Exposing Deepfakes: The Fight Against Digital Deceit by Fraia.ai

Explore the journey of Mad Lads xNFTs and the fearless vision of its creators, who battled adversity and turned threats into groundbreaking innovations.

With a tweet that sparked a digital revolution, “We’re focking Mad, Lads,” the Mad Lads announced their arrival on the Solana blockchain scene. This wasn’t merely a declaration; it was a rallying call, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey that would leave an indelible mark on the NFT world.

Behind this audacious venture was Backpack, led by visionaries Armani Ferrante and Tristan Yver, embarking on a saga filled with innovation, community battles, and the indomitable spirit of pioneers on the crypto frontier. Amidst the high stakes and tumultuous early days, Armani Ferrante reflected on the experience, saying:

“In real time, we were fighting these guys that were trying to extort us at the beginning of the week, and it was kind of this very euphoric, crazy event. It was honestly one of the most stressful times in my life.”

But what was at the heart of this intense period? What drove Ferrante and his team to push through the adversity? Let’s dive into the intriguing universe of Mad Lads xNFTs.

As Armani Ferrante himself puts it, “The Mad Lads xNFTs represent a novel intersection of technology and culture, garnering substantial backing from the Solana community and illustrating the vast potential of NFTs.” These cutting-edge digital collectibles go beyond mere aesthetic appeal, acting as gateways to exclusive, token-specific experiences.

Executable NFTs (xNFTs), embody this vision by serving as decentralized applications within the wallet, offering users a seamless gateway to games, applications, and assets across multiple chains. It’s here, within this burgeoning ecosystem, that Backpack’s story begins to intertwine.

Backpack, an innovative open-source wallet, emerged as a pioneering platform in the crypto space, driven by the ambition to redefine the crypto experience through xNFTs. Armani Ferrante, CEO and co-founder of Backpack, noted:

“xNFTs are the fastest way for developers to get distribution for their front ends, and the Mad Lads collection will be their bridge to a mass consumer audience. This is a massive improvement to how users interact with protocols and smart contracts today.”

Backpack’s unique proposition lies in its capacity to act as an interactive portal where xNFTs serve as native decentralized applications. This means any user with an xNFT in their wallet can effortlessly launch the application or experience encapsulated within that xNFT.

The platform has been a hub for innovation from the start, hosting a plethora of applications, games, and assets built on any chain, thus allowing users to access all of their assets and dApps (decentralized apps) natively in one place.

Backpack’s journey was not without its trials. The catastrophic collapse of FTX, once a beacon of the crypto world, served as a critical juncture for Backpack. Overnight, 80% of their operational capital vanished, casting a shadow over their future.

“We lost 80% of the operating capital on FTX. We spent all this time building this protocol and it was like an on-the-ground knockout and [we] needed to be resuscitated back to life,” Ferrante revealed, narrating the company’s financial precipice.

Yet, in the face of adversity, Backpack did not falter. Its journey from its inception and private beta in September 2022, through its public launch and beyond, illustrates a narrative of innovation, resilience, and community support.

Developers and creators are now encouraged to craft new xNFT app experiences and collections, contributing to a vibrant ecosystem that redefines interactions with digital assets and experiences.

Ferrante reflected on the broader scope of their ambitions, stating:

“I could do things like play games with [xNFTs], I could do things like see if they’re online and connected and what they’re doing on the blockchain. I think building this as a primitive and exposing it to applications is going to be a really powerful feature. That’s going to be the unique thing that brings all this together to create a truly social experience that wrangles a lot of the problems that we see in web3 today”

In essence, the vision for Mad Lads was not just to create a collection but to pave a new way for users to interact with digital assets and experiences. This revolutionary concept found fertile ground in the minds of Armani Ferrante and his team, who were already deeply embedded in the Solana ecosystem through Coral, Mad Lads’ founding entity.

The narrative began to take shape in the virtual halls of their Discord community, long before the Mad Lads’ official Twitter debut. This early engagement laid the groundwork for what would become a vibrant, tightly-knit community, eagerly awaiting the dawn of something unprecedented.

