Blockchain
The Kobe Bryant KB24 NFT Art Collection to Donate All Proceeds to Mamba & Mambacita Foundation
The highly anticipated KB24 NFT art collection has opened for presale reservations to the general public and it’s sure to be the hottest, largest NFT drop in history. And, it’s all for a good cause.
The team behind The KB24 NFT collection is creating a new space for Kobe Bryant fans to memorialize the legend, while also contributing to a cause in his honor — the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, which was created by the Bryant family to honor Kobe and his daughter Gianna following their untimely death.
KB24.com was once Kobe Bryant’s official website, which he used to communicate directly with fans, to share news and thoughts on the game, to drop exclusive merchandise, and to hold a forum that brought fans together. It also allowed fans to sign up for Kobe Basketball Academy, his official camp.
For the last 4 years, the site had been taken and redirected to a malicious website, until the team behind The KB24 NFT purchased it a few months ago in an aftermarket sale for an undisclosed price.
“Without hesitation, we knew we had to take over the website and make something great out of it. We saw the opportunity to restore the integrity of Kobe’s official website and benefit his foundation forever.”
The KB24 Team’s goal for this project is solely for charitable purposes, as 100% of all proceeds and revenue from the sale of The KB24 NFT will be donated to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. In addition, all residual fees on The KB24 NFT will be donated, such that if a fan ever sells their art, all of the residual fees of the sale price will automatically be donated to the foundation as well — something not possible with traditional charitable sales. KB24.com will make available a one-of-a-kind, limited edition NFT drop — The KB24 NFT — and will donate 100% of all proceeds to Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, the nonprofit founded in memory of Kobe and Gianna Bryant.
The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation is dedicated to creating a positive impact for underserved athletes by providing funding and sports programming to enable participation in school and/or league sports that enrich socio-economic and physical development. The foundation is also dedicated to Kobe and Gigi’s vision of creating a world where young women have equal opportunity to pursue their dreams through sports and life. The foundation honors their legacy by funding programs that support their vision. And KB24 seeks to aid in that mission.
Watching Kobe Bryant play was what his fans looked forward to most. His character, his love for the game, and his commitment to the craft inspired millions and millions of fans around the world. Kobe was their idol. Fans mimicked his work ethic, and even attempted to follow his biphasic sleep cycle. He inspired his fans to achieve their goals and aspirations, and to have the same resilience he did throughout his career. Now, through the KB24 NFT, fans can have a digital piece of that inspiration to hold onto forever.
“The NFT digital art market has exploded in the last year as crypto investors look to enter the space,” a representative from the KB24 team says. “The possibilities are endless and we want to utilize that momentum to help fund non profit organizations working with communities to foster their love for basketball and sports in general.”
As we enter the metaverse, the NFT world is one of the most interesting spaces to be in right now. Blockchain will be opening up the door for many more interesting projects that can help communities grow in ways not previously possible. The KB24 NFT, being at the forefront of this space, allows the KB24 team to experiment and create a project that will live on forever, and will positively impact kids and families through the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
The KB24 NFT will be made available on Opensea, a platform which enables users to buy and sell directly on the marketplace using smart contracts. Users can buy and sell non-fungible tokens and crypto collectibles, which can include art and collectibles, gaming items, and other digital assets backed by blockchain.
Successful projects, such as the Bored Ape Yacht Club, Pudgy Penguins, and Crypto Kitties, sparked a vision for the KB24 team to take the concept and apply it on a larger scale. The KB24 NFT Collection plans to take these successful ideas and projects and use the utilized key concepts to create a one of a kind experience for Kobe Bryant fans. While simultaneously honoring the late athlete and donating proceeds directly to Bryant’s Mamba & Mambacita Foundation to create positive impacts for undeserved athletes and young women in sports. The KB24 NFT project hopes to serve as an example for what’s possible when traditional non-profit and charitable organization spaces are disrupted, and instead one-time events make a perpetual impact.
Every aspect of the KB24 NFT serves to highlight Kobe’s great achievements and have fans be a part of it. Each NFT will be 100% unique, with a combination of different attributes that represent Kobe’s achievements, moments in his career, and his personality. The KB24 NFT will allow Kobe fans to capture their favorite moments of the Lakers legend, and it will allow them access to the Kobe Wall that will be hosted publicly, allowing NFT holders to upload their favorite photo or tribute and to have it be viewed forever by fans owning their own digital assets. The NFT will be a first of its kind in honoring the legacy of Kobe Bryant.
The KB24.com website is currently taking reservations for the public pre-sale for the launch of the KB24 NFT collection. To join the community and receive updates, we recommend signing up on the KB24.com website and joining the community Discord for future updates.
