ChainwireMetaZone has raised US$3 million in a seed funding round led by Sfermion and CMT Digital to expand its META platform, which allows creators to mint NFTs for 3D digital content and apps that can be distributed in the metaverse. Each creator's META can be purchased and used to install each app on digital land, and some creators have generated six-figure sums. MetaZone aims to onboard a billion citizens to the metaverse and expand into multiple metaverses, with limitless potential for the emerging digital economy. Visit metazone.io or follow @MetaZoneio on Twitter for more information.

ChainwireAsia will be hosting the METACON 2023 Conference in Seoul from June 29-30, featuring distinguished experts from the digital fashion and gaming industries. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect, share ideas, and gain valuable insights into the latest trends and advancements in Web 3.0, Metaverse, Blockchain, NFTs, and AI. The conference will cover important topics such as Web 3.0, Metaverse, Digital Ecosystem, Ethics∙Law∙Regulation, and will feature prominent speakers such as Natalia Modenova, Kerry Murphy, Kodai Morishitas, and Yawn Rong. Early Bird tickets are available until June 11th for those interested in attending.

Sony is partnering with Astar, a Japanese blockchain developer, to invest in Web3, NFT, and metaverse firms through an incubator program. The project is being led by Sony Network Communications, a subsidiary that specializes in IT solutions and software development. Initially, 200 firms were selected for consideration, but the field has now narrowed down to 19 projects that will participate in a "demo day" in mid-June. The event will be held both in the real world and in the metaverse, and Sony has invited large firms with an interest in Web3 investment to attend.

Metaverse land prices have experienced a significant decline over the past year, in contrast to the soaring values seen during the NFT bull market. The decline is due to several factors, including the unsustainable bubble created by exuberant prices during the NFT bull market, oversaturation of virtual real estate projects, waning investor interest, and regulatory uncertainty. Currently, metaverse land prices range from 0.37 to 1.09 ETH, varying across different projects, with Otherdeeds having the highest-priced land and Voxels offering the most affordable plots. The decline in metaverse land prices serves as a reminder of the market's volatility and the need for investors to exercise caution.

Genesis Week 2023 is a celebration of Upland's birth and its expanding Metaverse, as well as the anniversary of the first property minted on the platform. The event will be held in Las Vegas from June 8th to 9th, featuring a variety of activities such as a live city opening, community exhibitions, and presentations by the Upland team and its associates. Attendees will have the chance to network with other Uplanders, exhibitors, designers, and the Upland Team, and will receive exclusive in-person rewards. Upland has expanded to include London and Birmingham, and has added 14 London Map Asset Chess Piece designs to the game, allowing players to explore the cultural heritage and history of these cities. The upcoming Genesis Week 2023 event will provide new opportunities for engagement and exploration in the virtual world.

The latest stats for May 22-28, 2023 show that aggregate land market caps for the 10 listed projects are down 0.44% to 772,997 ETH, or $1.475 billion (+5.3%). The Sandbox and Decentraland are seeing their land caps and average prices converge, with The Sandbox enjoying a boost while Decentraland suffers a drop. BYOPills and Treeverse have seen a dramatic increase in trading activity, while OneLand provides comprehensive metaverse market and project data.

The Hong Kong Police Force's cyber security unit has launched CyberDefender, a new metaverse platform aimed at educating the public about the potential dangers associated with Web3 and the metaverse. The platform was unveiled on May 27, along with an online event called "Exploring the Metaverse," which discussed crime prevention strategies within the metaverse. The CyberDefender educational initiatives are focused on the younger generation, with the aim of raising awareness among teenagers about the latest advancements in information technology and the importance of preventing technology crimes. The Hong Kong Police Force received 663 reports involving virtual assets during Q1 2023, with a total loss of $570 million, a 75% increase compared to Q1 2022.

A recent study by CoinGecko has found that virtual land prices on popular Metaverses such as Otherdeeds, The Sandbox, Decentraland, Somnium, and Voxels have decreased by around 90% from their peak prices in 2022. The most expensive property, Otherdeeds by Otherside, has seen a 78.2% decrease in value, while Voxels and Somnium have faced a 93.8% loss. Despite this, Voxels remains optimistic about a potential comeback. The upcoming release of Apple's mixed-reality headset could reignite global interest in the metaverse and potentially set the markets ablaze.

Shiba Inu's metaverse advisor, Marcie Jastrow, has addressed the delay in sharing the Rocket Pond reveal on Twitter.

Improbable, a British unicorn, has launched a new think tank called Metaverse Society to explore the social and economic impacts of the nascent technology. The company aims to develop use cases, clear up misconceptions, and reduce risks associated with the metaverse. The think tank will present a detailed schedule of activities at the end of June and will rely heavily on blockchain technology. Improbable has shifted its focus exclusively on the commercial metaverse and aims to eliminate operating losses by 2023.