51 Insights – What Matters in Digital Assets

Kyle Samani, co-founder of Multicoin Capital and early backer of Solana, discusses his ambitious new venture, Forward Industries, a $1.65B treasury focused on Solana. He elaborates on why they chose Solana over Bitcoin, the unique investment strategies of treasury companies, and the challenge of leveraging decentralized finance. The conversation dives into the competitive landscape between Solana and Ethereum, corporate blockchain dynamics, and the future of internet capital markets, all highlighting Solana's potential to reshape financial infrastructure.

Hi, it’s Marc. ✌️“BNB is the most overlooked blue-chip crypto asset in the space. It’s tied to the largest company in crypto, and yet Western investors still don’t fully get it.”We sat down with David Namdar — hedge fund veteran, Bitcoin OG, Galaxy Digital co-founder — now CEO of BNB Network Company (BNC), a $500M digital asset treasury betting big on BNB.David has been in crypto for more than a decade. From attempting one of the first Bitcoin ETFs at SolidX, to building Galaxy Digital with Mike Novogratz, to now leading a digital treasury platform for BNB, his journey mirrors the evolution of crypto itself.We talked about: * Why treasury companies are exploding now* BNB as “digital infrastructure equity”* and why he believes BNB is positioned to outperform Bitcoin over the next five years.… and much more.The treasury company explosionDavid keeps it simple about what Michael Saylor achieved:"He's been able to accumulate over 3% of the Bitcoin supply. At current prices, that's $70B."The playbook: Take corporate cash, buy Bitcoin, trade at a premium, sell more equity, buy more Bitcoin. Repeat.Five years ago, MicroStrategy was a struggling software company worth under $1B with $400-500M in cash. Today, it's over $100B with $70-80B in Bitcoin."The market loved it and traded at a premium. Then, he started creating this idea of a flywheel where he could sell more equity or sell debt in order to buy more Bitcoin.But it took validation time. David explains why other companies are following now:"After the model has been kind of validated over the last five years by Saylor, and then a couple of the more recent ones that have succeeded, MetaPlanet in Japan...it went from having $1-2B market cap to $5-10B."That strategy proved two things:* Bitcoin works as a corporate treasury reserve.* Markets will reward bold execution with premiums.The BNB thesisHere's David's core argument: BNB is systematically undervalued because U.S. investors don't understand what they're missing."Iimagine if in the U.S. we didn't have access to Apple, Google, Facebook, now Meta. Imagine if the largest social network, the largest tech company, something like Nvidia, was entirely outside of the U.S. market."The numbers back this up. Binance has 290M users. Most use BNB to pay reduced gas fees. All of that activity drives token burns and value accrual."BNB then is kind of this digital infrastructure equity of the entire Web3 universe. It actually has more activity in stablecoins than Ethereum does."David's positioning framework:* Bitcoin = digital gold* Ethereum = digital oil* BNB = digital infrastructure equityWhy treasuries matter now: Unlike past cycles, this time the U.S. regulatory environment has opened up, making it easier to bring corporate structures and capital markets into crypto.David estimates $100–200B will flow into digital treasuries over the next year, not through exchanges, but through public-market vehicles that institutional investors can buy.That means:* More disciplined capital allocation* Less froth around meme coins* More focus on blue-chip digital assets“Our job is to accumulate as much of the asset as possible — with discipline.”Digital asset treasuries vs. ETFsIt is simple. With an ETF, you always own the same amount of underlying asset per share. With treasury companies, successful execution can multiply your holdings.David breaks it down:"If they succeed at executing on the strategy and selling at a premium and getting the flywheel going...then you can end up with significantly more of the underlying asset per share than what you started with."But he warns against hype chasing:"What ends up happening a lot of the time with these treasury companies is there's an announcement that gets made. The stock jumps up 5-20x and investors rush in and immediately are down 50-80%."His advice: Wait a few days, understand the strategy, and verify the team can execute.The premium questionArthur Hayes thinks that NAV premiums will decline. David agrees, but with nuance:"We are going to see a lot of the premiums decline, but we're also going to see some of them persist for a lot longer than people think."His math: Outside MicroStrategy, there's $30-50B in treasury assets with $10-25B in premiums. He expects $100-200B more capital to flow in over the next year."During that process...that 10, 20, 30 billion of premium that [MicroStrategy has] will probably go to some of these other companies that are more capable to actually accumulate the underlying asset."Key takeawaysHere are some key takeaways David shared for public companies and institutional investors:* Digital asset treasuries are the next big capital market vehicle: Expect $100B–$200B to flow into crypto treasuries (beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum) over the next 12 months, skipping exchanges and going directly into corporate treasury vehicles.