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Digital turns physical: Top NFT galleries to visit in-person in 2021

As restrictions seem to be easing for many, people who are looking to leave their houses and discover their region or country can ride the nonfungible token (NFT) wave with physical exhibitions and galleries that will be opening over the second half of 2021 — with some having opened their doors already.

Will there be one opening soon in your area? Is there already one open? Are you looking to travel domestically or internationally and want to experience a medium of art that seems inaccessible?

Let’s take a look around the world at nine galleries in Australia, Europe and the United States that are blurring the line between reality and the Metaverse, and a few that are can only be seen via a trip to the Metaverse.

Put them shoes on, and let’s go

The Museum of Art and Philosophy: Hobart, Australia

The Museum of Art and Philosophy, an NFT-focused gallery in Australia, will showcase artists who were originally published in its print magazines, New Philosopher and Womankind. Upon examining the NFT boom, the gallery’s curators decided that a physical gallery would be a fantastic way to present NFTs in a manner that lets people come and experience them for themselves.

The opening will coincide with Hobart’s “Dark Mofo” festival from June 16 to 22, inclusively inviting everyone to come and see what NTFs are all about.

Out East

Two galleries in Russia are planning, or have already organized, galleries and exhibitions that display and educate people on the world of contemporary art and NFTs. As the borders open to football fans, these galleries are planning to open their doors to the world of digital art and NFTs.

Underground Museum: Moscow, Russia

Located in Zaryadye Park in Moscow, visitors of Underground Museum can see works from contemporary Russian artists along with a few features from Russian NFT artists. The pieces and exhibition are set to change at least every two weeks, and the NFTs showcased in this gallery are put up for auction on Rarible.

For example, here is an excerpt from the NFT video “Waves” by Fayaz Azizov from the second “Sovrisk #Onstream” exhibition, which opened on May 20.

Hermitage Museum: St. Petersburg, Russia

Although little is known about the actual opening of the exhibition, the world-renowned Hermitage Museum is looking to open a gallery showcasing and exploring NFT art, along with hosting seminars presented by speakers from ITMO University and museum staff and curators. This project plans to be the first exhibition in Russia to explore the usefulness of NFTs and examine just how their work can challenge traditional copyright control and ownership.

Heading West

Three galleries in Europe have dedicated themselves to showcasing NFTs, demonstrating how the new age of digital and blockchain art could have the potential to influence a new art movement.

Kiwie Space: Riga, Latvia

The Kiwi Space showroom, hosted by Kiwie 1001, presents many different NFT artists and their contributions to the NFT space. Located in the 100-plus-year-old Galerija Centrs, this public exhibition showcases up-and-coming NFT artists and all that is fresh in the digital art space — as voted by Kiwie 1001’s Discord users themselves. The exhibition started in early June, so head over to Riga if you are looking to support rising artists and a promising industry.

Francisco Carolinum Linz: Linz, Austria

From June 11 to September 15, the “Proof of Art” exhibition takes place at Francisco Carolinum Linz and is advertised as one of the world’s first exhibitions of all that is NFT: the history, the applications, future predictions and the impacts that nonfungible tokens will have on the art world.

The museum will be focused on educating its visitors on the world of NFTs, ensuring the public is aware of what is actually happening and how it all works. To bring the excitement back home, Francisco Carolinum Linz has also constructed its museum online in the Ethereum-based Cryptovoxels, ensuring that all of those who want to learn about NFTs can do so in any environment that is comfortable.

Museum of Modern African Art: Amsterdam, Netherlands

This is your last week to see the feat and excellence that is the first NFT gallery to open in Amsterdam showcasing portraits of African kings and queens. Known as the “The Portraitist,” this artist’s exhibition of NFTs of African kings is currently on display at the Museum of Modern African Art (MoMAA) as one of the first exhibitions to proudly represent African art and history on the blockchain and in the NFT community. See the works by The Portraitist up until June 18.

Heading into the New World

Three notable exhibitions are opening in the United States this summer as citizens welcome the fresh air and open galleries. Spanning three different regions of the country and three different cities, each with its own unique culture and environment, they come together with one goal in mind: promoting the world of NFT art.

