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Hey Waivly Crew! 🌊 According to YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, the platform is exploring introducing NFT features for creators. YouTube’s head of gaming, Ryan Wyatt, is leaving Google to join Polygon Studios as CEO.

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YouTube CEO hints at NFT features

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has hinted that the company may embrace Web3 technologies, including NFTs.

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In a letter published today, the executive revealed that YouTube is looking into branching into NFTs in the future to provide creators with another source of revenue and a new way to connect with their fans.

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“The past year in the world of crypto, nonfungible tokens (NFTs), and even decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) has highlighted a previously unimaginable opportunity to grow the connection between creators and their fans,” she wrote.

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“We’re always focused on expanding the YouTube ecosystem to help creators capitalize on emerging technologies, including things like NFTs while continuing to strengthen and enhance the experiences creators and fans have on YouTube.”

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It’s no surprise YouTube is exploring NFT features, as other social media platforms have started to do the same. Just last week, Twitter released a verification feature for NFT profile pictures. According to rumours, Meta is also working on NFT features for Instagram and Facebook, as well as developing its own NFT marketplace.

Thailand plans to regulate crypto as means of payment

Thailand's financial authorities plan to regulate the use of digital assets as a means of payment for goods and services.

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In a joint press release, the Bank of Thailand, the Ministry of Finance, and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand reviewed the benefits and risks of digital assets and concluded that they should be regulated as a means of payment for goods and services.

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Crypto firms have started to expand their business to cover payment services using crypto and have solicited payments business by facilitating the acceptance of crypto, the statement said.

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The BOT, SEC, and MOF believe that this will result in wider adoption of digital assets as a means of payment, which could impact financial stability, consumer privacy, and cybercrime.

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A public hearing related to new regulations will be held until February 8th before they will be effective, according to Charuphan Intararoong, assistant secretary-general at the SEC. It will not cover the use of crypto as payments between merchants and customers, and trading of crypto assets will still be allowed, she added.

The Waves

🎙️ Best Web3 podcasts to listen to in 2022

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🤔 IMF urges El Salvador to reconsider Bitcoin

💻 US warns global chip shortage will likely last through 2022

Tech Special

YouTube Head of Gaming resigns to lead Polygon Studios

Ryan ‘Fwiz’ Wyatt is leaving his role as YouTube’s Head of Gaming to join blockchain group Polygon Technology.

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Starting March, Wyatt will be the CEO of Polygon Studios, the gaming and NFT arm of Polygon focused on growing the global blockchain, gaming, and NFT industry and bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3 gaming.

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"I will miss YouTube dearly, but it's time for me to pursue other endeavors in life and where my passions are taking me," Wyatt wrote in a note posted on Twitter. "I am fascinated by blockchain app development and am beyond thrilled to enter the web3 space."

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Wyatt will be focusing on growing the developer ecosystem through investment, marketing, and developer support. He’ll oversee gaming, entertainment, fashion, news, sports, and other areas for Polygon Studios.

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Two other YouTube executives, Senior director of Creator Partnerships Jamie Byrne and Vice President and Global Head of product partnerships Heather Rivera, will also resign in the upcoming weeks.

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“Like many other companies, some people choose a new direction for the New Year,” says YouTube. “We are also fortunate to have a deep bench of talented leaders to move our business forward. Thanks to Heather, Jamie and Ryan for their significant contributions to YouTube over the years. I’m looking forward to what they will do next.“

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Elgato launches Stream Deck Pedal

The popular tech company Elgato has recently launched a new product that will assist streamers during their live streams.

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The new product that they are launching is called the Stream Deck Pedal, which is a pad with three pedals that can control streaming software and hardware. The product is ideal for streamers who want to trigger effects, switch scenes, and even toggle cameras hands-free while streaming.

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The Stream Deck Pedal allows for more accessibility by opening up the world of streaming to those who are unable to use the traditional Stream Decks that streamers typically use. The pedal is not limited to only gamers who stream but DJs and musicians as well by allowing them to control their streams while they're away from their computers.

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Elgato has stated that the pedal supports various actions which allow streamers to string together a variety of Stream Deck functions that can be triggered intermittently or all at once by using a singular pedal. Similar to the traditional Stream Deck, the Stream Deck Pedal is customizable and could be used for a variety of apps and functions such as using it for Zoom calls. It is now available for purchase on Elgato’s online store for $89.99.

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Alongside the launch of the Stream Deck Pedal, Elgato has announced that they will officially be launching an official Discord Stream Deck plugin. The Discord plugin will support microphone mutes, push-to-talk function, the ability to join voice channels as well as have the ability to switch text channels.

Own and secure your crypto with Ledger

If you’re into cryptocurrency and own crypto assets, you need a secure place to store your coins and tokens. You probably already know that you shouldn’t store your crypto on an exchange due to potential hacks, not being solely in control of your crypto’s private keys, and for other reasons, and so a hardware wallet is the way to go and the best option to protect your private keys, therefore, you should make the move to a Ledger wallet.

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Ledger wallets are an extremely secure and premium way to secure, manage, and grow your crypto assets with their Bluetooth-enabled hardware wallets, and easy-to-use app which lets you manage your portfolio on the go. They let you manage multiple assets, buy, sell, grow, and exchange crypto, gain financial freedom by you being in full control and ownership of your private keys, and so much more.

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The wallets are really simple to setup, and to move your crypto over to, so there’s no reason not to secure your assets and take control of your cryptocurrency now and get yourself a Ledger device. You can manage 1800+ coins and tokens directly in the Ledger Live app once you’ve got your device up and running, so you’ll always have your entire portfolio covered.

Share The Wave

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*Waivly+ is a premium Waivly membership. Join at anytime by clicking “Subscribe” on the Waivly website, and cancel anytime by heading to your account on Waivly.

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