* Premiums will redistribute, not disappear: While some NAV premiums will compress, successful treasury companies with strong execution will capture value from weaker players. Access to capital markets during downturns determines survival.* Infrastructure matters more than hype: The winners will be treasury companies with experienced teams, diverse capital access, and focus on long-term asset accumulation rather than short-term price pumps.* BNB positioned for AI + Robotics transaction growth: BNB’s lower cost structure vs. Ethereum/Solana makes it the likely leader for AI, robotics, and trillions of microtransactions. BNB is evolving into the infrastructure chain and can provide AI and blockchain companies with scalability advantages.Take care, MarcMore from us:🚀 Work with us: We create pioneering thought leadership that helps digital asset and technology companies lead the conversation, earn trust and win business. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.51insights.xyz/subscribe

“The age of accounts is ending. The age of wallets is beginning.”— Tony McLaughlin, CEO of Ubyx, ex-CitiFor the release of our new stablecoin report “Digital Dollar, Real Yield,” we sat down with two of the sharpest operators in stablecoin infrastructure:* David Sutter, CEO of OpenTrade, powering yield infrastructure for fintechs using stablecoins* Tony McLaughlin, CEO of Ubyx and former Citi exec, building the first global clearinghouse for stablecoinsBoth are quietly shaping what the next decade of global finance will look like, faster, cheaper, programmable. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.51insights.xyz/subscribe

“Enterprises don’t want ten integrations to enter the blockchain space. They want one partner that does it all: on-ramps, off-ramps, custody, cards, compliance.”We sat down with Max von Wallenberg, the co-founder and CEO of Iron to discuss how stablecoins are becoming the new rails for global finance.Iron is a stablecoin payments infrastructure company recently acquired by MoonPay. It provides stablecoin APIs that enable wallets, fintechs, and enterprises to move money seamlessly across fiat and crypto rails—covering on-ramps, off-ramps, global payouts, and banking-like functionality for wallets.We’ll talk about:* Regulatory catalyst* Enterprise FOMO* Infrastructure moats* Why every fintech will go stablecoin-native… and much more This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.51insights.xyz/subscribe

Hi, it’s Marc. ✌️“Blockchain is just infrastructure. The real question isn’t ‘Why do you need blockchain?’ but rather ‘Can it make your solution better, faster, and more scalable?.”The restaurant industry is a trillion-dollar business, yet most restaurants operate on razor-thin margins of 4% or less. Traditional platforms like OpenTable and Toast have created walled gardens that limit restaurants' control over customer relationships, payments, and loyalty programs.We sat down with Ben Leventhal, the founder and CEO of Blackbird Labs to discuss the future of first-party data ownership with blockchain.Blackbird, a blockchain-powered platform aims to revolutionize payments and loyalty by giving restaurants direct ownership over their transactions and customer data. It is proving that Web3 isn’t about hype—it’s about solving real-world business problems.Here’s what we’ve covered:* Why Blackbird was built: Restaurants rely on platforms like OpenTable, Toast, and POS systems, but these platforms own the customer data—not the restaurants. The biggest players in restaurant tech (OpenTable, Toast) control customer data. Blackbird enables restaurants to own their payments, loyalty programs, and consumer insights.* Saving millions using blockchain: Payment processing fees eat up 2-3% of revenue—a significant loss for low-margin businesses. Restaurants can reduce these costs significantly by leveraging blockchain.* Restaurants must own their consumer data: The restaurant industry operates on 4% margins—losing even 1-2% to third parties is a major issue. Owning first-party data means you can increase retention without paying intermediaries.