With enthusiasm brewing in the virtual corridors of their Discord server, the Mad Lads xNFT initiative took its first public step in mid-January with an electrifying announcement. The unveiling of the WAO (We Are One) List signalled the beginning of an exclusive pathway for early adopters to participate in the upcoming public mint, stirring a wave of excitement and anticipation within the community. This early reveal not only set the stage for what was to come but also demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.

On February 1 2023, the Mad Lads collection burst onto the scene. The launch wasn’t just a release; it was a statement, a celebration of creativity and a challenge to the status quo. This digital debut symbolised a new chapter in the realm of non-fungible tokens on the Solana blockchain, inviting believers and sceptics alike to witness the birth of something truly unprecedented.

Amidst the digital confetti and virtual cheers, an announcement by Tristan in the Discord channel caught everyone’s attention. Tristan spoke of the ‘Mad Lads’, not just as a collection but as an embodiment of the audacious spirit that has propelled humanity forward throughout history. They were described as individuals infected with constructive madness, a passionate defiance against the lines drawn by society.

These were the trailblazers like Picasso and Van Gogh, who reshaped the artistic landscape. The narrative praised those with an insatiable passion for their goals, mentioning icons like Amelia Earhart and Steve Jobs, and applauded the boundary-pushers who inspire the world to dream bigger, such as Marc-André Leclerc and Evil Knievel.

The essence of the Mad Lads lay not just in the artwork or the technology behind it, but in the shared ethos of daring to make a difference. It is this collective embrace of a little madness and a lot of determination that defines the Mad Lads. Tristan’s words served as a reminder that each member of the community is part of this legacy of innovation and progress — a legacy that ensures the continuous impact of the Mad Lads on society.

As the digital whispers of the Mad Lads project began to crescendo into a formidable buzz across the Solana community, it was clear that this was not to be an ordinary NFT drop.

The project’s unique approach, mandating the use of the Backpack wallet for minting, added an innovative layer to the engagement process. This requirement not only heightened the anticipation but also set a distinctive stage for the events that were to unfold.

The closure of the Madlist on April 17 marked the beginning of a pivotal chapter. The project team, already navigating the complexities of a high-stakes launch, was soon to face challenges that would test their resolve and ingenuity. The initial mint scheduled for April 20 was met with an overwhelming onslaught of bots.

This digital deluge forced a postponement, as the team grappled with the chaos unleashed upon their platform. The delay was not merely a setback; it was a battleground that saw the Mad Lads team confronting extortion threats, Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks, and a myriad of technical hurdles.

Amid this digital maelstrom, the team’s resilience shone brightly. With an unwavering commitment to their community, they expertly navigated through the storm, implementing countermeasures that would become the stuff of legend within the NFT space.

The concept of the “Honeypot” emerged from the depths of strategic brilliance. This ingenious trap was designed to ensnare automated bots in a fake mint, diverting them from the true treasure while draining their resources. The execution of this plan was swift and effective, showcasing a level of adaptability and cunning that was truly befitting of the Mad Lads moniker.

This counteroffensive not only mitigated the bot threat but also served as a bold statement against those who sought to undermine the integrity of the mint. The recovery of over $250,000 worth of SOL from this faux mint underscored the success of the strategy, though it came with the acknowledgement that some legitimate users might have been inadvertently caught in the crossfire.

Despite the trials faced, the Mad Lads project emerged victorious. The mint, ultimately occurring on April 21, saw an impressive first-day revenue of $5,801,640, a testament to the community’s unwavering support and enthusiasm. This success was not merely financial; it was a vindication of the team’s efforts to maintain transparency, engage with their community through social media diligently, and uphold a standard of innovation and clarity in communication.

Mad Lads’ Ascendancy: Unpacking Secondary Market Sales and Market Dynamics

Riding the crest of Solana’s wave, Mad Lads NFTs have seized the spotlight in the secondary market with remarkable tenacity. A deeper dive into the trading data unveils a narrative not just of burgeoning popularity but of a market’s maturation and the dynamism inherent in the NFT space.

https://www.cryptoslam.io/mad-lads-1?headerPeriod=all&tab=historical_sales_volume

Starting with the market summary, the Mad Lads collection boasts an impressive $159.3 million in total sales. This impressive number, achieved through 44,275 transactions, hints at a robust demand and a keen interest from collectors. The ecosystem has cultivated a diverse ownership base, with 5,909 total owners, and an intriguingly short average hold time of 10.57 days per NFT, suggesting a vibrant market with assets changing hands at a rapid pace.

