The Baking Sheet - Issue #229

Tezos makes the cut in the new Coinbase 50 Index.

Welcome, Tezos community, to another edition of The Baking Sheet! As we head into November with Thanksgiving just around the corner, it feels fitting to pause and reflect on some milestones we’re grateful for. Tezos is building momentum with every passing week, and this time, it’s taking center stage in a major way.

Tezos Joins the Coinbase 50 Index: A Major Milestone for Broader Exposure

First up this week is a significant move for both Tezos and the broader crypto market, Coinbase has introduced the Coinbase 50 Index—a new global benchmark that tracks the top 50 digital assets, and yes, Tezos made the cut. Out of thousands of digital assets, Tezos was chosen to represent what Coinbase believes to be the core of crypto’s growth potential. This inclusion isn’t just a nod to Tezos’ accomplishments; it’s a powerful signal to investors of all levels that Tezos is among the blockchain assets shaping the future of this space.

The Coinbase 50 Index is crafted with traditional index funds in mind. Much like the S&P 500 allows investors to track a wide selection of the largest U.S. companies, the Coinbase 50 provides a one-stop option for those looking to invest in the digital asset market’s top performers. For Tezos, this means visibility and validation across an even broader audience, potentially attracting traditional finance enthusiasts and crypto newcomers who may have previously hesitated to dive in.

What the Coinbase 50 Index Means for Tezos Investors

  • Broad Market Exposure: With COIN50, Tezos joins a select group of assets representing the market’s top performers, offering investors diversified exposure and stability.

  • Access for All Investor Levels: By simplifying digital asset investing, COIN50 opens doors to everyone from high-stakes financiers to first-time crypto investors.

The Coinbase 50 Index represents a shift towards structured, reliable crypto investments, signaling a new path for digital assets. For Tezos, this is a moment of recognition, one that positions itself for growth toward the broader investment community. If you want to research more about CoinBase 50 Index, check out their landing page for all the information you need.

A Fresh Start for Tezos Governance: Quebec Reintroduced in the Proposal Phase

As we move forward in the Tezos governance cycle, it’s back to square one. Last week, Qena42 didn't gather enough support to pass through the voting period, resetting the protocol back to the proposal phase. Now, with Qena set aside, the Quebec proposal is back in the spotlight, ready for its third attempt. This time, though, there’s a strong case for Bakers to rally behind Quebec and move past the cyclical standstill.

Unlike Qena, which missed the mark twice, Quebec offers a streamlined path forward with essential enhancements designed to advance Tezos both technically and economically. So, why not take this opportunity to support a proposal built on feedback and improvement? After all, a smoother governance process hinges on making decisive choices that align with long-term growth.

Key Features and Benefits of the Quebec Proposal

  • Faster Block Times: Quebec reduces the current 10-second block time to 8 seconds, improving overall network responsiveness and user experience.

  • Adaptive Maximum Issuance: Designed to avoid excessive inflation, the adaptive issuance mechanism keeps the protocol economically sound while balancing network security.

  • Delegated Funds Adjustment: Quebec refines baking power computations, lowering the delegated fund weight from 50% to 33%, encouraging more bakers to stake directly.

  • Staking Limit Adjustment: The proposal allows bakers to attract up to 9x their own stake in external funds, enhancing staking flexibility without compromising decentralization.

Let’s break the cycle of proposals that don’t reach their potential—Quebec is ready to bring substantial improvements to Tezos. With a history of rigorous updates and widespread support, this proposal represents a clear, efficient way to propel the network forward. So, Bakers, it’s time to give Quebec the boost it needs to reach the next phase and put Tezos back on a steady course for growth and progress.

In addition to Quebec’s reintroduction, Nomadic Labs has rolled out Octez v21.0, bringing a range of performance enhancements and support for Bakers. Updating nodes to Octez v21.0 is highly recommended to leverage these latest features:

  • Node Storage Upgrade: This version improves node scalability, paving the way for future reductions in block time. Users on versions older than v20.3 should follow upgrade instructions carefully, especially with the new storage scaling requirements.