* How Blackbird works: Instead of relying on third-party reservation and payment systems, Blackbird gives restaurants full control over transactions and customer data. It enables customers to check in, dine, and leave without manually paying—payment happens in the background. Transactions happen using Fly tokens, stored in an auto-generated wallet for every user, reducing friction.And much more.On the Consumer Experience with Blackbird,“Payments are loyalty. You can’t separate the two. Our goal is to make them seamless for both consumers and restaurants.”Key Take-Aways for Brand Leaders* Blockchain for payments & loyalty can work: Brands should explore tokenized loyalty programs that are interoperable across multiple locations and do not lock consumers into walled gardens.* Pro Tip: Ensure that customer data and transactions are stored in a way that the brand—not third parties—can leverage for direct relationships.* Blackbird’s FlyNet (L3 blockchain on Base) enables real-time transactions and ownership of consumer interactions. It combines payments, loyalty, and consumer data into one seamless platform.* Own your first-party data: Restaurants need flexible, modular tech stacks that empower them to own customer relationships, not rely on third-party platforms that take a cut.* Pro Tip: If your brand is in hospitality or retail, blockchain can help you to own first-party data and reduce reliance on intermediaries.* Removing friction in the customer experience pays off: Brands should look at how friction in payments, loyalty, or onboarding affects conversions and invest in streamlining the experience.* Pro Tip: Benchmark your checkout or payment experience against the best in digital commerce (Amazon, Apple Pay, Uber)—if it’s slower, fix it.* Blackbird allows seamless check-ins and auto-pay, eliminating the “waiting for the check” problem. * Result: Higher transaction volume, lower payment processing costs, and more engaged customers.* Blockchain is a tool, not the product: Do not start with technology—start with the problem and assess if blockchain (or AI, etc.) is the best solution.* Pro Tip: If your Web3 initiative doesn’t offer clear benefits over Web2 alternatives (better UX, lower costs, more control), reconsider the implementation.* Numbers prove product-market fit: For emerging tech solutions in traditional industries, real adoption numbers matter—always ask for proof of traction.* Pro Tip: When evaluating new tech partnerships, demand KPIs like transaction volume, retention rates, and real-world adoption figures.* Blackbird is already processing over $500K+ in transaction volume in 2025. Over 1,000 restaurants onboarded across New York, San Francisco, and Charleston.Blockchain should be invisible—it’s a tool, not the product.Tune in to dive deeper into Blackbird’s infrastructure and the future of blockchain in the restaurant industry. That’s all for now.Marc & TeamPS: We help companies like Avalanche, Near, or MoonPay with industry-leading thought leadership campaigns. Interested? Start dominating your vertical. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.51insights.xyz/subscribe

Hi, it’s Marc. ✌️"The biggest AI impact isn't in chatbots—it’s in backend efficiencies like demand forecasting, inventory management, and pricing optimization."We sat down with Mario Lang, Executive Director & Global Technology Lead at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., to discuss the key shifts in technology to define the next decade of luxury.The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) have explored emerging technologies, such as blockchain-based Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for authentication, consumer engagement, and resale tracking. They are also developing AI-driven customer service agents to enhance white-glove luxury experiences. Mario said: “Many brands fail in digital transformation because they silo innovation teams from core business units—tech must be embedded, not an afterthought.”In 2024, ELC and Microsoft expanded their partnership with an AI Innovation Lab to power prestige beauty with generative AI by accelerating consumer engagement, speed to market, and localized relevance across ELC’s 20+ brands. The company also built an AI tool to merge trend data with products to spot trends, optimize marketing, and boost profitability while improving consumer targeting and reducing marketing inefficiencies.AI, blockchain, and immersive commerce are no longer experiments—they are shaping how brands engage, optimize, and sustain long-term value.Here’s what we’ve covered:* Digital Product Passports (DPPs) – The future of CRM* AI in Luxury – Backend first, frontend next* NFTs – From collectibles to utility* AI-powered trend spotting & pricing optimization* Web3 loyalty programs* The shift to interoperable luxuryAnd much more.The future of luxury isn’t brand silos—cross-brand collaboration will redefine consumer engagement. Brands need to stop hoarding consumer data and embrace shared loyalty ecosystems.Key Take-Aways for Brand Leaders* DPPs will be the CRM: DPPs lower the barrier to consumer-brand interaction, replacing the outdated PII (Personal Identifiable Information) model. They authenticate luxury products, support resale, and build long-term consumer relationships.