Blockchain
World Chess and the Algorand Foundation propose leveling the playing field with a “chess passport”
In a whitepaper published today, World Chess (LSE: CHSS) and the Algorand Foundation (ALGO) conceptualize a new blockchain-based system that would establish secure, private, and verifiable credentials for global sports organizations, including chess. Grandmaster Evgenij Miroshnichenko contributed to the paper alongside the Algorand Foundation and World Chess.
The move comes as interest in chess hits a new high, driven by popular television series on Netflix and the BBC, the 2024 awarding of the youngest-ever world chess champion, and the inclusion of chess for the first time in the Esports World Cup later this year.
If adopted, the system would allow chess players to independently manage their identity and credentials across all chess platforms and organizations with a single decentralized ID, and one login credential for everywhere they play. They could then easily “port” their identity, achievements, records of play, rankings, and rewards across online chess platforms, as well as seamlessly from the digital world to in-person games and tournaments. This provides them with a much easier way to prove their identity, no matter their status or documentation; it would also reduce tournament application times significantly. Chess organizations would then be able to welcome even more players to their competitions, including those who have built their chess career solely online, as well as players who have previously only competed in tournaments held by other organizations.
Among other benefits, the adoption of a “global chess passport” would make it much easier for organizers and chess clubs and federations alike to onboard and register players, both online and offline.
Another benefit of the proposed system is to safeguard fair play. As chess becomes increasingly integrated into e-sports and online competitions, the use of AI programs or player fraud (one player representing another) is an increasing concern. Being able to confirm player integrity (including whether they have been banned for cheating on any other platform) ensures credibility of chess contests and competitions. These verifiable credentials also preserve player privacy. They can be used to confirm player eligibility and relevant identity data without providing access to sensitive documentation, such as passports. Finally, identity verification also prevents fraud in tournament payouts. Phishing and other attempts to steal winnings are on the rise; this ensures only the rightful winner can access their prize funds.
“I think that chess needs its version of the global e-version of drivers license. It’s a global game, and using blockchain for the benefit of having one universal independently verifiable ID is something that both players and organizers will certainly benefit from,” says Ilya Merenzon, CEO of World Chess.
“This initiative is not just about chess; it’s about the future of fair play and verifiable achievement across all sports and esports,” said Bruno Martins, principal architect at the Algorand Foundation and co-author of the whitepaper. “Chess has a rich history of proving the usefulness of new technologies. In this case, World Chess is showing the integrity, privacy, and portability of records in any competitive arena is not only possible – it’s in the best interest of every player, everywhere.”
Statista estimates that the market for esports should reach $4.8 billion in 2025, with nearly 900 million players by 2029 (source), all of which could benefit from better cross-platform registration for online and in-person competitions.
The full whitepaper and more information about the proposed open-source system can be found here. Chess platforms, esports organizations and other parties interested in contributing to the project can get involved by contacting [email protected].
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Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – April 23, 2025 – EDPB, Binance, MicroCloud, Nile Coin, TruaBroker
Welcome to Blocks & Headlines, your daily op-ed–style briefing on the most significant developments in blockchain technology and the cryptocurrency industry. Today’s dispatch spotlights landmark privacy guidelines from the European Data Protection Board, Malaysia’s engagement with Binance’s founder to turbocharge digital finance, a groundbreaking blockchain reconstruction solution from MicroCloud Hologram, the impending launch of Nile Coin on Solana by Hyperscale Data’s subsidiary BitNile.com, and Trua’s AI-driven TruaBroker compliance platform. These stories underscore how regulation, infrastructure innovation, token launches, and compliance automation are shaping Web3’s next chapter.
1. EU’s Privacy Guardrails: EDPB Proposes Blockchain Data Access Guidelines
Source: Decrypt
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has published draft guidelines aimed at reconciling blockchain’s immutable architecture with GDPR’s privacy mandates. Key directives include avoiding on-chain storage of personal data when it conflicts with Data Protection by Design and by Default, conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for high-risk processing, and implementing organizational and technical measures to limit default data access to an “indefinite number of persons” Decrypt.
Op-Ed Insight:These guidelines mark a pivotal moment. By mandating privacy-by-design and off-chain anchoring of sensitive information, the EDPB effectively pressures projects to adopt hybrid architectures—where on-chain transparency coexists with off-chain confidentiality. While defenders of pure decentralization decry potential censorship, privacy advocates hail these guardrails as essential to prevent authoritarian misuse of immutable ledgers. Ultimately, projects that bake data protection into their smart contracts and storage layers will secure both regulatory compliance and user trust.
