51 Insights – What Matters in Digital Assets

Hi, it’s Marc. ✌️I’m thrilled to share the latest episode of our podcast with Vinny Lingham, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman at Civic Technologies, Rumi.ai, Newton Partners and GP at Multicoin Capital.  Why it matters: Digital identity will be key to securing customer data and driving innovation in a digital-first, blockchain-based economy. Civic Technologies digital identity pioneer and leader in digital identity solutions. Founded in 2015 by Vinny Lingham and Jonathan Smith, Civic Technologies aims to provide individuals and businesses with a secure and user-friendly platform to manage and protect their digital identities. We talked about:* Decentralized identity as a trust enabler for secure data management* User control vs. data centralization* Adapting to the decline of third-party cookies* The future of digital trust in business* Crypto’s long-term viability and strategic importanceAnd much more…“The real issue is that everyone wants to own your data—decentralized identity puts control back in the hands of the people.”3 Actionable Take-Aways: * Adopt Decentralized Identity Early: Decentralized digital identities are crucial for enhancing trust and compliance in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. Early adoption can position your company as a leader in secure, user-centric data management.* Rethink Data Strategy: With third-party cookies disappearing, decentralized identity offers a secure, compliant way to manage first-party customer data, aligning with new privacy regulations while maintaining customer trust.* Prepare for Regulatory Shifts: The adoption of digital identity solutions will likely accelerate once global regulations around crypto and identity become more defined. Businesses should prepare by exploring these technologies now.That’s it for now.Thanks for being part of the journey.Talk soon,– MarcPS: Follow me on LinkedIn and X for shorter insights.Find our other podcasts here:* Spotify* Apple Podcasts* Youtube⚡️ Amplify Your GrowthBuilding a Web3 business OR looking to innovate with Web3 tools? FiftyOne Labs  is your unfair advantage. Powered by FiftyOne Insights, we combine what and who we know to help you win:* Capturing market & mind share with our 50k+ b2b audience* Full-stack content outsourcing* Developing a go-to-market and growth strategy* Reaching potential partners or clients 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. ✌️I’m thrilled to share the latest episode of our podcast with Justin Breton, Head of Brand Marketing Innovation at Walmart. We talked about:* Brands entering Web3 and Metaverse* How Walmart reaches next-gen consumers* The challenges of corporate innovation* The importance of communities vs. Target groups… and much more.Why it matters:Walmart is the world's largest company by revenue, according to the Fortune Global 500 list in October 2022. In February 2023, Walmart announced that its FY2023 total revenue was $611.3B, serving over 230M customers weekly. It operates 10,500+ stores across 20 countries and boasts a strong e-commerce platform.Key takeaways:* No immediate ROI required: Walmart is focused on engaging with the next generation of consumers by leveraging emerging platforms and new technologies. The strategy is not just about immediate ROI but about gaining insights and positioning Walmart as a future leader in these spaces.* Everything starts with data: Walmart’s approach to innovation is heavily data-driven. Insights about consumer behavior, especially regarding how younger consumers interact with platforms and influencers, are central to designing effective brand experiences. For example, Walmart Realm was developed by combining data on younger consumers' reliance on influencers with trends from platforms like Pinterest.* Next-gen experiences: Walmart Realm is a virtual, immersive commerce experience that Walmart created within the Roblox platform. It combines social interaction with gaming to create an immersive shopping experience. It exemplifies how the company is redefining the shopping experience by integrating gamification and social trends into virtual environments. This not only enhances customer engagement but also shortens the path from inspiration to purchase.* Keep it focused: Walmart's digital journey began with Walmart Land and Universe of Play on Roblox in September 2022. While these initial ventures were ambitious and visually impressive, the company learned that it's better to excel in one area than to spread efforts too thin. * Focus on communities, not target groups: Walmart views community engagement as vital. The brand tailors its approach to different communities across various platforms, recognizing that each has unique expectations and ways of interaction. For instance, Walmart leverages Discord to support its efforts on Roblox, creating a dedicated community with 34,000 active members who discuss and nominate experiences and virtual items for Walmart's platform. This strategy is key to creating meaningful and lasting brand relationships.