* Action: Start integrating DPPs in your supply chain today across sourcing, retail, and resale. The EU will require them soon for sustainability compliance.* No ID management platform currently exists that fully bridges procurement, retail, and consumer engagement—this is an untapped opportunity.* AI should first optimize operations, then elevate consumer experience: AI agents can enable hyper-personalized luxury service at scale, reducing human resource needs. The biggest opportunity isn’t in chatbots—it’s in backend efficiencies: demand forecasting, dynamic pricing, and supply chain optimization.* Action: Deploy AI to optimize inventory, promo pricing, and customer segmentation before launching consumer-facing AI experiences.* NFTs are not dead—they need utility: The NFT hype cycle is over, but functional NFTs tied to loyalty, gated access, or resale verification will thrive. Sports teams and entertainment brands are leading the way in NFT utility—luxury is behind.* Pro tip: Instead of a collectible, think of NFTs as a membership key—reward consumers with exclusive product drops, events, or brand collaborations.* Metaverse is evolving through AR & Wearables: Full-scale VR adoption is waiting on better hardware, but AR is already driving results in retail activations. Consumers expect seamless blending of digital and physical luxury experiences.* Action: Test AR activations in high-footfall retail spaces and track conversion from AR-driven engagement to purchase.* The future of luxury loyalty is interoperable: Consumers want brand-agnostic loyalty programs where benefits travel across brand ecosystems. The biggest brands are already tracking consumer behavior beyond direct sales—department store data is the next battleground.* Action: Consider partnering with other brands or platforms for shared loyalty programs. A perfect example: Cavs Rewards* The biggest opportunity isn’t just better loyalty—it’s disrupting wholesale retail data access, allowing luxury brands to reclaim customer insights lost in department stores.* Future-proofing- How to vet emerging technologies: Leaders need to assess tech through clear business outcomes, not just “innovation for innovation’s sake.” Brands that fail to connect technology to engagement, conversion, or efficiency will struggle with adoption.* Action: Categorize all new tech into:* Now – Solves an immediate business need (e.g., AI for pricing optimization)* Soon – Competitive advantage in 1-3 years (e.g., DPPs, loyalty evolution)* On the Horizon – Moonshot innovation bets (e.g., AR-based virtual commerce)* Pro tip: Never lead with “innovation” when pitching tech internally—frame solutions in terms of revenue, efficiency, and conversion.The next decade of luxury isn’t about digital gimmicks—it’s about using technology to lower friction while preserving exclusivity.Brands that integrate AI, blockchain, and immersive experiences into existing consumer journeys—instead of treating them as standalone experiments—will win.Dive deeper and listen to the full conversation.That’s all for now.Thanks,Marc & Team51 can help your Web3 & AI scale-ups to become the go-to name for enterprises & brands. We’ve built the highest-quality growth engine in Web3:* 70K+ B2B business leaders & direct corporate access to get in front of decision-makers.* Institutional grade research & BD execution to deliver high-intent corporate prospects & higher conversion rates* Sales enablement & GTM strategy to close enterprise deals faster.Clients include: Avalanche, MoonPay, Near Foundation, and others.Let’s talk. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.51insights.xyz/subscribe

Hi, it’s Marc. ✌️“There is no correlation between budget and success. The most successful brands are the ones that understand the community they’re entering and add value rather than just push ads. Spending millions doesn’t guarantee engagement—listening and iterating does.”We sat down with Charles Hambro, Co-founder and CEO at GEEIQ, to break down how brands can use Roblox, Fortnite, and other virtual worlds to drive engagement and stay ahead.GEEIQ is an analytics platform that helps brands track and optimize activations in virtual spaces. Since 2018, it has analyzed hundreds of brand campaigns, proving that gaming isn’t just for experiments—it’s a core marketing channel.Why it matters: Traditional social media is losing ground. Younger audiences are spending more time inside games than scrolling feeds. For brands, this isn’t just an opportunity—it’s the next battleground for attention.On why brands are moving into virtual worlds, Charles said:“Virtual worlds are not just games anymore—they’re social hubs. People aren’t just playing, they’re hanging out. That’s where brands need to be.”By the data: The last 5 years have seen a shift from social media to user-generated content (UGC) platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Zepeto.