NEAR Foundation is excited to announce that NEAR is heading to the 2023 edition of Collision from June 26-29 in Toronto, Ontario. 

NEAR experts will be at Collision to demonstrate how brands and companies can expand into the open web using the Blockchain Operating System (BOS). The BOS is  an industry-first category: a common layer for browsing and discovering open web experiences with any blockchain — all in one browser. 

Here is what to expect from NEAR at Collision 2023. 

The BOS and NEAR Horizon at Collision 

If you saw NEAR’s big announcement out of ETHDenver and Collision, NEAR isn’t just a Layer 1 blockchain. It’s a Blockchain Operating System that makes it easy to use the tools you already know to build apps that engage users, while fostering an open web free from centralized platforms.

Also appearing at Collision will be NEAR Horizon — NEAR Foundation’s new Web3 startup support platform. Meet with the Horizon team and get started on the Web3 funding and building journey.  

NEAR speakers at Collision

At Collision, catch a number of exciting NEAR speakers and sessions. 

Illia Polosukhin – Co-founder, NEAR Protocol; CEO, Pagoda

Elad Gil – Investor

Kendall Cole – Founder, Proximity

Laura Cunningham – General Manager, NEAR Horizon

Joyce Yang – Founder, Global Coin Research

Steven Chien –  Founder, Press Start Capital

Paul Hsu – CEO & Founder, Decasonic

Stay updated on the complete slate of confirmed speakers at near.org/Collision. 

NEAR Horizon pitch and networking event

NEAR Horizon will be hosting another Pitch and networking event with VC partners the evening of June 27th. Applications to pitch are being accepted now through June 7th. 

This is a post mortem report regarding the recent security incident that occurred on the NEAR Discord server.  The purpose of this report is to provide analysis of the incident, identify the root cause, outline the impact, and propose actions to potentially limit similar incidents in the future.

Summary: On Wednesday, May 17th, the NEAR Discord server experienced a security incident.  This resulted in unauthorized access to a singular moderator account. The incident occurred due to a successful spear-phishing attempt on one of our server’s moderators. The attacker used their access to promote a fraudulent airdrop campaign, with the intent to deceive users and drain their wallets. 

Root Cause Analysis: The investigation revealed the following root causes:

1. Successful spear-phishing: One of the NEAR Discord moderators was targeted by a phishing campaign, leading to the theft of their Discord credentials. 
2. Lack of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): The absence of 2FA for user accounts provided an opportunity for attackers to gain unauthorized access. 

Impact: The security incident had the following impacts:

1. Unauthorized Access: The attacker gained unauthorized access to our Discord server. 
2. Removal of Moderators: The attacker used their access to ban existing moderators that tried to intervene. 
3. Content Deletion: Unauthorized deletion of two Discord channels.
4. Disruption of Services: During the incident investigation and subsequent remediation, there was a temporary disruption in server availability and functionality. Invite links were invalidated during the process and are being rebuilt. 

Actions Taken: In response to the security incident, we have taken the following actions:

1. Incident Response and Investigation: Immediately upon detection, our security team initiated an incident response plan. They conducted a thorough investigation to determine the extent of the incidents and identify the source of the entry point.
   • Timeline of events: 
     1. At 7:47 PM UTC, a malicious webhook was installed by a compromised Discord Moderator account.
     2. At 10:47 PM UTC, the attacker — using the compromised moderator account — began posting in Discord. From there, other Discord members attempting to mitigate the attack were subsequently banned.
     3. The attacker used their access to promote a fraudulent airdrop campaign, with the intent to deceive users and drain their wallets.
     4. 10:57 PM UTC, The Pagoda Security team was notified. 
     5. Triage began and we identified the problem account and began resetting permission immediately. 
     6. 11:13 PM UTC, all attackers had been removed and all threats neutralized. 
2. User Notification and Password Reset: Affected users have been notified about the incident, and a mandatory password reset has been implemented to ensure the security of their accounts. 
3. Required 2FA for Moderators: Moderators are now required to use 2FA in the NEAR Discord. 

