Lightshift.xyz – GoDaddy customer – (United States)
The .xyz community includes investment firms focused on emerging technologies and digital innovation. Venture capital collective NxGen.xyz aims to open doors for the next generation of web3 founders. San Francisco-based investment firm Dragonfly.xyz backs teams building in crypto across sectors and stages. Prominent venture capital firm Paradigm.xyz operates a $2.5 billion crypto fund and backs numerous projects across the blockchain space. In this week’s #WebsiteWednesday, we’ll introduce you to a venture capital firm that backs early-stage blockchain, crypto, and web3 projects with hands-on engineering contributions and long-term support: Lightshift.xyz.
Lightshift.xyz is the online home of Lightshift, a venture capital firm that supports early-stage blockchain, crypto, and web3 projects. According to the team, Lightshift is not only an investor but also an active contributor to the projects it backs. The firm describes its approach as “first, third, last”—writing the first check, acting as a third co-founder, and remaining committed throughout a project’s journey. Lightshift’s core team includes engineers, analysts, and blockchain specialists who work alongside founders to help build infrastructure for the decentralized economy.
Lightshift centers its investment model on active participation, contributing code and development resources to early-stage projects. The firm has worked on multiple initiatives, including blockchain protocol Union and wallet infrastructure project dWallet. According to the website, Lightshift engineers conducted an in-depth review of Union’s cryptographic systems, made improvements to the project’s white paper, and are developing a major test suite. For dWallet, the team contributed the project’s first lines of code and developed a proof of concept for decentralized asset control. These projects are part of a larger portfolio of contributions that include security benchmarks, developer bootcamps, and infrastructure support across blockchain ecosystems such as Cosmos, EVM, and Starknet.
Lightshift is co-founded by Simão Cruz, who also serves as CEO. According to his LinkedIn profile, Simão has a background in fintech and digital assets, and was included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in Finance in 2020. 1He previously worked at BiG, a digital-first investment bank, and co-founded Portugal Fintech, a nonprofit focused on fostering innovation in financial technology. Simão describes Lightshift as a community of builders and investors who aim to support the next generation of decentralized financial services through both capital and technical collaboration.
Using Lightshift.xyz as its primary domain reflects the firm’s focus on building future-oriented technology. .XYZ is widely used by blockchain and web3 projects due to its flexible, neutral structure. Lightshift also uses the branded email address [email protected] to invite contact from prospective collaborators. This choice helps align the firm’s digital identity with its emphasis on innovation and open participation in the web3 ecosystem. You can learn more by following the firm on X/Twitter @Lightshift_xyz and LinkedIn, and by visiting Lightshift.xyz.
1.https://www.forbes.com/profile/simao-cruz/Newton.xyz – GoDaddy customer – (United States)
Developers use .xyz domains for projects exploring the convergence of AI, blockchain, and decentralization. Decentralized platform CampNetwork.xyz develops infrastructure for AI agents and onchain IP registration. Decentralized platform GetOro.xyz aims to empower individuals to contribute private data to AI development. AI-driven platform Halliday.xyz develops agentic protocol to streamline multi-chain digital workflows. In this week’s #AIMonday, we’ll introduce you to a platform designed to automate onchain activity through programmable AI agents: Newton.xyz
Newton.xyz is the online home of Newton (AKA Magic Newton), an AI-powered, web3 project focused on chain unification, agent-based automation, and security. It offers programmable agents designed to operate on behalf of users to simplify and streamline onchain interactions. These agents are designed to perform actions like recurring purchases, yield management, or DAO voting, based on user-defined rules. Newton is a product of Magic Labs, a blockchain onboarding company based in the San Francisco Bay Area, in collaboration with Polygon. In November 2024, the two organizations launched Newton as a cross-chain network using Polygon’s AggLayer and Chain Development Kit. The goal is to reduce blockchain fragmentation by enabling decentralized apps to function across chains without requiring users to manage multiple wallets. 1As of June 2025, Newton is also a founding member of the Crypto AI Benchmark Alliance (CAIBA), contributing to the development of crypto-specific benchmarks for AI models and agents.2
According to Newton’s website, Newton incorporates AI into its core functionality through onchain agents that act autonomously based on user-defined strategies. These agents are designed to operate from smart accounts, using session keys and permissioned access to complete transactions without manual approvals. Examples include recurring buy agents that accumulate tokens at scheduled intervals and governance agents that vote on DAO proposals based on predefined logic. Agents are not limited to single-chain activity. They can operate across different networks, reflecting Newton’s emphasis on interoperability and automation. Newton’s integration of AI with smart contract infrastructure is geared toward creating continuous, programmable onchain activity that reduces the need for direct user intervention.
