In this issue:

• This Week in Neo Tokyo: The Immovable Object Meets the Irresistible Force (by PhoenixxDown)

• SEC's Next Side-Quest: OpenSea (by Flower83)

• Meet Your Neo Tokyo Citizens: Sam Steffanina (by Block Editor)

• NT Lever Up (by Steven-T)

• August $BYTES Update (by Steven-T)

Two giants in Web3 have merged—the immovable object meets the irresistible force: Neo Tokyo x Superverse!

The $SUPER token is now enabled in NT’s marketplace, bringing more utility to SUPER and connecting NT to a broader Web3 community. It’s a perfect fit, of course, considering our Angelic Overlord is the founder of both. As Superverse puts it, “the future of gaming is brighter than ever.” Can you feel it? It’s like the calm before the storm. Position yourselves accordingly.

It’s that time again when the Council warmly receives its newest inductees. This time, we celebrate two people who are very close to Neo Tokyo News’ heart: Flower and Fractilians. Please join us in congratulating them on ascending even higher in their Neo Tokyo journeys.

This is how things shaped up with the NT content:

Meet Your Citizens - This week's interview features OG minter Jpegtard (aka Tim Segewitz). Join him and Block editor as they explore his journey to The Citadel, his roles in prominent citizen projects like Twigg and Style Protocol, and some health tips he swears by.

Market Monday - We briefly escaped 60K hell, and discussions about that were had on our latest episode. We also covered the shocking arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, Ethereum gas prices dropping to 1 Gwei—is this FUD or progress? Plus, the ETH foundation did what makes them happiest: selling in bulk. Listen back here.

Interlinked #43 - It’s a full house as Ben, Nick, and Jared welcome the newest member of the Citizen Council and the AMA team, Fractilians, to the show. They debrief on all things Rare EVO. If you missed out on the festivities, this is a must-watch.

PaladinsDAO AMA - The AMA team sits down with 0xChanglu, founder of PaladinsDAO, to discuss their esports, investment, and entertainment DAO. Led by industry giants from Forbes and Animoca, to name a few, PaladinsDAO aims to revolutionize the gaming landscape with its first DN404 PFP collection, The Cyberdins. Listen back here.

Interlinked #44 - The CEO and COO of Katana Inu, a Melee Battle Royale Game featuring some of your favorite memes, join the team to discuss their open beta console release, player hooks, and essential advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Juicy Adventure AMA - The team behind the third-person shooter Web3 mobile game joins The Citadel to talk about the Win-to-Earn, Risk-to-Earn, and Collect-to-Earn experiences powering their game. Juicy Adventure is backed by Grampus, a Korean gaming studio with over 30 million players across 180+ countries. Listen back here.

Catch up on all that’s been happening with division and team updates, general announcements, current projects, and the usual Q&As from the citizenry. Listen back here to the recording.

If you haven’t already, go follow the Neo Tokyo Vision X account, where you can find all sorts of content, including this tidbit from Star Atlas CEO, SW4GN3R.

Until next week, citizens.

The SEC, an organization we have come to love and appreciate over the years, was apparently bored again after a few weeks of just chilling and not losing court cases with literally any crypto project out there.

So they’ve decided to say, you know what, F- it:

“So, okay, if ETH is not a security, surely NFTs must be. And if not, who cares, let's take a shot at those “crypto people” anyway.”

Next On Their List?

The (un)popular NFT marketplace OpenSea, of course. OS has been hit with a Wells notice from the SEC, to everyone’s surprise. The SEC's move is based on the assertion that NFTs traded on OpenSea might be classified as securities.

Devin Finzer, CEO of OpenSea, took to social media to express the company's dismay at the SEC's aggressive stance. He emphasized that this action represents a significant and concerning shift in the regulatory landscape, particularly for creators and artists who rely on NFTs as a medium for their work.

Finzer pointed out that while the SEC has previously targeted cryptocurrency companies like Coinbase, Uniswap, and Kraken through enforcement actions, extending this regulatory approach to NFTs is unprecedented and troubling.

It is interesting and worth pointing out how this move by the SEC came only a day after Trump has been looking to release his 4th NFT collection of “Digital Trading Cards,” which you can, again, buy for $99 each. Some people are also saying it is too much of a coincidence for these two things to not be related, especially considering Trump’s famous war cry against Gary Gensler in his recent speech at the BTC conference, saying “I will fire Gary Gensler.”

