The Web3 world is a fast-paced, ever-changing landscape that can be challenging to navigate. Tony Drummond, President of Moonbound Consulting, has spent over 20 years in the business world, honing his skills in sales, marketing, operations, and engineering. In this interview, Tony shares his journey in the Web3 world, from his early fascination with blockchain technology to his role as an expert in the space. He also reveals the success story behind MicroPets, the fastest-growing game-fi project launched in 2021, which reached a $200 million market cap and 70,000 holders in just three weeks. From the lessons learned through MicroPets to the insights gained from his current work with Moonbound Consulting, Tony shares valuable tips, tricks, and advice for those looking to dive into Web3 or start their own projects.

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To start us off - Can you share with us what sparked your interest in marketing and how you got started in the field?

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"I actually stumbled into marketing by chance. I didn't go to college and started my career as a machine operator in printing. Eventually, I was hired by my mentor, who was the VP of sales of a large printing company. We worked with many high-end brands and ran some crazy campaigns with companies like BMW. Working with agencies from a marketing standpoint helped me appreciate great design and branding, which I was able to bring to the projects I work with now. I've also worked as a Lean manufacturing consultant, trained people in statistical analysis, and managed different teams. I love doing different things and facing new challenges, and marketing provides in a lot of those areas, especially when in Web3. Web3 is exciting because there's always something different to tackle, and I can use my experience to help."

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So, how did you first come across blockchain and Web3, and what made you fall in love with the space?

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It all started with my curiosity in finance, looking for new things to invest in and explore. Back in 2017, I got into crypto by mining bitcoin and checking out Ethereum and Tron. Although my first experience wasn't great because of the market dump, I learned from it and mitigated my risk by investing only a small amount. I got back into crypto in 2021 and started exploring lower Cap projects after seeing my friends' huge results on Facebook. I, unfortunately, got scammed by my first project, but it taught me a lot, and I found some good projects to invest in. Fast forwarding a bit, I volunteered for a team, and I enjoyed working in the community and building something people could use. That's when I thought of starting something with my friends that we would enjoy building and that people would love using, not necessarily a billion-dollar project. That led me to create Micropets. Now, as a lifelong gamer, I see a lot of potential in gaming in web3, especially after my experience with World of Warcraft. I see the intersection of gaming and web3 as a perfect opportunity to unleash our creative potential and push the boundaries of what's possible and that’s the space I’m really excited about and in love with right now.

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Since we touched on Micropets, what inspired that creation, and how did it get to the $205M Market cap valuation? From ideation to execution, what were the pivotal moments in the project's journey, and what valuable lessons were learned along the way?

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MicroPets was born from a desire to create a fun and engaging digital pet experience that people would enjoy. We noticed the popularity of other similar projects in the market and saw an opportunity to improve on the concept by incorporating staking and play-to-earn gaming, as well as offering a wider variety of pets based on popular memes within the crypto community. To bring our vision to life, we assembled a team consisting of two developers, a smart contract developer, and a DevOps engineer. With the full MVP ready, we launched our token after a month and a half of development.

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Our success in growing the project can be attributed to our careful attention to detail in our marketing efforts. We identified our target audience and tailored our message to resonate with them, leveraging tools like Coin Market Cap to get more exposure. We also made a conscious effort to build a strong and engaged community, engaging with members personally and holding referral contests to encourage more participation. By focusing on retention and engagement, we were able to reduce churn and build a foundation of loyal users who became advocates for our project.

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As a result, within just three weeks of launching, we had over 75,000 holders, and our market cap had skyrocketed to over $205,000,000. We were thrilled with the success of our project and attribute it to our careful attention to detail in all aspects of its development and marketing. In terms of advice for others looking to succeed in the crypto space, I would encourage them to focus on understanding their target audience and finding ways to engage with them meaningfully. There are many tools and strategies available to help with this, but it ultimately comes down to creating a product that people enjoy and building a community of loyal users who can help spread the word about it.

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What are some of the biggest marketing mistakes you see Web3 companies making right now?

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One of the biggest mistakes Web3 companies make in marketing is not understanding their target audience. I've seen it happen time and time again. Companies pay influencers without really knowing if their audience aligns with their target audience. It's just wasted money if they're sending people to a broken homepage or the wrong location. That's why it's so important to start with the basics and understand who your audience is and where they are. Once you have that information, you can apply all the tried-and-true marketing practices from Web2 and bring them to Web3. Engage with people, follow up, offer discounts, and referrals, but do it on new platforms and locations.

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‍But don't fall into the trap of thinking that influencers are the magic bullet solution. It's not enough to just pay someone to talk about your project. You have to have a clear marketing strategy and a plan for how you're going to engage your audience and keep them interested. Building and nurturing your community is key, and Discord is a great platform for that. At the end of the day, you have to be strategic and think about how you're going to get your message in front of the right people. It's not enough to just launch your project and hope people find it. Do your research, plan, and execute. And remember, success is not about being an outlier, but about understanding statistics and positioning yourself for success.

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What are your thoughts on the recent debates around regulation and the SEC's involvement in the crypto industry? As a consultant working with clients in the crypto space, how do you navigate these challenges and what concerns do you have about the impact of regulations on your clients' finances and operations?

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You know, with everything that's been going on with regulation and the SEC's involvement in the crypto industry, it's been hotly debated as of recently. And it's not surprising that people want some level of regulation to help the industry mature and become more mainstream.

What concerns me is that we need to know whether regulation is right or wrong for the industry, and I want the same thing for my clients too. When they're raising capital, building a product, and making plans for their business, they need to know whether there will be any significant changes in regulations that could impact their finances or operations. It's concerning that projects could go through all this and end up paying to change things because of new regulations.

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But I think the biggest challenge with regulation is that it's difficult to classify a new type of asset class like cryptocurrencies, which has its own unique features. A lot of projects have used tokens like security to raise capital, but that puts them at risk in the future. It's an area where a lot of my clients are navigating towards selling equity in their business and having a token side letter. This way, investors get the tokens with the equity, but they're not buying them.

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It’s a smart approach, it makes sure projects have a way to realize revenue, which helps sustainability, and growth of course.

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Without profitability, a project is dead. If the only way to make a profit is by selling the tokens, that's short-lived because investors will eventually sell the tokens once they unlock them. And if the project's enthusiasm wanes, everyone will be selling the tokens, leading to a decline in value. That's why I'm passionate and excited about tokenomics. It's a tricky and important area to navigate to make sure projects are setting themselves up correctly, with utilities and not just focusing on making a quick profit through selling tokens.

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As a multi-million dollar project owner with MicroPets, what have been the biggest challenges for you and the most valuable lessons that you've learned from that?

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One of the biggest challenges I faced was at the leadership team level. It became clear to me that before starting any project, I should carefully evaluate the team to ensure that they have the necessary skills and capabilities to bring the idea to life. In hindsight, founding a project just because someone is a friend and enjoyable to work with is not a good enough reason to form a team.

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Another important lesson I learned was the significance of tokenomics. When selling a token, it is crucial to ensure that there is sustainability built into the system, with control over the supply and an understanding of the demand side of the equation. This is because as enthusiasm wanes and demand decreases, the price of the token can drop as well. We had over $30 million in the liquidity pool in our project, which was a significant amount of money. However, if the liquidity pool was less, we could still have had half a billion or even less LP. This highlights the importance of thoroughly reviewing and analyzing tokenomics to create a healthy system that will set the project up for longevity.

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Another key learning was recognizing the importance of team size. Growing a team too quickly can lead to management and leadership issues, with the need to ensure that everyone is on the same page and performing their duties effectively. At the start of a project, it is better to have a small, tight-knit team of A-players who are passionate and competent, rather than a larger team with B and C players who may not be as effective. This is because A-players don't like being around lower-performing team members, and this can cause frustration and even cause them to leave the team, which can be a significant loss.

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Despite these challenges, I still view Micropets as a valuable experience. We didn’t pay ourselves a salary at MicroPets and took the project very seriously. Finally, starting in a bear market after launching in October 2021 was a difficult experience, but one that taught me to be resilient and persistent in the face of adversity.

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To end it off, break down for everyone What Moonbound Consulting is all about, and what your vision is for the future of your business?

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Currently, at Moonbound, I'm working on helping web3 founders navigate the journey of launching their projects. I do a lot of one-on-one work with clients, advising them on everything from their tokenomics to the overall operations of their project. But I'm now looking to scale up my offerings and provide more accessible resources to a wider audience.

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So, I'm building a community for founders, a free course covering eight different categories of project implementation, and a newsletter that’s out now. With these scalable offerings, I'm hoping to help more founders launch their projects successfully by providing them with valuable information, guidance, and tools.

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Additionally, I plan on offering workshops where I can teach and show founders at scale how to navigate the different steps of launching a project, how to build an effective team, and how to avoid common landmines. This way, founders can get access to valuable information and guidance at a more affordable price point, and I can grow my business even further.

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In summary, my goal at Moonbound is to help web3 founders by providing them with accessible resources and valuable guidance. Whether it's through my community, my course, my newsletter, or my workshops, I'm dedicated to helping as many founders as possible launch their projects successfully.

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To subscribe to Tony's newsletter, click here.

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And be sure to check out Tony Drummond on LinkedIn.

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The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has ignited a revolution in artistic creation, extending its influence far beyond the realm of traditional art. Web3 artists are grappling with the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-generated content, prompting discussions on data privacy, intellectual property, and originality. While some artists are apprehensive about AI's potential to replace or plagiarize their work, others embrace the unique opportunities it offers for collaboration and experimentation.