  • Enhanced DAL Node Stability: v21.0 offers improved stability and resilience in the DAL node, alongside a refined RPC interface.

  • Smart Rollup Improvements: Includes a leaner garbage collector, new metrics for monitoring rollup health, and opt-in automation for outbox messages.

  • Logging Enhancements: The new version enhances user experience with clearer log reporting, startup delegate lists, and colored logs for readability.

Voting Instructions for Bakers

As the Quebec proposal is in the proposal phase, Bakers can use the following command to cast their votes:

Quebec:

octez-client submit proposals for <baker_alias> PsQuebecnLByd3JwTiGadoG4nGWi3HYiLXUjkibeFV8dCFeVMUg --force

Qena:

octez-client submit proposals for <baker_alias> PsQ3NAxQC3pXSizDrKEkPHsarkKD78T58X9CXBfYaiXAi2rsvsD --force

This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem

Messari’s Tezos Q3 2024 Report: Growth Across Gaming, Arts, and Layer-1 Activity

Let’s shift gears to what’s happening This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem, Messari just published its Q3 2024 report on Tezos, and it’s packed with insights into the network's growth across multiple fronts. Tezos is clearly gaining traction, with significant increases in activity on both Layer-1 and Etherlink.

Here are some standout highlights:

  • Transaction Surge: Activity on Tezos spiked by 46%, hitting 8.6 million transactions in Q3, largely due to continued Layer-1 and Etherlink adoption.

  • Etherlink Momentum: Etherlink saw a staggering 272% increase in activity, now hosting over 100 projects, including major names like Rarible, Sugarverse, and BattleRise Game. Leading dapps like DappRadar and Pimlico HQ now support Etherlink.

  • Governance: The network saw two notable governance proposals, Quebec and Qena, showcasing Tezos’s commitment to community-driven evolution.

  • Validator Growth: Active validator stakes reached an annual high of 136 million XTZ, with high baker participation helping to secure the network.

  • Tezos X Introduction: Q3 also marked the unveiling of the Tezos X “modu-lithic” design at TezDev in July, alongside Jstz, a new JavaScript-powered smart rollup, setting the stage for more flexible development.

Arts & Gaming Thrive on Tezos:

  • Tezos Arts Scene: The arts community on Tezos expanded, with objkt announcing new gallery partnerships, and notable projects like NFTimbre 2.2 by Groupe La Poste minting 1 million NFTs. Tezos artists featured in exhibitions, like Moving Image NYC and Tezos Realm in Singapore, further highlight the blockchain’s impact on digital art.

  • Gaming Growth: Major gaming partnerships with brands like Manchester United and TapNation Games enriched the ecosystem. Fantasy United by Man Utd took digital football fans by storm, while TapNation’s launch of Athletics Rush brought Tezos into the billion-download mobile gaming space.

For a detailed breakdown and more insights into Tezos's progress, check out the full report from Messari here.

Kukai Wallet Now Connects to Ledger Bluetooth for iOS Users

Following up on Messari’s report, let’s look at some exciting updates for Tezos users on the go. Kukai Wallet has rolled out a new update for iOS that now allows you to connect your Ledger Bluetooth hardware wallet seamlessly. This integration has been highly requested, and it’s here just in time for users who prioritize both convenience and security.

With this update, Kukai will automatically detect all your Ledger accounts—making setup quick and hassle-free. If you’re more advanced and want to set custom paths, Kukai has that covered too.

Head over to the App Store to download the latest version and experience secure Ledger connectivity on the go with Kukai.

Renovi Brings Immersive In-Game Advertising to Tezos Games

Next up for this week, Renovi is integrating Tezos into its platform, introducing new in-game advertising tools that open fresh monetization pathways for game developers. With Renovi, developers can access seamless in-game ad integrations, advanced analytics, and new revenue streams—all built on the Tezos blockchain.