Finzer, in his post, also voiced concerns that the SEC's decision to target NFTs could have negative consequences for everyone trying to build in this industry, and potentially stifle innovation across the digital art world. He stressed that NFTs, which include digital art, collectibles, video game assets, and more, should not be subjected to the same regulatory framework as traditional financial securities.

Finzer concluded by expressing hope that the SEC will reconsider its position, while firmly stating that OpenSea is prepared to defend the NFT space. In a show of support for the broader NFT community, OpenSea has pledged $5 million to assist creators and developers who might find themselves under SEC scrutiny. Obviously, the people in the comments on Twitter still found ways to complain about OpenSea being evil and greedy and scream “wen token?” Regardless, this is, I think, a good move and really shows their commitment to fight against the SEC.

What Does This Mean For Us?

Probably nothing. Certainly the memes about us, or anyone, who has NFTs as a PFP on social media, being in major trouble is exaggerated.

And if you are a builder in the space, or an artist, or NFT community lead, you probably don’t have to worry about much either. Historically, none of these companies that the SEC sued actually suffered any major complications and everything was resolved in peace, sooner or later.

My (un)popular take is this:

This is actually good.

It'll pass, and then we don't have to deal with it down the line, propelling NFTs to new highs by clearing FUD relatively “early on.” If we are optimistic and consider NFTs as being “still early” at this stage in time. Bullish!!

• Discord ID: steffanina

• Background: Film

• Entered Crypto: 2020(?)

• Joined NT: S2

• Expertise: General expert

• Most Known For: Almost Everything But Now PRP

• Outside Interests: Photography

Samuel Steffanina’s career trajectory is a fascinating blend of creativity, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit. Transitioning from the bustling kitchens of the restaurant industry to the innovative realm of blockchain gaming, Sam has become a pivotal figure within the Neo Tokyo community and the broader crypto landscape.

Early Career: From Culinary Arts to Consulting

Before diving into the world of crypto, Sam spent nearly five years as a chef, mastering the high-pressure environment of the restaurant industry. While he thrived on the energy and creativity of the kitchen, Sam sought new challenges beyond culinary arts. This ambition led him to the field of technical consulting, where he worked with major corporations like Smithfield Foods and Amazon. However, the corporate environment quickly revealed itself as unfulfilling for Sam, prompting him to seek a more engaging and dynamic path.

Breaking into Digital Media: YouTube Stardom

Leaving the corporate grind behind, Sam teamed up with his brother to dominate the dance niche on YouTube. Their collaboration resulted in an impressive 13 million subscribers on their main channel, with millions more across Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Their success was not just a matter of timing; it was driven by their passion for creating content they genuinely believed in.

As homeschooled individuals with a deep interest in technology, Sam and his brother were perfectly positioned to leverage emerging digital platforms to share their love for dance, significantly influencing the online community.

Their efforts were recognized with prestigious accolades, including Sam’s recent award as Content Creator of the Year by Games GG for web three gaming in November, following his brother’s Streamy Award win in 2018. These honors underscored their ability to innovate and engage audiences effectively.

Entering the Crypto World: A Serendipitous Turn

Sam’s entry into the crypto space was heavily influenced by his brother’s early involvement. During a trip in an RV, Sam’s brother introduced him to crypto gaming, sparking his interest. Initially hesitant, Sam dedicated time to understanding the concept, ultimately recognizing the transformative potential of blockchain in gaming. He saw parallels to how YouTube revolutionized media consumption, predicting that blockchain would similarly reshape the gaming industry by introducing new economic models and enhancing community engagement.

Joining Neo Tokyo: Embracing a New Community

Sam’s exploration of crypto gaming naturally led him to Neo Tokyo, a vibrant community at the intersection of gaming and blockchain. His brother’s active participation in Neo Tokyo, including minting a Citizen and engaging in gaming tournaments, inspired Sam to become part of this innovative network. By minting his own Citizen, Sam aligned himself with Neo Tokyo’s mission to foster collaboration and drive technological advancements in web three gaming.

Current Projects: Wolves Dao and Gamified Podcast

Sam plays a pivotal role in Wolves Dao, a selective, application-only social DAO capped at 300 members. Originally founded as Cyberwolves by Peyton Kalavahe, Wolves Dao emphasizes mutual support and continuous improvement, adhering to the principles of Kaizen. Under Sam’s involvement, Wolves Dao has grown into a robust community, hosting significant events such as Wolves Den at GDC and Alpha Night, which foster deep community bonds and collaborative opportunities.