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In this article, we delve into the intricate world of AI and its impact on artistic creation, exploring the ethical questions it raises and the future of intellectual property within Web3. We also examine how artists are leveraging AI to enhance their work and the ways in which AI is shifting the artistic landscape as a whole.

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Artists and AI: A New Frontier

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The integration of AI in artistic creation has led to a divide among artists, with some concerned that AI will replace or steal their work, while others view it as an opportunity to explore new creative avenues. Artists who embrace AI often develop a symbiotic relationship with the technology, similar to a parent nurturing a child. By collaborating with AI, these artists can foster growth and understanding in their creative pursuits. The use of AI tools like DALL-E, Midjourney, and StarryAI has generated an ongoing conversation about the moral implications of AI-generated art, and some artistic communities have banned the sharing of such images due to concerns about plagiarism and data privacy. The unprecedented rate at which AI technology is developing is pushing artists to examine their own creative processes and confront the question of what it means to be truly original in the age of AI.

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Intellectual Property and Originality

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AI's ability to generate new content by processing vast amounts of data has raised concerns about intellectual property and originality. Language models like ChatGPT and AI-driven art generators such as DALL-E create neural networks that absorb and process data from sources like books, films, encyclopedias, and the internet. This "pool of data" allows users to draw upon existing cultural works for inspiration, but it also raises questions about ownership and the potential for plagiarism. Some artists are exploring ways to opt out of having their text included in language model data sets, but there is currently no clear method for protecting one's published work from AI crawlers. As AI-generated content becomes increasingly indistinguishable from human-created work, the lines between originality and derivation blur, presenting new challenges to traditional concepts of intellectual property.

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The Challenges of Applying Existing IP Laws to AI Works

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The legal landscape is still catching up to the rapid evolution of AI, creating gray areas when it comes to determining ownership and copyright protections for AI-generated works. This has led to ongoing debates and court cases surrounding the application of existing IP laws to these works. The U.S. Copyright Office and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are tasked with interpreting statutes and establishing guidelines for AI-generated content. One key consideration in these discussions is the question of intent: Is the artist purposefully using a protected logo, slogan, or design for monetary gain or promotional purposes? As of now, there are few existing parameters when it comes to AI-generated works, and some AI tools have limits in place for how closely they can mimic protected symbols, characters, and texts. The challenges of applying traditional IP laws to the ever-evolving world of AI-generated content will likely require the development of new legal frameworks and precedents to adequately address these concerns.

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AI Mimicry and Its Implications

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While AI-generated art is generally not protected under IP law, its ability to mimic established artists' styles has raised additional concerns. Issues such as the dilution of an artist's authentic work and the potential for AI-generated content to flood the market have left many questioning the value and ethics of AI's role in artistic creation. For example, digital artist Greg Rutkowski, known for illustrating fantasy landscapes in games like Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, has expressed frustration that the internet is becoming overcrowded with AI-generated artwork resembling his own, making it difficult for his original work to stand out. As AI-generated art becomes more prevalent, both artists and consumers will need to grapple with the implications of AI mimicry on the art world, including the potential for AI-generated art to devalue original works or even redefine what it means to be an artist in the age of artificial intelligence.

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Despite the concerns surrounding AI's impact on art, its potential benefits cannot be overlooked. Generative AI lowers the barrier to entry for artistic expression, accelerates the creative process, and enables individuals and companies to produce a wide array of content without extensive training or experience. This increased accessibility and efficiency have the potential to democratize creative industries and foster innovation on a broader scale.

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As AI continues to reshape the world of artistic creation and Web3, the debate over its ethical implications, intellectual property concerns, and the value it brings to the creative process will likely persist. While it's essential to address the challenges and risks that come with AI-generated content, it's equally important to acknowledge the potential benefits and opportunities it presents. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration between artists, technologists, and lawmakers, we can work toward a future that embraces the best aspects of AI while protecting the integrity of artistic expression.

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In conclusion, the integration of AI in the world of artistic creation has undoubtedly led to a transformation in the way artists work and think about their craft. While there are valid concerns surrounding intellectual property and originality, the potential for AI to democratize art and inspire new creative approaches is an exciting prospect. As we navigate the complex relationship between AI and art, it is crucial for artists, technologists, and policymakers to come together to ensure that the benefits of this technology are maximized while addressing the inherent challenges it presents.

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So, you've heard about that Honus Wagner baseball card that was sold for a jaw-dropping $6.6 million in August 2021, right? Crazy, huh? Well, that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the ever-evolving world of collectibles and investments. Enter NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, the digital game-changers that are shaking up the way we think about owning a piece of culture. Let's dive into this exciting new frontier.

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The Allure of Owning a Slice of Culture:

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People have been collecting stuff since, like, forever. From ancient civilizations collecting precious stones to kids trading Pokémon cards, there's something thrilling about owning a piece of culture that resonates with our passions and interests. Whether you're a fan of art, music, sports, or anything in between, there's a good chance you've had your eye on a collectible or two.

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Sports memorabilia, for example, is a huge part of this cultural collecting phenomenon. Apart from baseball cards, there are signed jerseys, autographed basketballs, and even game-worn gear that die-hard fans are willing to shell out big bucks for. And it's not just about sports; pop culture memorabilia can be equally sought-after. Think about the iconic Michael Jackson's red jacket from Thriller or Marilyn Monroe's dress from The Seven Year Itch. These items tell a story and become cultural treasures that people are eager to own.

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In the art world, owning an original painting by a famous artist like Picasso or Banksy can be both a status symbol and an emotional connection to the creative genius behind the work. Even in the realm of comic books, first editions or rare issues featuring beloved characters like Superman or Spider-Man can fetch a pretty penny at auctions.

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Another prime example is the world of rare coins and stamps, which might seem a bit old-school, but they still have a dedicated following. From the ultra-rare 1913 Liberty Head nickel to the Inverted Jenny stamp, collectors go wild for these pieces of history.

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The value of these collectibles often depends on a mix of factors, like rarity, condition, historical significance, and the emotional connection that fans have to the item. The thrill of the chase and the sense of satisfaction when you finally get your hands on that holy grail of collectibles can be downright addictive.

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In recent years, the sneaker culture has also exploded, with limited-edition and collaboration sneakers like Nike Air Jordans or Yeezys becoming highly coveted collectibles. These shoes aren't just worn for their style and comfort; they're seen as wearable art that represents a piece of cultural history.

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As you can see, there's a vast array of items that people collect, driven by an innate desire to own a tangible piece of culture that's meaningful to them. But with the arrival of NFTs, the idea of what it means to "own" something is shifting, and we're entering uncharted territory in the world of collectibles and investments.

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Welcome to the Digital Age, NFT Style:

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NFTs are changing the game by bringing cultural investments into the digital world. These digital tokens are unique and recorded on a blockchain, which means that ownership of a digital item, like an image or audio file, can be traced and verified. While the digital files can be easily copied, the ownership status on a blockchain can't. This means that NFTs let people own a digital piece of culture without needing to have a physical item to show for it.

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NFTs: The Ultimate Tool for Cultural Influencers:

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NFTs are a big deal for people in the cultural influence biz, like athletes, musicians, and content creators. The digital nature of NFTs means that they can be tracked and verified more easily than traditional physical collectibles, making them more secure and trustworthy.

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Enhanced security and trustworthiness:

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The digital nature of NFTs means that they can be tracked and verified more easily than traditional physical collectibles, making them more secure and trustworthy. With a transparent record of ownership on the blockchain, it becomes easier for buyers to authenticate the items they are purchasing and for creators to ensure the legitimacy of their works.

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Global market access:

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NFTs have the advantage of being available on global marketplaces 24/7, which means that people can buy and sell them whenever they want. This increased access to international markets enables creators to reach a wider audience, expanding their influence and potential for revenue generation.

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Preservation of value:

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Unlike physical collectibles, NFTs don't get damaged or worn out over time, which helps maintain their value. This durability makes NFTs an attractive option for both creators and collectors, who can rest assured that their digital assets will retain their quality and appeal.

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Royalty income:

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Creators can embed royalty mechanisms into their NFTs, allowing them to earn a percentage of the profits every time their work is resold on secondary markets. This feature provides creators with a sustainable revenue stream and incentivizes them to continue producing high-quality content.

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Fan engagement:

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NFTs offer an innovative way for cultural influencers to engage with their fans. By creating unique, limited edition NFTs, influencers can generate excitement and exclusivity around their work, driving up demand and fostering deeper connections with their audience. NFTs can also be used as rewards for loyal fans, as access tokens to exclusive content, or as part of interactive experiences that help build a sense of community.

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Collaborations and partnerships:

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The flexibility of NFTs allows for collaborations between influencers and brands, artists, or other creators. These partnerships can result in innovative and diverse NFT offerings, combining different creative styles and ideas to produce unique and appealing digital collectibles. Such collaborations can help influencers expand their reach and tap into new audiences.

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Plus, NFTs have the advantage of being available on global marketplaces 24/7, which means that people can buy and sell them whenever they want. And unlike physical collectibles, NFTs don't get damaged or worn out over time. Creators can even get a cut of the profits every time their NFTs are resold, which is a sweet bonus.

