Hey, it’s Marc.

Our weekly is two days later as we launched our big report on the future of fan engagement on Thursday:

“We’re building a scalable, blockchain-powered loyalty network where teams, brands, and fans interact seamlessly. If McDonald’s sponsors the Cavs, that same rewards system works for Real Madrid. One system. Infinite monetization opportunities.”

— John Timoney-Gomez, Co-Founder, Uptop

This week’s question:

👉 Keep up with all our signals for Web3 execs on our Telegram channel.

📚 Our Top Reads This Week

• How Web3 is Unlocking Billions in New Revenue for Clubs & Brands [videox]. Link
• Web3 Gaming, AI & The Rise of Telegram [Podcast]. Link
• The State of AI in 2025 [Report]. Link
• Another current state of AI. Chamath Palihapitiya. Link
• The Irony of DeepSeek vs OpenAI. Jason Calacanis. Link
• DeepSeek is Paving the Way for Web3 AI. Paul Veradittakit. Link
• DeepSeek and the New AI Energy Paradigm. Maja. Link

The Future of Fan Engagement

The best loyalty programs print money — sports teams are missing out. Programs like Delta SkyMiles generate billions through partner rewards networks. Sports teams could do the same—but they’re stuck in outdated discount-based models that only reward their most loyal customers instead of monetizing their entire fanbase.

In our recent report we have unpacked how brands and corporates can unlock millions in revenue & create entire loyalty economies with new tech.

Memecoins Are the New Celebrity Exit Scam – And Kanye Just Exposed It

Kanye West just turned down a $2M deal to promote a memecoin on Solana. The pitch?

Fake a hack, tweet about $YE, then deny involvement. He’d get $750K upfront, another $1.25M after the stunt.

The big picture: This isn’t just one shady deal. It’s the playbook. Crypto’s latest wave of celebrity-driven memecoins is milking hype, extracting cash, and leaving retail investors holding the bag.

And it’s working: First, it was Caitlyn Jenner. Then Doja Cat. Then 50 Cent. Then Dean Norris from Breaking Bad.

Suddenly, a bunch of celebrities are getting “hacked”—and every single time, their accounts start promoting memecoins.

Coincidence? Please.

If hackers really wanted money, they’d demand a ransom, not launch a pump-and-dump scheme on Solana.

What they’re saying: “If people want to buy a token or product that lacks a clear long-term value proposition, they should feel free to—but should not be surprised if someday the price drops”, Hester Peirce, SEC Commissioner.

Punchline: For now, memecoin markets are still a wild west. But make no mistake: We're early. Businesses, creators, and investors will be using memecoins to raise capital, drive engagement, and weaponize virality.

Read our report below👇

Memecoins: How To Separate Value from Hype

Three days before his inauguration, President Donald Trump did something that shocked even the most seasoned crypto insiders: he launched a memecoin on Solana, aptly named $TRUMP. Within hours, the coin rocketed to a $30B market cap, only to crash to $7 billion shortly after. Melania Trump launched a memecoin just a day later following a similar traject…

51 Insights – Web3 for Business Marc Baumann

Alo is Back in Metaverse Game

Alo Yoga’s virtual experience on Roblox, Alo Sanctuary, is getting an update in partnership with Sawhorse.

What you should know:

• The updated version includes new wellness adventures, challenges, and rewards.
• Players can unlock exclusive virtual gear by scanning an NFC sticker at Alo’s 150 retail locations.
• They have also added paid items, including the mesh duffle bag and Alo Runner.

Why it matters: Alo Yoga knows where the next generation is—and they’re showing up. With an updated Alo Sanctuary on Roblox, they’re doubling down on digital wellness, gamified engagement, and the future of retail.

By the data: 117M+ visits have been recorded so far on Roblox.

Namaste in the Metaverse🧘: Alo Yoga's Bold Bet on Digital Engagement

Alo Yoga isn't just another activewear brand. They’re pushing the boundaries for brand loyalty by blending digital assets gaming, and immersive digital experiences.

51 Insights – Web3 for Business Marc Baumann

SoftBank x OpenAI

SoftBank is finalizing a $40B investment in OpenAI at a $260B pre-money valuation, making it OpenAI’s largest backer—surpassing Microsoft.

The deal includes:

• $40B investment paid over 12-24 months, starting this spring.
• $15B for Stargate, an AI venture with OpenAI & Oracle, backed by Trump.
• $3B/year to use OpenAI tech across SoftBank companies, including Arm.
• SB OpenAI Japan, a joint venture to bring OpenAI’s AI to Japanese businesses.

OpenAI’s valuation surge: From $157B (October 2024) to $300B post-money.

Why it matters: OpenAI is cash-hungry and burning billions to keep ChatGPT running. With Deepseek’s popularity, it requires serious revenue growth. The $3B annual spend from SoftBank helps, but price hikes and enterprise adoption are crucial.

Also: OpenAI’s recent moves align with U.S. interests, securing government contracts (ChatGPT Gov) and backing from political leaders.

OpenAI: Biggest VC Deal of All Time

OpenAI has raised a megaround of $6.6B, valuing the company at $157B.

51 Insights – Web3 for Business Sangam Bharti

🚨 Other Highlights You Can’t Miss

• Story Protocol, the IP layer 1, introduced its token . Link
• Tether is expanding USDT adoption in the UAE through real estate. Link
• OpenAI launches “Deep Research”, one of its biggest updates yet. Link
• Ondo Finance is building L1 for tokenized RWAs. Link
• Czech Republic exempts long-term crypto gains from taxes. Link
• SEC's Hester Peirce says speculative token investments may crash. Link

👉 Keep up with all our signals for Web3 execs on our Telegram channel.

💰 Money Moves

• Bluwhale: Decentralized AI company secured $100M. Link
• D3: Web3 startup raised $25M Series A led by Paradigm. Link
• Irreducible: ZK startup raised $24M co-led by Paradigm and Bain Capital Crypto. Link
• Elastos: Infrastructure company raised $20M led by Rollman Management. Link

That’s all for now, folks.

Talk soon,

– Marc & Team

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