NB: Hover over each chart below for interactivity.

The trajectory of secondary market sales for Mad Lads NFTs, from their inception in April 2023 to April 2024, provides a compelling insight into consumer behaviour and market dynamics in the NFT space. April 2023 marked the launch of Mad Lads NFTs, and it set a formidable precedent with over $21 million in sales, indicative of a high initial demand likely fueled by the novelty factor and the rush to acquire newly minted assets.

The subsequent decline in sales was expected as the initial excitement tapered off and market saturation began to set in. This period of contraction, which saw sales dip to about $1 million by August 2023, reflects the transition from a seller’s to a buyer’s market, as early adopters looked to liquidate and new buyers were more discerning in their purchases.

However, this downturn was not to last. A remarkable rebound was witnessed towards the end of the year, with a notable uplift in November reaching nearly $18.6 million. This resurgence can be attributed to several pivotal developments within the Mad Lads community.

Notably, the announcement that the Solana-based NFT wallet app Backpack is set to launch a cryptocurrency exchange in Dubai, coupled with the enlistment of former FTX general counsel Can Sun to spearhead the exchange, has significantly influenced market dynamics.

This strategic manoeuvre not only boosted the utility of the Mad Lads NFTs but also rekindled interest in the community. The subsequent rise of the Mad Lads NFTs to an all-time high price following these announcements underscores the positive impact of these initiatives on market sentiment and growth.

The peak in March 2024, with sales catapulting to almost $35.5 million, marks a striking inflexion point. This could be attributed to several factors, including mainstream adoption, positive market sentiment, or influential endorsements, all of which would have significantly increased visibility and demand. The scale of this spike also suggests a matured market where buyers are more engaged, seeing long-term value in their acquisitions.

The data regarding unique buyers and sellers in the Mad Lads NFT market from April 2023 to April 2024 reveals several critical insights into market participation and liquidity.

In April 2023, corresponding with the minting event of Mad Lads NFTs, we observe a high number of unique buyers, totalling 11,502, which dwarfs the sellers at 7,186. This initial disparity is characteristic of a new drop, where more buyers are keen to get in on the ground floor, and fewer sellers are willing to part with their newly acquired assets.

As we progress into May and June, a significant decline in both buyers and sellers is apparent. This trend is typical of post-launch periods where the initial excitement fades, and the market begins to stabilize. The number of sellers remains consistently lower than buyers, which may indicate a prevailing interest in holding the NFTs, possibly due to the belief in long-term value or an attachment to the utility or community associated with the assets.

By July and August, the market appears to have entered a period of lower activity, with both buyers and sellers at their minimum. This could signify a consolidation phase, where market participants are either content with their holdings or waiting for a significant development to trigger the next wave of buying or selling.

The resurgence in November, as highlighted by the interaction of buyers and sellers, is not merely a coincidence but a reflection of strategic advancements within the Mad Lads NFT ecosystem. Building on the foundation laid out in the previous analysis, this wave of market activity is directly linked to the positive sentiment generated by Backpack’s announcement regarding its cryptocurrency exchange and the enlistment of a high-profile legal advisor.

This pivotal moment indicates a broader acceptance and excitement within the community, suggesting that the market’s revival is rooted in the confidence and buzz created by these strategic moves. This dynamic shift underscores the ecosystem’s adaptability and its potential to harness news and developments to catalyze growth and engagement.

The rest of the year and into early 2024 show a stable pattern of activity with slight fluctuations, indicating a market that has found its rhythm.

The data on total transactions and transfers of Mad Lads NFT highlights the activity within the market in terms of ownership changes and provides insight into the liquidity and interest in the assets over time.