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Embracing the NFT Revolution:

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Whether it's in film, music, fashion, or gaming, NFTs are making waves. Hollywood studios are seeing new revenue streams and indie film producers are using NFTs to fund projects. Musicians are connecting directly with fans, while high-fashion brands are appealing to digital natives. And in gaming? Some companies are embracing NFTs for in-game assets, while others are creating entirely new gaming experiences centered around NFTs.

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As NFTs continue to reshape the world of cultural investing, they're opening up all sorts of new possibilities for owning and trading digital instances of culture. Sure, it's hard to predict which ones will be worth big bucks in the future, but one thing's for sure: the days of collecting and investing being limited to physical items are long gone. NFTs are here to stay, and they're changing the way we engage with art, music, sports, and so much more. So buckle up, because it's going to be one heck of a ride!

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Next Week... We dive into NFT Community and what it means to be PART of that Culture

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Kira Bursky is a filmmaker, screenwriter, and artist. She has produced over 60 films and music videos that have screened at festivals around the world from Los Angeles to Berlin to Beijing. In 2015 Kira was selected as the Best Emerging Female Filmmaker at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY).[1] In 2016 she was featured in Seventeen Magazine as the April issue's Power Girl and received the Emerging Artist to Watch grant through Le Couvent artist residency in France. Kira and her creations have been featured through NPR,[2] Out Magazine,[3] Pride[4][5] and No Film School[6] to name a few. Her YouTube channel has over 34,000+ subscribers and 16 million+ views.[7] Kira is the owner of Film and Art Production Company, All Around Artsy. She works with her partner, Robert Gowan to produce short films, branded illustrations, music videos, and fine art NFTs.

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I got a chance to speak with Kira and Robert while we were both attending ETH Denver.

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Kira: I started going by the name All Around Artsy when I was 13. Around that time I knew I wanted to pursue filmmaking, and I discovered this school called Interlochen. It's in Michigan, and you major in an art form in high school. I ended up going there and majoring in filmmaking for three years. After that, I was going to take a “gap year” with quotes around gap year because it turned into my gap life. I didn't actually end up going to college, I dove right into building up my company. And it just worked out. Every year I just kept building it up and seeing where the adventure would take me.

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Lina: How did you end up working as an artist in web3?

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Kira: It all started when I had a phone call with my brother. Around that time, I had purchased an iPad so that I could pursue my side passion of visual art. My brother saw my art and on a phone call was like,

“Kira, you need to turn your art into NFTs.”

That was the first time I had ever heard of this term. And he talked about blockchain and crypto, and I was like,

“What? What is all this? This is crazy. This is interesting.”

So I did some research, got on Twitter, made friends, minted my first NFT and very quickly I just fell in love with the community and the world of NFTs. I ended up becoming friends with all of these incredible artists and people all over the globe collaborating, just forming these amazing friendships. And then it became my full-time thing, and now I do film and NFTs.

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Lina: Can you take me through the process of how you got the monetization going?

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Kira: It took me about a month and a half before I made my first sale. It was a month and a half of being involved on Twitter every single day. And then from there, just continued being involved with the community, showing up being myself, and then more sales started to come in.

I became friends with my collectors, and it started to grow from there. So when I reflect on the journey, I think the biggest thing, the biggest factor in success for selling is being heavily involved with the community making friends, responding to their tweets, showing up as yourself. So just being very involved and being authentic and putting yourself out there.

And when you're consistent, then people start to notice. And I think for a lot of artists, you're not just selling your art, you're selling yourself, you're a brand and people will connect to you, and then sales come from there.

Before NFTs, I was kind of in the anti-Twitter boat, but then I found out that if you want to get into NFTs, that's where all the action is happening. So when I first started, I think I had 200 or 300 followers that were just my random Facebook friends who happened to follow me there. From then to now, I've grown it to around 17,000 followers, and that's all just the past couple of years of being active.

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Lina:  To go into the comparison of what your life looks like now that you're very much involved in Web3 space, compared to a few years ago… Can you give me a description of where you were at before you were introduced to Web3?

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Kira: Two years ago, I wasn't really doing visual art at all. I didn't have my iPad yet, so maybe once, I don't know, every six months, I would draw.

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Robert: Yeah, we would go to a coffee shop and draw together or something.

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Kira:  Yeah, it was a rare occasion but because of NFTs now, I spend a lot of my time working on visual arts. That's a massive shift. Also, now we're traveling to lots of Web3 conferences. So there's been a lot more travel and a lot more techie people in my life. So from filmmaking to visual art.

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Lina: Take me through ETH Denver. How are you guys working here? I know that you're working with some protocols. What does that look like?

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Kira: At ETH Denver, I lined up at least 8 different events where I showed NFT art.

I did 2 live art creations. I spoke on multiple panels. Robert documented pretty much everything. At one of the events, it's called On Chain Records, and it's the first Digi Physical Record Production Company, people performed, and it was immediately recorded and pressed to vinyl. There's a chip in the vinyl, so there's a digital presence of it as well. Robert was filming, and I was creating the art, live to the music, I was creating a label art for the vinyl.

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Lina: How did these collaborations come to fruition? Was it you who got in touch with the companies, or did they get in touch with you?

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Kira: It was a mix. The past month and a half, I was doing a lot of networking on LinkedIn Twitter, just social media in general. I met a lot of new people. For that particular event I had done arts at an event in Miami, so the group that put that on linked me up to this opportunity here.

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Lina: What has that more personal journey looked like for you as a creative? Is there anything that you struggled with as an artist a few years ago, that you still struggle with? And is there anything that you struggled with before, that you don't struggle with anymore?

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Kira: One personal struggle is, mental health-related things. Dealing with depression and anxiety, but it's definitely gotten a lot better. Me, five years ago, is very different from me now. Or even me a year ago is quite different. I feel a lot more in touch with myself, balanced, overall, learning how to actually set my boundaries and take care of myself, you know?

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But yeah, mental health is definitely a present thing that I'm aware of. And always trying to make sure I'm taking care of myself, setting boundaries and being in touch with my intuition. I am realizing, that we have the power to really visualize what our desires are, what our goals are. I've been feeling more aware of how we can pursue anything, really. Anything that we set our minds to. And there's a lot of power in that. And I'm recently realizing that I, whatever I want to pursue, just need to be clear on it, and better about saying no to things that don't fit in that.

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Also trusting that internal intuition that's always guiding me correctly, but in the past, maybe I didn't listen to it. So getting more in touch with that and listening to that inner voice.

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Lina: Where would you say has the strengthening of that belief come from?

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Kira: We all go through life experiences that at the time can be really hard and devastating, where you feel like your world's crumbling. But then you do, and then you come out better and healthier because you had to go through that experience to really fine-tune your ability to, in my case, set boundaries or be in touch with my intuition. It's just those life experiences. And I do read books that help me process and understand these experiences better. So a lot of psychology and spirituality and business books have helped to inform me where I am now as well.

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Lina: Within your mental health journey, what would you say has helped you the most?

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Kira:  Creating art. I create art and let my subconscious just go wild. And then after I create it, I look at it and try to process it. And a lot of times Robert will also you take a look and give me his thoughts.

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He knows me very well, so he can help me to decipher what the art is saying about my subconscious. So that's been helpful. What do you think about that process? (looks at Robert)

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Robert: I think we have a lot of conversations about your mental health. I work pretty hard to understand you. Help you process things.

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Kira: I guess art and having a loving partner in life to help journey through all, has been very helpful.

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Robert: Yay! Top three

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Kira: Yeah. You made it to the top three. Good job, babe.

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Lina: You seem to have a really beautiful dynamic between the two of you. I'm curious how your personal relationship impacts your work. Have you always worked together? Or was there a personal relationship first?

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Kira: Robert is my partner in many ways. Life and video work, and art. We've been working together, basically our entire relationship. We're both artists, and we both vibe with each other's creative worlds.

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Robert: We started working together first, and then it just grew from there.

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I wasn't into filmmaking when I first met Kira five years ago, I was mostly just doing music and audio. I started filming with her, and now I'm here, filming brand videos for Web3 companies and events. I've followed her and I mean, I believe in Kira and her art, so it's easy for me to want to be involved.

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She always carves out a little space for me.

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Lina: Maybe you can touch on one challenge that you went through that changed the art that you created, Kira.

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Kira: The main things that come to mind are more like dynamics with people that were not very healthy, becoming aware of the unhealthiness of the dynamic, building up enough strength to be able to cut that out. A lot of my work, or some of my work, is a reflection of what it means to set a boundary or protect your own energy. To be connected to your core self and safe within that.

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So I think those experiences with certain people in life have helped me to feel stronger in my ability to say yes or no when it feels right.

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Lina: What's a piece of advice that you would give to your younger self? Something that you would've really benefited from hearing, or something that you wish you could share with other young creatives or anyone who's not as far on their journey.

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Kira: Put yourself out there. It's fine. It's fun. Just have fun with it. Don't be afraid.

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Robert: One thing about Web3 is that it's a space that isn't local, so you're meeting people from everywhere and the opportunities are endless.

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Coming here, to these conferences, expands your mind and your vision of what your possibilities could be in a way that wouldn’t be possible if you were in your small town or wherever you live. That awakens your creativity in a way that wouldn’t be possible if you weren't out here meeting people and thinking about, you know, what's actually possible.

