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Tezos transactions and smart contract activity are triggered by increased NFT demand.

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For the past 12 months, the Tezos network has seen a steady increase in smart contract addresses and acceptance.

This is primarily due to non-fungible tokens being the primary driver of the increase. As a result of the shift, Tezos now competes with Ethereum in terms of NFT minting and markets.

Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, have recently gained traction in a variety of industries. More businesses and even celebrities are embracing this digital asset for a variety of reasons that suit their needs.

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The use of NFTs continues, from creating expressions and awareness to collecting non-profit funds to improving community participation and relationships.

NFTs, like cryptocurrencies, are built using smart contract technology. As a result, they could maintain their decentralized nature by avoiding interference from external parties. This has also enhanced the activity of several blockchains involved in the development of non-fungible tokens.

The high fees on the Ethereum network are one of Tezo’s competitive advantages. This compels both NFT developers and investors to seek alternatives, among which Tezos is one. Furthermore, the Tezos network has a portal for all of its NFT marketplaces, which it claims to be Carbon-Neutral. Furthermore, the network’s fees are minimal.

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Furthermore, some contentious environmental issues have been associated with NFT minting and trading on networks that use the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus process. Tezos was widely praised for being a one-of-a-kind platform that dealt with these concerns.

According to Coin Metrics’ ‘State of the Network’ report, the number of smart contract transactions increased in the previous year from 10,000 daily in January 2021 to over 50,000 daily. According to the report, various NFT platforms are responsible for the noticeable growth.

FX Hash, a generative art site that has gained popularity is one of the top platforms. In addition, Ubisoft, a gaming behemoth, announced Tezos compatibility for its gaming NFTs in December 2021.

Furthermore, Tezo’s active addresses have surpassed 45,000 for the first time. As a result, the number of active smart contract addresses has tripled in the last year, from less than 200,000 to more than 600,000 in the previous year. This explains the increase in Tezos-based NFT and DApps.

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The total number of daily transactions under the category of Other Transactions is included in the research. According to the research, the figure began to rise in August 2021.

This was after Tezos released an update that cut block times in half. This has increased the number of daily transactions from 40,000 to 250,000, and it is staying within this range now.

The report also included a chart showing addresses with at least one XTZ coin. It has surpassed 300,000, representing a 150 percent rise over last year’s worth.

Tezos, which was launched in 2018 as an energy-efficient PoS blockchain, verifies and adds new blocks to its chain through Baking on the network.

Shiba Inu Launches Its First Metaverse Entry With Shiba Lands

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Shiba Inu is following in the footsteps of multinational corporations by venturing into the metaverse. Shiba Lands will be the community’s first foray into the metaverse before its official release. To create a similar experience for the community, the virtual real estate platform draws influence from popular metaverse initiatives like Sandbox and Decentraland.

The stories in the yet-to-be-named metaverse will be available for purchase soon, according to the release. The metaverse’s title is scheduled to be revealed later this month. The team is collaborating with other projects on Metaverse research, design, and development.

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Shiba Inu ecosystem tokens $SHIB and $LEASH showed a significant increase in demand shortly after the news broke. $LEASH holders will be especially favored, as the project has something in store for the Doge Killer.

To alleviate the problems created by bots and petrol fees, a queue system will be built specifically for the Shiba Land sales event. It is also intended to make the event fair and smooth. $LEASH holders will have first and exclusive access to the Shiba Inu Metaverse’s initial wave of plot sales. The team has also designed an anti-dump method to keep the token price from dropping after the sales are completed.

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Following the first phase of exclusive sale, the remaining lands will be made available to the public. As part of increasing the marketability of each plot of land in the Metaverse, perks will be tied to it.

“The metaverse is set to be one of the largest locations within crypto for many to enjoy, while others will make material, and developers will set up shops within using it as another fantastic resource to offer incentivization, content, and regular royalties to crypto communities.” We will lead this metaverse region, as we do everything Shib does. “At this point, we are still in the early stages of development for the Shiba Inu Metaverse,” the release says.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Crypto Tax Software

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These days, tech-savvy individuals are always gushing about buying cryptocurrencies. As such, crypto exchanges are also on the rise because traders and investors use them when the market is bearish or bullish or when deciding if they should hold on to their investments a little longer.

Because of crypto’s surging popularity, the government decided to step in and impose taxes on these digital assets. Thus, there has been a rising need for crypto tax software, especially since mandatory crypto tax reporting will officially be in effect by 2023.

The crypto space is constantly changing, and so many new things get introduced almost daily, so it can be challenging to keep track of taxation-related things. Although having a crypto portfolio tracker can help, keeping track of all your crypto-related transactions can pose a real challenge, especially if you’re also using mining software.

As such, we’ve decided to make an extensive article about the best crypto tax software available to help you make an informed decision, along with other helpful tips and factors to consider that can make your search that much easier.

What Exactly Is Crypto Tax Software?

As its name implies, cryptocurrency tax software is a digital tool that helps calculate how much taxes you or a company owes on crypto-related transactions and investments. This software makes your life so much easier because it can quickly import all your data from your wallets and exchanges like OKX. Not only that, it can even generate tax reports so that you don’t have to.