Blackdove: Miami, FL

With Miami quickly becoming the hotspot for all things blockchain, the Blackdove gallery sure hits the spot in attempting to change the way people see NFTs. With the collective effort of over 50 international artists contributing more than 100 NFT art pieces, this gallery is sure to catch waves with the crypto community.

Opened on June 3, Blackdove viewers also have the option to buy an NFT on the spot, allowing visitors to directly support artists, as well as giving people the chance to own their own piece of this new contemporary, digital art.

imnotArt: Chicago, IL

After developing their own online NFT gallery, the creators of the imnotArt metaverse decided to branch out into the streets of Chicago with the first brick-and-mortar NFT gallery in the city.

The gallery opened on June 3, coining itself “not a pop-up.” The gallery creators have the goal of establishing a new way to combine the physical reality and the Metaverse together, creating an environment that is unlike anything else in its nature.

Bright Moments: Venice Beach, CA

As a way of welcoming beachgoers to the world of NFTs, Venice Beach gallery Bright Moments is displaying NFTs and bringing the virtual world into reality. Moreover, art shows, speakers and other events are scheduled in the gallery, and more are invited to be booked, educating visitors and providing an entertaining, fresh environment for NFT enthusiasts and skeptics alike.

Stuck at home?

Despite a lot of the excitement being around experiencing these physical galleries in person, there are still galleries in the Metaverse that can be accessed from the comfort of your home — including Francisco Carolinum Linz, mentioned above, and others such as the Museum of Crypto Art located in Somnium Space.

There are many ways to jump on the NFT train, with galleries continuing to open around the physical world and in the Metaverse. So, regardless of which platform suits your needs, the thrill can be chased anywhere.

Digital turns physical: Top NFT galleries to visit in-person in 2021

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Moonstake to Partner With Uzbek Crypto Exchange UzNEX

Staking pool protocol provider Moonstake has entered a partnership with Uzbekistan government-approved cryptocurrency exchange UzNEX. It is the latest blockchain-based agreement coming out of Eastern Europe, an area gaining a solid foothold in this new economy.

The new partners will work together on developing blockchain-focused community programs, and engage in research, training, events and conferences targeting the banking and finance industries. Moonstake and UzNEX will also provide consulting services to financial institutions throughout Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Since launching in 2020, Moonstake has developed web and mobile wallets it says supports more than 2,000 cryptocurrencies. Its total staking assets have reached $1 billion and it supports the following staking coins: Cosmos, IRIS, Ontology, Harmony, Tezos, Cardano, Qtum, Polkadot, Quras, Centrality, Orbs, and IOST.

UzNEX officially debuted in March 2020. Its compliance strategy states it meets the recommendations of the Financial Actions Task Force. It works with Uzbek banks to meet such regulations as having real-name verified accounts.

Uzbekistan’s National Agency of Project Management officially allowed its citizens to trade cryptocurrencies as of April 30. UzNEX reopened after a pandemic-related shutdown June 1. That helped spur the deal with Moonstake, as they wished to offer users the staking service as a revenue source.

“Uzbekistan is a rapidly developing country when it comes to adoption of cryptocurrency and distributed ledger technology, with the government taking active part in the development as well as regulation of digital asset services,” Moonstake founder Mitsuru Tezuka said.

“Uzbekistan is now one of the youngest and fastest growing countries in the world, where major reforms in the field of the digital economy are being introduced,” its chairman Chang Yong Lee added. “This country has enormous potential, and may soon lead the global digital economy. We’re happy to partner with Moonstake, one of the top 10 largest staking providers globally, to accelerate the awareness and development of the digital economy, including cryptocurrency and staking, in Uzbekistan.”

In January Moonstake added staking services from Polkadot, a service connecting private and public blockchains as a way to improve scalability. In late May it expanded its reach by joining the PL^Gnet partner ecosystem.

UzNEX is operated by KOBEA Group, a firm focused on developing solutions for the digital economy including blockchain.

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Netherlands: Dutch Approach to Crowdfunding May Compel Platforms to Operate Elsewhere in the EU

Last year, the European Union agreed upon pan-European crowdfunding rules designed to harmonize the environment for online securities offerings across all member states. Currently, each member state handles online capital formation in a different manner, regulated by national authorities thus undermining the potential for cross-border securities offerings and more efficient funding rounds. The harmonization has been described as a big win for the investment crowdfunding industry and issuers may soon raise (November) up to €5 million from 28 different member states with the backing of retail investors.