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1. "Young Women In Film". NFFTY. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
2. Peiken, Matt. "Asheville Filmmaker On The Rise Has Turned Her Apartment Into Intimate Public Installation". www.bpr.org. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
3. "Kira Bursky's New Short Film Fights Bisexual Erasure in Sheet Forts". www.out.com. 2018-02-09. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
4. "This Magical Queer Music Video Will Make Your Day". www.pride.com. 2019-05-31. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
5. "This Magical Short Film About Queer Female Desire Will Make Your Day". www.pride.com. 2018-07-27. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
6. "Give Some Feedback to Get Some Feedback on Your Film With the Free App Critiqr". No Film School. 2018-10-05. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
7. “Kira Bursky”. YouTube. Retrieved 2019-12-15.

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So, let me introduce you to Alex Di Giovanni, a Toronto native who grew up soaking in everything the city had to offer. The hustle and bustle of Kensington Market, the good vibes at Trinity Bellwoods Park, and the mouthwatering food scene at every corner—this guy knew he couldn't live anywhere else. But, as life would have it, Alex was in for a wild ride that would take him from law school to the cutting edge of the crypto world. Ready for the story? Let's dive in!

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Picture this: Alex, a curious and ambitious dude, studying Philosophy at York University. You know, pondering life's big questions, and stuff. While trying to figure out his future, he discovered a passion for social justice, which led him straight into the jaws of law school. But hey, who said lawyers can't change the world?

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As Alex went deeper into the legal realm, he realized the traditional environment was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Working as an associate in corporate law, he got a taste of life with big corporations, regulations, and the whole shebang. But the toxic culture had him craving freedom and, well, a little less of the top dog attitude you find so often there.

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Enter the world of entrepreneurship. With a nudge from his girlfriend and a healthy dose of courage, our man Alex decided to take the leap and start his own law firm called Pando Law. But you know what they say: once you go crypto, you never go back. Or something like that.

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As he dipped his toes into the crypto waters, Alex became fascinated by the democratization and opportunities this magical digital realm offered. With the connections he'd made at his previous gig, he hit the ground running as a crypto lawyer. And let me tell you, this dude was all in.

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So, what's Alex up to these days? He's got his hands full working in the DAO space. For those of you who haven't heard of DAOs, they're short for Decentralized Autonomous Organizations. Think of them as a new type of organizational structure built on blockchain technology, where decision-making is decentralized, and members work collaboratively to achieve common goals. It's like a digital democracy, where everyone has a voice.

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Helping clients navigate the legal twists and turns of these revolutionary new social organizations, Alex is on a mission to shape the future of how people collaborate and make decisions in the digital world. He believes that DAOs have the potential to reshape industries, governance, and even the way we think about companies and organizations.

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He's also been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug—again. This time, he's dipping his toes into the world of real estate tokenization. You know, because why not?

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Real estate tokenization is all about breaking down property assets into bite-sized digital tokens that folks can invest in. Think of it as buying a teeny-tiny piece of a fancy condo or a swanky office building. Pretty cool, right? Alex is planning to unveil his tokenization business at the Collision conference in June, right in the heart of his beloved Toronto.

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Oh, and did I mention he's also planning a trip to Dubai with his girlfriend? Yeah, our boy's got it going on, living life to the fullest while revolutionizing the crypto game. And all this while still making time to enjoy his favorite poutine joint in the city.

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Now, if you thought that was the end of the story, buckle up, because there's a little twist. After wrapping up our interview with Alex, both of us found our cars had been towed! Talk about a bonding experience, right? But hey, a little towing mishap won't slow us down.

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From pondering life's big questions to breaking barriers in the world of crypto (and dealing with pesky tow trucks), Alex Di Giovanni's wild ride is just getting started. So join us as we watch the future of crypto, blockchain, and digital economies get brighter—and more badass—than ever before.

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Check out Alex Di Giovanni on LinkedIn here or visit his website at www.pandolaw.ca

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Sitting on my flight to Denver and planning for a conference I’d been dreaming about attending for over a year, I knew I’d need to catchup on my conference planning and start locking down a plan for the talks I’d be attending. There were multiple stages and just an insane amount of valuable conversations to choose from, but there were some guiding principles I had for my selections given everything I’m currently working on.

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1. Find conversations to learn the latest about DAO’s.
2. Find conversations to learn the latest about UX & Adoption.
3. Find conversations to learn the latest about Web & Music.

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There was a panel I circled that included artists I honestly admit I’d never heard of and yet - I couldn’t wait to hear them speak. I wanted to get the inside scoop from the artists about their journey and hear about the latest and greatest happening in what really should be branded as an underground music movement.

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This article however, isn’t about the panelists (although, I’m working hard to get some interviews with them to bring to all of you!) but it was about the moments following the panel. You see - typically after a panel, the panelists are used to seeing folks from the audience slowly pooling into newly minted fans and waiting to get a chance to connect with them personally and perhaps - get on their radar - who knows! But in the case, this was the first time in my life where I had the thought and sensation expressing “wait! I HAVE to get in line and talk with them. I’m a reporter now!”. It was a glorious feeling.

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While speaking with @Tarotsings for a moment, I noticed someone else racing to get to these artists to make a connection with a reporters urgency. I overheard that he was working on a Web3 Music Podcast called well … The Web3 Music Podcast. (recently rebranded to “The Future of Music” Podcast. His name was Jake Abel. He shared how he’d only recently made the move to start the venture. My first thought was “how is it that entrepreneurs keep getting younger and younger … I’m pretty sure when I was his age I was focused on skipping classes and scoring weed. My second thought was “this kid is really sharp and I can’t wait to listen to this podcast”.

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I hope you like depreciation because, there’s plenty ahead here. Jake and I connected and I was hoping to chat and surprise him with the fact that I wanted to cover his story in our next newsletter, but then played a bit of scheduling ping-pong and didn’t quite get to chat in time for this to come out (which now makes this … part 1 of 2. Nice! an unexpected benefit from my journalistic failures!)

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Although we didn’t get to chat, before heading back to Toronto, I asked Jake what podcast episodes I should listen to so I could download them and one of them was an interview with AJ Washington from Phlote DAO. The interview itself was really smooth, informative and casual. I love seeing entrepreneurs like Jake in their element and doing exactly what they want to be doing. The passion and interest he has regarding the intersection of music and Web3 tech is authentic and it comes through in the discussions and helps to illicit really meaningful dialogue.

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AJ himself was like so many of the founders in the Web3 spaces. Above average IQ, uncanny capacity for both lateral and analytical thinking and he’s playing out a very specific thesis with Phlote DAO around the idea of Curating music to earn and engage. It’s clear they’re a startup and they’re experimenting and pivoting all the time, but that’s exactly what makes this industry so exhilarating and fresh! In the episode, Jake breaks character a few times to show his excitement and fandom because AJ is firing some sharp intellectual ideas about how to solve foundational problems in the music industry and it fires him up.

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AJ talks about how as a musician himself (although a finance guy by day) he, like so many others, saw the artists around him struggling to make a living or earning a living elsewhere just so they can fund their music. His theories around how to solve the problem start with an acknowledgement that 1000 fans who pay $50 can help you convert your efforts into a full time job. Next - you need the power of a network and Phlote is all about leveraging the power of community (the voice of the community decides what gets featured) and network to get the word out. It’s early days for them (helping artists earn $200K+ to date) but - that’s the story everywhere for now. But it won’t be long before these products, artists and stories start to leak into the mainstream. Like so many things today, it’ll take some sort of viral story to start the chain reaction.

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After listening to the episode, I felt that the real story was all about Jake for me, helping me validate the dream that I’m chasing with 3Beats. The age gap is real - but I’m pretty sure we’re both trying to do the same thing on different ends of the media spectrum, shining a light in the dark corners of this music revolution while simultaneously, shining a spotlight on the people who are making it all possible.

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Guess what Jake? You’re now one of those people and the spotlight is on you my friend.

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So, picture this: little ol' me, clutching my brand-spanking-new Game Boy Advance like it was the Holy Grail. I popped in that Mario cartridge and boom, I was hooked. I played so much, I swear I saw those pesky crabs from the game scuttling around in my nightmares. Creepy, right? (True story by the way…)

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From that moment on, I morphed into a certified gaming connoisseur. I went on a whirlwind tour of consoles, from the GameCube (my ride-or-die) to the OG Xbox, before finally settling down with my true love: the computer. I know, I know, I'm skipping a few, but let's not get too bogged down in the details.

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Once I found computers, it was game over (pun intended). My engineer dad's laptop somehow found its way into my eager hands (or, you know, I might've commandeered it), and I dove headfirst into the magical world of online gaming. Anyone remember MiniClip? I’m going somewhere with this, trust me.

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As I ventured deeper into the gaming universe, I discovered strategy games, epic single-player adventures, and the big-league multiplayer titles like DOTA and League of Legends. But nothing could compare to the moment I stumbled upon Counter-Strike.

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Why Counter-Strike, you ask? Well, not only is it the undisputed GOAT of shooters (no bias here), but it's also fiercely competitive with global rankings. And a couple of years in, they introduced these little things called skins. These bad boys quickly became the beating heart of the game's culture and economy, turning some skins into coveted collector's items worth more than a pretty penny. And this, my friends, is where our story takes an interesting turn...

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The Counter-Strike Culture & Economy:

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So there I was, right, up to my eyeballs in Counter-Strike, when I stumbled upon the world of skins. Now, for those of you not in the know, skins are essentially digital cosmetics that change the appearance of your in-game weapons. They don't affect gameplay, but, oh boy, do they make your guns look snazzy.

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Skins started out as a casual little thing, but they quickly snowballed into this massive, global economy. I'm talking about rare skins being traded, bought, and sold for thousands of dollars. And I mean real dollars, not that Monopoly money your little cousin tries to pass off at the arcade.