As the value of these digital assets increases, the need for crypto tax software also increases with it. Paying your taxes is not only a tedious process, but it can also get confusing for some, which is why this handy tool helps you stay organized by calculating the right amount you need to pay.

Besides, creating tax-related documents and reports yourself can be a huge hassle, not to mention that it takes up a lot of time. There’s a lot of crypto tax software out there, so much so that it can get overwhelming. So, it’s crucial to do extensive research beforehand to ensure you’re choosing one that meets all your needs.

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Why Should You Use One?

If you’re still on the fence about using crypto tax software, here are some reasons why you should:

Helps You Become More Organized

As mentioned, organizing and keeping track of all your crypto transactions can be challenging, especially if your portfolio is quite extensive. However, this digital tool can make the entire process significantly more manageable because it can track your coins and import your data from wallets and exchanges.

By importing your data, you’ll see a thorough breakdown of your portfolio, seeing which coins performed well over time. Tax professionals typically use advanced crypto tax software because the process can be complex. However, crypto tax software is now available for beginners or non-professionals to quickly and conveniently file their taxes correctly.

Specially Designed and Optimized for Crypto Users

Since tax reporting for crypto-related investments and transactions is relatively new, most providers developed specific tax software for this niche. These handy tools can fit your exact needs, and you may even have the chance to receive extra deductions if you’re qualified.

If you choose not to use these tools, there’s a chance you’ll miss these deductions because they’re not obvious, and you might end up paying more than you need to.

Filing Your Taxes Become Much Easier

As mentioned, filing your taxes can be a hassle, not to mention confusing and time-consuming. This is especially the case for those who are new to crypto. However, with cryptocurrency tax software, you can rely on this tool to do most of the work for you, including generating tax reports, tracking costs, importing data, and more. By the end of it, you’ll feel less stressed, and you’ll find that you now have a lot of extra time on your hands.

Ensures You’re Paying the Right Amount of Taxes

If you want to avoid getting penalized by the IRS, you must create the correct tax report. Fortunately, crypto tax software can do the job for you, allowing you to file your taxes quickly and more conveniently.

Top 5 Crypto Tax Software

Without further ado, we’ve listed below some of the best crypto tax software in the market. Check each one out thoroughly to ensure it has all the features you need before making a final decision.

Koinly

Koinly calculates your crypto taxes and helps you find ways to reduce them for the following year. With Koinly, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to do your taxes correctly, thanks to its wide range of reliable features and import mechanisms. If you’ve tried trading crypto before but no records are available, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate Koinly’s accounting services.

This tool can save you so much time, especially since it can automatically import your data no matter what coin or token. Koinly can also help you manage your transactions and keep all the needed information in one place. It’s a versatile tool that supports online wallets and crypto exchanges for faster importing in API and CSV.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive option to help you with your crypto taxes, Koinly is a fantastic option to consider.

Key Features

  • Whether you’re filing by yourself or working alongside an accountant, you can still benefit from Koinly, as it can quickly generate the crypto tax reports you need to make your filing experience easier.
  • Koinly keeps track of your transaction history to monitor your expenses and to see if any of your previous transactions were fraudulent. Since the software uses AI, it will immediately notify you if it flags anything suspicious.
  • You can also use Koinly to see how much you’ve made or lost during a tax year, allowing you to see the performance of your portfolio quickly.

Price

Koinly is free of charge, and you don’t need a credit card to start using it.

TokenTax

TokenTax is many things: it’s a tax software provider, a full-service crypto accounting firm, and a crypto payment processor. If you want something that can automate the entire tax filing process, this is the tool for you. TokenTax has an expansive list of products and services that can make your life so much easier when tax season comes around, as it can calculate, report, and track your crypto taxes for you.

What’s more, it’s the only crypto tax calculator that supports most, if not all, cryptocurrency exchanges. It can import your data no matter where the source is, making it an efficient medium for calculating your capital gains.

Key Features

  • It’s so much easier to file your crypto taxes because it has a feature that automatically fills out Form 8949 for you according to your crypto trading history.
  • It’s also ideal for companies that don’t have sufficient resources to handle the requirements and complexities of tax regulations, as TokenTax offers a full-service solution.
  • It has automatic API import to quickly link leading crypto exchanges like BitMex, Coinbase, Binance, and more.

Price

Unfortunately, TokenTax isn’t free, but it does offer different pricing options for you to choose from. The Basic plan costs $65 per tax year, the Premium plan costs $199 per tax year, and the Pro plan costs $799 per tax year.

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ZenLedger

If you’re not a veteran at processing crypto taxes and you want to simplify it as much as you can, then you may want to check out ZenLedger. This crypto tax software offers one-click integrations for wallets and exchanges, which means you can stay within ZenLedger yet still finish all the work you need to do.

ZenLedger helps track your crypto transactions, assess how much profit you’ve made, and ensure that you don’t pay extra when filing your taxes. The platform regularly introduces new additions and integrations because it wants to be a complete service that users can rely on. Thanks to the level of flexibility that ZenLedger offers, you are free to choose any wallet provider or crypto exchange platform to ensure that you’re in complete control of your tax responsibilities.