Additionally, Sam hosts “Gamified,” a B2B-focused podcast available on Spotify and live Twitter Spaces every Monday and Wednesday. Designed to bridge the gap in web3 gaming discussions, Gamified provides educational content infused with elements from classic game shows and sports programs. By featuring top founders and industry experts, the podcast offers valuable insights into the future of gaming and blockchain integration, positioning Sam as a key influencer in the space.

Expertise and Community Support

For citizens looking for advice, particularly in content creation and monetization strategies, Sam may be your go-to. As an advisor for seven different games and products, Sam leverages his extensive background in marketing, content development, and community engagement to help others navigate some of the headaches of growth in crypto.

Sam’s approach emphasizes the importance of creating content that can generate revenue from the outset, rather than solely focusing on follower counts. This strategy helps creators build sustainable and profitable ventures, addressing a common challenge within the digital content space. While he is busy, and says he may not answer DMs right away, he will always try and lend advice when he can.

Outside Web3

Beyond his professional endeavors, Sam enjoys a rich personal life filled with diverse interests. His hobbies include psychology, self-improvement, and cooking—a nod to his culinary roots. An avid golfer and photographer, Sam also indulges in videography and of course football, go Steelers!

To stay connected and follow his latest insights, Follow Sam Steffanina on X for more.

Front-Row Seat to Innovation: LeverUp and Bonsai Leading the Charge in DeFi

Welcome to the cutting edge of DeFi, where innovation is not just a buzzword—it's happening before your very eyes. At Bonsai, we're building the foundation of a more efficient marketplace, one where smart wallet technology enables customizations and empowers our community of contributors. Our collective, a vibrant DeFi community, is at the forefront of expediting the delivery of groundbreaking dApps. LeverUp is the latest addition to our ecosystem, and it aims to transform how users leverage and manage their leverage positions across multiple platforms—all in one place.

What is LeverUp?

Lever Up is more than just an aggregator; it's a comprehensive leverage terminal designed to simplify and enhance leverage trading. By aggregating the best leverage rates across leading lending platforms like Aave, Compound, Morpho, and more, Lever Up ensures users get the best rates, and the most gains out of their leverage positions with minimal effort.

Whether you're just looking for the best rate, migrating your existing leverage positions for better rates, or setting up automatic de-leveraging to avoid liquidation, Lever Up has you covered.

Last week, we opened sign-ups for early access to the Lever Up, limited to just 1,000 users. These early participants will be eligible for additional incentives at the Token Generation Event (TGE). Hey, don’t sleep on this—grab your spot now and be part of the next big thing in the leverage sector. You’ll thank yourself later.

Calling All KOLs and Seed Investors

Our strategy for success focuses on maximizing user acquisition through early engagement with innovative referral programs and volume tier models. Our team is actively networking as we embark on recruiting tier 1 venture capital partners.

Currently, the only way to gain exposure to Lever Up is to qualify for an airdrop allocation by holding $Bonsai. The best way to do that is through ApeBonds Bonsai Program, which offers zero-slippage aping - currently at 15%+ discount on $Bonsai. This will only last until the end of September.

We’re actively seeking seed investors, advisors, and KOLs who share our vision of creating tools that empower financial freedom. If you recognize the untapped potential in the $30B lending market and see Lever Up as the solution, or if you’re simply looking for a promising financial opportunity, we invite you to join us.

Connect with us on Discord to learn more and become part of this journey.

LeverUp: Unlocking Additional Liquidity

Lever Up is designed to create vibrant liquidity markets for any token. For instance, Neo Tokyo's BYTES can now benefit from a new yield market with no impermanent loss. This allows both bullish and bearish speculators to earn yield while participating in the market.

Our approach is straightforward: leverage market volatility to generate interest in tokens, squeezing short sellers and driving upward momentum. This proven strategy in traditional finance is now being brought to DeFi, offering new opportunities for token holders.

Contribute to the Revolution

The endgame for blockchain technology is clear: seamlessly integrate complex systems into a single-click method, bridging utility and making ecosystems more efficient. With LeverUp and Bonsai, we're not just talking about the future—we're building it. If you're ready to be part of a community that's shaping the next wave of DeFi, join us.

Tag me @neotokyocat in the Twitter post below and share your thoughts for a chance to win 100 $Bonsai and take your seat at the table of innovation.

Again, the sign up for early access is live now.

