealed that these modules are expected to be completed by November and will be initially promoted alongside the Symbiotic mainnet launch. Symbiotic confirmed this by stating that Ethena will be among the first projects to be released on the mainnet, and the framework will be made available as a public product. In June, Ethena mentioned its intention to use Symbiotic's re-staking framework and LayerZero's decentralized verification network (DVN) to ensure the cross-chain transfer of assets such as USDe and sUSDe. Symbiotic had previously planned to launch its mainnet in September, but as the month draws to a close, there have been no updates on this front.

According to Foresight News, Berachain has announced the launch of its Request For Broposal (RFB) incentive program. The RFB initiative aims to support liquidity and other aspects for Berachain's ecosystem projects and testnet developers, facilitating a smoother project launch. Projects already deployed on the Berachain testnet can apply to participate in the RFB program by October 9. Additionally, they have the option to simultaneously participate in the Boyco project.

According to PANews, Web3 talent marketplace protocol Talent Protocol has announced plans to conduct its Token Generation Event (TGE) by the end of October. The $TALENT token is expected to be listed on multiple centralized exchanges (CEX), with further details to be disclosed later. The $TALENT token aims to establish a reliable and high-quality professional reputation ecosystem. By holding the token, companies and recruiters can gain better access to the reputation data of over one million on-chain users. On the other hand, job seekers can enhance their Builder Score, helping them stand out in a highly competitive job market.