Key Features

  • ZenLedger has incredibly competitive prices compared to similar software. It even offers a free tier to users along with regular software updates.
  • You can choose any wallet provider or exchange you want, so you’re more comfortable using the software.
  • Its customer service team is available seven days a week, and you can contact them either by chat, email, or phone.
  • It uses the latest security technologies to ensure that your data is secure.

Price

As mentioned, ZenLedger has a free plan that allows you a maximum of 25 transactions. As for its paid plans, the Starter plan costs $49 a year, Premium costs $149 a year, and Executive costs $399 a year.

TaxBit

TaxBit functions as a bridge between tax authorities and crypto users by offering users a simple way to file taxes. TaxBit ensures that you file your taxes correctly and securely so that you won’t incur any penalties for any mistakes. TaxBit makes the entire tax filing process much more streamlined for its users, and it comes with features that will undoubtedly come in handy no matter what type of user you are.

You can also easily incorporate APIs into your site so that the platform automatically imports data. This allows for quicker filings and significantly less work for you.

Key Features

  • The platform’s API supports most crypto exchanges out there, which means you don’t need to use any other API for your tax concerns.
  • You’ll get a real-time representation of all your crypto transactions across various platforms, which ultimately saves you a lot of time. Not only that, it helps minimize or prevent any mistakes.
  • Many reliable exchanges partner with TaxBit, which shows that you can trust this software.
  • You can rest assured that your data is secure, thanks to it being SOC 2-certified by independent auditors.

Price

TaxBit comes with a free trial, but other than that, the Basic plan costs $50 a year for 250 transactions, the Premium plan costs $175 a year for 2500 transactions, and the Pro plan costs $500 a year for 25000 transactions.

Cointracker

With Cointracker, you can modify your cost basis and optimize your accounting methods with the tax code. In other words, you can quickly increase your profits over time. By having better visibility into your portfolio and tax lots, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions when trading. And with the help of Cointracker, you can learn from the data it provides to reduce your tax liability drastically.

Cointracker’s customer support is top-notch as well, so you can always get the help you need at all times. You can contact their team for any questions or concerns via email or phone, and you should receive a quick response.

The software allows you to view essential data in real-time, such as your investment performance, portfolio allocation, market value, and others. It updates this information with every change that occurs, allowing you to make informed and up-to-date decisions.

Key Features

  • You can review your crypto transactions in a calendar format, allowing you to find and view transactions quickly.
  • It can import your data from various wallets and exchanges.
  • Save time by combining your trades into different tax lots, depending on their tax codes. This way, you don’t have to track every transaction.

Price

If you don’t want to pay for using Cointracker, the software offers a basic package available for free. However, this package can only support up to 25 transactions. If transactions exceed that figure, its Hobbyist plan costs $53, the Premium plan costs $179, and the Unlimited plan has individual prices depending on your needs.

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Factors to Consider When Selecting a Crypto Tax Software

As you can see, there’s a wide array of crypto tax software available, with varying features and capabilities. As such, it can be confusing at first, especially if you’re new to filing crypto taxes. You must consider several factors to help ensure you’re selecting the right software for your needs.

Supports Your Exchange Platform

Crypto exchanges typically don’t report transactions directly to the IRS, which is why users must fill out Form 8949 whenever they trade. If you’re the type of trader who transacts on different exchanges, you’ll want tax software that automatically imports all the data from these different platforms. It can significantly simplify the overall process while saving you time.

How Often You’ll Use It

Cryptocurrency tax software is typically developed for either short-term or long-term use. However, when choosing the best software for you, you need to consider how often you plan on filing crypto taxes. If you do so regularly, it makes sense for you to choose a tool that already has all the necessary features you’ll need.

However, if you don’t think you’ll be filing your taxes in a while, you probably don’t need all the features from the get-go.

Price

Pricing is another thing you’ll need to think about thoroughly. Tax software varies in price, so you must look for one that fits your budget yet has all the features you need.

Can Track Your Coins

Various coins typically have different tax rules, and there’s no one-rule-fits-all concept here. So, it would be best to choose a tax software capable of tracking different types of transactions and can correctly calculate the cost basis. Some software providers have tools for specific coins, while others are more general.

Can Accurately Import Data

When selecting the best crypto tax software for your needs, it’s vital to choose a tool that can accurately and quickly import data from different sources. This way, you can rest easy knowing your transactions and records are updated and correct.

Secure Backup System

Finally, you must choose a tool that has a secure backup system. As you know, documents related to tax concerns are a private and sensitive matter, so the software you choose must be able to backup your essential records if your laptop or computer breaks.

Conclusion

Now, it’s time to wrap things up. Filing crypto taxes is undoubtedly a complex process, and you’ll need all the help you can get to make things easier. As time passes, newer and better software will appear; that’s why you must keep in mind our list of factors to consider so that you’ll always choose the right tool that meets all your needs.

The Best Looking CS: GO Skins of All the Time

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Counter-Strike: Global Offensive skins are undoubtedly the most pleasing way to redo your current interaction without jeopardizing your original performance. Players are always on the lookout for distinctive and eye-catching weapon skins, with a select few willing to spend a large sum of money to obtain the rarest. The skins shown here are based on data gathered by Steam Analyst and are subject to future changes based on market conditions.