* In Q4 alone, 110 brands launched activations in Roblox, more than Fortnite (75) and Sandbox (31) combined.* Roblox has seen 847 brand activations since 2018, nearly double Fortnite (477).Here’s what we’ve covered:* Why brands are shifting from social media to virtual worlds—and why Roblox dominates brand activations.* How virtual commerce is evolving—and what Walmart, Gucci, and Hugo Boss are testing.* The biggest mistakes brands make in gaming activations—and how to avoid them.* Why traditional social media and gaming platforms will merge—and how brands should prepare.And much more.Virtual commerce is still in the early stages. Brands should experiment with digital-to-physical strategies, but don’t expect instant ROI—yet. The real winners will be the brands that experiment early, listen to the data, and focus on engagement over impressions.The Ultimate AI x Crypto Intelligence PlatformCompare, analyze, and track AI startups & vendors in real-time — powered by research and data, not hype. Join the waitlist for exclusive early access 👉Key Take-Aways for Brand Leaders* Roblox is not the only game in town: Roblox leads in brand activations, but it’s not the only platform that matters. Fortnite, Zepeto, and others offer different opportunities based on budget, audience, and engagement style. The right choice depends on your strategy—not hype. Breaking it down:* Fortnite → High-quality brand activations, but bigger budgets required.* Zepeto → Strong Gen Z, female audience—ideal for fashion & lifestyle brands.* Decentraland & Sandbox → Web3 & NFT focus, but smaller user bases.* PRO TIP: If reach and engagement are the goal, Roblox is still the best bet. But don’t assume success—test, analyze, and refine before scaling.* From social media to virtual worlds: Brands no longer need approval from platforms like Roblox or Fortnite to launch activations. Just like users can create and publish content, brands can build their own experiences, virtual stores, or branded items without needing direct partnerships with the platform. Virtual worlds function like social platforms where brands can build their own spaces (similar to how they used to create Instagram profiles).* PRO TIP: Don’t treat virtual worlds like traditional gaming—approach them like social media platforms where users expect engagement, not ads.* Brand success isn’t about big budgets: Spending more doesn’t guarantee success—brands that listen to the community and add value perform better. Engagement, not impressions, drives ROI—time spent with a brand in virtual worlds outperforms traditional social media.* PRO TIP: Before launching, use data to study user behavior and adjust your activation accordingly.* E-Commerce in virtual worlds is just beginning: Walmart’s test in Roblox (powered by GEEIQ’s data) showed potential but had limits—only three real-world items were available for purchase. Meanwhile, Roblox partnered with Shopify to let creators sell physical goods directly in-game using Shopify’s checkout, with a full launch set for 2025. Gen Z and Gen Alpha already shop on social platforms and buy virtual items on platforms like Roblox. As virtual worlds evolve, in-game purchases could outpace traditional e-commerce.* PRO TIP: Brands should experiment with digital-to-physical commerce (e.g., selling digital skins that unlock real-world products) to prepare for this shift.* Virtual worlds will become more social: Meta’s Horizon Worlds could be the sleeping giant, with Meta’s 3B+ monthly users and deep platform integration. Expect mergers and acquisitions between virtual platforms and traditional social media. More social features (news feeds, TikTok-like experiences) will be integrated into virtual worlds.* PRO TIP: If you’re planning for long-term brand positioning, start testing activations in virtual spaces now—before competition floods in.* Blockchain and Web3 games aren’t dead: Blockchain and Web3 gaming aren’t a lost cause—they just need a fresh approach. Platforms like Decentraland and Sandbox didn’t resonate because NFTs weren’t the real draw. Users care more about immersive social and gaming experiences than the underlying tech. For blockchain to truly make an impact in gaming, it’s about traditional giants like Roblox or Fortnite seamlessly integrating on-chain assets.* PRO TIP: Brands should focus less on chasing the NFT hype and more on gamifying experiences that enhance engagement. The future of Web3 in gaming lies in creating multiple touchpoints, building lasting loyalty, and delivering real utility—like cross-platform asset ownership.Virtual worlds aren’t just an extension of gaming—they’re the future of brand engagement.Tune in to dive deeper into Charles’ brand strategy.That’s all for now.Thanks,Marc & Team📊 Data Drop: Top Brands in Gaming / Immersive CommerceWe have curated a dataset of 150+ of immersive commerce / gaming activations of major consumer brands. Subscribe to PRO to get free access to all the data (at the bottom of the article) 👇 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.51insights.xyz/subscribe