Preventive Measures: To prevent similar incidents, the following actions will be taken: measures:

1. Regular Security Audits: Implement regular security audits of our Discord server to identify and address vulnerabilities promptly.
2. Ongoing Monitoring and Incident Response Improvement: Enhance our monitoring capabilities to detect any suspicious activities and continually improve our incident response procedures.
3. Security Education and Awareness: Continue to educate our team on the importance of strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and general security best practices. 

Conclusion: The security incident on the NEAR Discord server served as a crucial reminder of the significance of having robust security measures in place. Prompt action to minimize the impact was taken and the team have since implemented preventive measures to avoid similar incidents moving forward.  Ensuring the security and privacy of our users and their data continues to be our utmost priority. 

1. Introduction:

The following terms and conditions (the “Terms”) govern the use of the NEAR Foundation Raffle (the “Raffle”) provided by NEAR Foundation (“we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”). By participating in the Raffle, you (“you” or “Participant”) agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not be eligible to participate in the Raffle or receive any rewards. Note: the Raffle is in conjunction with CoinGecko’s NFT giveaway. Terms of the NFT giveaway can be found here. 

2. Eligibility:

The Raffle is available only to individuals who are at least 18 years old. By participating in the Raffle, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old.

3. Participation in the Raffle:

We are excited to collaborate with CoinGecko users and allow them the opportunity to participate in the Raffle, you acknowledge and agree that any information you provide may be used by us in connection with the Raffle. To participate, users must follow these steps: 

1. CoinGecko users will be able to redeem a NEAR NFT Raffle ticket with 800 candies on CoinGecko’s Candy Rewards Store between Thursday, May 18, 2023, 10pm EDT / Friday, May 19, 2023, 10am MYT through Sunday, May 21, 2023, 10pm EDT / Monday, May 22, 2023, 10am MYT.
2. Upon Raffle ticket redemption, users will receive a unique Candy Rewards code and a link to a Sweep Widget page. Users are required to fill in their details and may complete bonus actions like following CoinGecko and NEAR’s social accounts to boost chances of winning.
3. 20,000 winners will be randomly selected to win a NEAR NFT each on Monday, May 22, 2023, of which 1 special winner* out of the 20,000 winners will additionally score a pair of tickets to NEARCON 2023 and $5,000 USD paid out in NEAR tokens. Winners will receive an email with a Keypom link allowing them to claim the NFT and open a NEAR Wallet in the week of May 22, 2023. 
4. Winners will be required to hold the NFT in their NEAR wallet in order to be selected as the special winner that scores a pair of tickets to NEARCON 2023 and $5,000 USD worth of NEAR tokens.Only one winner will be selected as the special winner, of which will be notified via email and announced on the Near and CoinGecko’s social media channels on Friday, May 26, 2023.

4. Raffle Prize:

Selected winners will be announced and contacted via email. The Raffle prize consists of: 20,000 NFTs, 2x Tickets to NEARCON 2023 and $5,000 USD paid out in NEAR Tokens. The $5,000 amount can be used to book flights, accommodations, and as a meal stipend for NEARCON 2023. 

5. Disclaimer:

The Prize is awarded ‘as is’ and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including without limitation any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The Raffle organizers and affiliated companies make no representations or warranties regarding the prize or its use and are not responsible for any claims arising out of or in connection with the prize or its use. Furthermore, we are not associated with any third-party companies or organizations mentioned in the raffle event (i.e. CoinGecko) or related promotional materials. The raffle event and prizes are solely sponsored and organized by us, and any reference to third-party companies or organizations is for informational purposes only. 

7. Limitation of Liability:

The Raffle organizers, sponsors, and affiliated companies are not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to property or person, including death, arising out of participation in the raffle or use or misuse of the prize.

8. Intellectual Property:

The Service, including all content provided by the expert(s) or other participants, is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from any content provided by the Service without our prior written consent.

