Lens Protocol

Bonsai has announced plans to deploy AI agents on the Lens social protocol in 2025, marking a significant development in web3 social networking. - AI agents will interact within Lens Protocol's decentralized social graph - Integration builds on earlier AI agent deployments from November 2024 - Development represents growing convergence of AI and decentralized social platforms *Learn more about this initiative by joining Bonsai's upcoming Twitter Spaces.*

The Lens Holiday Hackathon has concluded with impressive participation, featuring over 50 submitted projects. The three-week event ran from December 16th to January 7th, offering 50,000 $GHO in prizes. Key highlights: - Projects judged by Lens community members - Focus on SocialFi use-cases and innovation - Built on Lens network, secured by Ethereum - Powered by Avail Project and zkSync The hackathon followed Lens' recent $31M strategic raise led by Faction VC, demonstrating growing momentum in the SocialFi space.

The Lens Holiday Hackathon is now live, running from December 16th to January 7th. Key details: - Total prize pool: 50,000 GHO tokens - Community-driven judging through onchain voting - Voting platform: JokeRace.io - Open to all participants Projects will receive direct feedback from Lens super users who will evaluate submissions through onchain voting. This provides builders with valuable validation while competing for prizes. Visit lens.xyz/news/lens-holiday-hackathon to learn more and participate.

**Lens introduces instant withdrawals for developers and users:** - No minimum amounts required - No waiting periods - Powered by validium technology This update streamlines the payment process, allowing for immediate access to funds. It builds on the trend of instant payments in the web3 space, following earlier innovations like Beam's onchain instant payment system. The move towards instant transactions aims to improve user experience and reduce friction in web3 financial interactions. *To learn more about Lens's new instant withdrawal feature, visit their official platform.*

Turkey has implemented a ban on Discord, following a similar move by Russia. This development underscores the growing trend of internet censorship in various countries. - The ban potentially limits digital communication and innovation - It emphasizes the importance of building resilient, decentralized social networks - Such restrictions could have far-reaching implications for online communities These events serve as a reminder of the vulnerability of centralized platforms to government intervention. As censorship increases globally, the need for robust, censorship-resistant social networks becomes more apparent. *Call to Action*: Stay informed about internet freedom issues and support initiatives promoting open, decentralized communication platforms.

Lens Protocol is implementing validiums to revolutionize social media data storage. This innovative approach allows for: - Off-chain storage of posts, comments, and likes - Improved speed and affordability compared to traditional blockchain storage - Maintained user control and security Validiums offer a solution to the challenges of storing vast amounts of social media data on the blockchain. By combining blockchain security with off-chain efficiency, Lens aims to provide: - Fast and cost-effective social media interactions - Enhanced user experience without compromising decentralization This development marks a significant step towards making blockchain-based social platforms more practical and user-friendly.

**Moshi Camera**, an onchain photo app, is now available within the Lens ecosystem. This application brings a nostalgic vibe to the Web3 space, reminiscent of earlier digital photography experiences. - Integrated into the Lens ecosystem - Offers a throwback feel in the modern Web3 environment - Combines blockchain technology with photography This development showcases the evolving landscape of Web3 applications, merging familiar concepts with new technologies. For more details on how Moshi Camera is reshaping digital photography in the blockchain era, explore the app within the Lens ecosystem.

The importance of blockchain selection in Web3 projects continues to be a critical factor. Key considerations include: - **Scalability**: Ability to handle high transaction volumes - **Security**: Robustness against potential attacks - **Interoperability**: Compatibility with other chains and protocols - **Developer ecosystem**: Available tools and community support Choosing the right chain can significantly impact project success, user experience, and long-term viability. As the Web3 landscape evolves, staying informed about different blockchain options and their unique features remains crucial for developers and users alike.

Apple's iOS 18 update now includes a two-step contact sharing flow, giving users more control but potentially hindering app distribution through contact lists. While this move towards user control is positive, Apple still limits hardware and software choices, tying users to the App Store. Developers already face challenges in building, marketing, and getting their apps discovered. This new hurdle to social sharing, a powerful distribution tool, raises concerns. The update highlights the ongoing debate between user control and developer flexibility. Some argue that infrastructure can be open, scalable, cost-effective, and provide excellent control for both developers and users - a vision that alternative platforms like Lens are committed to building.

Lens has announced a partnership with Avail Project to support high-volume consumer applications on Ethereum. This collaboration aims to enhance scalability and data accessibility for the Lens Network. Key points: - Ethereum stores transaction data on-chain - zkSync validiums keep data off-chain but verifiable - Avail Project's Data Availability (DA) ensures instant data verifiability - Avail DA provides infrastructure to scale Lens Network to millions of users Lens is building with partners who share their vision of open, resilient networks. This partnership will offer a robust, scalable, and cost-effective foundation for next-generation social experiences. The move aligns with Lens' recent transition to become one of zkSync's ZK Stack hyperchains, further solidifying its commitment to scalability and efficiency in the Web3 social space.