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But how, you ask, does a simple image file become a high-value commodity? Well, my curious compadres, it all comes down to rarity and demand. You see, skins come in different rarities, from common to ultra-rare, and they're acquired through random drops or opening in-game crates. The rarer the skin, the higher the demand, and the more moolah it's worth. (Remind you of anything? COUGH COUGH - NFTS?)

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Now, where things get really interesting is when you throw in the concept of condition. Skins have different wear levels, ranging from factory new (pristine, baby) to battle-scarred. This adds another layer of value to the mix, with factory new, rare skins fetching astronomical prices on the market.

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The CSGO skin economy operates through a combination of the in-game marketplace (think eBay, but for skins) and third-party trading platforms, where gamers can buy, sell, and trade their digital treasures. Some folks even make a living off of trading skins, like modern-day stockbrokers, but with more frags and fewer suits.

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And as with any economy, there's a dark side to the CSGO skin world: gambling. A number of third-party sites have popped up, allowing players to wager their skins in games of chance, like roulette or coin flips. This has led to some pretty gnarly situations and controversies, but that's a story for another day.

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So where does Web3 fit in?

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Reading myself talk about the CSGO economy, didn’t it all just SCREAM web3 at you?

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Web3, or the decentralized internet, is a technology movement built on blockchain and peer-to-peer networks, aiming to create a more democratic and user-controlled digital space. Think of it as the evolution of the internet, where users have greater control over their data, identity, and digital assets. This has opened up a world of possibilities, particularly in the realm of gaming.

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Well, buckle up, because Web3 has the potential to revolutionize how we interact with in-game assets, creating new and exciting opportunities for gamers and developers alike.

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First up, let's talk about non-fungible tokens, or NFTs. These unique, digital assets are built on blockchain technology and can represent anything from art to virtual real estate. The key feature of NFTs is that they're one-of-a-kind and can be bought, sold, and traded on various platforms. Sounds familiar, right? In a way, NFTs are like the souped-up, next-gen version of CSGO skins, with added benefits like proven ownership, scarcity, and interoperability.

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Imagine a world where your favorite in-game assets, like weapons or skins, become NFTs that you truly own and can use across multiple games, sell on decentralized marketplaces, or even lend to other players. This opens up a whole new dimension of player empowerment, allowing gamers to truly participate in the virtual economies they help create.

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In addition, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) in the Web3 space could further expand the possibilities for gamers. DeFi platforms enable users to lend, borrow, and trade digital assets, paving the way for the creation of more sophisticated in-game economies with real-world value.

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As we venture further into the Web3 era, it's easy to envision a future where gaming and blockchain technology become increasingly intertwined, unlocking new opportunities for gamers, developers, and investors alike. The CSGO skin economy, while impressive in its own right, may just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential of digital gaming economies in the Web3 world.

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So, as we stand on the precipice of a new era in gaming, it's time to strap in and prepare for an exhilarating ride. With Web3 and the world of decentralized technology at the helm, the future of gaming and digital economies is looking brighter – and more exciting – than ever before.

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As the music industry continues to evolve, artists are seeking more ways to earn money and maintain ownership of their work. Enter Web3, a new era of the internet that is powered by blockchain technology, and promises to revolutionize the way we interact with digital assets. With Web3, artists can take control of their creations and monetize them directly, without the need for intermediaries.

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Last week I got the chance to talk about my perspective of the music industry, a place ruled by middlemen, and one spot where artists are taking a massive hit financially due to issues with distribution, current label practices and contract structure. In part two we’ll explore three Web3 companies, Audius, Royal, and Sound.xyz, that are leading the charge in creating platforms for artists to earn money and take ownership of their art. Through their innovative use of blockchain technology, these companies are empowering artists to build sustainable careers in the music industry, while also ensuring that they retain control over their work. Let’s dive in.

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Audius

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We’ll start with one of the biggest, and most well-known Web3 music platforms out there, Audius. Audius is a music streaming platform that allows artists to publish and monetize their music without relying on record labels or paying subscription fees. The platform is decentralized, meaning that it doesn't rely on a single service to deliver music to listeners. Instead, music is streamed from a global network of content nodes that use blockchain technology to maintain copies of the music files across several computers around the world.

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At the heart of Audius is its native cryptocurrency token, AUDIO. Artists can earn AUDIO by appearing on select trending lists within the platform, as well as by transferring their Twitter or Instagram blue check verification to Audius and uploading their first piece of content. The token can be used to unlock unique badges that gamify the platform and to gain voting rights within the Audius governance protocol.

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Listeners use the Audius app to discover and listen to music, create playlists, and see what songs and artists are currently trending. Node operators make finding music possible on Audius by indexing the metadata for all of the platform's content and making it easy for listeners to find new tracks. The platform allows artists to host their music for free, access streaming metrics, and build a following with lower financial barriers compared to many other music streaming services.

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Overall, Audius is a platform that empowers artists and provides a more democratic and decentralized alternative to traditional music streaming services.

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Royal

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The Royal Platform is an innovative music rights marketplace that offers a unique opportunity for artists to generate revenue and secure funding for their projects while maintaining control over their creations.

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By enabling artists to sell ownership shares of their music to fans and investors, the platform allows them to earn money through royalties from streaming services and other sources of income. Fans and investors, in turn, gain a stake in the success of the artist and their music, providing them with a new way to support their favorite musicians.

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With the platform's portfolio view, users can easily manage their token collection and add funds to their account, claim royalties, and transfer cash onto the platform. Funds are immediately available in their balance, allowing them to buy more music or transfer them to their wallet.

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The Royal Platform not only partners with established artists but also collaborates with rising independent artists, enabling fans to invest in their favorite musicians and discover new ones to support. Some notable artists the platform has worked with include Bingo Players, Madison Ryann Ward, Matt Cooper, Yemi Alade, and more.

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The Royal Platform is an exciting new way for artists to monetize their music and for fans to invest in their favorite musicians. It's a win-win situation that benefits everyone involved. Whether you're an artist or a music lover, it's definitely worth checking out!

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Sound.xyz

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Sound.xyz is changing the way that musicians earn money and connect with their fans. The platform allows non-established artists to create and sell NFTs of their music, which provides a new revenue stream and a way to build a closer relationship with their fans.

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The platform was founded with the goal of helping lesser-known musicians earn income and gain recognition in the music industry. A problem we made very clear in last week’s edition! By using NFTs, musicians can create a limited series of digital assets that are unique to each artist, which can be sold to fans as a way to support their work. The NFTs are stored on the Ethereum blockchain via IPFS, which ensures that they are secure and can be easily tracked.

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Sound.xyz has already raised 5 million USD in seed capital, with support from notable investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, 21 Savage, and Coinbase Ventures. The platform has also launched a project called "Listening Parties," which allows artists to sell tagged NFTs to the release of new songs. This provides an opportunity for artists to show off new pieces in the form of limited edition NFTs and build excitement among their fans.

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One of the unique features that set Sound apart from the competition, is the "golden egg" hidden within each song. Fans can leave a comment on the music, guessing where the golden egg is located within the song. If they guess correctly, their NFT will be upgraded with a 1/1 edition of a unique work of art of the artist's choice. This creates a fun and engaging experience for fans and also provides additional value to the NFTs.

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In addition to providing a new revenue stream for artists, Sound.xyz also creates a community for musicians and their fans to connect. The platform has a Discord community where listeners can connect with performers through weekly gatherings, joint projects, and much more.

With the support of notable investors and a dedicated team of experts, Sound.xyz is poised to continue growing and innovating in the years to come.

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At the end of the day...

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The rise of Web3 technology has the potential to transform the music industry by providing artists with new ways to monetize their work and maintain control over their creations. Companies like Audius, Royal, and Sound.xyz are leading the charge, offering innovative solutions that democratize the industry and offer artists more opportunities for success. With these platforms, musicians can earn revenue directly from their fans, create limited edition digital assets that are unique to each artist, and gain a stake in their own success. If you're an artist or a music lover, subscribing to our weekly newsletter will help you stay informed about the latest developments in the music industry and the impact of Web3 technology. Don't miss out on the future of music!

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After operating for close to five years, In October 2020, my Product Design Studio (You X Ventures) was acquired by a B2B SaaS company in the states. I was proud of the acquisition - even if it wasn’t a life-changing one, and I looked forward to joining a team focused on building a singular product instead of supporting multiple projects simultaneously. It was a welcomed change and quite honestly - a relief in a lot of ways.

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It was nice not to have to worry about making payroll every month and ensuring that dozens of people were all taken care of. Simply narrowing my fiscal responsibility and awareness to my wife and three children felt right.

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Without clear next steps, I started to find consulting gigs in UX, Product Strategy, and Design. Before I knew it, I was earning more in a month than I’d ever earned before. I was working with really wonderful teams on meaningful projects and feeling quite humbled about the state of things. I even got an opportunity to support an innovation program with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

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Life was good.

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Life was … simple.

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and then ….

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I joined the Random Character Collective Discord, and the rabbit hole emerged.

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For those that aren’t aware, the Random Character Collective was the group behind the Slim Hoods NFT project and was now working on a new collection called “Invisible Friends’”. The moment I stumbled into this community, I knew that something totally new and amazing was underway.

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It was mysterious.

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It was fun.

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It was joyful.

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It was silly.

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It was tribal.

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It was exciting.

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But of all the things that excited me, it was the creative spirit and love for artistic expression that really captured my imagination.