9. Modification of Terms:

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time without notice. Your continued use of the Service following any changes to these Terms constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

10. Governing Law:

These Terms and your use of the Service are governed by the laws of Switzerland without regard to its conflict of laws provisions.

11. Dispute Resolution:

Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms or the Service will be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the Switzerland Arbitration Association.

12. Entire Agreement:

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and us with respect to the Raffle and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements and understandings, whether written or oral.

13. Contact Information:

If you have any questions or comments about these Terms, please contact us at [email protected].

Driving the evolution of Web3 through innovation and interoperability, bridging technology has become a critical factor in user adoption and functionality. NEAR Foundation has chosen to bolster its multi-chain interoperability by integrating with Wormhole, harnessing the power of cutting-edge Zero-Knowledge (ZK) light clients. 

This strategic move revolutionizes secure Web3 application communication, unlocking vast potential across diverse sectors including DeFi, NFTs, and governance. The integration represents a tangible stride towards a less abstract and more interconnected, trustless Web3. By incorporating Wormhole’s technology, NEAR Foundation envisions a practical shift where cross-chain transactions become efficient, secure, and user-friendly.

NEAR’s unique position as a developer-friendly platform amplifies the impact of this integration, driving the adoption of Zero-Knowledge technology to a wider audience. The NEAR Foundation is not just creating a world of possibility but is actively building it, bringing advanced blockchain solutions to the mainstream.

Signaling a new era of trustless cross-chain communication, this NEAR-Wormhole integration will be explored through the NEAR <> ETH corridor and the promise of Zero-Knowledge bridging.

Wormhole: the key to NEAR’s vision of a multi-chain Web3

Wormhole is forging its place in crypto as the industry-standard cross-chain messaging protocol, reliably facilitating transfers exceeding $35 billion dollars via countless cross-chain messages. In this integration, Wormhole’s role is vital, employing its advanced technology to connect the NEAR ecosystem with over 20 other high-value blockchain networks.

The integration enables synergy of  Wormhole Connect’s technology with NEAR’s Blockchain Operating System (BOS) to enhance developer access to multiple chains and diverse liquidity. It will also serve to break down barriers for casual users, blending complex blockchain tech with a user-friendly experience.

Moreover, Wormhole’s integration with NEAR’s BOS presents a significant opportunity for businesses using NEAR. This collaboration simplifies multi-chain interaction and introduces Zero-Knowledge proofs, making it easier for businesses to fully utilize blockchain technology in a straightforward and accessible manner.

Wormhole’s NEAR <> ETH corridor opens opportunities 

Born from this integration is the trustless NEAR <> ETH corridor, an innovation powered by Wormhole and secured by Zero-Knowledge (ZK) Proofs. This marks a shift from NEAR’s traditional Rainbow Bridge, introducing seamless integration of NEAR assets with Wormhole-linked chains.

The NEAR <> ETH corridor represents a new class of zk-enabled bridges, offering heightened interconnectedness between the NEAR ecosystem and a multitude of Wormhole-facilitated applications. This trustless corridor is poised to catalyze more efficient and secure transactions, symbolizing a substantial stride toward a fully interoperable Web3 ecosystem.

Making tomorrow’s crypto-verse trustless and ZK-based

The NEAR and Wormhole integration isn’t just a stride toward the future — it’s a giant leap toward a new era powered by ZK Proofs. As part of the integration work, developers are building the first ZK light clients, which will play a crucial role in supporting the trustless NEAR <> ETH corridor.

ZK light clients promise to revolutionize the bridging experience, discarding the need for trust assumptions and external validation. By offloading most of the computational load to an off-chain entity, these clients optimize storage and compute resources, paving the way for a streamlined and efficient bridging process. This innovation is set to redefine the standards of security and reliability in the blockchain sector.

The integration between NEAR and Wormhole is a decisive step towards a future where cross-chain communication is seamless, secure, and trustless. It’s a future that opens up new horizons for developers and users alike, offering improved interoperability and accessibility. 