As the regulation states, any “European Crowdfunding Service Provider” or “ECSP” must receive regulatory approval from the “national competent authority” (NCA) of the member state in which they are established to list securities offerings. ECSP’s will then be able to compete across the EU and provide cross-border crowdfunding services via a notification procedure.

Supervision will be carried out by national authorities and with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) coordinating cooperation between EU member states.

At the end of last month, ESMA closed a consultation on regulating ECSPs with an expectation that standards will be adopted by the European Commission on November 10, 2021, with some additional standards following on May 10, 2022.

While the objective clearly makes sense and aligns with the mission of a single market, nuances within each individual jurisdiction may make some member states less desirable than others for ECSPs to operate and issue securities.

This past week, the Netherlands issued draft plans for the implementation and execution of crowdfunding. The approach by Dutch regulators may make the country less competitive when it comes to online capital formation be it equity offerings or debt financing, at least according to one industry insider.

Ronald Kleverlaan, Chairman, Stichting MKB Financiering & Director of the European Centre for Alternative Finance at Utrecht University, is an individual who is deeply engaged in the ECSP regulatory process. He shared his thoughts on the Dutch proposal with Crowdfund Insider:

“As mentioned [recently], the Dutch Ministry of Finance has published their proposal for implementing the ECSP regulation in Dutch Financial law. Most shocking is the (high) costs for crowdfunding platforms to apply for a license.

Costs for a crowdfunding platform can be up to €100k, excluding legal advisory costs. This is only for the (one-time) application process. On top of this, additional yearly costs are expected.

Because ECSP regulation is a European regulation, these high supervisory costs could mean that Dutch crowdfunding platforms will apply for a license in another country and still offer their services in The Netherlands.”

The Netherlands is not alone in taking a regulatory approach that may stifle crowdfunding platforms in the EU. Germany has announced regulations that have been panned by industry insiders.

As it stands now, certain liability rules for platform principles and the fact that GmbH shares (limited liability firms) are not included in the rules, Germany may hobble investment crowdfunding in Europes largest economy.

Last month, Uli Fricke, Deputy Chairwoman of the German Crowdfunding Association (Bundesverband Crowdfunding), stated:

“The current implementation of the SchwarmfinanzierungsbegleitG contradicts the goal of the ESCP-VO and puts German companies at a disadvantage compared to their European competitors. In essential points, the proposals of the grand coalition contradict the idea of ​​the ECSP regulation: to create uniform conditions for companies that can carry out crowdfunding campaigns across Europe.”

At that time, a report in the Frankfurter Allgemeine labeled the German policy a “disaster” stating that “what the EU gives, the [German] federal government takes [away].”

Of course, individual member states enacting policy that stifles an emerging industry may benefit other countries that are more interested in boosting entrepreneurship and facilitating capital formation. Some industry insiders see an opportunity for scrappy baltic states, or other EU countries, to benefit from an opportunity for regulatory arbitrage.

It is not completely clear as to why certain EU countries may create rules counter to the spirit of the goal of harmonization and the single market. Perhaps in Germany, federal authorities are still feeling the pain of the spectacular collapse of Wirecard – once a vaunted Fintech and now no more having imploded due to fraud. Or maybe public officials simply do not have the experience or knowledge of the venture capital sector to understand its key function in raising funding for early-stage ventures and supporting entrepreneurship.

As the ESMA is still working through its role as a European regulator of ECSPs, things can still change. Or maybe more agile countries will step it up and decide to play a bigger role in the securities crowdfunding sector.

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Bitcoin (BTC) Price Prediction: BTC/USD in a Range as Bitcoin Trades Marginally


Bitcoin (BTC) Price Prediction – June 7, 2021

For the past 48 hours, BTC/USD has been fluctuating above $35,000 support as Bitcoin trades marginally. The recent bearish momentum from the $39,000 high extended to the low above $34,900. Bitcoin price found support as buyers continue to defend the critical support at $34,000.