The weapon appears to be awe-inspiring, with its cold metal and dark colors. Weapons are a sign of ferocity and power. Regardless, a weapon in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive might be unique and exciting. Skins add a variety of tones to the game and make it more visually appealing. All things considered, each in-game skin, like a weapon, has its own unique history.

What is the best way to get CSGO skins?

Every week, players receive two random drops, one for leveling up and the other for various items such as new weapons, spray painting, and skins. You can purchase keys to open boxes from the in-game store or from outer business sectors. There is a system in place that allows you to swap out ten lower-level skins for a higher-level one. Furthermore, the excitement for open CSGO cases is not limited to the in-game store. Many players also explore external marketplaces where they can buy and sell cases, keys, and skins, expanding their options for acquiring coveted items.

Skins can be purchased through outer commercial centers, such as Daddyskins, which is arguably the most well-known method. The most appealing aspect of buying skins from daddyskins is that they provide cheap skins than any other vendor.

The third option is to look for free giveaways organized by YouTubers, streamers, well-known CS:GO groups, and players; you must be active on social media and constantly on the lookout for these great opportunities. The most straightforward approach to get free CSGO skins is to crush them and work your way up. Play the game, slowly build your stock using skins obtained from cases while playing on local area servers, and you’ll soon be able to purchase a higher-level skin of your choice.

Finally, players can get free CSGO skins by completing side missions (offer dividers) on sites like CSGO Points or Idle-Empire; the objectives might range from obtaining a specific in-game score to competing in an actual match.

AK-47

The AK-47 assault rifle is one of the world’s most well-known assault weapons. It is dependable and robust, and the most lethal are short, directed fire blasts. A fancy theme has been hand-painted on the stock and handguard.

The AK-47 skin is currently one of the most extravagant in the game, with brilliant neon pinks, purples, and blues adorning it. Despite the fact that it isn’t the most costly skin in CS:GO, the Neon Rider skin is still quite pricey.

AWP Medusa

With its special report and a one-shot, one-kill technique, the controversial AWP is notorious for its high risk and high result. The gold snakes slide down the barrel of this one-of-a-kind AWP. The degree, barrel, and butt-stock have all been painted white.

The skin has a well-known noir-style image of two females on the body and rear of the weapon, which has a lot more shading than a sprinkle of shading. This AWP skin features a purple, blue, and pink color scheme that nearly makes you not want to use it…almost.

M4A4

The M4A4 is the full-auto attack rifle of choice for CTs, as it is more precise but less lethal than the AK-47. With interlocking triangles and blue elements, a custom-made gold and the black paint job has been applied.

No one will be able to hear you scream in space, and you won’t be able to listen to your opponents over the M4A4 explode. Its dark blue and purple tones contrast with maps like Dust2 and Mirage. In any event, keep an eye out for the awful eye attachments on the space traveler’s head.

MAC-10

The MAC-10 SMG, which is essentially a shot apportioning box, has a fast rate of fire but is hampered by poor spread accuracy and considerable force.

The sample is particularly lovely, with its blend of various tones flowing into one another and mathematical structures. But it doesn’t stop there. Because the skin is holographic, the shading blend changes as the character grows.

M4A1-S

This M4A1-S skin may appear to be nothing more than a shade change at first glance, but the more you look, the more details you’ll notice. The Mecha Industries skin was released in 2016 as part of the Gamma Collection, and it has a white and dark base shading scheme for a few natural yet distinctive red features. The highlights give it a provincial yet cutting edge air for someone wanting something different than what’s expected but not flashy.

Even with the skin’s increasing popularity, getting to Battle-Scarred almost doesn’t exacerbate it; in fact, it makes it look more natural and, shockingly, better.

Galil AR

The Galil AR is a suitable medium- to long-range weapon and one of the more economical psychological militant selective attack weapons. It was splash painted with high-contrast dark and yellow chevrons.

The Chatterbox’s tiger-striped tail is a no-brainer if you prefer beautiful skins, and it’s also one of a small number of great skins with a unique movement. Keep an eye out for the bold skull on the skin, and watch its mouth gab away while holding down Mouse 1.

Glock 18

The Glock 18 is a reliable first-round pistol that can fire three rounds of explosives and is best used against unarmored opponents. It was painted with a Digital Disruptive Pattern hydrographic.

The gun rounds should be on fire. This skin is also available for the XM1014 and Desert Eagle, but I think the Glock-18’s aged, corroded portion complements it best. Not all beauty care products need to be expensive to be effective, and the Oxide Blaze is an excellent example of budget-friendly skin that looks fantastic.

Desert eagle

The Desert Eagle is a fantastic handgun that is difficult to master yet highly accurate at long range. It is, however, costly since it appears to be strong. A fennec fox has been masterfully painted on the barrel. On the grasp, there are blue-green and orange plans.

Hawks are dangerous handguns in the hands of well-prepared players. Pulling off stunning one taps that will have the opposing group racing to report you becomes significantly better when your firearm is disguised in the proportions of this incredible monster.

