NFT Paris was a mesh pit of uber-stylish people from all walks of life. Fusing fashion, art, gaming and some series discussions around the future of Web3 is no easy feat. However, this year's conference was a fantastic display of all that we have come to know and love about the world of NFTs. More than ever before the connection between digital and physical brands was on display.
From the recently wrapped McLaren by Prime Skills car at the entrance, to the eye-watering hot sauces of Chainzoku, physical connections to digital economies seem to be getting into a take-off position. The physical connections to these digital worlds make them feel even more tangible.
Sitting down with community members from Decentraland who had met for the very first time was heartwarming. Each has their own genesis story of how they ended up in the Metaverse, each has a reason for spending time in online spaces and each has a unique role to play in the future of growth of this niche sector of our vast online touchpoints.
No longer is it true to say that traditional business models are being transformed. Today, NFT communities are merging traditional business models and products with virtual economies that can scale way beyond what was once only imaginable.
On day two there were plenty of panels, events and brands to explore with a fashion show at the Rekt booth taking centre stage. Again, there is a common thread here. The physical fashion world works hand in hand with digital economies.
In 2021, seeing patents from major brands investigating the potential of the Metaverse was a weekly occurrence. Today, this experimentation has passed to existing crypto communities who understand the value captured within their own ecosystem. Sure, it mightn’t be a household name in Web2 but it doesn’t need to be to harness the power of digital communities.
Physical to digital to physical
While early metaverse and NFT experiments were dominated by gaming and hype, we’re now seeing the beginnings of real utility. Our online environments are becoming spaces of discovery and even renewal, allowing users to reimagine their identities and interactions in ways that were previously impossible. Platforms like Upland are bridging the gap between the physical and digital, enabling users to buy, sell, and trade virtual real estate that mirrors real-world locations. This connection between digital ownership and tangible spaces is asking us to think about property, commerce, and community in an increasingly hybrid world.
Also, an interesting point to note was the presence of more event managers discussing future physical get-togethers.
Proof of Talk and NFC Lisbon were making an impact and presenting the next big NFT gatherings. The digital world of Web3 is expanding and exclusive in-person meetups, brand-sponsored IRL activations, and hybrid experiences allow digital communities to transcend the screen.
The shift here is psychological, people are now stakeholders. They are not just buying a product, they are buying into a community that has a vision to progress their values.
From apes to doods and everything in between, the vibrancy around these communities is palpable with lines of people waiting to get inside some of the side events. The real winners are brands and communities that embrace the blurring lines, using it as a way to tap into both physical and digital lives.