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and then … a friend send me my first NFT.

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and then … I was introduced to the wonderful world of Bankless.

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and then … one of my active clients helped me understand blockchain & protocol fundamentals.

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and on and on it went.

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The entrepreneur in me never stood a chance. Within two weeks, I’d abandon my creature comforts and starting contemplating the possibilities. I didn’t want to start the same design agency that just so happened to work in crypto. The model needed to match the moment and that’s when I thought of a venture studio model that would allow us to play the long game with the best and brightest companies in the space. My smile and fire had returned.

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With all the backstory shared, this post isn’t about what happened next or how its going, its about sharing some perspective on the state of crypto evolution from my POV as a new founder having now swim in the sea for over a year and working on over 20+ Web3 projects with hundreds of people. To say it’s been an education would be a silly understatement. There’s just so much I’ve learned and unlearned since being pulled into crypto gravitational orbit. Here’s a stream of consciousness with ‘my take’ on Web3.

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1. Crypto is like a massive mirror that we’re holding in front of ourselves, reminding us all that value is a construct that we co-create as a society. Anything regardless of its properties can hold value if enough people see value in it.
2. Regardless of how messy DAOs are today, it's hard to imagine a future where every organization doesn’t decentralize a division of their business. (which leads me to #3)
3. We’re still very … VERY early.
4. For some reason, crypto’s potential to bank the unbanked and support universal basic income for every human being on this planet just doesn’t get enough publicity and attention.
5. We’re going to have to continue to evolve the level of respect we have for everyone's identity, not simply regarding who we identify as in our physical existence, but equally so in our virtual one.
6. Overall, there aren’t enough business-minded people collaborating with technical, creative and operational minds to help reimagine the economy that crypto enables. DeFi is leading the way, however, we need more perspectives and yes - design thinkers in the room.
7. Tokenization of absolutely every asset will be the norm within a few years so long as regulators don’t overcomplicate things.
8. We still don’t know what the Metaverse is, and it doesn’t really matter because it’s limitless and doesn’t require a sandbox.
9. We need to ensure we catalog, honor, and restore some of the redeeming qualities of institutions before we replace them. We can’t afford to relive history’s harshest lessons in the name of progress. We need to work together more than ever.
10. I believe that love, respect, equality, and freedom all rest within the heart of this crypto wonderland. It’s our job as founders to keep fanning those embers so that the fire we start only warms and doesn’t burn.

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I hope this sheds some light on what remains a relatively dark room for most when it comes to Web3. Overall, Blockchain is perhaps the best possible name for the core tech underlying everything because, at the end of the day, it’s all a bunch of blocks for us to build with. Even though that wasn’t the intention of the brand and I’m ignoring the “chain” part - it still rings true.

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We have a long way to go and ultimately, technology is nothing more than an opportunity to do things we’ve never done before. What those things are and how we choose to redesign our lives with the tools at our disposal is totally up to the people playing blocks.

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The sun was already setting across the arid prairie landscape, rushing past the windows of the train as it took me from the airport into Denver.

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I knew the address of the H.E.R. DAO hackerhouse I was staying at, and took an Uber from Union Station there. Quick info bite for the newbies –

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Decentralized autonomous organizations are kind of like clubs for crypto enthusiasts, only they typically operate under a shared goal, giving each member an equal say in making decisions. H.E.R. DAO, which stands for holistic emancipation resource, is a women-centered developer DAO, long term, H.E.R. aims to become the leading launchpad for womxn-led blockchain ventures.

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After the Uber dropped me off, I found myself ringing the doorbell to a giant townhome. When no one answered the door, I became somewhat worried I might have gotten the address wrong. All I had, as a reference, was one email with the written address of the house. To my relief, upon ringing again, a young woman, one of the hackers, answered the door.

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Here, I was going to stay until March 2nd. The house had 4 floors and 4 bedrooms, with a rooftop terrace. I found a bedroom that still had an empty bed and unpacked. Over the next hours and days, I slowly met the hackers (working on projects to submit to ETH Denver Hackathon) and participated in different events that H.E.R. DAO hosted, from breakfasts to a coding workshop. Different organizations, such as Shell Protocol and Mina sponsored these events.

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Most of my time was spent outside the hackerhouse though. You see at a conference like ETH Denver there are, at any given point in time, at least 3 side events to explore. These side events range from workshops, to mini-conferences and summits, speaker series, parties, coworking sessions, and even wellness classes.

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I, for one, ended up creating a lizard out of beads on my first day, after grabbing my badge from the conference venue. I saw a table set up with an eclectic selection of beads, strings, and people for that matter. It was a whole vibe. I sat down and was given instructions by one of the members of BEAD DAO (yes they have a DAO for everything), on how to start beading my lizard. Sitting at the table with me was Benny Giang, a founding member of Cryptokitties. I had met Benny 4 years earlier, in Vancouver, in the early founding days. Back then I knew absolutely nothing about web3, let alone Cryptokitties…

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After I finished my lizard and made about 6 new friends, I wandered off to a Women in Web3 panel discussion at another venue. At this event, run by F3, I ran into Rime, who I had seen on social media before. Rime is a Pop and R&B singer-songwriter and has reached global success with her music. Recently, Rime has moved into the NFT space, creating a music NFT collection. Catch an interview with her in one of the next newsletters!

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I ended up heading with Rime to a New Creator Economy Summit, about a 25-minute walk away. Many of the talks focused on the problem of ownership for creators in Web2, with creators not owning content, and sometimes even having to pay to access it. I found out about Lens Protocol, and web3 apps that are disrupting the way creators own and monetize their content, like LensTube, and Bonfire.

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I won’t go into each event I attended. It was a blur of taking Ubers from one end of the city to the other. At times, I only stayed at one venue for a few minutes, after realizing there is another, maybe more relevant event taking place at the same time.

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Even though there were parties pretty much every night during the week of ETH Denver, I only really spent time at one, an evening in a Church, remodelled inside into a nightclub of sorts. This party was hosted by Lukso and Divinity. The church had a dance floor, a terrace overlooking the dance floor, and another room, adjacent, with more mingling vibes and opportunities to talk. I met A LOT of people that night, adding about 15 telegram chats to my ETH Denver folder on Telegram.

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Oh yeah, if you haven’t started with folders on Telegram, do it now! Web3 community lives on and loves Telegram! That’s the only way to keep these conversations organized.

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One of my favourite side events was a Women in Web3 Summit, hosted by SheFi and Enso Collective. The event was held at esp, a records-only listening bar (absolutely worth visiting if you ever find yourself in Denver). I met Maggie Love, the founder of SheFi, and other female leaders in the space, working on incredible projects.

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The 2nd of March, I was supposed to move from the H.E.R. Dao hackerhouse to the hostel provided by ETH Denver for scholarship recipients. With a small group of women from my hackerhouse we took an Uber to the address and searched for ‘the hostel’. The Uber ride led us to the National Western Complex, where the main conference was taking place. No signage led to any hostel, and neither security nor any of the other staff knew where to lead us. We decided to follow signage to a ‘Zen zone’. This lead us to a Rodeo Arena, decked out with fairy lights, and streaming spa music on speakers inside. We took the stairway down and were met by a pungent smell of what likely was horse or cow manure. Yum.

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We were on the right path though, down here, in this first part of the Rodeo Arena, was the registration for the ‘hostel’. Upon registering, and walking a few steps further, to our great bewilderment, we saw about 400 blown-up air mattresses, laid out side by side. An eerie silence followed between the 4 of us. The realization sunk in that we would have to sleep here, in the Rodeo Arena…

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Over the coming days many of us found somewhere else to crash, a friend’s hotel room, some Airbnb in Denver, housing with an organization that still had an empty room in the lodging for their employees… Through this Rodeo Arena hostel though, I ended up staying two nights outside of Denver, in Golden, in a house in the mountains, where a new web3 friend was residing. It was a house full of web3 people, some founders, some new to the space, and even a web3 baby was there. The cool part about this space is that people are so adaptable, responsive, and helpful. Most people in web3 are eager to meet others, more of their kind, more ambitious builders, believing in what others think to be crazy.

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I had found an unlikely web3 home in the mountains.

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The people who I met at this house became my tribe for the rest of my time at ETH Denver. These people, 4 of which owned an RV and drove around with it, took me to different events and parties. We stayed together.

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One event that we went to together was web3 meetup, organized by CryptoBabesClub and F3STIVAL. What resonated with me the most was the idea of providing a SAFE SPACE for women and the importance of mutual support. Hearing other women's stories is so helpful. It's crucial that we continue to create these safe spaces and lift each other up as we navigate through the challenges of the Web3 industry.

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At this event, I ran into Joana Orlova, Community Manager at Banyan Collective, who I had met almost one year ago in Miami, at another Cryptobabes event during BTC Miami. We were thrilled! This is something I so love about this space. It is still small enough to recognize the same faces, and to meet each other again and again, at different events around the world that bring this community together.

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I returned a few days later to the ‘Zen zone’ to pick up a suitcase I had left there. At this time the zen zone had brought in puppies, there was a yoga class ongoing, and someone was talking about the magic of mushrooms. This was all happening in that first part of the Rodeo Arena. I was positively surprised. And puppies! Come on…

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I also took some time during the last day to really tour the National Western Complex, which housed the Spork Castle, the main conference. It was gigantic! Overwhelming would be an understatement. There was a lot going on. From a tabletop Gaming Arena to a Builders Hub, an Art Auction and Gallery, Hacking Zone, Coworking Lounge, and even a DJ Chill Room. It took some time to discover all.