With Wormhole, NEAR citizens can engage and interact with other chains in a blink of an eye.

One of the main reasons that the NEAR ecosystem exists is to onboard the next billion users to Web3 — and that mission has just made significant strides by partnering with Rownd. An industry leader in digital onboarding and identity, Rownd’s passwordless authentication tech will utilize NEAR for more seamless interaction and onboarding for both Web3 and Web2.

Brands and businesses use Rownd to take users from landing pages to downloading apps while ensuring a streamlined registration process across platforms, websites, and mobile apps. 

Now, companies that use Rownd can integrate NEAR apps into their mobile and desktop experiences, while still maintaining privacy and security via passwordless authentication.

Addressing the persistent digital onboarding problem

Engaging and retaining users is still a major challenge. A clear symptom of this problem is that only 2% of site visitors complete sign-up processes of all sorts. A whopping 60% leave during the sign-up stage itself. This high attrition rate can have a severe impact on customer acquisition and revenue generation efforts.

Rownd directly confronts this problem, bringing to the table its innovative onboarding and authentication solutions. These are far from one-size-fits-all solutions. Rownd dynamically allows platforms to tailor the authentication and profile creation process to meet the specific needs and preferences of their users.

This customization reduces friction and drop-off rates, improving user experience and making the process more appealing. When onboarding is user-centric and straightforward, it leads to higher conversion rates, ultimately benefiting both the user and the platform. Rownd doesn’t just address not a functional need but also builds trust and credibility amongst users.

Rownd’s digital onboarding solution on NEAR

Rownd’s solution is both elegant and robust. It employs compact code snippets and software development kits (SDKs) to create a network of interconnected digital platforms — from websites and blogs to landing pages and apps. This strategic platform unification consolidates user data into a single, comprehensive profile, which translates into a smooth cross-platform experience.

Rownd goes a step further with adaptive sign-up. Rownd’s SDKs do not require hard coding design and authentication methods for apps and websites.  Rather, they are set in the platform. This allows developers and non-developers alike to dynamically change sign-in methods, branding, and where authentication occurs without editing code.

Rownd also has a Web3 integration strategy, making it easier for users to navigate the often complex and intimidating world of crypto and Web3. They offer user-friendly custodial wallets for those new to the crypto space, while simultaneously allowing crypto-savvy users to link their existing wallets with minimal hassle. 

This balanced approach ensures that Rownd’s onboarding solution is inclusive, comprehensive, and future-ready.

NEAR Foundation and Rownd: the future of Web3 onboarding

NEAR Foundation’s partnership with Rownd greatly expands the potential of the company

‘s advanced authentication and onboarding solutions. Rownd’s NEAR integration allows app developers to add a NEAR account/wallet to a new user in seconds.  This collaboration paves the way for faster adoption of Web3 technology in a secure, scalable, and decentralized environment. Brands and businesses will benefit from increased conversions and engagement of Web3 veterans and novices alike.

Together, Rownd and the NEAR Foundation demonstrate the transformative potential of integrating state-of-the-art onboarding and passwordless authentication with the revolutionary Web3. By crafting a user-centric onboarding experience, they are making significant strides toward broadening the use of Web3 applications, marking a new era for digital experiences.

NEAR Horizon, NEAR Foundation’s new Web3 startup platform, is joining forces with Outlier Ventures to launch the NEAR Base Camp accelerator program, an initiative aimed at supporting startups building on the NEAR Blockchain Operating System (BOS). As a Web3 startup platform, NEAR Horizon aids founders and developers along their journey of building on NEAR with credits, partnerships, services, and additional resources.

Horizon’s goals include redefining the Web3 user experience to onboard one billion users into Web3 and leveraging the Blockchain Operating System to enable developers, communities, enterprises, and users to create a more open web. The 12-week NEAR Base Camp accelerator program offers participants mentorship, education, $100,000 in funding, and $20,000 in service credits on NEAR Horizon.