* New technology: AR technology enhances customer confidence, particularly for larger purchases. Platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite are seen as the evolution of social media, where the next generation of consumers spends their time, and where Walmart is committed to being active and relevant.That’s it for now.Thanks for being part of the journey.Talk soon,– MarcPS: Follow me on LinkedIn and X for shorter insights.SubscribedFind our other podcasts here:* Spotify* Apple Podcasts* YoutubeWant to get in front of 50k+ business leaders or build your own game? When you launch on Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft with us, you don’t just get a state-of-the-art gaming experience. You get access to millions of players and potential customers that drive bottom-line revenue. Work with us here. 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. ✌️I’m thrilled to share the latest episode of our podcast with Carlos G. Pereira, Partner at BITKRAFT Ventures. BITKRAFT is one of the leading VCs in gaming. It has raised $275M for a third fund for early-stage gaming and interactive media companies investments. Once closed, this fund will bring Bitkraft Ventures’ total assets under management to over $1B. Grounded in its vision of “synthetic reality”, BITKRAFT believes in the transformative power of digital experiences, shaping the future of entertainment.Carlos’ key quotes:“Gaming has always been important for some amount of younger generations for as long as games have been around. But having a platform, proliferation, and game types proliferation has allowed more people to find a game that they love. It's just a media type that people stick with.”“Financialization has been around games for a very, very long time. As a matter of fact, every time that we connect a great game to the internet, um there's a parallel economy that emerges of varying sizes.”Key takeaways:* Synthetic reality: Represents the convergence of physical and digital lives, where digital experiences and relationships are increasingly valued, forming a continuum of life that holds significant meaning and depth.* Market structure: BITKRAFT sees gaming as a vast market worth roughly $300B annually, including both content and surrounding businesses. They concentrate heavily on the content side, with a significant portion of their portfolio dedicated to core content deals, such as popular games like "Call of Duty" and "Super Mario” than the broader category of gaming.* Opportunities: Emerging app stores and transmedia IP are two dynamic areas in gaming, with opportunities in mobile gaming resurgence and cross-platform storytelling, like games turning into TV shows or movies, revitalizing interest in both mediums.* Why Web3: Financialization in gaming isn't new, but Web3 makes it more transparent and integrated by enabling open economies and property rights for in-game assets, enhancing the overall gaming experience.* Challenges of Web3 gaming: Web3 gaming's slow mainstream adoption is due to the lengthy development cycle of quality games, compounded by evolving Web3 infrastructure and market disruptions, which often misalign with the faster expectations set by early token launches.* Brands & Gaming: Brands entering gaming should prioritize authenticity, creating meaningful experiences that resonate with players. Simple, quick interactions may have limited impact, while deeper, more thoughtful engagements can build lasting connections.* AI x Blockchain: AI, particularly in enhancing non-player characters (NPC) interactions and content creation, is likely to have the most significant impact on gaming in the near future. Blockchain also holds the potential for creating open and player-driven economies in games.That’s it for now. Thanks for being part of the journey. Talk soon,– MarcPS: Follow me on LinkedIn and X for shorter insights.Find our other podcasts here:* Spotify* Apple Podcasts* YoutubeWant to get in front of 50k+ business leaders or build your own game? When you launch on Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft with us, you don’t just get a state-of-the-art gaming experience. You get access to millions of players and potential customers that drive bottom-line revenue. Work with us here. 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. ✌️Bitcoin is experiencing a renaissance.Last year, the Ordinals (BRC-20) protocol brought NFTs to Bitcoin with over 66M inscriptions to date and a $2.65B market cap. Recently, Layer2 protocols, such as Lightning or Stacks, picked up as well.Now, Bitcoin Runes introduces a new fungible token standard on Bitcoin, enabling a host of new innovations such as DeFi, Tokenization, Stablecoins, and more. They also create new asset class accessible to anyone (without the VC-tax).This is massive. And it opens new opportunities for builders, brands and corporates.Every builder and corporate should start considering Bitcoin as a serious contender to other L1 smart contract chains, whether it’s for asset tokenization, stablecoins, memecoins or even NFTs.I’m thrilled to share the latest episode of our podcast with Isabel Foxen Duke who played a key role in launching the Ordinals protocol as a Communications Director. Now she’s GP at Unbroken Chain, the first Ordinals hedge fund.Isabel Foxen Duke’s key quote:“Ordinals” allow users to inscribe (“mint”) files to Bitcoin's blockchain for the first time ever, including images, text, small videos, etc. without a separate token, side chain, or change to Bitcoin’s underlying code.Key takeaways:* Immutability and decentralization: Bitcoin Ordinals are stored directly on the Bitcoin blockchain, ensuring greater censorship resistance and immutability compared to NFTs on EVM chains or Solana.