Conclusion

So there you have it: our suggestions for the best CS:GO skins currently available. Some will have you searching the back of the sofa for loose change, while others are a little less dramatic. These are the skins to acquire if you’re looking for some eye-catching skins for your next ranked CS:GO game.

Will mobile gaming take over in 2022?

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Over the past few years, mobile gaming has grown significantly in which it now accounts for 50% of video gaming revenue worldwide. As mobile technology becomes more accessible across the world, more and more people are opting to use their mobiles over desktop devices. From ordering groceries and online banking to social media and video gaming, mobile phones are now the number one choice when it comes to performing online tasks.

But what’s in store for mobile gaming? Will mobile gaming die out in favor of the latest gaming consoles and portable devices, or is what we’re seeing in mobile gaming just the start?

Below, we’ll take a look at what’s in store for mobile gaming across 2022.

Technological advancements fueling mobile growth

Long gone are the days when the most common mobiles to be owned were the Nokia and snake was the best game since sliced bread. Today’s smartphones have infinitely more processing power than earlier mobile phone models, in which they can perform many tasks that a modern-day computer can.

One of the top developments for mobile which supports video gaming is the widespread coverage of 4G and 5G technology. As the 5th generation mobile network, 5G offers an infinite amount of speed compared to earlier network versions. 5G connects almost everything and everyone across the planet, creating a global village where people from across the world can connect, communicate, and even access gaming technology that isn’t even available in their country of residence yet.

Some of the increased benefits 5G brings to gaming include:

  • Enhanced broadband coverage – With faster streaming, lower latency, and lower cost-per-bit, 5G enables more advanced gaming with the incorporation of technologies like VR and AR.
  • Enhanced communications – 5G is enabling new services that incorporate remote communications, making mobile gameplay much more sociable than it’s ever been before. Such examples include online chat rooms and live dealer play.
  • Large-scale IoT – With embedded sensors on numerous devices and an infinite amount of data power, online gaming is not only more intelligent but much smarter, more intuitive, and more focused when it comes to mobile gaming marketing tactics.

The app economy

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As mobile gaming has become more popular, the need to make it more integrated and accessible has become even more prevalent. As such, many providers offer mobile gaming apps with benefits including:

  • Live op events – Live op events have become a popular engagement tactic where players have access to short-term events where they can earn exclusive rewards in exchange for increased consumer engagement and monetization.
  • Exclusive collectibles – mobile apps come with highly personalized perks such as exclusive in-game collectibles for players, keeping them coming back for more while earning customer loyalty.
  • Customizable experiences – Personalized apps mean that players can tailor their experience to their unique preferences and preferred gaming styles, creating an enhanced user experience on mobile devices.
  • Exclusive promotions – Personalized targeting from mobile notifications enables gaming providers to offer unique promotions and exclusive offers for gamers, in return for increased gameplay.
  • Freemium apps – Freemium apps have become incredibly popular as a method of encouraging consumers to download their apps, before enticing them to purchase more advanced features once they’re hooked on a game.

The rise of mobile casinos

Live casino games have become incredibly popular as mobile gaming technology has advanced. While players once had to download an interface to their desktop to access their favorite casino games, today’s mobile gaming technology enables players to play from the comfort of their mobile. This means players have access to their favorite casino games whether they’re on a beach on a remote island, on the commute to work, or even from the sofa at 3 am if they wish.

However, as mobile casinos have become more and more popular, the competition has significantly increased between mobile casino providers in the online space. Not only does this make it more difficult for consumers to make a decision, but it also means that online casino providers have had to come up with more innovative ways to attract and retain their customers.

One of the ways they do this is through the incorporation of the latest online gaming technologies such as live dealer poker. Liver dealer poker operates in the same way of traditional online games, only the dealer in person broadcasts live to the other players. Players are able to interact with the dealer, helping to bridge the gap between the physical and online world while allowing more interactivity for players.

Other technologies incorporated into online gaming include virtual reality. As VR headsets have become more accessible to consumers on the mainstream market, they’ve helped to improve gameplay by fully immersing the player in the online world while reducing external environmental distractions.

Will mobile take over console gaming

While mobile gaming now contributes to 50% of gaming revenue overall, the likes of Nintendo and Microsoft continue to bring out the latest gaming consoles that are proving to continually entice players. While part of the popularity is driven by a come-back in retro games, the ever-evolving technologies of mobile gaming mean it’s giving console gaming a run for its money.

Overall, mobile gaming continues to keep growing in revenue and popularity in which modern-day convenience, combined with top user experience and impressive graphics means that mobile gaming is only set to keep growing throughout 2022.

OpenSea Experiences a Sea of Criticism

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OpenSea is undoubtedly one of the most popular and most dominant non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces right now. Earlier this month, the platform’s value was at $13 billion, solidifying its status as a diamond in the rough. Not only that, Twitter integrated OpenSea into its new NFT verification mechanism, a big success for interested users who aren’t techy.

However, being the one-stop shop for the NFT industry, it comes as no surprise that OpenSea has had its fair share of criticisms. Around the last weeks of January, users have been questioning OpenSea and its seemingly noticeable identity crisis. Is the platform aiming to be a haven for artists, a marketplace, or an unregulated casino?