With NEAR Horizon and Outlier Ventures now teaming up via the Basecamp Accelerator, even more guidance and resources will become available to help NEAR builders, founders, and creators fulfill their ambitions. 

A Web3 launchpad from NEAR Horizon and Outlier Ventures

Outlier Ventures supports a wide array of projects across DeFi, NFTs, blockchain infrastructure, and more, providing tailored mentorship, funding, and strategic guidance to help companies excel in the rapidly evolving Web3 market.

Founded in 2014, Outlier Ventures is a leading global Web3 accelerator, as well as a go-to authority in Web3 for founders, investors, and enterprises alike. Now the most active venture Web3 fund by volume, Outlier has over 200 startups across its Base Camp and Ascent programs.

Raising over $350 million in seed round funding for projects, Outlier has also helped billion dollar Web3 ecosystems like Boson Protocol, Fetch.ai, and Secret Network. Their bespoke programs conducted by a team of experts help projects refine product market fit, token design, and any other aspect critical to project adoption and development. 

Outlier’s venture capital network will also provide an enormous boost to projects and founders participating in the NEAR Base Camp initiative.

The NEAR Horizon and Outlier Ventures collaboration represents a joint commitment to accelerate Web3 startups and foster innovation in the industry. By pooling their resources and expertise, both organizations aim to nurture exceptional talent within the ecosystem, driving Web3 innovation in an open, diverse, and socially impactful manner.

A closer look at the NEAR Base Camp accelerator program illuminates its unique focus and offerings, poised to shape the future of Web3 technology and user experience for startups within the ecosystem.

Fostering Web3 ingenuity with NEAR Base Camp 

The NEAR Base Camp Accelerator Program harnesses the power of visionary founders who aim to scale and enhance usability in the Web3 space. The program centers on development in areas like application infrastructure for scalability, real-world use cases, bridging Web2 and Web3, and AI technology. 

Base Camp offers tailored support for talented early-stage teams with real-world, utility-based use cases. It attracts Web2 users and companies while leveraging Web3 in novel ways to solve problems Web2 is unable to address.

Participants will enjoy added access to the NEAR Horizon platform and $20,000 service credits that can be utilized to cover costs across services like marketing, legal, finance, product development, and more. Horizon is built on the NEAR Blockchain Operating System (BOS) and includes 15+ service providers, 40 mentors, and 300+ backers.              

On Base Camp, your Web3 adventure awaits

Founders interested in the NEAR Base Camp accelerator program can apply through Outlier Ventures’ website on the application page and through the NEAR Horizon platform. Applications open on May 11th, with the 12-week program scheduled to commence in mid-July.

Successful teams will receive support from Outlier Ventures and NEAR Ecosystem’s in-house experts on product roadmaps, community building, token economy and launches, fundraising and pitching, governance, and legal support, along with mentorship from industry-leading professionals.

Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in the NEAR Base Camp accelerator program, which aims to foster innovation and growth in the Web3 space. 

Join NEAR Horizon here. Embark on your Web3 journey today by visiting the Outlier Ventures website to express your interest and apply for the Base Camp accelerator program.

Knaq, the pioneering fan loyalty platform, is poised to transform the way fans interact with their favorite creators on both Web2 and Web3 social media platforms. In collaboration with the NEAR Foundation, Knaq aims to foster more meaningful interactions within creator communities while providing true utility to NFTs and tokens via a summertime soft launch. 

By leveraging NEAR’s fast and scalable blockchain, Knaq will offer a seamless user experience through a user-friendly browser extension and redemption marketplace. This exclusive partnership empowers fans and creators, enabling them to benefit from the innovative features and rewards offered by Knaq and its diverse range of brand partners.

With Knaq’s unique vision and NEAR’s robust platform, the stage is set for a new era of fan engagement and loyalty in the creator space.

A perfect match for seamless creator engagement

Loyalty and rewards programs have become an integral part of our daily lives, shaping our experiences with various services and products. Knaq recognizes the potential of this concept and seeks to bring it to social media users who invest time and energy in engaging with their favorite content creators. By partnering with NEAR, Knaq brings the benefits of Web3 and crypto to the creator space.

