If you have been reading my blog for a little bit longer, you will probably remember my reports about Austrian crypto-project HEROcoin - a currency for eSports-betting on the platform Herosphere. The fact that I have no posted an update for two months obviously doesn't mean that they didn't get anything done in the meantime - Honestly I think you could say quite the opposite, as you will see in this update. So if you are interested in cryptocurrency and/or eSports, keep reading ;)
Closed Beta in June!
According to their roadmap, the team from HERO wanted a first implementation of the coin on their platfrom Herosphere in Q2 2018. And unlike many other projects, especially ICOs, it seems as if they can keep their timeframe - They have opened the registration for a closed beta testing phase which will start in June. This is definitely a huge step on the way to a real blockchain usecase for their token. If you want to take place in the closed beta, you can sign up at http://play.herosphere.gg/beta/
The HEROsphere shop is live!
The implemenation of the coin is not the only thing their developers are working on - around two weeks ago, the team announced that the webshop went live where you can buy vouchers, skins, etc.
Even though I personally don't understand the hype for skins and such things, I know what huge industry it has become over the last years. So having that integrated on the website definitely adds value. And I guess it also is a possible usecase for their coin if you would be able to buy such things directly with it.
After Madrid comes Barcelona!
In my last update, I have shown you a screenshot of a Real Madrid game where HERO made advertisement in the stadium - Well, they have done it again! This time they chose the game between Levante and Barcelona for their advertisement.
And the game turned out to be a great pick: A 5:4 win for Levante meant many goals for football fans and a lot of views and reviews where the advertisement was visible!
Great news for the whole industry from the United States!
It seems as if the U.S. Supreme Court has made a decision that could soon make betting on sports legal in the United States - this of course would have a huge impact on eSports betting as well. If you are interested in details, I suggest this article from dotesports.com!
The subheadline:
Esports betting is believed to be valued in the tens of billions by 2020.
from that articles page also sounds quite promising for a company focused on eSports betting ;)
HERO went Korea
HERO has been selected by the Austrian Economic Chambers to be able to attend the goSeoul program, an incubator for startups interested in the Asian market. Since Korea is one of the biggest countries when it comes down to eSports, this is of course huge for HERO, who sent their Chief Marketing Officer Johannes Mahler to attend those meetups.
If you want to know who he talked to there, you should check HERO's vlog: HEROnews #4
But of course they also attend meetups and do promotion in Europe! If you check their facebook page, you will find pictures from many meetups and announcements of more. For example I have read something about a Crypto Games Conference in the Ukraine. And after attending a local meetup in Austria, they even got a feature on the homepage of Red Bull - one of Austria's most famous brands!
But they do not only attend meetups - they also host their own one:
HERO Blockchain Meet-Up #3
If you want to get the most recent updates and you live close to Vienna - or happen to be there by accident - you should check out the HERO Blockchain Meet-Up #3 which takes place on June 25th at HERO's office building weXelerate - The entrance is FREE!
Personal opinion
In my eyes, everything seems to run fine for HEROcoin. This is mainly due to three things that keep me positive:
The Beta: Many ICOs fail to deliver a product or keep true to their roadmap. So far it seems as if HERO can stick to theirs and this is obviously the most important part.
The Industry: I only hear positive news about the eSports industry and I also have the feeling that it gets more and more popular in mainstream media, etc.. If "their industry" is on the rise, it's obviously great for HERO as well.
Their Communication: HERO maintains a very active facebook channel with usually a few posts per week. They give insights into their development and show many meetups they attend. This transparency is what I expect and want from a company I invest in. Plus they also attend meetups with well known Austrian companies and brands and they really seem to care about "being legal" and not getting into any issues regarding the laws.
With the currenty situation of the whole crypto market, it is not suprising that the price of HERO is stuck at around the same level. However I think longterm everything is running perfectly fine and that's why I have HERO. If I wanted a pump&dump coin, I would have bought something different ;)
What do you think about the project? Do you know serious competitors I should keep an eye on? Let me know!
Greets,
Martin
Disclaimer: I am not working for HERO - However I am invested in HEROcoin myself, so my views could be biased therefore. Do not take this post as a reason to invest or a call to invest into something. This is just my personal opinion about a product I like. All image rights belong to HERO unless stated otherwise.