Strange Listings & Decreased Prices

A few weeks ago, OpenSea traders noticed that valuable NFTs with typically high prices have been selling at pretty low rates. For instance, the lowest price you can get for a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT is around $200,000. However, one confused trader noticed that their valuable Ape only sold for 0.77 ETH and without their permission to boot. Yikes!

Some data providers and news outlets claimed that this was some “bug,” but the truth of the matter isn’t that simple. The reason for this mind-boggling situation has to do with OpenSea’s way of processing listings. Namely, you must first “approve” the token for trading if you want to list or sell a non-fungible token on the platform. Of course, you’ll have to pay gas fees for this because it’s an on-chain transaction. Once approval is confirmed, you choose how much you want to sell your NFT and list it for sale.

Now, let’s say that the market value of your NFT drops about an hour or a few hours after you list it. OpenSea will let you re-list the exact NFT but at a lower rate. And while you won’t have to pay gas fees again, OpenSea will create a brand-new listing of your sale rather than reducing the price of your initial listing.

This is the price of dealing with data from the blockchain directly: you get an append-only distributed ledger that doesn’t handle change very well. In other words, the popular NFT marketplace cannot change an on-chain listing because whatever happens on-chain can no longer be altered.

For example, if you list an NFT at 1 ETH and drop its price to 0.8 ETH before finally selling it at 0.6 ETH, this means there are still two other unsold listings out there worth 1 ETH and 0.8 ETH. This explains Twitter user T_BALLER6’s situation: the user minted the NFT about last year when the dollar value of the BAYC collection was almost zero. They moved the token to different wallets over the last couple of months, settling to list it for 250 ETH a few weeks ago.

However, if you look at the Ape’s “Item History” on OpenSea, you’ll find that the NFT has several other old yet unfulfilled listings dating back to when T_BALLER6 first minted the token. And canceling a listing is not that simple either, as you’ll need to pay another set of gas fees for each cancellation.

This is the sad reality of on-chain shenanigans: if you’ve ever tried selling an NFT on OpenSea, there’s a significant chance that you have a couple of uncanceled listings hidden away somewhere. So, in the case of the confused Ape trader, the 0.77 ETH sale they made wasn’t due to a “bug.” Instead, it’s because OpenSea is built that way. OpenSea pretty much admitted this in an email to CoinDesk, saying the sale is neither a bug nor an exploit. Instead, it’s “an issue that arises because of the nature of the blockchain.”

OpenSea’s statement reeks of the libertarian security philosophy in the crypto world. The platform implies that the code isn’t the one at fault here. Instead, the user should be blamed for failing to do their research first or not reading OpenSea’s FAQ page.

A few days later, OpenSea sent out an email to all the account holders looking for answers with the subject line “Clarification on Canceling Inactive Listings.” Essentially, the email merely reminded users to cancel their old listings if they don’t want to experience the same issue as T_BALLER6.

Unfortunately, as mentioned, canceling an old listing on-chain isn’t that simple. Even if you do manage to cancel an old listing, it would still exist somewhere in the deepest, darkest parts of the blockchain, merely hidden away.

Rather than changing its guidelines to protect its users better, OpenSea decided to give out refunds to users. According to Bloomberg, OpenSea has already reimbursed a total of $1.8 million to users, if not more.

The Share Storefront

It seems that issues and controversy keep coming for OpenSea, as the company had another issue a few weeks ago, although this time it was about its smart contracts.

OpenSea users can mint NFTs, thanks to a shared smart contract known as the Shared Storefront. Dedicated Ethereum developers typically prefer creating and writing contracts themselves, which offers more control and flexibility. However, newbies turn to the Shared Storefront for the sake of convenience.

However, OpenSea recently announced that it would be capping the number of NFTs a user can create through the Shared Storefront. It claimed that it made this decision in response to user “feedback.”

Unsurprisingly, the announcement received a ton of backlash from users. The company reversed their decision shortly after, but they tried to explain in a Twitter thread as well.

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The NFT industry has always been full of plagiarism and spam since it started gaining traction last year, and OpenSea played a significant role in making that happen. As such, we can’t seem to understand how putting a limit on how many NFTs users can mint on the Shared Storefront can somehow prevent this from happening. But more than anything else, OpenSea’s reaction to the entire controversy is what’s worrying many users.

Namely, the NFT marketplace and its investors don’t need to care whether users are minting plagiarized NFTs because it helps their business anyway. The marketplace receives a portion of every NFT sale made on the platform, whether it’s plagiarized or not.

Needless to say that OpenSea’s decisions so far are merely different ways of avoiding responsibility for issues they’ve caused.

The Five 5 Camping Places In Texas

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Texas is known for its plains, deserts, and mountains. We have the largest state in the country, and it’s no wonder we have a lot of great places to visit. This article will give you some ideas on where to go if you want to get away from it while still being near civilization.

Everyone knows that Texas has unique camping spots perfect for a weekend getaway with the family, but here is your chance to find out where those camping spots are located.

