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According to Odaily, the U.S. Department of Justice has charged two California men in connection with a significant NFT fraud scheme that allegedly defrauded buyers of over $22 million. This case is described as the largest NFT fraud prosecution in the department's history. Gabriel Hay from Beverly Hills and Gavin Mayo from Thousand Oaks face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of stalking. The two were arrested in Los Angeles last Thursday. The indictment alleges that from May 2021 to May 2024, Hay, also known by aliases such as 'Mr. Handz,' 'Diamondhandz,' 'Centurion,' and 'Vaultkeeper,' along with Mayo, known as 'Gavinm,' promoted NFT projects using false statements and misleading project roadmaps. They are accused of enticing victims through NFT projects minted on the Ethereum and Solana blockchains. These projects include Vault of Gems, Faceless, Sinful Souls, Clout Coin, Dirty Dogs, Uncovered, MoonPortal, Squiggles, and Roost Coin.

According to PANews, recent data from Cryptoslam reveals that the total sales of NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain have exceeded $45 billion, reaching $45,001,159,292. The total number of NFT transactions on the blockchain has reached 52,224,457. The data also indicates that there are approximately 3,385,733 buyer addresses and 1,988,616 seller addresses involved in these transactions.

According to Odaily, data from CryptoSlam reveals that Ethereum NFT sales experienced a 76% increase in volume last week, reaching $201 million. This figure represents 66% of all NFT sales over the past seven days. In comparison, Bitcoin-based NFTs generated $40 million in sales, while Solana-based collectibles accounted for $29 million. The combined weekly trading volume for Mythos Chain, Immutable, Polygon, and BNB Chain amounted to $25.9 million. This week's trading volume surpassed the September record of $296 million, a month when digital collectibles saw their lowest monthly trading volume since 2021.

According to Foresight News, data from OpenSea indicates that the floor price of the NFT series Mocaverse has surpassed 2.9 ETH. Currently, the floor price stands at 2.96 ETH, which is approximately $11,860. This marks a significant 24-hour increase of 79%.

According to Odaily, recent transaction data from OpenSea reveals that Pudgy Penguin #2447 has been sold for 150 WETH, equivalent to approximately $595,428. The current owner of this NFT is identified as 'SOS1USD'. 

According to Odaily, a recent phishing incident resulted in the loss of a Pudgy Penguin NFT. Scam Sniffer, a monitoring service, reported that the user fell victim to the scam just five minutes before the alert was issued. The phishing transaction led to the unauthorized transfer of the valuable digital asset, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the NFT space. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and security awareness among NFT holders to prevent similar losses in the future.

According to PANews, the period from December 7 to December 14 witnessed a notable rise in NFT trading volumes, with a 16.27% increase across 22 different blockchains, reaching a total of $224.41 million. Ethereum led the market with over $119 million in transactions, marking a 22% increase from the previous week. Bitcoin's NFTs followed, accumulating $51.64 million, which represents a 14.31% week-on-week growth. Solana was close behind, with a trading volume of $21.44 million, reflecting a 32% increase. Additionally, BNB Chain experienced a remarkable surge in trading volume, with a week-on-week increase of 368%, while Blast saw a significant rise of 262%. Among the most popular NFT collections, Ethereum-based Pudgy Penguins stood out, with a 52% increase in trading volume compared to the previous week. This data highlights the growing interest and activity in the NFT market across various blockchain platforms.

According to Odaily, the Lil Pudgys sub-series of Pudgy Penguins has reached new milestones in the cryptocurrency market. The floor price of Lil Pudgys has surged to 2.63 ETH, marking a 16.1% increase over the past 24 hours. This achievement represents a new all-time high for the collection.In addition to the rise in floor price, the market capitalization of Lil Pudgys has also reached unprecedented levels, currently standing at 57,137 ETH. This significant growth highlights the increasing interest and investment in the Lil Pudgys series. Over the last 24 hours, the trading volume for Lil Pudgys has reached 862.76 ETH, reflecting an 8.2% increase.

According to Foresight News, data from Magic Eden reveals a notable increase in the floor prices of the Pudgy Penguins NFT series. The floor price for Pudgy Penguins has surpassed 24 ETH, approximately $80,000, marking a daily increase of 9.3%. This surge highlights the growing interest and demand for this particular NFT collection within the digital asset market.In addition to the main series, the sub-series Lil Pudgys has also experienced a significant rise in its floor price. The Lil Pudgys NFTs have seen their floor price climb to 2.849 ETH, roughly $14,500, with a remarkable daily increase of 25.1%. This substantial growth in value underscores the popularity and potential investment appeal of the Lil Pudgys collection among NFT enthusiasts and collectors.The recent price movements in both the Pudgy Penguins and Lil Pudgys series reflect broader trends in the NFT market, where certain collections are gaining traction and attracting higher valuations. As the NFT space continues to evolve, these developments may influence future market dynamics and investor strategies.