Hi, it’s Marc. ✌️We sat down with Michael Chock, Chief Solutions Officer at SmartMedia Technologies, John Timoney, Co-founder at Uptop and Mark Epps, Director of Communication and Web3 at ATP Tour to break down how sports clubs are leaving millions on the table—and how new tech is turning passive fans into paying customers.Sports teams and brands monetize less than 5% of their fan base despite having millions of followers. This brings the need for monetising fan engagement, not just measuring.On the future of Web3 and fan engagement, Mark said:“When we launched our ‘Momentum’ campaign, we grew our fan database by 25% in just eight days. And we did it using NFTs—without even calling them NFTs."On the need for fan identity and first-party data, John said:“The future of fandom and marketing is direct-to-wallet. Your wallet is your identity, your transaction history, and your engagement proof—all in one."On loyalty, Michael said: “Sports teams don’t have a loyalty challenge—they have an engagement challenge. Having millions of Instagram followers means nothing if brands can’t turn them into real value.”— Michael Chock, Smart Media TechnologiesWant the full breakdown? We just dropped our flagship report on The Future of Fan Engagement.Key Take-Aways for Brand Leaders* Sports and brands have massive digital audiences but monetize only 1-5% of them. Even a 1% improvement in monetization can generate significant revenue. Brands should shift from passive social media followings to opt-in, direct engagement models that provide fan incentives.* PRO TIP: Develop digital experiences where fans willingly share data in exchange for unique perks (e.g., exclusive early access, and customized rewards).* The future isn’t about "fan loyalty" but fan identity tracking—understanding behaviours, preferences, and engagement across platforms. Build persistent digital identities (wallet-based or tokenized) where a fan’s engagement history follows them across platforms.* PRO TIP: Track engagement patterns (e.g., app usage, in-stadium check-ins, digital purchases) to personalize future offers.* The Cleveland Cavaliers' fan wallet system increased partner grocery store sales by double-digit percentages by shifting fan spending habits. Leverage data-driven loyalty ecosystems that reward fans not just for spending with the team but with partner brands.* PRO TIP: Instead of generic discounts offer rewards tied to emotional moments—such as premium game experiences, access to exclusive gear, or VIP content.* Platforms like Meta owns the audience, not the brand. Engagement on Instagram or TikTok means nothing if brands don’t capture direct data. Brands need to shift efforts from social media vanity metrics to first-party data collection through direct-to-fan channels.* PRO TIP: Use QR codes, in-stadium activations, or gamified content that drives fans to owned platforms (e.g., team apps, digital wallets).* The winning fan engagement model is open-loop, not closed-loop. This means rewards, identity, and experiences should work across multiple ecosystems. Move toward an interoperable ecosystem where a fan’s engagement in one place unlocks perks elsewhere.* PRO TIP: Collaborate with sponsors and leagues to create a unified fan wallet where brands share, rather than silo, consumer engagement data.* Marketers are demanding more ROI from sponsorships. Sponsors want more than just logo exposure; they want data-driven attribution. Build sponsorship assets that measure impact beyond impressions—such as engagement-based rewards or real-time participation analytics.* PRO TIP: Use direct-to-wallet marketing instead of email spam—personalized offers will drive conversion rates exponentially higher.Web3 is a “HOW”, not a “Why.”The adoption curve is already underway—120M+ active blockchain wallets exist today, and digital-first consumers are shifting to seamless, owned experiences.Tune in to dive deeper into Web3 fandom strategy.That’s all for now.Marc & Team🚀 Work With 51: Scale Your Web3 x AI Corporate AdoptionOur industry OGs, vast network, research team & 70k+ B2B audience help you:* Co-publish enterprise-grade reports with us, driving traffic and boosting B2B outbound conversion rates.* Execute a multi-channel growth campaign that delivers better results than anything else in Web3's consumer space. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.51insights.xyz/subscribe