2. Malaysia Taps Binance’s CZ for a Blockchain Finance Overhaul
Source: Bitcoin News
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has initiated high-level discussions with Changpeng Zhao (CZ), Binance’s founder and former CEO, to position Malaysia as Southeast Asia’s preeminent hub for tokenization and digital finance. The dialogue focuses on leveraging blockchain to modernize capital markets, streamline cross-border payments, and foster regulatory sandboxes that attract global Web3 startups Beamstart.
Op-Ed Insight: Engaging CZ signals Malaysia’s ambition to leapfrog legacy financial architectures by importing Binance’s exchange expertise and compliance playbooks. Yet success hinges on crafting balanced regulations that encourage innovation without compromising investor protection. If Malaysia can marry CZ’s technical insights with proactive oversight—such as clear licensing pathways for decentralized exchanges—it could catalyze a shift in regional capital flows from traditional finance hubs like Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.
3. MicroCloud Hologram’s VSS-Powered Blockchain Reconstruction Solution
Source: PR Newswire
MicroCloud Hologram Inc. (NASDAQ: HOLO) unveiled an innovative blockchain reconstruction solution that employs Verifiable Secret Sharing (VSS) technology to split and distribute private key shares across distributed nodes. Four core components—VSS-based key sharding, redundant node storage, dynamic participant verification, and incentive-driven reward/penalty mechanisms—enable rapid, trustless restoration of blockchain data integrity following attacks or node failures PR Newswire.
Op-Ed Insight: As DeFi and on-chain finance proliferate, uninterrupted availability and data consistency have become paramount. MicroCloud’s VSS approach transforms reconstruction from a centralized recovery process into a decentralized protocol, minimizing reliance on any single custodian. This paradigm could redefine disaster-recovery benchmarks: imagine an exploited smart contract whose state is instantly rebuilt through pre-sharded secrets, preserving transactional continuity without manual key escrow.
4. BitNile.com to Launch Nile Coin on Solana Blockchain
Source: GlobeNewswire
Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS) announced that its social gaming subsidiary BitNile.com will launch Nile Coin on Solana on May 1, 2025. Solana’s high throughput and low fees position it as an optimal platform for BitNile’s gaming ecosystems, where Nile Coin will fuel in-game economies, reward completions, and facilitate peer-to-peer transactions. Further details on tokenomics and utility are expected in the coming weeks GlobeNewswire.
Op-Ed Insight: While new token launches are ubiquitous, Nile Coin’s Solana-native design leverages one of the fastest blockchains for scalable micro-transactions—a critical requirement for social gaming. Success will depend on robust token utility, partnership integrations, and community incentives. If BitNile.com can embed Nile Coin across multiple entertainment verticals (e-sports, virtual concerts, NFTs), it could ignite a network-effect flywheel, bolstering both user engagement and on-chain liquidity.
5. TruaBroker: Automating Compliance with AI-Powered Trust Credentials
Source: PR Newswire (via Benzinga)
Trua, a leader in digital trust credentials, launched TruaBroker
, a cloud-based platform that automates compliance for broker-dealers and Registered Investment Advisors. Built on Trua’s patented Continuous Evaluation engine, TruaBroker delivers real-time monitoring of FINRA, SEC, and NFA records; identity verification; and continuous credential checks—all without IT integration. Its AI algorithms flag licensing gaps, disciplinary histories, and civil actions, enabling firms to maintain audit readiness and mitigate risk proactively Benzinga.
Op-Ed Insight: In an era when on-chain transactions intersect with regulated financial activities, seamless compliance is non-negotiable. TruaBroker’s model—issuing reusable, verifiable digital credentials anchored by blockchain—offers a blueprint for how KYC/AML processes can evolve into dynamic, trustless workflows. As DeFi platforms eye tokenized securities and on-ramps, integrating similar continuous-evaluation mechanics could become a competitive differentiator, blending self-sovereign identity with regulatory assurance.
Conclusion
Today’s headlines illustrate blockchain’s multifaceted evolution: from regulatory frameworks enforcing privacy and consumer rights, to infrastructure innovations that ensure resilience; from national strategies enlisting industry titans to drive tokenization, to platform launches forging new digital economies; and from compliance automation transforming institutional trust to AI-powered credentialing.
As the space matures, successful projects will be those that:
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Embed privacy and compliance by design—aligning with GDPR and global regulations.
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Invest in self-healing architectures—leveraging cryptographic primitives like VSS.
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Cultivate vibrant token ecosystems—anchored on high-performance chains.
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Adopt continuous, AI-driven governance—bridging the gap between Web3 innovation and traditional financial oversight.
Stay tuned to Blocks & Headlines for incisive commentary and daily updates on the blockchain stories that shape tomorrow’s decentralized future.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – April 23, 2025 – EDPB, Binance, MicroCloud, Nile Coin, TruaBroker appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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