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During my week at Eth Denver I held several interviews, which you can catch in the following newsletters. One was with NFT artist and filmmaker Kira Bursky. Her mental health celebrating NFT collection "Magic Mind" recently donated $10,000 in cryptocurrency to mental health organizations.

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There are incredible people in web3, whose stories you have probably never heard of. Many of these people I found at ETH Denver this year. ETH Denver, above all, brings people together who believe in the potential of web3, and want to build, and co-create amazing things together. Regardless of how deflated people feel about the industry, there are still an enormous number of young entrepreneurs, developers, and creatives experimenting with different product/business ideas and building.

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The music industry is an ever-shifting landscape that can be both thrilling and daunting. I've had the pleasure (and in all honesty, the frustration) of navigating it’s terrain as a producer and DJ for several years now, releasing songs with major record labels (and starting my own), garnering over a million streams on streaming platforms, and organizing tours for some of the world's biggest DJ's. I've seen first-hand the immense power of social media and streaming platforms to launch careers, as well as the opportunities that Web3 technology presents to independent artists.

With tools like Smart Contracts and the ability to tokenize music, the music industry is now more accessible than ever before. Artists can take control of their music and build a fan base without relying on a record label or traditional distribution channels. In this article, I'll give my insight into the current challenges artists face when releasing music, and explore how Web3 technology could revolutionize ownership in the space. From the potential of blockchain-based platforms to the challenges of monetizing your music, I'll provide an artist's perspective on this constantly evolving industry.

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Releasing music in 2023 (without Web3)

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In the past 20 years, the music industry as a whole has undergone a radical transformation, with technology playing a central role in driving the industry forward. I still remember dragging my parents to the store to buy Nickelback CDs with me… and now I have to scour google and drive 25 minutes just to find a vinyl store that’s close by.

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I get it - we’re not in the golden age of the compact disc anymore, but trust me, I’ve also embraced the new age of streaming. Services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music make it easier than ever for people to access the music they want to hear, from anywhere and at any time. This has drastically increased the reach of musicians, and as a result, the industry has seen an increase in streaming revenue and overall growth in revenue for musicians.

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Well… Yes, and no.

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In a recent article from Rolling Stone, “U.S. listeners are spending more money on music than ever before: over $20 billion a year. Total music revenues - including from on-demand streams, CD sales, radio play, live events, advertising - have risen to about $43 billion a year.”

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“Of that, artists only take home $5 billion, or about 12%”

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In the U.S. alone, there are over a million artists, and the top 1% take home most of the dough. To give you a better perspective, let’s walk through the process.

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Let’s make the assumption the track is already made, and I’ve already spent 40 hours sifting through different snare sounds that nobody other than me will notice to make it absolutely perfect.

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The first blocker any artist will hit is distribution. And you’ll face two options:

• Release with a record label
• Release on your own (with a distribution partner)

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p.s. I’m an EDM artist, so this breakdown might be a tad different for others…

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Releasing music with a record label typically involves signing over all rights to the master (the song itself), agreeing to a 50/50 split of net receipts, and a mutually agreed upon date of release to all streaming platforms and the public.

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These rights are applicable to “The World and The Universe” as most of my contracts like to say… If me and Elon fly to Mars I’ll make sure to send the label any profits ;)

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Anyways… Promotion, marketing, and advertising budgets may also be included in the agreement. However, the bigger the label, the smaller the revenue split for the producer, with most large labels only offering up to 10%. You’ll get connections to press that otherwise would take years to build, opportunities to tour, and a whole lot more. But all of those pieces cost money, and all of them come from your pocket before you get paid.

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On the other hand, releasing a track on your own involves maintaining all rights to the master, as well as full control of the release date, promotional strategies, and marketing. This typically allows for a higher percentage of net receipts from streaming services, in-store purchases, ad revenue, etc. However, it also requires a greater investment of time and resources to ensure a successful release. This can include creating content for social media platforms, reaching out to press outlets and radio stations, setting up tour dates, and more. Plus, there are usually fees based on which distribution partner you choose (there are tons out there but the most popular are Distrokid and Repost by Soundcloud).

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But that’s only the first step… Then we get into the most important - promotion.

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From creating your artwork to making music videos, posting teaser clips on social, behind-the-scenes content to all your accounts… Promotion is like the online version of a hail mary in football. You’re just hoping there’s someone on the other end that’ll catch what you’re throwing down.

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BUT - luckily with TikTok, there just might be. Overnight successes are coming up day by day, like Silk over here:

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From an idea on the train with a small following, to 5.7 million streams in a matter of 3 months. Mind-blowing if you ask me.

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Look, I’ll get to the point. To even release music to the public, is a huge process for artists worldwide. And yet, even with all the success stories, and the massive streaming numbers, it’s hard to make a living in music. Services like Spotify pay around $0.003 per stream.

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A full time touring, mid-tier musician makes about $48k/year. I think that’s where Web3 helps the most.

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The Opportunity

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Music is an industry where middlemen have traditionally been a necessity to fill the gaps needed to get music from artists to audiences. Labels and streaming services take a hefty cut, leading to less money for those who actually make the music.

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Let’s be clear! I’m not saying there’s no place for these middlemen… There are labels that provide tremendous value to help artists through the production process, live shows, and experiences that some maybe they might not be equipped to do. But producers invested in web3 believe that blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs will make the middlemen who serve no purpose other than to facilitate transactions largely redundant.

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Web3 will do it better; it's going to be more efficient, it's going to put royalties in the right place.

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Platforms everywhere are rising up to make it easy for artists to build a community to foster relationships and monetize their fanbase utilizing blockchain technology. From NFTs that introduce exciting ways for artists to share ownership of the rights to songs, or listening parties and live streams in the metaverse to connect with fans... Blockchain is only starting to filter into the music industry, and we at 3Beats strongly believe it’ll be one of the places most heavily impacted.

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For musicians, this technology opens up a world of possibilities. They can leverage the transparency and trust provided by blockchain tech to build strong relationships with their fans. This is allowing musicians to engage their fans directly, and creating more meaningful connections that can lead to longer-term loyalty.

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For fans, web3 technology is providing more opportunities to show their support for their favorite musicians. From buying digital art to streaming the music they love, fans are now able to directly contribute to the success of the musicians they follow. This is creating a more meaningful experience for fans and a more sustainable one for musicians.

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So where do we go from here?

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It's clear that the potential of blockchain, web3, and metaverse technologies to revolutionize the music industry has sparked a lot of excitement. Music has always been about bringing people together and creating shared memories, and the platforms that are emerging based on immersive and experiential technologies offer new ways to share and appreciate music. This could also mean a fairer deal for artists, and more options for fans to make sure their money is going directly to the artists they want to support. Next week, in part 2 of our series, we'll take a closer look at a few of these platforms and explore how they are changing the way artists use Web3.

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Growing up in Ankara, Turkey’s Capital city, Arda struggled to find the redeeming qualities he was looking for within the country he loves. Like many others, he had concerns regarding the transparency of his government, and the separation of politics and religious extremism.  After personally experiencing the Gezi Park protests at 13 years old and a coup a few years later at 16, Arda felt the teenage angst one feels when you want to drive on that open highway and you’re stuck in bumper to bumper traffic.

With a steadfast plan to study engineering, Arda began exploring opportunities to study abroad. He was looking at both the US and Canada before settling on Canada, partially because as a kind hearted young man - he knew it was his mothers preference. With several applications resulting in offers, In August of 2016, he settled on the University of Toronto, and with a hopeful and heavy heart travelled five thousand miles across the Atlantic to his new home.

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Once settled in, some of Arda’s connection introduced him to crypto and that curiosity lead to dabbling in small investments and world of DeFi. In 2022, he was introduced to a few DAO’s and immediately felt an emotional connection to them. I asked him if he was drawn to DAO’s due to their core structure of transparency and empowerment for individuals. He smiled and replied “I hadn’t thought of that but now that you mention it - it makes a lot of sense”.

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Arda was always fascinated by freedom of expression and the culture of cooperation and so it was inevitable that he’d try his hand at entrepreneurship. After starting a scooter sharing company and learning a ton at some corporate internships, he started DAO Hub in March of 2022 as a place to discover and invest in DAO’s. Today the core focus of the company is shifting to providing analytics and insights for DAO’s themselves. Arda was quite literally - living his best life and while he missed his family, he knew that starting a life in Canada was the right call.

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Then, on Feb 6th, 2023 a 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook the foundation of northwestern Turkey - sending emotional shockwaves to Turkish people around the world.

“That night, I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t know what to do” Arda shared. “I knew Ankara was one of the safer cities to be because it’s not on a fault line”. “I called my parents to see if they were ok. They were sleeping. They didn’t even know what was going on”.

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“In Turkey, if someone asks you where you’re from, there’s two meanings to that. One is - what city were you born in and the other refers to where your ancestors are” - “my ancestors are from Adiyaman which is one of the cities that was impacted.”

