Chinese Social Media Giant Xiaohongshu Eyes Hong Kong IPO at Over $70 Billion Valuation 
6 simple questions to tell if a ‘finfluencer’ is more flash than cash 
HSBC Australia Faces A$35M Penalty Over Scam Protection Failures 
U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Extends Gulf Ceasefire, Reopens Strait of Hormuz 
Debate over H-1B visas shines spotlight on US tech worker shortages 
What’s the difference between baking powder and baking soda? It’s subtle, but significant 
Why a ‘rip-off’ degree might be worth the money after all – research study 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Why financial hardship is more likely if you’re disabled or sick 
SpaceX Stock Gets $175 Target as Analysts See Massive Growth Ahead 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
SK Hynix Shares Hit Record High After Shipping Next-Generation HBM4E AI Memory Samples 
Astera Labs and Rocket Lab Surge After Nasdaq-100 Inclusion Announcement 
AI Memory Boom Sparks Global Chip Supply Crunch 
Can your cat recognise you by scent? New study shows it’s likely 
Toy brand Mattel will turn its iconic intellectual property, such as Barbie and Hot Wheels, into avatar-like digital collectibles for use in games in a partnership with the non-fungible token (NFT) platform Cryptoys.
The developments show that NFTs are becoming more popular as children's entertainment products.
Using the Flow blockchain, Cryptoy is targeting the casual web game sector as opposed to a fully immersive 3D metaverse experience.
Mattel and Cryptoys want to see how NFTs can be used to build the "future of toys," where users can buy a virtual Barbie to play within a game.
According to Mattel’s president, Richard Dickson, their business leads them to wherever the consumer is, including the metaverse and NFTs.”
Mattel first expressed interest in NFTs in April 2021, and it became the first toy company to mint them in June. It released a Hot Wheels collection in November, followed by a luxury digital collection of Barbie NFTs in collaboration with fashion house Balmain.
The next two drops, Hot Wheels and Barbie's appeared to be aimed at wealthy collectors rather than children. This partnership with Cryptoys brings the conversation back to how digital collectibles can be engaging for kids or a preferential form of online play for parents.