Newton is developed by Magic Labs. Sean Li serves as CEO and co-founder of Magic Labs, where he has led the team since 2018. Prior to founding Magic, Sean held product leadership roles at Docker, Inc. and co-founded Kitematic, a project aimed at improving Docker usability for developers. Under his leadership, Magic Labs has focused on creating verifiable AI agents and onboarding infrastructure designed to give every internet user a smart wallet.
The project’s use of the Newton.xyz domain reflects its positioning as a cross-chain platform designed for automation and AI integration. The .xyz domain aligns with Newton’s focus on decentralized infrastructure and chain-agnostic design. Its short, memorable structure supports broad usability across blockchain networks. As part of a wider trend, many projects in AI and web3 adopt .xyz domains to indicate cross-domain relevance. You can learn more by following Newton on X/Twitter and Instagram, joining the Discord, and by visiting Newton.xyz.
1.https://www.theblock.co/post/324876/paypal-backed-magic-link-and-polygon-launch-a-new-cross-chain-network-aiming-to-bust-blockchain-silos 2.https://cointelegraph.com/press-releases/stablecon-2025-concludes-with-record-breaking-industry-momentum-in-stablecoins-and-digital-paymentsWorldofWomen.xyz – GoDaddy customer – (United States)
The .xyz community is home to NFT platforms that push the boundaries of creativity and utility in the digital collectibles space. NFT community platform TheHug.xyz is dedicated to empowering web3 creators through inclusivity and mentorship. No-code platform Fair.xyz aims to help creators simplify the NFT launch process with no-code tools and smart-queuing technology designed to reduce failed transactions and gas fees. Decentralized membership platform Galaxis.xyz helps creators and communities build customizable NFT-based membership systems with tools for engagement, incentivization, and governance. In this week’s #BlockchainThursday, we’ll introduce you to a cultural platform using NFTs to drive inclusion and creative expression in web3: WorldofWomen.xyz.
WorldofWomen.xyz is the online home of World of Women (WoW), a web3 project focused on bridging social and financial gaps for women working at the intersection of art, technology, and culture. Initially launched as a generative art NFT collection by digital artist Yam Karkai, 1WoW has grown into a broader cultural platform. According to information shared by World of Women, the project has facilitated over $400M in NFT trading volume and donated millions to women- and artist-centered causes. In April 2025, WoW announced a leadership transition, naming Vi Powils, former business development lead at Pudgy Penguins, as the new CEO. 2On June 5, 2025, WoW hosted its flagship event in Portugal, the WoW Gala Lisboa, which blended digital art, performance, and community celebration at Lisbon’s Palacio do Grilo.3
World of Women operates as a global platform for women builders and creatives in the decentralized ecosystem. According to its website, the organization provides access to capital, networking, and high-impact experiences aimed at shaping a more equitable digital future. WoW has supported more than 500 artists and contributed over $3M to nonprofit organizations. The brand’s events, collections, and initiatives aim to engage broader audiences and address representation gaps in the web3 space.
Vi Powils, appointed CEO in 2025, brings a decade of experience in crypto and finance. She previously led business development at Pudgy Penguins, a well-known NFT collection that has gained mainstream attention through licensing deals and physical toy lines. Vi described her vision for WoW as building on its legacy and expanding its cultural relevance. Under her leadership, WoW plans to introduce new products, partnerships, and community-focused initiatives.4
WoW uses WorldofWomen.xyz as its online hub. The choice reflects a growing trend among forward-thinking web3 projects using .xyz domains to create distinctive and memorable online identities. .XYZ supports WoW’s global presence and aligns with its aim to engage a broad audience across art, tech, and culture. You can learn more by following the project on X/Twitter @worldofwomenxyz, Instagram, and Telegram, joining the Discord, and by visiting WorldofWomen.xyz.
1.https://opensea.io/collection/world-of-women-nft 2.https://nftnewstoday.com/2025/06/04/vi-powils-named-ceo-of-world-of-women-as-project-enters-new-growth-phase 3.https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2025/04/22/world-of-women-wow-gala-lisboa-a-journey-through-art-technology-and-freedom-in-the-heart-of-web3/ 4.https://nftnewstoday.com/2025/06/04/vi-powils-named-ceo-of-world-of-women-as-project-enters-new-growth-phaseAlexRamirez.xyz – Squarespace customer – (United States)
The .xyz community is home to creatives and skilled artists showcasing their work on .xyz domains. Art Director Marko Medic uses MarkoMedic.xyz to showcase work for brands such as Glossier and La Croix. Multidisciplinary designer Kuba Skurski uses KSkurski.xyz to highlight his branding, UI/UX, and visual design work. Award-winning author Rachel Connolly uses RachelConnolly.xyz to showcase her writing. In this week’s #WebsiteWednesday, we’ll introduce you to a multidisciplinary performer who shares her acting, writing, and special effects makeup work on a .xyz of her own: AlexRamirez.xyz.