Knaq’s browser extension and redemption marketplace, powered by NEAR, offers a seamless onboarding process for users as they engage with their favorite creators. This allows easy compatibility with existing crypto wallets and provides an effortless sign-up process using Google OAuth. Fans and creators can link their social media accounts to start earning rewards, while NEAR’s platform facilitates secure and efficient transactions.

The partnership between Knaq and NEAR Foundation brings additional benefits to users in the form of enhanced scalability and accessibility. NEAR’s highly scalable blockchain allows Knaq to handle high volumes of transactions, ensuring that the platform remains fast and reliable even as its user base grows. NEAR’s focus on user-friendly solutions also aligns with Knaq’s goal of making its platform accessible to a wide range of social media users, including those who may be new to Web3 and crypto.

Knaq’s exciting fan and creator features built on NEAR

NEAR’s technology enables Knaq to offer a multitude of exciting features and benefits that elevate fan engagement to new heights. By bridging the gap between Web3 and Web2 content platforms, Knaq delivers an experience that not only rewards fans for their support but also empowers creators to foster stronger connections with their audience.

One of the exciting features enabled by NEAR is the use of NFTs to grant exclusive access to live and virtual events. These NFTs offer fans unique opportunities to interact with their favorite creators and enjoy immersive experiences, while creators benefit from enhanced engagement and revenue generation.

Knaq’s engage-to-earn model rewards users with tokens for their engagement on all social media platforms, starting with YouTube. Built on NEAR, these tokens can be redeemed for various perks within the Knaq app and in real life via Knaq’s brand partners, providing fans with tangible incentives for their continued support. This, in turn, boosts creator engagement and revenues, making the platform a win-win solution for all parties involved.

Through Knaq, fans also get a behind-the-scenes look at their most beloved creators. This feature allows for a deeper connection between creators and their audience, building a stronger sense of community and loyalty.

Lastly, Knaq users have access to all related drops, tokens, and ecosystem incentives, with the first one planned for shortly after launch for early waitlist users. Thanks to NEAR’s robust platform, these initiatives can be seamlessly executed, further enhancing the value and utility of the Knaq experience for both fans and creators.

Knaq and NEAR: Powerhouse team and exciting prospects

The team-building Knaq brings together experienced creators, builders, and investors from both traditional markets and the crypto space. Their diverse backgrounds include working with renowned brands like Starbucks, ULTA Beauty, Buzzfeed, and J.P. Morgan, as well as prominent players in the crypto industry such as Circle, OKX, and Genesis Block. With a strong foundation and support from NEAR, Knaq is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the creator industry.

As part of their commitment to transparency and community engagement, the Knaq team will be fully doxxed in Discord, building trust and openness with users. NEAR’s collaboration has been instrumental in bringing Knaq to life, providing the technological backbone necessary for seamless integration and exceptional user experience.

The exciting features and benefits of Knaq set the stage for a new era of fan engagement and loyalty in the creator space. With innovative rewards and incentives, Knaq is poised to revolutionize the way we interact with creators, paving the way for a more engaging and rewarding experience for fans and creators alike.

Looking ahead, Knaq has planned a soft launch for the summer, with the first month reserved exclusively for those who sign up for the waitlist. This presents an exciting opportunity for early adopters to get a head start on the platform and even participate in a free giveaway post-launch. Creators interested in boosting community engagement are encouraged to reach out and explore the potential of Knaq and NEAR Foundation’s partnership. 

To learn more about Knaq’s rewards offerings and follow major upcoming events and announcements, sign up for the waitlist today at knaqapp.com. 

NEAR Horizon and Encode Club have joined forces with a singular mission: to simplify the entry into the Web3 sphere. This partnership forms a structured pathway, offering builders and founders a seamless transition into the blockchain world. Anchoring their efforts on practical solutions, NEAR Horizon and Encode Club aim to foster an inclusive and accessible future in the ever-evolving decentralized landscape.