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Arda and I talked for a while after about some of the numbers and data coming out of the country. Over 40,000 deaths, over 25 million in need of assistance and it was palpable the he didn’t believe any of the numbers that were coming out. The sense was - it’s even worse then people think.As donations began flooding in, it was clear that Web3 had something unique to offer in terms of the transparency around fund allocation. With that said, those of us in Web3 know that transparency is one thing - but trust is another. Finding DAO’s to trust is something we need to do to advance the space. Entities like endaoment and the giving block have helped funnel crypto folks eager to help in the right direction and NFT artists like Jack Butchet have also helped showcase how holders can do good. On the business side, BNB Chain stepped up with a $5M donation and others like Avalanche have made large donations of $1M towards the countries relief funds. “It’s been good to see the response from the crypto community” Arda shared, “the transparency within the financial structure brings huge value. In terms of knowing who to trust, it’s still early and we’ll see improvements in this area”.

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As we started to wrap up our chat and finish our coffees, I could see the entrepreneurial side of Arda’s personality kick in. Unlike so many founders I’ve met in the past, Arda’s tone is always a soft-spoken one, never brash and more focused on active listening and processing his thoughts before sharing them. Despite his size (over 6 feet tall), you always get the feeling that he sees you eye to eye.

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“We need to build smart cities” he shares with his voice raised only a decibel or two. “we need to do better and build infrastructure that can help these cities when the next earthquakes come”.

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While Turkey has an uphill climb ahead in the years to come, it’s clear that the crypto community holds social impact and a love for humanity within its core values. After an afternoon together, it’s clear to me that people like Arda represent the hopeful and optimistic disposition living within the core of this decentralized community and Turkish people around the world who dream of coming back one day and wanting to call it home again.

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It was around 2 pm the 23rd, one day before the official opening of the annual NFT Paris conference. I had just arrived at Charles De Gaulles Airport, where a courteous Uber Driver met me at the exit doors, and insisted on lugging my suitcase to his car. This kind of service you certainly don’t find in Berlin (my current home base). Almost an hour later, 15 minutes of which were stuck in dense, stop-and-go traffic, I arrived at my hotel, a quaint little building at the Place du Marechal Juin roundabout. I was famished. After a 7-hour journey, with a stopover in Frankfurt, the hunger, and excitement to try food in Paris was hitting next levels. What I didn’t expect was that I’d find myself in an overcrowded MacDonald's, ordering a burger and some fries as there doesn’t seem to be any decent food and service in the restaurants around the 8th arrondissement. It is no news, I find out, that food is a struggle in Paris.

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Nevertheless, I am about to attend the biggest annual NFT conference in the world. The conference, I later find out, includes a list of incredible speakers, and panels (who actually has time to research all the happenings beforehand?). The only thing I had organized in my schedule was a few side events, and an interview with a web3 founder with a remarkable story, who I had met at Next Blockchain Expo in Berlin, 3 months earlier. We’ll get to that in a bit…

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Due partly to the lack of preparation, I spent my first night in Paris in my hotel room, researching to prepare myself for the interview the next morning. At around 10 pm, I get a call from one of my web3 friends, a founder in the space, “Where are you going tonight?” He is scoping, trying to figure out what party will be the best option and how we might be able to get into those, that we didn’t register for in time. You see, this is how it works in web3. You find a Google sheet, in a telegram chat, that you stumbled upon, probably through some other web3 person you’re following on Twitter. In that Google sheet, people collaborate to fill in side events that they know of, usually, one ambitious person starts the sheet, and others add to it on a semi-regular basis. There is not much time to set up your schedule beforehand.

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Two weeks before the start of NFT Paris, I checked the side events tab on the main conference web page, and it was empty. I checked a couple of times after that and then simply gave up on getting a schedule from the main organizers. Hence, the self-made Google Sheet. Very web3, very decentralized. Just a few keen people putting something together that they have a need for and sharing it with others, who might also have a need for it.

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The parties (that I missed) included a Deadfellaz Party and a Boat Party by Pudgy Penguins and DeGods. At least a little bit of FOMO there…

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As my friend is heading to a party, I prep, read, and try to make myself a roughly put-together schedule for the next couple of days. I find a networking breakfast and women and non-binary NFT exhibition at the NFT Factory for the next morning, which I register myself for. This art gallery of sorts was established by a collective of 128 leaders in tech and crypto, artists, investors, and business executives from companies such as Allianz Accelerator, Arianee, Blackpool, LaCollection, Dogami, Ethereum France, Galeries Lafayette group, Ledger, Museum of Crypto Art (MOCA), NFT Morning Podcast, RTFKT Studios, The Sandbox, and Sorare…Sounds relevant, sounds interesting. I love spaces that encapsulate and bring together a diverse group of people. Web3 is heavily male-dominated.  According to a report by The Female Quotient and EWG Unlimited, only a staggering 19 percent of people who own digital currency identify as women. Perhaps because of that, the community of women that I know are all the more welcoming, all the more friendly and helpful.

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The next morning, I take the metro from my hotel to the NFT Factory. The NFT Factory is receiving funding from the French government as it „intends to accelerate the development of NFTs in the country through the investment of public money“.  It looks like a futuristic storefront from the outside. As I step closer, The sliding doors open, I step in and am engulfed in chatter and see different NFTs projected on 52 screens around the roughly 20 m by 10 m room. I scan the space, seeing if I find a familiar face, and trying to place people.

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This exhibition was a The WXw3 initiative, organized by MakersPlace, World of Women, Eyes of Fashion and The Fabricant with the intent to bring more eyes to works by female and non-binary artists. Not long after I find myself meeting Georgia Andre, responsible for community and events for Makersplace who agrees to have me film her introducing herself on camera. Georgia, as I’ve found are most people in this space, is happy for the opportunity. She is excited to tell people about her passion for showcasing art from a diversity of artists and supporting artists and wants more people to know about it.

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I don’t have much time though, and head out to an address that Christian Brown (my interviewee) provided me with to shoot the interview at. This address is one of 17 WeWorks in Paris, and he suggested we film the interview on the rooftop. I meet Christian at the entrance, and he guides me through huge halls, workspaces with dozens of people. We take an elevator up to the last floor and reach the rooftop terrace. I am left aghast, taking in the 360° view of Paris around me. I set up my equipment and we talk about his journey as a young African-American entrepreneur, to starting Blimish and how he found himself in Paris (catch that in our next newsletter). About an hour later I am already off to my next destination.

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I am on my way to grab my badge at the main conference. Am I the only one who typed NFT Paris into Google Maps and ended up at a random building, around 30 minutes from the actual venue? It takes me another 30 minutes to get from the NFT Paris on Google Maps to the actual event venue. The conference is in Le Grand Palais Ephemere, (talk about the venue). I get into a hall with stand after stand, and some fun, interactive art to play with scattered throughout. At one end of the conference, people are lining up to get upstairs. No one seems to know what they are lining up for, and I only find out the next day that the main stage is upstairs and there is limited capacity to get into the room.

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A side event that I found the night before is about to start, so I head out and end up at Lieu 37 Gallery, where a Women in Web3 Tea Party event is undergoing. This event is put on by Yingzi Yuan, founder of Metaverse Summit, and Yasmina Kazitani, CMO of Intervere AI. Curator Yue Wang has invited 7 amazing female artists for the exhibition, Nexus Femina. I spot a familiar face, Yip, one of the governors of H.E.R. Dao who I had also met 3 months earlier at NBX.

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Web3 is still small. It is a community of builders, dreamers, ambitious believers, and people who align with the core principles of web3, trustlessness, decentralization, and permissionlessness. Yip is eager to introduce me to everyone I know so that I can capture soundbites of little introductions of the faces that make this space run. For networking, the side events hosted by different NFT Projects are vital. These events are an incredible opportunity to connect with individuals and businesses within the NFT community and learn more about their creative processes, the challenges they face, and the opportunities that the NFT landscape presents.

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On the 25th, I really get a chance to hang out at the main conference hall and attend some truly inspiring talks and sessions that left me feeling on top of the world. One of those sessions was "NFT For Good - NFTs for an inclusive, equitable future” with Diane Drubay from Tezoz, Maliha Abidi, who founded Women Rise, and incredible Inna Modja, Pablo Stanley, moderated by Alejandro Navia from NFTNOW. Inna Modja is a multi-talented Malian artist, a singer, but also an actress, composer, and director. Beyond her artistic career, she is also heavily involved in social and environmental causes. Inna also participated in the creation of a virtual reality project in partnership with the #Decentraland platform, which allows you to explore a digital version of Bamako, the capital of Mali. Catch my interview with her in one of the coming newsletters.

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One personal highlight was seeing Amber Jae Slooten on a Women in Web3 Panel. Amber is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of The Fabricant. She started the Fabricant in 2018, a time during which I was working on a fashion-tech start-up, focusing on providing consumers with digital try-on-sessions, and digital fashion collections. In 2018 I knew nothing about crypto, or anything the likes of. I simply wanted to solve a problem for myself and others. During my many bouts of research at the time I stumbled upon the Fabricant, and found Amber’s profile. It was a full-circle moment for me to tell her this story after she had spoken on stage, and to schedule an interview with her, which will also be available in one of the upcoming newsletters.

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Overall I was impressed by the fantastic line-up of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and workshops, all centered around the theme of NFTs and their impact on the future of art, gaming, and e-commerce. It was also wonderful to see the sense of meaning of communities around NFT collections (that pretty much exclusively happens online, on discord, twitter), coming in real life, from exclusive groups, wearable, dinners, parties, gatherings, drops, and collaboration. Many sessions touched on the topics of virtual fashion because in this area the tech already unleashes added value. From try-on mechanisms over certificates of authenticity for luxury pieces to clothes and styles for avatars - all of those use cases are answers to existing consumer needs.

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In total around 10,000 people attended NFT Paris.

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