In April 2023, we observed an explosive start with a total of 22,918 transactions and 73,775 transfers. This significant volume was obviously driven by the initial mint and subsequent high trading activity as new owners and speculators exchanged the assets. The high number of transfers compared to transactions suggests a flurry of NFTs changing hands, which may include not just sales but also bids, offers, and other non-sales-related transfers.

Following the initial surge, there’s a sharp decline in both transactions and transfers in May 2023. It’s not unusual for such a drop to occur post-launch as the market cools down from the initial hype. However, the number of transfers remains disproportionately high relative to transactions through May, indicating that despite lower sales, the assets were still being actively moved, perhaps reflecting market participants’ efforts to find price stability or speculative trading.

As the year progresses, both transactions and transfers steadily decrease. This trend is indicative of the market’s normalization, where the early speculative trading subsides and the assets transition into the hands of more stable owners. By July and August, the market seems to have settled into a quieter phase, which could be interpreted as a period of lessened speculative interest and the establishment of a more foundational user base.

The observable spike in November goes beyond mere transactional increases; it represents a significant turning point for the Mad Lads NFTs, fueled by strategic foresight and impactful announcements. This period of activity signifies a renewed engagement within the community, pivoting from the key developments noted previously.

From December 2023 onward, the transaction and transfer counts are relatively stable with a slight uptick in February and March 2024, which may suggest a steady engagement within the community and consistent interest from collectors and traders.

https://www.coingecko.com/en/nft/mad-lads

Integrating the real-time data from CoinGecko, we can glean further insights into the current state of the Mad Lads NFT market. As of the latest snapshot, the price of Mad Lads stands at 119 SOL, having experienced a 4% dip. Despite this recent decrease, the overall market cap holds strong at 1,185,954 SOL, underscoring a substantial collective valuation of the Mad Lads NFTs within the Solana ecosystem.

The 24-hour volume shows an uptick of 25.2%, indicating a resurgence of activity and potentially renewed interest from traders. This is further bolstered by a 27.8% increase in the number of sales over the same period, suggesting that more participants are engaging in transactions, possibly drawing new investors to the fold or encouraging existing ones to augment their holdings.

The 24-hour average sale price at 128.20 SOL points towards a relatively stable price point when considering individual sales, which could be indicative of the collection’s perceived value amidst market fluctuations. Moreover, the notable figure of 5,896 unique owners, representing 59.16% of all assets, emphasizes a widespread distribution of Mad Lads NFTs, hinting at a decentralized and robust owner base.

The all-time high of 229.425 SOL, set just four months prior, serves as a testament to the collection’s peak potential. Although the current price reflects a 48.1% retraction from this zenith, it’s essential to contextualize this within the volatile nature of NFT markets. Such retracements can often follow periods of intense hype and may pave the way for stabilization and long-term growth.

Charting the Mad Lads Journey: From Record Sales to Community Triumphs and Beyond

Building upon the surging secondary market performance of Mad Lads, let’s explore the pivotal milestones, the burgeoning community engagement, and a glimpse into what the future holds for this standout NFT collection on Solana.

A significant achievement that highlights the collection’s remarkable trajectory occurred on April 22, 2023, when Mad Lads marked a record-smashing 24-hour sales volume. Surpassing not just individual competitors but the combined efforts of the next nine NFT collections, Mad Lads posted an astounding $8,167,746 in sales.

This figure towers over the collective sales volume of $7,781,155 from other prominent collections on the market, including heavyweights like Bored Ape Yacht Club and CryptoPunks. This milestone is not just a testament to the collection’s popularity but also signals a shift in collector preference and market dynamics within the NFT space. With transaction numbers soaring and the community growing, Mad Lads on Solana is demonstrating what it means to lead a digital art revolution.

The period post-FTX collapse, as Armani Ferrante recollects, cast a shadow over Solana’s vibrancy, setting the stage for Mad Lads to reignite the community’s spirit. As DeGods and y00ts departed, Mad Lads filled the ensuing gap, becoming a new pulsating force within the NFT space.

The community’s growth and engagement were significantly driven by the trust and goodwill Ferrante and Tristan Yver cultivated over the years. Their credible execution as a team was showcased through the unique in-app experience likened to a “collective boss battle,” deepening the connection between the project and its holders.