Uniting Encode’s developer training expertise with NEAR’s advanced tech, the partnership goes beyond facilitation. It directly trains builders, fueling growth and actively shaping an open Web3.

Encode x NEAR Horizon: Four steps to blockchain expertise

This inclusive program is meticulously designed to accommodate everyone from those new to blockchain to well-versed industry professionals, promoting skill development and exploration in Web3.

Here’s what to expect:

1. Encode x NEAR Horizon Educational Series: The journey commences with a four-week program of building awareness of Web3 and NEAR Technology. These sessions aim to demystify blockchain technology, making it approachable for newcomers while offering valuable insights for seasoned professionals. From introductory presentations to in-depth technical demos, the educational series lays a solid foundation for all participants.

2. Encode x NEAR Horizon Bootcamp: An intense eight-week program offers a deep dive into the world of blockchain development. Participants engage in live classes, practical assignments, and collaborative group projects — all under the expert guidance of seasoned instructors. The bootcamp offers a hands-on learning experience, accelerating the participants’ transition from theory to practice.

3. Encode x NEAR Horizon Hackathon: A four-week hackathon that supports builders in launching high-quality projects. This event is designed to challenge participants and allow them to apply their newfound skills. With technical workshops, mentorship, and continual support, the hackathon provides an excellent platform for budding developers to build, learn, and innovate.

4. Encode x NEAR Horizon Accelerator Program: This eight-week program focuses on nurturing the most promising hackathon projects and ecosystem builders. By offering mentorship and weekly workshops, the accelerator program aims to transform innovative ideas into operational startups, contributing to the growth and diversity of the NEAR ecosystem.

In essence, this partnership between NEAR Foundation and Encode Club is more than just an event — it’s a comprehensive roadmap to blockchain mastery, designed to educate, engage, challenge, and inspire all who embark on the journey.

Cultivating talent: Encode x NEAR Horizon growth strategy

The program offers a well-structured process for developers to learn, practice and build startups while receiving mentorship support from Encode and NEAR Horizon. The program’s impact extends beyond individual growth, as it also fosters a thriving environment for the NEAR ecosystem and Web3 developers.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this enriching experience — an opportunity that promises to strengthen the NEAR ecosystem while nurturing the next generation of Web3 developers. Embark on a rewarding blockchain journey with the NEAR Horizon and Encode Club partnership. Whether it’s the educational series, hackathon, bootcamp, or accelerator program, NEAR Horizon and Encode provide the resources and opportunities you need to succeed in the world of blockchain. Your blockchain adventure starts here. 

To start,  create a NEAR Horizon project profile and register to the Encode x NEAR Horizon program here. Stay updated on Encode Club’s programs via their website, Twitter, and Discord, and join a community that shares your passion for Web3 innovation and growth. NEAR Horizon was recently launched, read the press release here, and register in the NEAR Horizon platform here.

E-commerce is entering a new era of customer loyalty as Taco Labs and NEAR Foundation join forces to revolutionize the way 5.6 million Shopify retailers engage and retain customers. This innovative partnership fosters personalized loyalty experiences that deepen connections between brands and consumers, transcending traditional loyalty program limitations.

By merging Taco Labs’ inventive platform with NEAR’s speedy, carbon-neutral blockchain, Shopify retailers can develop captivating loyalty programs while overcoming Web3 adoption challenges, such as slow transactions and high fees. The alliance paves the way for engaging multiplayer experiences, token-gated access, and exclusive benefits that transform customer retention and brand affinity.In this new loyalty landscape, both brands and consumers stand to benefit from this groundbreaking collaboration.

Taco Labs and NEAR: Loyalty reinvention unwrapped

As e-commerce continues to evolve, customer loyalty programs must adapt to remain relevant and effective. Traditional loyalty programs often struggle to build meaningful connections with customers, resulting in missed opportunities for improved retention and brand loyalty. Taco Labs and NEAR Foundation have partnered to address this issue, offering groundbreaking solutions to Shopify retailers. 