According to Cointelegraph, the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office has successfully shut down 40 fraudulent non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace websites following a scam that defrauded an 85-year-old artist of $135,000. The artist was deceived by an individual posing as an art dealer on LinkedIn, who persuaded him to mint his artwork on a counterfeit NFT marketplace designed to mimic the New York-based OpenSea platform. The scammer falsely informed the artist that he had earned $300,000 in profits. However, to access these supposed earnings, the artist was required to pay a $135,000 fee. To meet this demand, he liquidated his retirement account, used credit card payments, and took out a loan. It was only after these actions that he realized the promised $300,000 was a fabrication, leaving him both emotionally and financially devastated. District Attorney Eric Gonzalez highlighted that the tactics used in this case led investigators to uncover a network of fraudulent websites targeting artists. He expressed hope that shutting down these domains and raising awareness would prevent further victims. The office also reported that two other artists from Georgia and California fell prey to the same NFT scam. The District Attorney’s Virtual Currency Unit traced the stolen funds to accounts at a Nigerian exchange, where they were primarily converted into Nigerian currency, making recovery efforts challenging. The investigation revealed that the fake OpenSea website appeared to be controlled and funded from Nigeria. Some of the fraudulent websites even prompted visitors to enter their crypto wallet seed phrases, potentially allowing scammers to drain the contents of users' online wallets. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office stressed the importance of using only reputable NFT marketplaces for selling artwork and remaining vigilant against phishing attempts via email or websites that mimic well-known NFT platforms. Artists were also advised never to disclose their crypto wallet seed phrases. The office cautioned, "If it seems too good to be true, it likely is," urging individuals to conduct thorough research and seek advice from fellow artists.

According to BlockBeats, the floor price of Azuki, a popular NFT collection, has surpassed 7 ETH, currently standing at 7.13 ETH. This marks a notable increase of 13.65% over the past 24 hours.  

According to Foresight News, data from Magic Eden indicates that the floor price of the NFT series Mad Lads has rebounded above 50 SOL. Currently, it is reported at 56.03 SOL, which is approximately $13,187. This marks a 20.6% increase over the past 24 hours.

According to PANews, recent data shared by Nansen CEO Alex Svanevik on the X platform highlights significant activity in the Pudgy Penguins NFT market. The wallet identified as nftsrdead.eth emerged as one of the primary sellers over the past week, having sold 15 NFTs from the Pudgy Penguins collection.In addition to nftsrdead.eth, other notable sellers include hungrylawyer.eth and marceldupamp.eth, who have each sold 11 Pudgy Penguins NFTs in the same timeframe. This activity underscores a dynamic period for the Pudgy Penguins series, reflecting ongoing interest and transactions within the NFT community.

According to Odaily, Alex Svanevik, the CEO of Nansen, recently announced on the X platform that he has purchased a Pudgy Penguin NFT. This acquisition was influenced by Nansen's AI model, which identified the NFT as one of the most undervalued 'penguins' in the market.

According to PANews, the NFT market experienced a substantial increase this week, with total transaction volumes reaching $196.2 million. This marks a 34.23% rise compared to last week's $146.5 million. The number of NFT buyers surged to 693,833, reflecting a growth rate of 20.29%, while the number of sellers increased to 402,069, showing a 15.97% rise. Ethereum's NFT blockchain emerged as the top performer, with sales nearly doubling to $100.9 million, representing a 97.33% increase over the past seven days. The network attracted 61,020 buyers, a growth of 23.15%. Despite maintaining its second position, the Bitcoin NFT ecosystem saw a slight decline of 6.84%, with sales amounting to $45.1 million. However, the Bitcoin network continued to demonstrate strong user engagement, with 67,188 buyers, an increase of 22.38% from the previous week.

According to DLNews, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez has announced the closure of 40 fraudulent NFT marketplace domains as part of an effort to combat a scam targeting artists across the United States. This operation was initiated following an incident involving an 85-year-old Brooklyn painter who was defrauded of $135,000 by scammers posing as art dealers. The victim was approached on LinkedIn by individuals claiming to represent 'OpenSea/Private Mint,' a counterfeit platform designed to mimic the legitimate NFT marketplace OpenSea.The scammers convinced the artist to mint his artwork as NFTs and pay fees to access over $300,000 in fabricated Bitcoin earnings. Believing he would earn a substantial profit, the artist liquidated his IRA, maxed out his credit cards, and took out a loan to pay the scammers. DA Gonzalez stated, 'These were the tactics used in this case, leading our investigators to a network of fraudulent websites that specifically scammed artists.' He expressed hope that by shutting down these domains and raising awareness about the scheme, others would be prevented from falling victim to similar scams.While the seizure of 40 domains marks a significant achievement, it is not a permanent solution. Scammers can easily replicate the scheme by using identical templates and slightly altering domain names to continue their operations. Numerous other cases have been reported where artists have fallen prey to similar scams, with fraudsters exploiting social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. They often approach artists with offers of exorbitant payments in cryptocurrency to create NFTs, only to charge fraudulent 'minting fees' through fake platforms.This crackdown occurs as NFTs are experiencing a resurgence in popularity and cryptocurrency prices are reaching record highs. The operation underscores the ongoing challenges in combating digital fraud and the need for increased vigilance among artists and other potential victims.