Resistance Levels: $45,000, $46,000, $47,000
Support Levels: $35,000, $34,000, $33,000

BTC/USD – Daily Chart
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Following the last breakdown on June 5, BTC’s price fell to $34,822 low as bulls bought the dips. The bulls buying the dips push BTC’s price to remain above the critical support at $34,000. Also, the market rises to $36,700 high. The bullish momentum was restricted below the recent high. For the past three days, Bitcoin price has been fluctuating in a narrow range between $35,000 and $37,000 price levels. Buyers have the advantage to propel and sustain the BTC price above $36,700 resistance. If successful, a break above $38,000 high will catapult Bitcoin above $40,000 high. Conversely, if the bears take the initiative and break below the $34,000 support, Bitcoin will further decline to the $30,000 or $28,000 support zone.

In 2021, Discounted Bitcoin Is Likely to Hit $100k than $20k, Says Bloomberg Analyst-Bitcoin Trades Marginally

Mike McGlone is the senior Bloomberg commodity strategist who said the bull market appears to be intact to achieve a $100,000 target price than retracing to $20,000 low. The analyst indicated this notwithstanding the massive drawdown in May. McGlone gave an example of an overextended rally, Chinese restrictions, and unwarranted focus on Bitcoin’s energy use as causes for the May drawdown. McGlone noted that: “Toward the end of 2020, Bitcoin’s history suggested the crypto would move sharply higher in 2021, and we see improving supports for this.” He continued: “In 2020, 260-day volatility dropped to its lowest ever vs. most major asset classes, notably the S&P 500. Add last year’s supply cut, the migration to institutional portfolios, Ethereum futures, and the launch of ETFs in Canada and Europe, and we see greater potential for Bitcoin to head toward $100,000 than sustain below $20,000.”

BTC/USD – 4 Hour Chart

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s price is consolidating above $35,000 after the recent breakdown on June 3. On June 4 downtrend; a retraced candle body tested the 50% Fibonacci retracement level. The retracement indicates that the BTC price is likely to fall to level 1.618 Fibonacci extension or level $31,802.30. From the price action, the selling pressure has subsided as price resume consolidation above $35,000.

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Bitcoin (BTC) Price Prediction: BTC/USD in a Range as Bitcoin Trades Marginally

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Fraud Awareness App Introduced by HSBC UK, Allows Businesses to Track Suspicious Activities, Potential Scams

HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE: HSBC), a British multinational investment bank and financial services holding company, recently revealed that its UK division had introduced a fraud awareness app to offer businesses or companies up-to-the-minute or the latest updates on potential scams.

HSBC, which is the second largest banking institution in Europe with total assets of over $2.9 trillion, noted that their app will be sending users notifications on new types of scams and fraudulent activities. HSBC’s free-to-use app comes with advice, suggestions, and recommendations on how to avoid becoming a victim to fraud. It also offers real-life stories or accounts from clients.

Peter McIntyre, Head of Small Business Banking at HSBC UK Commercial Banking, stated:

“We firmly believe that by arming businesses with this latest information and advice they will be better placed to spot frauds and scams before they have parted with any of their hard-earned funds.”

Developed with assistance from the institution’s business clients, the app has been released to everyone – whether HSBC customers or not – after a 6-month pilot program that managed to  receive positive feedback from the testers.

One of the app’s early users, Danny Lucas, Executive Chairperson and MD of fit out and finishing company Lucas said that the firm is targeted with numerous malicious e-mail messages on a daily basis.

He added:

“Online banking is the lifeblood of our business and having an awareness of scams that are out there and being kept informed on new tactics is absolutely vital. The HSBC UK fraud app which we’ve been testing for the last six months has proved to be a fantastic source of intelligence for our team and provides us with an extra tool in the fight against financial crime.”

As reported last month, HSBC‘s caller ID program Voice ID has reportedly managed to reduce telephone banking fraud by more than 50% during the past 12 months, indicating that biometric verification can be quite effective in fighting against bad actors.

HSBC says that its voice biometrics system has helped with preventing nearly £249 million of clients’ funds from falling into the hands of telephone scammers (during the past year).

As more consumers engage with digital platforms and tele-banking, HSBC UK has been reporting a significant rise in clients signing up for Voice ID, which is reportedly being used by more than 2.8 million active accounts.

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