Not too long ago, blockchain gaming and the metaverse were hardly given a glance, and early believers like Yat Siu were nowhere near being mobbed by fans. Fast forward to today, with NFT-based gaming projects like Axie Infinity making the headlines and significant advancements in the field, one can confidently say that Web3 is here to stay.
However, it is essential to realize that despite the growing acceptance and prestige surrounding Web3 and the metaverse, conferences featuring these topics may be lagging indicators. Some might assume that if a project makes it to the stage, it’s already late in the game. Therefore, those looking to catch the next trend before it goes mainstream should pay attention to lesser-known, yet highly impactful projects and individuals.
One perfect example is Cloudwhite, the second-largest holder of virtual land in Axie’s metaverse. Long before big brands jumped on the bandwagon, Cloudwhite saw the value in digital ownership and verifiable scarcity, having had a passion for collecting Pokémon cards and Beanie Babies as a child. Another remarkable figure is Anand Venkateswaran, aka Twobadour, who made headlines with the purchase of a $69.3 million Beeple NFT, but he also bought the most expensive NFT in 2019, worth $100,000, at a time when the market was immature.
These risk-takers and their beginnings serve as an inspiration to the crypto community. But nostalgia aside, one should focus on early trend spotters who didn’t make up the official stage lineup at recent events. After all, many of today’s big names hadn’t dreamt of speaking at a prestigious conference like CoinDesk’s Consensus a few years ago.
As the blockchain and Web3 space continues to evolve, enthusiasts and investors should consider paying heed to whispers and murmurs which could potentially grow into the next big thing. Emphasizing on lesser-known projects and individuals, rather than solely relying on spotlight-stealing events, might offer insights into the industry’s future directions.
In summary, with Web3 and metaverse gaining significant traction, it’s essential to explore the early catalysts responsible for these advancements. Recognizing the up-and-comers and keeping an ear out for promising projects could ultimately lead to uncovering the next major development in the world of blockchain and the metaverse.
Source: Coindesk