The Starbucks case study illustrates how these solutions can foster unique and engaging loyalty experiences. With its recently unveiled Odyssey initiative, Starbucks created a Web3 loyalty program centered on gamification and real-life participation. Customers engage in challenges — like trying new menu items — to earn digital collectible stamps (NFTs). These stamps can be traded, and provide access to exclusive perks like limited-edition token-gated products, virtual classes, and trips to Starbucks roasteries or coffee farms.

Similar to Starbucks, Taco Labs is harnessing Web3 to create innovative and captivating customer experiences and connections. The Taco App is doing this through quest gamification, membership tiers, reward points, and referral programs. These experiences are delivered swiftly, seamlessly, and at scale using the NEAR Protocol.

Taco Labs and NEAR Foundation will further facilitate innovative loyalty approaches, incentivizing brand-valuable behavior, enhancing customer engagement, and transforming the e-commerce loyalty landscape.

Streamlining loyalty with no-code solutions

Taco Labs’ comprehensive platform addresses both immediate business needs and fosters long-term growth. It enables brands to scale their loyalty programs without incurring high costs and adapts to various business models, making the platform suitable for diverse industries and market segments.

A key strength of Taco Labs is its seamless integration with existing systems, connecting easily with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and in-store Point of Sale (POS) systems. This cross-channel integration ensures a cohesive and immersive customer experience across online and offline touchpoints.

Taco’s no-code approach streamlines the process for brands, marketers, and agencies. The end-to-end workflow doesn’t require specialized technical knowledge or developers, allowing businesses to focus on building meaningful connections with customers.

In the Web3 world, privacy and data security are crucial. Taco addresses this by giving brands control over customer data, which is stored on a decentralized, transparent network. This ensures security and privacy while enabling brands to leverage valuable information for decision-making.

Combining Web3 and the user-friendly NEAR Protocol, Taco Labs revolutionizes customer loyalty programs. Taco’s scalable, adaptable, and secure features enable businesses to create engaging experiences that retain customers and foster lasting connections, differentiating loyalty programs in a competitive market.

Spicing up Shopify loyalty

Taco Labs and NEAR Foundation will provide innovative solutions for Shopify retailers to enhance customer loyalty programs. By using Web3 technology, businesses can launch exclusive, early-access products quickly. Integration with Shopify delivers Web3 benefits while preserving Web2’s convenience and user experience.

With Nike’s successful CryptoKicks NFT campaign as another example, Taco Labs enables Shopify retailers to create similar experiences. Businesses can launch tiered NFTs to crowdfund new product lines, offering lifelong perks to early supporters, like monthly loyalty tokens for exclusive products and offers. This encourages early adoption and strengthens customer relationships.

Taco Labs’ platform promotes brand-valuable behavior by allowing customers to buy, sell, and gift the NFTs they’ve received. This generates a dynamic ecosystem of gifting and trading, attracting new customers without costly marketing. The platform’s blockchain foundation enables comprehensive data analytics, providing customer insights while respecting privacy.

A key advantage of Taco Labs and NEAR Foundation’s collaboration is user control over data. Customers can choose to share information or maintain privacy, fostering trust and a positive experience. With data stored on a public blockchain, no third party can revoke access, ensuring businesses retain full control over customer relationships.

Taco Labs and NEAR offer Shopify retailers a powerful, flexible solution to boost customer loyalty and engagement by combining Web3 and Web 2 features. This partnership presents an excellent growth opportunity for businesses in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The collaboration ushers in a new era of customer loyalty, empowering Shopify retailers to harness Web3 capabilities. By seamlessly integrating blockchain technology with existing platforms, businesses can create tailored, engaging experiences fostering lasting customer connections.

From token-gated products to comprehensive analytics, this partnership enables unique, sustainable loyalty programs, blending the strengths of Web3 and Web2 technologies. As the future of customer engagement unfolds, Taco Labs and the NEAR ecosystem are at the forefront.