This integration means that developers on Tezos can now implement immersive ad experiences within games, with unique monetization opportunities designed to enhance engagement without disrupting gameplay. Players can enjoy a more dynamic experience, while developers benefit from powerful tools to grow their games.

Renovi’s entry into the Tezos ecosystem showcases how better tooling continues to support game creators, allowing them to build and monetize their projects with ease. It’s another solid reason why Tezos remains a compelling choice for game developers looking for flexibility and financial growth in Web3.

Closing out this week’s ecosystem highlights, we’re thrilled to share that SugarVerse is set to launch on Etherlink, harnessing the power of Tezos Smart Rollup technology. Known for creating engaging play-to-earn experiences, SugarVerse chose Etherlink for its speed, security, and nearly cost-free transactions. By operating on this robust EVM-compatible Layer 2, SugarVerse aims to offer a more seamless, scalable, and efficient experience for its users.

Why Etherlink?
Etherlink, a non-custodial Layer 2 blockchain built on Tezos, offers an environment that prioritizes developer autonomy, permissionless access, and censorship resistance. This infrastructure creates an ideal home for decentralized applications, aligning with Tezos’ vision of a peer-to-peer, open network.

Etherlink’s key benefits include:

  • Speed and Efficiency: Fast transaction speeds that keep up with high activity demands.

  • Security-First Approach: An architecture designed to secure user assets and data.

  • Developer-Friendly Tools: Providing developers with tools to build decentralized applications with ease and flexibility.

In a recent X Space hosted by Tezos Commons, the SugarVerse team shared exciting insights and updates on their plans for Etherlink. For anyone interested in catching up on this alpha drop, you can listen to the full conversation here.

With this integration, SugarVerse on Etherlink promises to bring the best of both gaming and blockchain technology, inviting players to experience a fast, secure, and player-focused ecosystem.

Game Spotlight: Stables

For this week’s Game Spotlight, we’re heading to the track with Stables, Tezos’ very own virtual horse racing game. Stables has just announced its long-anticipated Play and Earn feature, adding a whole new layer of excitement and rewards to the game. Starting next week, players can earn tez by racing and leveling up their virtual horses, making Stables a true Play and Earn experience.

Here’s What You Can Look Forward To:

  • Daily Racing Rewards:
    Every day, you can earn:

    • 0.05 tez per day just by racing with a free horse (limited to the first 1,000 free horses registered each day).

    • 0.10 tez per day if you’re racing with an NFT horse.

  • Level Up and Earn More Tez:
    The more you play, the more your horses can earn as they level up:

    • Level 2–4: 0.1 tez

    • Level 5–9: 0.5 tez

    • Level 10–14: 1 tez

    • Level 15–19: 1.5 tez

    • Level 20–25: 2 tez

  • Claiming Rewards:
    Once you’ve accumulated 3 tez in rewards (and completed KYC), you’ll be able to cash out directly to your wallet, starting in December.

If you’re ready to join in the action, head over to Stables to start racing, leveling up, and earning tez! Stables is creating a unique Play and Earn experience, blending the thrill of racing with real tez rewards.

🔴 Now Streaming: Artist Spotlight | Victoria West

Join us on TezTalks Radio as Marissa Trew chats with activist and photographer Victoria West about the Subjective NYC art fair and its influence on the Tezos art community. Explore community building, artist challenges, and the evolving Web3 art scene.

🌟 Our special guest is Victoria West, sharing her insights and experiences.

🔍 In this episode, we'll explore:

Subjective NYC's Impact: - How the art fair has strengthened the Tezos art community and fostered collaboration.

Community & Curation: - Why curating artists is about more than just the art; it's about building a connected community.

Monetization & Institutions: - The balancing act of earning in digital art and how institutions can uplift grassroots talent.

Art in 2024: - The post-pandemic shifts in artist connections and the need for entrepreneurial skills in today’s market.

Looking Forward: - Victoria’s upcoming projects and her vision for the future of art in the Web3 space.