Article from: NFT Now
From CryptoPunks to Moonbirds, many NFT enthusiasts opted to show off their affiliations. In lieu of techwear and designer clothes, collectors used their owned NFTs as their status symbols, worn prominently on their hoodies, jackets, and hats. But it wasn’t a simple presence that illuminated many blue-chip PFP projects throughout the conference, but their unique activations as well.
Yet, while the sentiment surrounding crypto and NFTs had changed, attitudes were still overwhelmingly positive throughout the multi-day conference. Sure, many had lost entire fortunes due to crypto prices tanking, but folks at NFT.NYC weren’t there to talk about day-trading in the first place. Rather, the entire conference seemed to center around the innovation, culture, and community surrounding NFTs.
Talking with attendees and artists alike about the state of the market made it clear that the overall vibe of the NFT space was still happy and hopeful. Sure, prices are in the toilet, but many agreed that a capitulation event would be useful to weed out those only interested in NFTs for their own personal financial gain — not to build out or participate in lasting endeavors.
Originally launched in 2019, NFT.NYC expanded last year as a result of industry growth. Featuring over 500 speakers across three venues, the 2021 iteration of the conference was hailed as a triumph for the NFT community. Yet now in 2022, the conference was bigger than ever, spanning seven venues and featuring over 1,500 speakers.
Yet, since 2021’s conference, the greater NFT community has been unsure of whether or not NFT.NYC truly has its best interests in mind. With ticket prices ranging from $500 – $2,000, the cost to simply attend the multi-day conference (let alone pay for a hotel and for travel to and from the event) was out of the range for most average joe NFT enthusiasts.
If there’s one thing that has become apparent within the NFT space over the years, it is that success is proven to breed more success. Anecdotally, once a project (BAYC) or an artist/influencer — like Beeple or GaryVee — gains notoriety, it’s likely that the value of their projects and personal brands from there on out will be valued accordingly.
This is nothing new in the NFT space, and was very much the case at NFT.NYC. While countless attendees clamored to see celebrities, like Spike Lee or Kimbal Musk speak about their general feelings on NFTs, those showcasing their blockchain-based innovation were left with mostly empty rooms.
Maybe we’ve gotten bored of interacting with fellow NFT enthusiasts from the comfort of our personal computer screens, but it seemed all were throwing caution to the wind when it came to in-person meetups. From pizza parties to packed-out music events (think sardines in a can), it was clear that social distancing has become an antiquated notion.
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Article from: NFT Now
