Ledger, known for its cryptocurrency security solutions, has announced the launch of the second season of "School of Block," a gamified educational platform within The Sandbox virtual world. The initiative aims to simplify cryptocurrency complexities, educate users about blockchain, NFTs, and Web3, and contribute to Ledger's growth. Central to this initiative is The LedgerVerse, a metaverse world serving as an inclusive space for community engagement and cryptocurrency education.
In related news, Nomura, in collaboration with its digital assets subsidiary, Laser Digital, has introduced a unique Japanese botanical garden experience within The Sandbox metaverse. Users can interact with avatars representing Nomura's senior management and engage in various tasks, including bonsai tree cultivation.
Ledger Expands Cryptocurrency Education in The Sandbox Metaverse
Ledger, the Paris-based cryptocurrency security company that has raised a staggering $450 million to date, is set to launch the second season of its groundbreaking gamified educational platform, "School of Block," within The Sandbox virtual world. The move comes as Ledger aims to extend cryptocurrency knowledge and education in the rapidly evolving metaverse.
As the second-largest global platform for cryptocurrency and digital asset education, Ledger Academy's School of Block is designed to provide an immersive and comprehensive learning experience. The initiative aims to simplify the complexities of the cryptocurrency space, covering subjects like cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), blockchain technology, Web3, and the metaverse itself. This initiative aligns with Ledger's vision of cryptocurrency education as an integral part of financial literacy in the Web3 era.
The LedgerVerse: Where Education Meets the Metaverse
At the heart of the School of Block initiative lies "The LedgerVerse," Ledger's own metaverse world. This virtual realm serves not only as a space for community engagement and co-creation but also as a hub for education on cryptocurrency security and digital sovereignty. The LedgerVerse is an inclusive environment, agnostic to blockchain chains, and embraces the creator's economy, offering a unique and gamified approach to learning about cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
The first season of School of Block, aptly titled "School of Block," laid the foundation for users to grasp the basics of cryptocurrencies. Players found themselves immersed in a futuristic school environment, where they learned about cryptocurrency security and how to defend against hackers and scammers. Completion of the episode was rewarded with a limited-edition LedgerVerse armor NFT, with one fortunate player discovering a hidden unique armor within the virtual world.
For the inaugural episode, School of Block achieved remarkable numbers, attracting 300,000 players, garnering 1.5 million impressions, and witnessing 110,000 graduates who collectively completed 4.6 million quests. It became the No. 1 branded experience on The Sandbox platform.
Partnerships Bolstering Cryptocurrency Education
The success of School of Block's first season was, in part, due to strategic partnerships with industry leaders, including Samsung, ApeCoin, World of Women, DeadFellaz, and NFT Paris. These partnerships facilitated the acquisition of over 19,000 certifications, solidifying School of Block's position as a trusted source for cryptocurrency education.
With the upcoming release of "Into the Factory," School of Block's second map, Ledger aims to delve deeper into users' understanding of the company's history and the intricate components that make up their secure hardware wallet devices. Set in a voxelized version of Ledger's factory in Vierzon, France, participants will have the opportunity to explore various elements, learn about ledger creation, and gain insights into potential attack vectors. Ledger has also joined forces with partners such as DeadFellaz, Claynation, and Agoria to introduce exciting side quests within the map, ensuring a rich and engaging learning experience.
Ledger's Role in Digital Asset Security
Founded in 2014, Ledger has been a pioneering force in digital asset security and utility. With more than 6 million devices sold to customers across 200 countries and support for over 10 languages, Ledger plays a critical role in securing approximately 20% of the world's cryptocurrency assets.
The company's product lineup includes Ledger Stax, Nano S Plus, Nano X hardware wallets, the Ledger Live companion app, and Ledger Enterprise. These offerings provide users with a secure and stress-free environment for investing, trading, spending, and engaging with NFTs.
