On stage in the picture: Key speakers included Gauthier Zuppinger (Non Fungible Conference), Sebastien Borget (Sandbox), and Samot C (Samot Club).
Highlights from Day 1
The Sandbox Co-Founder and COO, Sebastien Borget, who also co-founded this inaugural event alongside Non Fungible, opened the session by asking attendees how many were familiar with Sandbox a year ago versus today. He expressed hope that Sandbox’s brand recognition would become universal within the NFT space by next year. Samot Club’s founder from Mexico shared the challenges artists faced before NFTs and emphasized their mission to increase recognition for Latin American creators, with plans to open offices in Buenos Aires and Brazil.
Non Fungible Co-Founder Gauthier Zuppinger shared staggering growth statistics for the NFT market in 2022, noting a 21,350% increase from the previous year. Many in the audience who had not yet ventured into NFTs or NFT-related assets seemed eager to engage actively in the space moving forward.
What Gamers Love and Dislike
Traditional online games were once purchased for a fixed price, but today’s play-to-earn games have introduced new dynamics. According to Romain Delnaud, Alien Worlds, Neon District, Axie Infinity, and Sorare are among the least favored brands among gamers. Despite this, Sorare remains widely popular in France, allowing players to earn without significant effort.
Neutral games, such as DeFi Kingdoms, Crypto Raiders, and Decentraland, maintain moderate appeal. Meanwhile, popular titles like Cometh, Game of Blocks, Thetan Arena, and SkyWeaver are well-received, with Gods Unchained topping the list as a fan favorite.
Understanding NFT Value Growth
On average, NFTs have experienced a value increase of 1542%, with ownership durations of just 48 dagen to realize such returns. In 2021, only 2.5 million crypto wallets held NFTs, suggesting significant room for growth. CryptoChipy predicts over 10 million wallets will hold at least one NFT by the end of 2022. What’s your prediction?
Mode in de Metaverse
If you’ve explored platforms like Axie Infinity, Decentraland, Sandbox, or Enjin, you may already be familiar with wearable NFTs. Many conference attendees showcased Metaverse fashion, competing in contests or exploring the Metaverse fashion corner for new wearables. Accessories, especially headgear, showcased bold and unique designs, from gold helmets adorned with red feathers to avant-garde sunglasses. What will you wear in the Metaverse?
Art from Mariupol at NFC 2022
One of the conference rooms was dedicated to showcasing art related to the ongoing war in Ukraine, with a focus on Mariupol.
Key Topics for Tuesday, April 5, 2022
The second day featured an exciting lineup of sessions, including:
- Perspectives from three curated crypto art platforms: Featuring MakersPlace, Institut, Snart Art, and Artnet.
- The future of fine art photography in the Metaverse: Exploring how NFTs can transform photography.
- Do you like your JPEG? Delving into what makes profile picture NFTs unique and valuable.
- Non Fungible Token Security: Tips for safeguarding your NFTs.
- Diversified investment strategies in Web3: Insights from early-stage investors in projects like Polkadot and Solana.
- An NFT investment master class: Strategies for navigating the NFT market.
- What traditional art players don’t understand about NFTs: Bridging the gap between the NFT community and traditional art perspectives.
Noteworthy NFT Projects
The event highlighted several intriguing NFT projects. My top pick was MunchiesNFT, available on OpenSea. This project stands out for its creativity and educational focus, featuring nearly 1,000 unique traits and artworks inspired by over 50 famous artists, including Van Gogh, Picasso, and Banksy. With a low entry price of 0.025 ETH and a limited supply, MunchiesNFT offers an exciting opportunity.
Other notable projects included De verzameling en Crypto Graffers, though their high editions and staking opportunities cater to different audiences. Lastly, I’m eager to learn more about Genesis-drop, an innovative project combining sculpture and dance.