* Unique Digital Artifacts: The Ordinals protocol uses "inscriptions" to attach data to individual satoshis, allowing for creating and transferring unique digital artifacts despite Bitcoin's block size limits.* Significance of Ordinals: Ordinals enable NFT trading on Bitcoin, benefiting from its superior liquidity and offering greater permanence for NFTs.* Unbroken Chain Fund: Unbroken Chain provides investors with exposure to a broad range of Ordinals assets, offering a different investment strategy compared to traditional crypto venture capital.* Runes Protocol: Runes aims to create fungible tokens on Bitcoin's layer one more efficiently, fostering the development of many projects within the Bitcoin ecosystem.* Bitcoin Renaissance: There is renewed interest in Bitcoin, with liquidity expected to flow back to Bitcoin from other ecosystems as new possibilities are unlocked.* Memecoin era and investment trends: The "memecoin era" is expected to continue, with venture capital focusing on layer 2 solutions built on Bitcoin, while retail investors prioritize fair launch projects like Ordinals and memecoins.That’s all for now, folks. Thank you for being part of the journey.Talk soon,– MarcPS: Follow me on LinkedIn and X for shorter insights.Find our other podcasts here: * Spotify* Apple Podcasts* Youtube⚡️ Amplify Your GrowthIn the last 6 months, we’ve work with 10 selected companies. We helped them in: * Raising awareness by introducing them to our 50k+ B2B audience* Amplifying their product with multi-channel marketing campaigns * Capturing market share with partnership, GTM, and growth strategiesWe have 2 available slots. Reach out below. 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

Hey, it’s Marc. ✌️This is the start of a series of key highlights from our podcasts for our PRO subscribers.I’m thrilled to kick this off with the latest episode on SEPHORA’s Web3 strategy. This episode is packed with insights from our guest Vincent Benoist, and I can’t wait for you to tune in! Vincent Benoist is the Global Innovation Project Director at SEPHORA. Zooming in: SEPHORA, founded in 1969 in France, is a multinational retailer focusing on beauty products and cosmetics: * It operates over 2,700 stores in 35 countries worldwide, with an expanding base of over 500 stores across the Americas.* In 2022, Sephora's revenue was around $10B. Sephora carries nearly 340 brands, along with its own private label, the Sephora Collection.* The company has over 25M active members in its loyalty program, Beauty Insider, one of the most successful in the beauty industry.In February this year, Sephora launched Sephora Universe, where users are able to experience a virtual world with their own avatar, discover virtual products, attend virtual events, and connect with other members.5 Key Take-aways:* Sephora Universe is a prototype designed to transform how people discover beauty products online through an immersive 3D virtual world. Sephora aims to replicate the enjoyable and engaging in-store experience online. They focus on using web3 technologies to add value and create memorable experiences for customers.* Research by Sephora shows that customers spend about 45 minutes exploring and trying products in physical stores but only around 5 minutes online. Vincent Benoist sees an opportunity to bridge this gap by creating an engaging online experience, aiming to keep users interested for 10-15 minutes in Sephora Universe, allowing them to discover new products and brands.* Sephora approached the metaverse cautiously, prioritizing customer value. They started with broad brainstorming, then refined their ideas through prototypes to focus on features aligning with Sephora's brand and customer experience goals. This iterative process ensured their metaverse experience would be both innovative and relevant.* Customer interest in Sephora's virtual spaces was strong, but users also wanted connections to the physical world, such as samples or rewards. This indicates a shift towards more immersive experiences, and Sephora is committed to integrating these seamlessly into the customer journey.* The future of web3 for beauty brands involves fostering community and bridging digital and physical experiences. Brands should focus on inclusivity, ensuring everyone benefits from these technologies. Web3 can also enhance traceability and build trust in the digital beauty space. However, it's crucial to solve real problems and deliver consumer value, not just adopt trendy tech.That’s all for now, folks. Thank you for being part of the journey.Talk soon,– MarcFind our other podcasts here: * Spotify* Apple Podcasts* YoutubeWant to get in front of 50k+ B2B Web3 & marketing professionals? Work with us here. 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