With hundreds of employees spread across eight global offices, including its headquarters in Paris, Vierzon, London, and Portland, Ledger has been on a rapid growth trajectory. The company's commitment to education and innovation has not only shaped its success but also contributed to its impressive valuation of $1.4 billion.
Shaping the Future of Cryptocurrency Education
The launch of the second season of School of Block is a testament to Ledger's dedication to empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies and emerging technologies. By combining gamification, education, and the metaverse, Ledger is taking strides in shaping the future of cryptocurrency education, nurturing a new generation of digital asset enthusiasts and innovators.
School of Block continues to simplify the cryptocurrency experience for both beginners and experts, emphasizing the broader utility of cryptocurrencies beyond trading and fostering innovation in emerging technologies. Ledger's ongoing commitment to education and innovation is poised to have a lasting impact on the cryptocurrency industry and the metaverse.
Nomura and Laser Digital Unveil Japanese Botanical Metaverse Experience in The Sandbox
Nomura, in collaboration with its digital assets subsidiary, Laser Digital, has introduced a uniquely Japanese botanical garden experience within The Sandbox. This immersive metaverse environment not only pays homage to Japan's rich heritage but also places a strong emphasis on sustainability.
Within this metaverse realm, users have the opportunity to interact with avatars representing Nomura's senior management team and undertake up to 20 different tasks, including the intricate art of growing a bonsai tree.
Jez Mohideen, CEO of Laser Digital, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, "Since our launch last year as Nomura's digital asset subsidiary, we have been keen to explore the potential of the metaverse. We are excited to experience the new interactions this project enables, and we look forward to continued partnership with the Digital Company to further Nomura's progress into the digital asset sector."
Laser Digital initially focused on venture investing in the digital asset space. However, it has recently expanded its operations to include an asset management arm, featuring the Bitcoin Adoption Fund targeting institutional investors, and is gearing up to launch a digital asset trading arm.
The Metaverse: A Frontier for Financial Institutions
The Sandbox, known for its blockchain-based experience featuring voxel graphics (essentially 3D pixels), serves as the platform for Nomura and Laser Digital's metaverse presence. Its primary competitor is Decentraland, but The Sandbox is often lauded for its higher production values. The experience showcasing Nomura's Japanese botanical garden was developed by Cédric Bensoussan at the Metaverse Studio Paris.
Financial institutions are increasingly experimenting with the metaverse, with many establishing initial presences, albeit fairly basic ones. However, as the metaverse continues to evolve and people spend more of their non-gaming time within 3D virtual worlds, the prospect of conducting investment and banking activities within the metaverse is becoming increasingly plausible. Imagine meeting with an investment advisor or visiting a bank branch—all within the metaverse. Moreover, some metaverse assets, such as virtual land in The Sandbox, are considered investments in themselves.
In its current phase, the metaverse is particularly suited for time-restricted events that attract large audiences. Celebrity concerts and interactive sessions with celebrities have proven to be popular choices. Otherwise, it can resemble wandering through an empty shopping mall after hours, with a subdued atmosphere despite the myriad activities available.
While NFTsand the metaverse have somewhat faded from the spotlight in Western markets, there remains a significant level of activity and enthusiasm in Asia, particularly in Japan. The Japanese market continues to witness the launch of dozens of NFTs every week, indicating that the region remains highly engaged and invested in the potential of the metaverse and digital assets.
Price Overview
Data from the cryptocurrency price tracking website CoinStats indicated that SAND experienced a 1.32% drop over the past 24 hours. As a result, the metaverse token’s price stood at $0.354303 at press time. Despite the recent 24-hour loss, the altcoin’s weekly performance remained firmly in the green zone at +7.95%.
Price chart for SAND (Source: CoinStats)
In addition to weakening against the Dollar, SAND was also outperformed by the market leader Bitcoin (BTC) over the past 24 hours. CoinStats data indicated that SAND was down 1.14% against the largest cryptocurrency in terms of market cap. Subsequently, 1 SAND token was estimated to be worth 0.00001035 BTC.
