TLDR Crypto 2022-01-20

Osmosis, a cross-chain decentralized exchange on the Cosmos network, has launched Gravity Bridge, an inter-blockchain protocol that will enable trading for Ethereum-based assets. Gravity Bridge was built by internet services provider Althea. It features a sophisticated slashing system for validators who underperform and it also allows for MetaMask signatures, which usually isn't possible with Cosmos. Osmosis is currently well-positioned to capture volume for the Terra stablecoin market.

Opera has launched a web3 Crypto Browser that features a built-in crypto wallet, easy access to exchanges, support for decentralized apps, a secure clipboard that other apps can't view, and more. The browser aims to make crypto accessible without any extensions. It will also provide support for the blockchain-based decentralized internet, or web3, providing extra security and allowing users to access web3 apps. The browser is still in beta.

Proof Of Attendance Protocol (POAP) is a startup building a protocol that will allow people to scan a QR code in the real world to unlock blockchain rewards. It will also include other tools including Ethereum-backed polling, raffle contest mechanics, and private chat verification tech. POAP recently raised $10 million in funding. It plans to use the funds to invest in its application and platform layers.

Many people like to compare blockchains to networks, but unlike networks, blockchains are physically constrained and can not expand to infinite block space because they require many independent small validators. Thinking about smart contract chains as more like cities will make the dynamics around Layer 1 blockchains less mysterious. This article discusses Ethereum as if it were a city like New York. It uses the city analogy to talk about different solutions for scaling Ethereum, including Layer 2 protocols, interoperability networks, and building more blockchains.

Liquidity mining is when a protocol rewards user deposits with token rewards. The practice has come under fire in recent months for being an imprecise incentivization tool that often attracts mercenary farmers. A range of new services have emerged to replace liquidity mining. This article discusses these new services, exploring how they use incentives to lock in more liquidity. While liquidity as a service is one of the fastest-growing sectors in crypto, it is still not guaranteed to become the future of project bootstrapping.

Google has partnered with Coinbase and BitPay to integrate cryptocurrency storage into Google Cards. Users will be able to hold cryptocurrencies in their digital cards while spending fiat currency. Google is still looking for additional partnership opportunities for its cryptocurrency projects. It is unknown when the wallet will be available. Google currently does not accept cryptocurrency as payment.

Crypto.com has confirmed that around 400 user accounts were compromised by hackers and had funds stolen from them. The exact method of the breach remains unclear. A security company has estimated Crypto.com's losses to be around $15 million in ETH. Crypto.com has yet to receive any outreach from regulators. The site has been criticized for its vague communications over the incident.

There are now 1,179 blockchain games, 398 of which are active. The total number of active games has increased 92% in the last year. The number of daily unique wallets interacting with game-related smart contracts jumped to 1.3 million in 2021, a significant increase from 28,000 in 2020. Venture capital firms have invested $4 billion towards the development of blockchain-based games and their infrastructure. 2022 is looking to be a huge year for crypto games.