Genesis | Metaverse Gateways

Welcome to Coinfeeds Genesis — your weekly guide to trending early-stage startups from the dynamic world of blockchains and cryptocurrencies. In this newsletter, we seek to provide clarity and valuable data for navigating the public and private markets in this evolving space.

This week, we’re featuring 12 projects, ranging from smaller projects to more established startups, all united in their pursuit of building new technologies and communities across different ecosystems.

This week we’re seeing some unique projects in gaming and tooling for metaverse onboarding. These projects include brands aiming to build viral franchises by introducing avatar-driven ecosystems where it’s possible to participate in governance, launch and exchange digital items, or build one’s own digital stores and businesses — even using new innovations like no-code smart contracts. Some act as launchpads, some as gateways to a full metaverse experience, and others are creating real media platforms for web3-enabled video and audio streaming with social spaces and live chats (3.Land is an example).

Progress in DeFi continues as startups build on top of Coinbase’s Base blockchain, where CitadelSwap borrows ideas from Uniswap and GMX to create “hyper-functional“ exchanges based on concentrated liquidity or new token models. We’re also seeing the adoption of Polygon’s ZKP technology for compliance and ethics, as well as more machine learning for risk analysis.

Here is a breakdown by sector:

Below is a selection of companies. To see some of our past issues, please go to

DeFi

Infinex - a decentralized, self-custodial, and transparent perpetual trading platform powered by Synthetix, Ethereum, and Base blockchains that incorporates all the web2 UX elements traders are familiar with to create a comfortable experience. Infinex uses on-chain accounts for self-custody, where smart contracts are generated at sign-up. Moreover, Infinex offers one-click gas-free trade execution, as well as cross-chain deposits where bridging isn't necessary. Although user accounts are on-chain, they can be created using email or third-party services like Google or Apple. The platform is supported by different devices and browsers, has MFA, and other offerings like an API, account recovery, and trading tools.

Team: princebilby, Defi_Isaac, spinxho_0x (also @ Crush Labs)

Keom - a DeFi protocol designed for multiple use cases, including leveraged trading and lending/borrowing. The system is largely powered by Polygon's zero-knowledge proof technology for security and trustlessness and is driven by ethical integrity in trading and legal transparency. The platform was designed taking into consideration in-house quantitative risk assessment research and compliance with regulations. Keom is also AI-enabled for risk analysis and automated trading, is governed by its community, and brings protocol rewards to eligible users.

Team: NarbTrading (founder @ TodayInPolygon), GarryKrug (ex-N26), blocktheotter

Gaming

The Unioverse - a sci-fi game franchise from the company Random Games that brings all-inclusive web3 experiences via 3D NFT characters with large collections of possible rare skins. The game is set in a cyberpunk-like world that spans galaxies. The project is unique in its Roblox-like enablement and welcoming of developers who will be able to make any type of game using Unioverse assets like avatar NFTs without taking a cut from their revenue. In addition, creators are welcome to fill the Unioverse ecosystem with their art and get access to perks and possibly get recognition.

Team: SamuelRunnacles

Infrastructure

INJS - an INJRC-20 protocol implementation on the Injective chain that enables the creation of chain-like data paths for inscriptions using proof-of-work and following the foundational principles of the BRC-20 standard. INJS brings data availability with low transaction costs in off-chain computations, high security with proof-of-work, and energy efficiency-centered network operations. INJS also has a marketplace of inscriptions where buying or listing NFTs is supported.

CitadelSwap - a startup with a custom infrastructure purpose-built for hyper-functional DeFi platforms. Citadel has a launchpad and a decentralized exchange on the Base blockchain that introduces a dual token model and dividends, where protocol earnings get redistributed to users. Citadel's founders were inspired by GMX's escrowed model and Uniswap V3's concentrated liquidity in creating a feature-infused platform on Coinbase's new chain. Citadel supplies all the necessary tools for

Metaverse

3.Land - another metaverse project focused on the creator experience and expansion of on-chain offerings. 3.Land acts as a tookit that helps create and distribute NFTs, and publish video and audio media for streaming, avatars, social spaces, and more. 3TV is the project's streaming platform with integrated live chats and monetization tools. 3.Land also has a marketplace for buying and selling collectibles, a place to create 3D digital rooms and lands, and more.

Team: bangerzNFT, numadessas (also @ 3TV), degenghosty (also @ Foster Protocol)

ChainZoku - an Ethereum-based metaverse brand that's working to launch 24 hand-drawn mangas, stories, events, a customization interface, and a collection of 3D Zoku characters. The brand is being built by several high-profile people in the art world, including an IFM Paris graduate and an ex-Ubisoft employee, and other wunderkinds. Members of the ChainZoku community will be able to join clans and customize their Zoku NFT characters with a large collection of available items. The company has already launched physical art and merchandise, including it’s own hot sauce and scarfs.

Team: Micka__Lct, Dr_KanpaiDevil, korkyzer (prev. YOKO)

NFT

NiftyKit - an open no-code platform for different types of creators in web3 to manage, create, and sell their products as NFTs using a set of affordable and easy-to-use tools. With NiftyKit, creators can launch collections on major marketplaces like OpenSea or Rarible at once, and see their progress. NiftyKit claims to be the first platform to offer NFT smart contracts no-code. This enables unique features like token-gated access, revenue splits, collaboration, and the creation of on-chain assets like dynamic NFTs, open-ended collection editions, and soul-bound tokens. In addition, customers can mint unlimited NFTs on multiple chains, retain true ownership, engage with an app marketplace, and enjoy zero fees.

Team: jyatrofsky, 0xdancarr, dongleehan (also @ KOREAN NFT)

Wallets

Tidus Wallet - a new multi-chain wallet driven by peer-to-peer interactions, infused with DeFi features like staking, lending, and NFT trading that supports Cosmos, Optimism, Polygon, Solana, Bitcoin, and Ethereum chains. Tidus focuses on fraud prevention and detection, directly integrating with security-driven protocols to analyze dApps. The project is governed by TidusDAO, a soon-to-launch gamified DAO with built-ins to stop voter apathy, vote attacks, and whale abuse.

Team: DanMulligann (Prev. Verisk), devshogun (also @ Tea Protocol)