Mad Lads also set a benchmark in the NFT market with an impressive sale, where one Mad Lad NFT fetched an astounding 3420.69 SOL, equivalent to $74,742.08. This sale was a clear indicator of the collection’s high demand and the community’s belief in its value. Such pivotal sales moments have fortified Mad Lads’ position as a premier collection and have stoked the community’s excitement and engagement.

Beyond their eye-catching art, Mad Lads are distinguished by their xNFT technology, offering holders real utility within the Backpack ecosystem, from staking rewards to exclusive content, and potential airdrops. This utility, coupled with the adventurous spirit of their creators, who often share their real-world exploits, injects a layer of authenticity and excitement into the brand narrative.

The Coral team’s strategic choice to launch Mad Lads exclusively on the Backpack wallet cultivated an air of exclusivity, which, alongside a highly engaged community, has propelled the project. With an eye on broadening the utility of Mad Lads into executable NFTs, Coral is poised to expand the use cases of their NFTs into areas like gaming, enhancing the overall NFT experience on Solana.

The burgeoning growth of Solana’s ecosystem contributes to the success of projects like Mad Lads, attracting users with its lower fees and rapid transaction speeds. Innovations in NFT security, such as Backpack’s “lock” feature, have also resonated with collectors, adding an extra layer of confidence in the project.

Armani Ferrante’s technical background, including his work at Apple and Ethereum, lends significant credibility to the endeavour, and his focus on user-friendly experiences aligns with the broader goal of easing mainstream crypto adoption on Solana.

https://www.madlads.com/gallery

As the outlook for Mad Lads, Coral, and the Backpack Exchange unfolds, these elements come together to form a strong foundation for future growth. Despite the volatile nature of the crypto space, the positive trajectory set by the Coral team, their commitment to innovation and security, and the overall health of the Solana market, position Mad Lads as a promising venture in the NFT realm.

Looking ahead, the future of Mad Lads seems intrinsically linked to the innovation Ferrante envisions for Backpack. The planned removal of permissioning on xNFTs will potentially open new creative avenues, while the ambition to integrate more blockchains promises to expand the project’s horizons.

As Ferrante promised a wave of announcements, Mad Lads appears poised to spearhead a rebirth for the Solana community, reshaping the narrative and setting a new standard for what NFTs can achieve within and beyond the Solana blockchain.

As the digital dust settles and the story of Mad Lads unfolds across the Solana blockchain, it’s clear that this isn’t just another tale of digital art or cryptographic innovation. It’s a testament to the indomitable human spirit, a chronicle of how audacity, vision, and a touch of madness can not only challenge the status quo but redefine it entirely. The journey of Backpack, under the stewardship of Armani Ferrante and Tristan Yver, alongside their intrepid community, showcases a beacon of resilience, creativity, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity.

Mad Lads, with its revolutionary xNFTs, didn’t merely survive the tumultuous waves of the crypto world; it thrived, setting new precedents for what is possible when technology meets tenacity. This project has become a harbinger of change, proving that within the digital realms of blockchain, there lies the potential to create not just art or assets, but legends. The Mad Lads saga is more than a story of success; it’s a blueprint for future innovators, a call to arms for those daring enough to dream and bold enough to act.

As we stand on the precipice of this new digital era, the legacy of Mad Lads and Backpack serves as a luminous guidepost. It reminds us that in the vast, uncharted territories of the internet, there are still worlds to conquer, paradigms to shift, and incredible stories to be written. The Mad Lads narrative, infused with courage, innovation, and a dash of rebellion, is not just a chapter in the annals of blockchain history — it’s a clarion call for the next generation of digital pioneers to take up the mantle and forge their paths in the ever-evolving landscape of NFTs and beyond.

As the Mad Lads continue to chart their course through the digital cosmos, their legacy serves as a beacon for all who dare to dream madly. In the end, the Mad Lads saga is not just about the triumph of a project but the triumph of the human spirit in the digital age, proving once and for all that in the heart of madness lies the seed of genius, waiting to sprout forth and change the world.

“We’re Focking Mad, Lads”: The Rallying Cry That Shook the NFT World was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.