According to BlockBeats, recent data from Blur indicates a notable recovery in the floor prices of several blue-chip NFT collections as of December 6. The Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) is currently priced at 21.5 ETH, reflecting a 35.82% increase over the past seven days. This surge highlights a renewed interest and investment in the NFT market, particularly in high-value collections.Pudgy Penguins, another prominent NFT series, has seen its floor price rise to 16.4 ETH, marking a 21.95% increase within the same period. This upward trend suggests a growing demand for these digital assets, which are gaining traction among collectors and investors alike.Additionally, the Azuki collection is reported at 6.15 ETH, experiencing a 21.78% increase over the last week. This indicates a positive shift in market sentiment, as collectors continue to seek out unique and valuable NFTs.The Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) has also shown impressive growth, with its floor price reaching 3.94 ETH, a significant 60.88% increase over seven days. This substantial rise underscores the dynamic nature of the NFT market and the potential for rapid value appreciation in these digital assets.

According to PANews, Nissan has announced the launch of applications for its limited edition NFT passes, which grant users access to a variety of exclusive experiences. This initiative marks a significant step for the automotive giant as it ventures into the digital realm with its Web3 project. Alongside the application process, Nissan has also unveiled a dedicated website for the project, allowing users to explore detailed information and submit their applications.The introduction of these NFT passes is part of Nissan's broader strategy to engage with digital innovation and offer unique value to its customers. By leveraging blockchain technology, the company aims to create a new dimension of interaction and engagement with its brand. The dedicated website serves as a hub for potential applicants to learn more about the offerings and the application process, ensuring a seamless experience for those interested in participating.This move by Nissan reflects a growing trend among major corporations to explore the potential of NFTs and blockchain technology. As industries continue to evolve in the digital age, initiatives like these highlight the increasing importance of integrating new technologies to enhance customer engagement and brand loyalty. Nissan's foray into the NFT space is expected to attract attention from both automotive enthusiasts and digital innovators alike, as it represents a fusion of traditional automotive excellence with cutting-edge digital advancements.

According to Foresight News, recent data from Blur indicates a significant recovery in the floor prices of blue-chip NFT collections over the past week, with increases exceeding 30% across the board.The Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) has seen a remarkable rise, with its floor price climbing by 75.95% to currently stand at 21.29 ETH. This surge highlights the growing interest and demand for this particular NFT series, which has consistently been a leader in the digital collectables market.Similarly, the Pudgy Penguins collection has experienced a notable increase in its floor price, rising by 28.3% to reach 14.69 ETH. This growth reflects a renewed interest in the collection, which has been gaining traction among NFT enthusiasts.The Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) has also witnessed a substantial increase, with its floor price soaring by 97.45% to 3.945 ETH. This dramatic rise underscores the collection's popularity and the broader trend of rising NFT valuations.Additionally, the Azuki collection has seen its floor price increase by 32.13%, now standing at 5.95 ETH. This upward trend indicates a strong market performance and growing investor confidence in the NFT space.Overall, these significant gains in floor prices across various blue-chip NFT collections suggest a robust recovery and heightened interest in the NFT market, as collectors and investors continue to engage with these digital assets.

According to Odaily, the blockchain game Alien Worlds has issued a warning to its community regarding the resurgence of harmful fake NFT collections. The announcement, made on platform X, urges buyers to exercise caution and vigilance when purchasing NFTs. The game developers emphasized the importance of verifying the authenticity of NFTs to ensure they originate from official and verified collections. This alert comes as fraudulent NFT activities continue to pose significant risks to unsuspecting buyers in the digital marketplace. Alien Worlds, a popular game in the blockchain space, is taking proactive measures to protect its users from falling victim to these scams. The team advises potential buyers to conduct thorough checks before making any purchases, highlighting the need for due diligence in the rapidly evolving NFT landscape. The resurgence of fake NFTs underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the blockchain community in maintaining a secure and trustworthy environment. As the popularity of NFTs grows, so does the sophistication of scams targeting collectors and investors. Alien Worlds' warning serves as a timely reminder for all participants in the NFT market to remain vigilant and informed, ensuring that their investments are safe and legitimate.