Texas has a lot of camping spots that are perfect for your next getaway. You can find all the information you need on this state-by-state map to help plan your trip and make sure it’s going off without a hitch. I do my paper to help you know the best camping places in Texas.

Everyone knows that Texas has fantastic camping spots. Browse through this list of five great camping places in Texas and decide where you would like to go on your next adventure.

The five best camping places in Texas

1. Palo Duro Canyon State Park

The Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a small state park located in West Texas, between Amarillo and Lubbock. The park gets its name from the canyon it surrounds, formed by a river that cuts through a sandstone layer. The canyon has been designated as a national geological landmark and was named for the rock formations that make it up. The park has hiking trails available for visitors to hike through the canyon, and there are plenty of places to camp in the park as well.

2. Fort Davis National Historic Site

Fort Davis National Historic Site is located near Fort Davis, Texas, in West Texas. It features several historic buildings and a museum to tell the story of the area’s history. The park has several hiking trails throughout the site, and there are several camping spots available in the park for visitors to enjoy.

3. Big Bend National Park

The Big Bend National Park is located in West Texas and is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in America. The park is home to several hiking trails that lead through the rugged desert terrain, and there are plenty of camping spots available in the park.

4. Winding Stair Nature Center & Sanctuary

The Winding Stair Nature Center & Sanctuary is located near Midland, Texas, and features an ample open space where visitors can go bird watching. The park has a large variety of birds to see and plenty of hiking trails to take visitors through the area.

5. Chisos Mountains National Park

The Chisos Mountains National Park is located in West Texas and is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in America. The park features several hiking trails, a visitor center, and several camping spots available for visitors to enjoy.

Conclusion

There are many more parks in America that are great for camping. If you’re looking for more information on the best parks in America for camping, then look at our article on the best national parks in America.

Cortana – The Sexy AI Of HALO

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You may be familiar with the name Cortana, especially if you’re a Windows user. However, did you know that Microsoft named its virtual assistant after a fictional artificially intelligent character from the video game series Halo? Cortana, voiced by Jen Taylor, is a major character in the Halo franchise, and she appears not only in the video game series but in novels and comics too.

Cortana is an instrumental character in the series, as she provides the player character with helpful backstory and tactical information. In the overall storyline of Halo, Cortana is an instrumental character in ensuring that the Halo installations aren’t activated. If it were, all living creatures in the galaxy would have been annihilated.

Since she’s such a crucial character in the franchise, there are tons of Cortana merchandise out there too. For instance, we recently found an awesome-looking poster on Amazon featuring the sexy Cortana, which Halo fans can hang in their living room or bedroom. There are two versions available: a framed version and a non-framed version. It also comes in four different sizes, namely 08x12inch(20x30cm), 12x18inch(30x45cm), 16x24inch(40x60cm), 16x24inch(40x60cm), and 16x24inch(40x60cm). We’re sure you’ll like it as a Halo fan, so check it out if you have the time!

That said, Cortana is undoubtedly a fascinating character, which is why this article will discuss this sexy AI extensively—from her creation, character design, and more.

Who Is Cortana?

Cortana (AI Serial Number: CTN 0452-9) was the leader and founder of the Created, a coalition of rogue AI. Considered a “smart” AI, she once worked for the United Nations Space Command. And because she was considerably more powerful, even among other smart AI, she played an integral role during the Human-Covenant War, serving as the partner of John-117 during the last days of the conflict.

The Creation of Cortana

On May 21, 2549, Doctor Catherine Halsey, the chief scientist of the Office of Naval Intelligence, cloned herself twenty times. They needed an AI for one of their operations called RED FLAG, a mission to kidnap a hierarch of the Covenant’s to force a truce.

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Halsey believed that her third-generation volitional AI needed better material than what was being provided to her for this operation to work. She created her clones using the same equipment for the flash clones a few years back, needed for the SPARTAN-II program. However, she significantly improved their neural physiology, sacrificing other biological functions as a result.

Halsey ensured that the equipment she used was a secret to everyone else but herself, although ONI arranged the cloning process for her. As a result, only a select few knew about what Halsey was doing, but they were a trustworthy few.

The clones quickly developed, so much so that they already began to show familiar anatomy even on the first day, even though most of them were malformed. On July 29, Halsey removed all the clones’ brains and moved them to cryogenic units. The rest of the clones’ organic parts were reduced to ashes.

On November 7, 2549, Halsey authenticated the neural patterns of the H-1 specimens, moving them to AI matrix strata. This new intelligence Halsey created named herself “Cortana.”

Character Design

If you’ve played Halo before, you’ve probably noticed how most in-game characters have snappy outfits. For instance, Master Chief dons his Mjolnir armor, while Spartan Locke uses an organic setup. Cortana, on the other hand, wears her…birthday suit. Of course, it’s probably not as weird because she’s an AI program with data conveniently covering the most important parts of her non-corporeal form. However, for many of us who have played the Halo franchise and hold it dear to our hearts, Cortana essentially becomes very human-like throughout the series.

Besides, her character design shows what game development was like during the early 2000s, when Halo: Combat Evolved was launched. Back then, developers could create a sexy sidekick character for no other reason than to provide eye candy in the game, and no one would bat an eyelash. However, times are very different now, and many gamers want depth in their companions.