AlexRamirez.xyz is the personal website of Alex Ramirez, an actress based in New York City, NY. According to her website, she was born and raised in Southern California’s Inland Empire region and earned a BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in August 2021. Her training includes time at Atlantic Acting School, Experimental Theater Wing, and Stonestreet Studios. In addition to acting, she also explores work in writing, directing, and special effects makeup.
Visitors to AlexRamirez.xyz can explore a variety of creative work spanning performance, writing, and visual design. On the Media page, Alex showcases three videos: her acting reel, a monologue from “References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot” (a play by Puerto Rican playwright and screenwriter José Rivera), and her original short film “Real Eyes Realize.” The short, which she wrote and stars in, centers on a girl navigating a crush while dealing with a compulsive staring habit. The website also highlights her work in live theater, with experience in productions such as The Hungry Woman, Machinal, and Romeo and Juliet, as well as performances with Affirmation Theatre Company and at Shetler Studios.
On the Makeup Artist page, Alex describes her work in special effects and production makeup. She specializes in SFX gore for film and theater, and also provides editorial looks and character makeup design for a range of productions. The page encourages visitors to get in touch with inquiries related to makeup across different formats. The Gallery page presents a curated selection of images that include behind-the-scenes moments, performance stills, and professional portraits. These visuals offer a broader look at her creative presence both onstage and behind the scenes.
Alex showcases a Contact page designed to receive inquiries related to acting, writing, or makeup. The form helps visitors send messages directly through the website, and includes links to her Instagram profile and Actors Access page. A clear and accessible contact page can help visitors connect with Alex and learn more about her ongoing creative work. You can learn more about Alex by following her on Instagram and by visiting AlexRamirez.xyz.
Oncade.xyz – Namecheap customer – (United States)
New gaming platforms and development studios use .xyz and XYZ Registry domains like .Game to reimagine how games are developed, distributed, and experienced. AI-driven gaming platform AllianceGames.xyz aims to advance decentralized game development. Dystopian adventure MindsEye.Game, from Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies, blends technology, power, and ambition. Gaming studio M10.xyz, led by Forbes-featured CEO Maitham Mohamed, introduces a new approach to free-to-play multiplayer gaming. Today, we highlight a community-driven platform rethinking game distribution through direct-to-consumer storefronts and affiliate-powered sales: Oncade.xyz.
Oncade.xyz is the online home of Oncade, a direct-to-consumer platform designed to reshape how games are sold and distributed. The company aims to help studios strengthen engagement with their player communities while bypassing traditional distribution fees. Rather than relying on major platforms that charge significant commissions, Oncade aims to help developers launch their own storefronts and reward players who contribute to discovery and sales. In May 2025, Oncade announced it raised $4 million in a seed funding round led by a16z CSX, with participation from founders and leaders across the gaming industry.1
The platform offers a suite of tools designed to help developers increase revenue, reduce reliance on third-party platforms, and activate their existing fan bases. According to Oncade’s website, the platform supports direct-to-player game stores, real-time payments through stablecoins, and features to manage presales, wishlists, and live in-game operations. Developers can create branded storefronts, launch items, and manage affiliate networks, while players can earn by promoting games or creating in-game items. Oncade’s infrastructure is designed to support studios of all sizes by handling tax compliance, global payments, and user-generated content sales.
Oncade is founded by Stavros Lee and Greg Reisdorf, who bring decades of experience from major studios and tech companies. Stavros previously held roles at Electronic Arts, Activision, and Coinbase, and helped build software platforms at Meta. Greg spent over 13 years leading multiplayer experiences for the Call of Duty franchise, contributing to over $10B in lifetime revenue. Together, the team has designed Oncade to offer studios more control while opening new monetization paths for creators and players.
Selecting Oncade.xyz as the platform’s digital home supports the platform’s goal of building something new for a new era of game development. .XYZ aligns with a broader trend among tech-forward platforms aiming to create future-facing digital identities that stand apart from traditional industry formats. Oncade also uses a branded email address ([email protected]), which reinforces its connection to the platform and offers a consistent point of contact. Using a domain-matching email address can help clarify legitimacy and instill trust among developers, partners, and community members interacting with the team. You can learn more by following the platform on X/Twitter and LinkedIn, and by visiting Oncade.xyz.
1.https://venturebeat.com/games/oncade-raises-4m-to-revamp-game-distribution-with-direct-to-consumer-model/