Hi, it’s Marc. ✌️“The hype around Web3 gaming really outpaced the product delivery. Many teams prioritized token launches over actually building fun games. Games are actually B2C products. It has to be fun. It’s not necessarily about tokens and being able to earn in games.”We sat down with Anton Umnov, Founder and CEO of Helika, to discuss the future of Web3 gaming, AI, and the rise of Telegram as a gaming powerhouse.With over 15 years of experience in data analytics across fintech and crypto, Anton built Helika, a leading Web3 gaming analytics platform. On the role of social gaming & mini-apps, Anton said:“The biggest Web3 games will emerge from mini-app ecosystems like Telegram, TikTok, and Line—not traditional app stores.”Here’s what we’ve covered:* Evolution of Web3 gaming: In the last cycle, many Web3 games rushed to launch tokens instead of building actual gameplay. Now, the focus has shifted to creating engaging, player-first experiences that can compete with traditional games. The industry is learning that fun must come before financial incentives.* Telegram is the new gaming powerhouse: With 1B+ users, Telegram’s mini-apps are becoming the fastest, lowest-cost way to scale Web3 games. These games benefit from frictionless onboarding, viral sharing mechanics, and built-in social engagement, making Telegram a low-cost, high-growth alternative to traditional app stores.* AI in game development: AI is shortening development cycles from 3-5 years to just 12-18 months by automating in-game economy balancing, NPC behaviors, and real-time A/B testing. AI-powered agents will adjust difficulty, create personalized experiences, and enhance monetization strategies dynamically.And much more.The future of gaming is a fusion of AI, Web3, and social-driven distribution models. Games won’t just be played—they’ll be owned, evolved, and monetized in real-time.🚨 Mark your calendars: On February 6th 12:00PM EST we’ll host a panel on: * How The Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) increased member spend with sponsors by 40%, generated 1M+ loyalty transactions in just two months with millions in additional revenue. * How Karate Kombat built a global sports league with millions of fans bey turning their marketing budget into direct incentives for fans, pioneering a model that every sports club (and brand!) can adopt. With top-tier speakers: * Robert Bryan (Founder Karate Kombat)* Michael Chock (Chief Strategy Officer, Smart Media Technologies),* Mark Epps (Director Comms & Web3, ATP Tour)* John Timoney-Gomez(Co-Founder Uptop)Attendees we’ll receive early-bird access to our biggest report yet on fan engagement across sport & entertainment with Web3 tech.🚨 Secure your spot & report below, spots are limited! 👇Key Take-Aways for Brand Leaders* Web3 gaming is maturing: Web3 gaming over-promised and under-delivered in the last bull cycle. Brands and investors should bet on game studios prioritizing engagement over speculation—the next 12-24 months will be crucial.* PRO TIP: Track Telegram mini-app adoption as an early indicator of Web3 gaming’s next breakout successes.* Adopt AI and optimise: Traditional AAA games take 3-5 years to build. AI and blockchain infrastructure are cutting this down to 12-18 months by automating game balancing, NPC behavior, and A/B testing. * PRO TIP: Studios should integrate AI-driven procedural generation and real-time player analytics to accelerate development and optimize monetization.* Telegram as the App Store of Web3 games: Telegram has 1B+ users, and Web3 gaming is taking off through its mini-app ecosystem. First-gen Telegram games (Notcoin, Katiz) proved the model—now, mid-core+ games are launching. Web3 game developers and brands should prioritize Telegram mini-apps—they offer the fastest user onboarding and lowest marketing costs.* PRO TIP: Use Telegram-native viral mechanics (stickers, social sharing, tokenized rewards) to bootstrap adoption at near-zero cost.* Web3 Gaming = Fintech in disguise: Web3 games are embedding staking, lending, and DeFi mechanics inside gameplay. This creates sticky user engagement and makes gaming wallets a financial hub beyond just in-game purchases.* PRO TIP: Brands should treat Web3 gaming as an entry point into next-gen fintech—gaming wallets could become the Venmo of Gen Z.* Move beyond US: Korea has higher crypto adoption than the U.S., and major studios there are already integrating blockchain. MENA (Middle East & North Africa) governments are creating regulatory sandboxes to attract Web3 game developers. Studios should localize incentives for Asian & MENA audiences—financialization matters more to these markets than to Western gamers.* Community co-creation: Unlike traditional gaming, where AAA studios build in stealth, Web3 games require constant player feedback and iteration. Successful Web3 games treat early adopters as stakeholders, not just customers.* PRO TIP: Game studios should launch early betas, use Discord/Telegram for real-time community feedback, and adapt mechanics in response to user behavior.The future is AI + Web3 + Social Virality → where games evolve in real time, monetization is adaptive, and global adoption scales through messaging apps, not app stores.Tune in to dive deeper into Anton’s Web3 gaming strategy.That’s all for now.Marc & Team This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.51insights.xyz/subscribe