“Constructing Neo Tokyo”
Lore Recap - Codex: The Book of Bytes 2.0

With BYTES reclaimed and the UAEC thwarted, the Citizens of Neo Tokyo focused on building a digital mecca. Led by visionaries, the Citadel rose—a fortress of code and light, a sanctuary for those who escaped the UAEC’s clutches.

The construction phase was a time of intense collaboration. Every Citizen contributed, from the Glitch District to Citadel Tower. Cybergenetically enhanced hackers designed impenetrable defenses, while engineers sculpted the city’s towering spires. BYTES flowed like lifeblood, fueling the creation of a world where liberty and innovation could thrive.

But while Neo Tokyo flourished, the UAEC festered in the shadows. Humiliated by their loss, they turned their wrath outward. Unable to breach the Citadel, they tightened their grip on the outside world, torturing the “meatbags” with financial oppression and brutal control. Unburdened by what has been, the UAEC’s plan was simple: if they couldn’t destroy Neo Tokyo from within, they would crush the hope it represented by breaking the spirits of those still trapped in the physical world.

Inside Neo Tokyo, the Citizens knew the battle was far from over; the war was still raging. As the Citadel’s towers reached new heights, Ellio leaned forward, gazing out over the city.

“We’re building more than just a city,” Ellio said. “The UAEC thinks they can keep the world in darkness, but our digital energy will shine so bright that Neo Tokyo will become a guiding star—a beacon of hope for those trapped outside.”

Becker, ever calculating, replied, “An aphelion for the meatbags—close enough to see but too far to reach.” Pumping his shotgun, he continued with cold pragmatism, “We control the energy now. It’s survival of the fittest. Our Elites wield technology with ruthless precision, outmaneuvering the UAEC at every turn. They don’t stand a chance against us.”

Interlinked, Neo Tokyo remained vigilant. The UAEC’s cruelty only strengthened their resolve. They weren’t just building a city—they were building a future the UAEC could never control.

In July’s BYTES update, the charts highlighted pivot support at $2.28 where the price found support during a volatile July. It quickly took off alongside Bitcoin’s rally and found resistance at the quarterly central pivot of $4.50 for a 100% move. Currently, it’s trading between monthly pivots waiting for the market to make its move. I’m watching ETH at $2540 as a bull/bear market line. Liquidity depth for BYTES is still at a 4.4% move for every 1 ETH swap.

August Monthly Pivots:

• Support 1: $1.95

• Central Pivot 🧲: $3.35

• Resistance 1: $4.57

Low liquidity depth breeds volatility and the price has been range bound, moving around the projected September central pivot at $2.48.

Superverse + Neo Tokyo = Crypto Gaming Hub

In a major development, Superverse announced its integration with Neo Tokyo, opening up new opportunities for collaboration and growth. While details regarding the integration of BYTES remain under wraps, we're excited about what’s to come as Superverse delivers new adventures to embark on 🛸 Stay tuned for more updates on this front 👽

Town Hall Updates

In this month’s town hall, we highlighted exciting progress: Superverse integrated with the TON blockchain and Telegram, enhancing our ecosystem. In Las Vegas, we celebrated our Most Valuable Citizen rewards, recognizing top community members. Follow NT Vision on Twitter and TikTok for updates. The NT store has rebranded as the Shibuya Merch Store, expanding beyond NT merchandise. Citizens were thrilled about the new direction, and all merch was successfully given away at the IRL 3-Year Anniversary event, making it a hit.

Bytes Dashboard and Discussion

Brainstorming for a new Bytes Dashboard is evolving, with discussions centered around showcasing more staking data and refining the tokenomics display. Building on The Graph will make it easier for developers to integrate with the platform, allowing for seamless building and querying on Dune. BYTES cross-chain strategy is in its final stages, being refined to ensure maximum impact upon its launch. These enhancements will significantly benefit our community, providing better insights and tools for engagement.

Citizen & BYTES Holder Airdrops

Citizens requests have been heard and division leads have been grinding hard to secure quality airdrop opportunities not only for Citizens but for BYTES holders too. Citizens can expect these announcements to roll out through the NT outreach channel and other main channels.

Neo Tokyo’s citizens relentlessly pursue their vision, thriving amid the volatility and uncertainty of the blockchain industry, proving their resilience time and again.

Keep fighting and see you in The Citadel!

All content from Neo Tokyo News is for entertainment purposes only, and not financial advice.

That’s it for our 61st edition of the Neo Tokyo Newsletter. Be sure to subscribe and share with your friends so you don’t miss out on future content.

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