Cortana’s “nudity” doesn’t phase some people, but others aren’t as comfortable. However, Halo’s franchise director Frank O’Connor explains that there’s a reason for Cortana’s discomfiting look.

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The Bear Signal That Predicts Another Bitcoin Crash

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Bitcoin has lately returned above $40,000, much to the delight of investors. Given how low the digital asset has fallen following the market meltdown, this has been a long time coming. It is a key juncture on the path to another bull run. One thing is certain: the cryptocurrency has a long way to go before returning to bull territory, which market analyst Justin Bennett places at $45,000-$46,000.

As the market attempts to work its way towards this bull trend, clues indicate that a bull rally is not the only possibility for the digital asset in the near future. In reality, bitcoin recently triggered a trigger, indicating that the market is likely to tumble again before bulls regain control of the values.

Bitcoin bears are stalking crypto prices --- here's how low they could go -  MarketWatch

Bitcoin has fallen below its 50-day moving average

Indicators such as the moving average and simple moving average can frequently advise investors and traders in the right direction in the market. For the most period, bitcoin has traded above its 50-day moving average, implying that the bull surge will continue, which has usually been the case. However, this time, the digital asset was unable to maintain a position above this critical indicator.

Bitcoin has fallen below its 50-day moving average for the first time in almost a year. Given that the cryptocurrency has only recently begun to show signs of a bullish rebound trend, this may not appear to be a significant enough event to warrant attention. However, it becomes more relevant data to examine when we look at what has happened in the past when this occurs.

Previously, Bitcoin had only dropped below its 50-day moving average three times. Every time this has happened, the result has always been the same: a crash. This was followed in 2014, 2018, and 2019. Once again, bitcoin has failed to trade above the 50-day moving average, and if history is any guide, BTC may be on the verge of a price drop.

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Where Can I Find Selling Points?

There is never an ‘ideal’ time to sell bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies because it is nearly impossible to foresee where the market will swing. Putting buys and sells between indications, on the other hand, can assist one get near.

This trader believes the digital asset will continue to fall before the bulls control. This means that investors who do not want to own bitcoin for the long term must consider when it is best to sell their holdings before the price continues to fall.

Breakout sellers will target the current bullish trend in the current head and shoulders pattern, making it short-lived. The sweet spot will be the period between when these sellers arise and when the present bull run expires. Following that, the impending crash will see bears seize control of the market quickly.

As the price of Bitcoin rises above $40k, Tesla reveals that its holdings have reached $2 billion

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The cryptocurrency markets enjoyed a strong weekend, with Bitcoin’s price returning to the psychologically important $40k barrier on Friday for the first time since January 21. The most valuable cryptocurrency in terms of market value is currently selling for around $42,500, up 3% from yesterday morning and 15% from last week. Is there going to be any more good news?

Bitcoin Surges Above $40,000

As a result of the recent price surge, Bitcoin has now surpassed Facebook’s parent company Meta to become the world’s ninth most valuable asset by market capitalization. Gold is the undisputed number one asset, with a market capitalization of $11.4 trillion, followed by Apple, which has a market capitalization of $2.8 trillion. For much of last year, Bitcoin had a market cap of moreover $1 trillion, which was a much-recognized achievement.

The king cryptocurrency, which had been stabilizing for much of the previous week, surged to a three-week high today, rising to 3% as of writing. BTC/USD touched an intraday high of $44,000.00 during Monday’s session, as markets reacted to rumors that Tesla now owns $1.9 billion in bitcoin.

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Bitcoin made a move after breaking through a $42,060 barrier for the first time since January 21.

Tesla Holdings Borrows $2 Billion

In its recently filed Form 10-K to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the EV maker stated that the fair market value of its bitcoin holdings as of the end of 2021 was $1.99 billion. Tesla invested $1.5 billion in bitcoin during the first quarter of 2021.

Because Bitcoin is a digital asset, it is highly volatile. Tesla was certainly aware of this throughout 2021, as the firm disclosed $101 million in impairment losses relating to the digital asset’s value last year. After selling a portion of its holdings, the firm realized a $128 million profit on bitcoin sales in March 2021.

Last year, Tesla briefly accepted bitcoin as payment for its all-electric vehicles, but CEO Elon Musk eventually changed his mind due to bitcoin’s significant environmental impact. In contrast, Tesla noted in its Form 10-K that the company believes in the potential of digital assets such as bitcoin as an investment and a liquid alternative to cash.

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The following is an excerpt from Tesla’s Form 10-K:

“We continue adapting our investment strategy to meet our liquidity and risk objectives, such as investing in U.S. government and other marketable securities, digital assets and providing product related financing. In the first quarter of 2021, we invested an aggregate $1.50 billion in bitcoin. The fair market value of our bitcoin holdings as of December 31, 2021 was $1.99 billion.”

Tesla has been testing with another digital currency as a payment option but has yet to reintroduce pioneer coin payments for its products. Tesla launched the ability to pay for certain things in the Tesla Shop using Dogecoin, a meme-inspired cryptocurrency that Tesla CEO Elon Musk appreciates, last month.

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