Hi, it’s Marc. ✌️"Blockchain is not a magic wand you plug in. It requires a mindset change—it’s a paradigm that demands adaptation to decentralisation for it to work effectively."We sat down with Pedro Lopez-Belmonte Eraso, Web3 & tech innovation expert, to discuss use-cases of Web3 technology in the luxury sector. With 11+ years of experience in the luxury industry including building Richemont Group’s blockchain tech strategy for the past 6 years, Pedro explained why blockchain is not just a technology but a paradigm shift.Richemont is a Switzerland-based luxury goods holding company with operations into three main divisions: jewelry maisons, watches, and fashion and accessories. In 2021, its maison Cartier partnered with LVMH, and Prada to launch Aura Blockchain Consortium for luxury brands. The platform uses blockchain to ensure transparency, traceability, and proof of authenticity for consumers.On Digital Product Passports, Pedro said:"Digital passports are one of the most relevant blockchain use cases. They will enable interactions with third-party services, such as reselling, recycling, and insurance, at minimal cost."Here’s what we’ve covered:* DPPs: Luxury watches with digital passports can increase resale value by up to 30% while strengthening customer loyalty.* Embrace Ecosystems: Instead of building proprietary blockchain solutions, plug into established ecosystems like Ethereum or Polygon to reduce costs and unlock scalability.* Educate Your Team: Schedule quarterly workshops to ensure leadership understands blockchain’s potential beyond NFTs.And much more.The luxury sector is still at the beginning of its blockchain journey. Blockchain isn’t just about technology—it’s about a mindset shift. To succeed, brands must adapt to decentralization and adopt standards that allow interoperability. While some companies chase trends, the most successful brands focus on utility, customer empowerment, and long-term value creation.Here’s how you can stay ahead.Key Take-Aways for Brand Leaders* Shift to Utility: The future of blockchain lies in digital passports, loyalty programs, and pre-owned marketplaces—not collectibles. By 2025, shift 50% of your blockchain projects from collectibles to utility-based applications.* PRO TIP: Measure success with metrics like retention rate and engagement frequency, not speculative sales.* Embrace Ecosystems Over Proprietary Systems: Blockchain ecosystems (e.g., Polygon, Ethereum) offer scalability and cost-efficiency by integrating third-party services like recycling and resale. Partner with 3-5 ecosystem players within 12 months to test interoperable use cases.* PRO TIP: Use plug-and-play platforms to accelerate implementation while maintaining control.* Digital Product Passports: Digital passports enhance lifecycle tracking, resale value, and personalization. Done right, they can boost resale value by up to 30%.* PRO TIP: Pair passports with an interactive app for customers to track repairs, upgrades, or ownership history.* Build a Scalable Program: Blockchain records every product interaction, enabling deeper customer relationships. Create an NFT-based loyalty program where customers earn rewards for product usage or participation in events.* PRO TIP: Automate rewards through smart contracts, cutting program management costs by 20-30%.* Avoid NFT Mistakes: Porsche’s NFT project failed due to poor value delivery, while IWC’s Diamond Hand Club succeeded by airdropping free tokens and building community value. Avoid upfront charges for NFTs. Start with free airdrops and focus on exclusive benefits like VIP events.* PRO TIP: Use token-gated experiences to engage loyal customers.* Data Potential with Blockchain: Blockchain offers high-quality, privacy-focused data collection. Brands can offer 10-20% discounts or perks to incentivize customers to share behavioural data securely.* PRO TIP: Build a blockchain-based data dashboard to monitor customer trends while ensuring compliance.Blockchain isn’t just technology. If applied correctly, it can redefine customer relationships. Leaders who embrace ecosystems, focus on utility, and adapt their mindset will unlock opportunities others can’t see.As Pedro Lopez-Bajmonte said:“Blockchain is not a tool; it’s a paradigm shift. Brands need to give up some control to gain transparency, trust, and scalability.”Tune in to dive deeper into Pedro’s Web3 strategy.That’s all for now.Thanks,Marc & Team▶️Top Podcasts:Find our other podcasts here:* Spotify* Apple Podcasts* Youtube⚡️ Work With Us & Reach 50k+ Corporate LeadersOur industry OGs, vast network, research team & 50k+ B2B audience help you:* Co-publish enterprise-grade reports with us, driving traffic and boosting B2B outbound conversion rates.* Execute a multi-channel growth campaign that delivers better results than anything else in Web3's consumer space. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.51insights.xyz/subscribe