Hey Cardanians! Welcome aboard the Weekly Cardano Digest #37!!

We've filtered through all the noise to distill crucial updates into a breezy, 5-minute read. No need for you to sift through endless info — we've got you covered. Ready to delve into this week's top Cardano news? Let’s dive in.

Here are the topics of the week:

• Metamask Opens Waitlist in Anticipation for Card Pilot Launch

• Nucast Introduces NuAuthZK Protocol in Partnership with Midnight Network

• World Mobile and Nuvola Partnership Update

• Minutes Network Terminates Voice Traffic from Zain Telecom

• The Change Upgrade #1 Goes Into Effect

• Weekly Development Report

• & More!

This newsletter is segmented into categories of less technical news topics to those that are more technical, in an effort to make it easier for our readers to follow. The first category will focus on news involving the Cardano ecosystem, while the second category will focus on projects that have been announced recently. The third category, which will be found towards the end of the newsletter, will focus on the most technical topics.

This week on Cardano…

Metamask Opens Waitlist in Anticipation for Card Pilot Launch

Last week, Metamask took to X to announce that it has created a waitlist for people interested in participating in the pilot of the MetaMask Card. In partnership with Mastercard and Baanx (Crpyto Life), MetaMask has introduced a new payment card, the MetaMask Card, which allows users to spend cryptocurrency directly from their MetaMask wallets. This innovative card aims to simplify the process of using crypto in everyday transactions.

Initially available to a limited number of users in the EU and UK, the MetaMask Card provides a convenient way to spend crypto at any location that accepts Mastercard. The card integrates with Apple Pay and Google Pay, offering a seamless user experience.

Supported currencies for the pilot phase include USDC, USDT, and WETH on Linea. MetaMask plans to expand the availability of the MetaMask Card to additional regions in the future. By eliminating the need for intermediaries, the MetaMask Card offers a more user-friendly and secure way to spend crypto. This aligns with MetaMask's vision of empowering individuals through self-custody and facilitating wider adoption of cryptocurrency. 

Though the types of cryptocurrencies that will be compatible with the card have not been announced yet, it was only a little over ten days ago that Metamask announced the “Cardano Wallet Snap,” which allows users to create a Cardano account in Metamask. With this Snap, Metamask users can manage Cardano tokens and NFTs, use Cardano dApps, stake $ADA, and swap assets like ETH for the Cardano token. READ MORE

Nucast Introduces NuAuthZK Protocol in Alliance with Midnight Network

Nucast.io announced this week the development of NuAuthZK, a protocol designed to protect intellectual property and combat misinformation. This protocol was recognized at the Rare Evo Hackathon, winning first place in the Midnight Network track.

NuAuthZK leverages the Midnight Network for content registration, ensuring accurate attribution and compensation for creators. By authenticating the origin of digital content, the protocol helps to enhance credibility and combat the spread of misinformation.

NuAuthZK also offers commercial opportunities for media companies and AI platforms. These entities can utilize smart contracts to control content access and implement fair use practices.

The malicious use of artificial intelligence to steal intellectual property and deceive individuals is a significant problem. NuAuthZK aims to address this issue by providing solutions that protect intellectual property owners and individuals from harm. READ MORE

World Mobile and Nuvola Partnership Update

Nuvola and World Mobile have announced that Nuvola Apex and Link nodes are now live and generating rewards for NVL holders. These rewards will be available for monthly claims and will soon be displayed in the staking portal.

NVL stakers will also benefit from an additional 15% reward increase. This is due to a reallocation of funds originally intended for operational expenses and maintenance, which are no longer necessary for World Mobile Nodes.

Nuvola Digital is a platform that enables individuals to participate in decentralized networks and earn rewards without requiring technical expertise. Through its crowd-share model, Nuvola provides access to decentralized network infrastructure. World Mobile is a decentralized network that offers affordable and high-quality internet connectivity to underserved areas. Its innovative approach can provide coverage in places where traditional networks struggle, at a fraction of the cost.

In August, Nuvola and World Mobile partnered to secure AirNodes from Batch Two, Drop One. This collaboration aimed to accelerate the growth of World Mobile's sharing economy, particularly in the United States. READ MORE

Minutes Network Terminates Voice Traffic from Zain Telecom

Minutes Network, a decentralized wholesale telecommunications carrier, has announced the termination of voice traffic from Zain Telecom. This decision is a result of collaborative discussions between Minutes Network and its partners.

Minutes Network generates revenue by providing termination services for major carriers in the global telecommunications market, which is valued at $251 billion. The company's proprietary technologies and protocols enable it to offer competitive pricing and high-quality services, attracting customers from around the world.

Zain is a prominent telecommunications operator in the Middle East and Africa, serving a large customer base. The termination of voice traffic from Zain Telecom will impact Minutes Network's operations, but the company remains focused on providing valuable services to its customers and exploring new opportunities in the telecommunications industry. This move represents Minutes Network's proprietary technologies and protocols and how they enable it to offer customers highly competitive pricing and superior call quality. READ MORE

The Change Upgrade #1 Goes Into Effect

The wait is over. After nine years, the Chang upgrade was officially launched yesterday. Cardano has become a fully decentralized protocol, controlled by its global community. With the recent upgrade, ADA holders now have the power to shape the future of the network.

Intersect, a member-based organization for the Cardano ecosystem, confirmed last week that the first phase of the Chang hard fork would be implemented on September 1. This decision followed a meeting of a working group that included community leaders, the Cardano Foundation, Emurgo, and Input Output Global.

The Chang hard fork is part of Cardano's Voltaire era, which aims to introduce decentralized governance to the network. The hard fork will enable community members to propose and vote on Cardano Improvement Proposals (CIPs) through the existing staking and delegation process.

The first phase of the hard fork, deployed on September 1, lays the groundwork for this decentralized governance framework. The second phase is scheduled for the final quarter of 2024. As the community becomes more involved in decision-making, Cardano's future will be shaped by its members. READ MORE

Weekly Development Report

Interesting Stories:

1. Iagon joins Intersect as an enterprise member

2. Flint Wallet announced that it will not be updated to support the Conway hardfork

3. GameChanger Wallet Announces Partnership with Token Mithrandir (MITHR) to Boost Activities in 10 Countries

🎊 A Message from Lucas 🎊

Last week I had the pleasure of taking part in the CoinEx Meetup in Buenos Aires. There, I was able to meet with fellow members of the community and talk about all of the exciting projects that I’ve been working on, such as Token Allies, activities happening inside of the Latam Cardano community and, of course, this amazing newsletter.

In other news… THE CHANG HARD FORK IS FINALLY HERE!!! We have reached the Conway era and are only inches away from a truly decentralized government model. 

Thanks to this upgrade, Cardano is now a completely open protocol in the hands of a community spread out across the planet. ADA holders will now be the protagonists of this network.

I've been in Cardano for over 3 years now, so many hours, so many spaces, events, late hours… This community has given me so much. Thank you for being part of this journey with me, I hope one day I get to repay every single member of this community. This newsletter is the way I found to give back. Today we are around 1000 people reading this every week, and one day we will hopefully be even more. We still have a long way to go, a lot to build, but for now… Welcome to the era of Voltaire.

–Lucas Macchiavelli