In this episode, Zack Guzman, founder of Trustless Media and Coinage, discusses his journey from traditional media to Web3, the innovative uses of blockchain technology in the media sector, and how it can create a more transparent and democratized environment for content creation and consumption.The Concept of Ownership in Web3 OwnershipZach explains that Web3 enables a new internet paradigm where audiences can genuinely own pieces of the content they consume. Unlike the traditional models where subscribers are passive, Trustless Media allows audiences to become active participants through NFTs and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). This new setup incentivizes both creators and audiences to contribute meaningfully to the content ecosystem. Coinage: Community-Driven Crypto News Coinage is Trustless Media’s first venture focusing on crypto news. Zach explains that in an industry built on being 'trustless,' trustworthy content is crucial. Coinage engages its community in the content creation process. For instance, members vote on what projects to cover, creating a collective filtering mechanism to navigate biases. This democratic approach ensures the content is as unbiased and informative as possible. An example given is the 'Crypto Project of the Year' contest, where members voted to crown the best projects, adding a level of trust and validation to the awards. Expanding Beyond CryptoTrustless Media is also venturing into the food industry with the Best Dish Ever show. This project allows food enthusiasts to vote on the best dishes and restaurants, democratizing food content similar to how Coinage handles crypto news. With significant community participation and partnerships with known chefs, the platform blends Web3 technology with universal interests like food, demonstrating the scalability of Trustless Media’s model beyond the crypto space.Challenges and Future Opportunities One of the challenges Zach points out is making blockchain technology accessible to those unfamiliar with it. The Best Dish Ever project tackled this by enabling easy credit card payments without needing prior knowledge of crypto wallets. Zach sees huge potential in mainstream content niches and believes the future of Web3 in media lies in its ability to make complex technology user-friendly. The ultimate vision is to restore trust and connection between media creators and their audiences. Advice for Web3 Newcomers Zach advises newcomers to focus on solving real-world problems with Web3 technology rather than getting caught up in the hype. He stresses the importance of grounding oneself in practical applications and real use-cases to navigate the noise and distractions prevalent in the space. By concentrating on tangible problems and how Web3 can address them, new entrants are more likely to succeed and make meaningful contributions. Lightning Round and Conclusion Mark wraps up the episode with a lightning round of quick questions, where Zach shares insights about his daily routine, favorite books, and other personal preferences. The conversation concludes with Zach encouraging listeners to explore legitimate NFT projects and get involved in community-driven content platforms. He emphasizes that Web3 has evolved beyond speculative investments, offering real solutions and opportunities for both creators and audiences. 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

How KIKI World is Flipping the Script on Traditional Beauty KIKI World, a next-gen beauty brand, is pioneering a new, Web3-enabled business model with community and co-creation at the core.     By harnessing consumer insights and community feedback, KIKI World co-founders Jana and Brendon developed a platform that not only creates products people want but also gives them a stake in the company's success. This approach has shortened product development cycles and created a loyal community of engaged consumers. 3 highlights:  • Consumers are co-creators and co-beneficiaries: They're rewarded for voting and for sales, depending on the product traits they keep in their wallet • KIKI World products contain a chip that tracks how much members use their products in real life; usage gives rewards • Each vote generates first-party data (accessible on-chain!) and helps KIKI World to understand and predict what consumers desire and shorten the time-to-market for its products In this episode, we’re diving deep into how Brendon and Jana aim to flip the script on traditional beauty – with the help of Web3.  Read more in our deep dive here: https://51insights.xyz/p/kiki-world-more-than-make-up  Bio Brendon: Brendon has built and scaled companies from early-stage startups to international names by bringing a strategic approach to brand and product leadership. He leverages over a decade of leading teams of creatives, marketers, and technologists to create transformative businesses that combine innovation and tactical prowess to drive growth. Bio Jana: Jana is the Co-Founder and CEO of KIKI World, a blockchain enabled platform creating new ways to connect, create products, movements and friends online and onchain. Since its inception in 2023, KIKI has introduced several tech enabled personal products including Pretty Nail Graffiti, with its community and continues to expand to host brands and experiences where communities are co-creators and co-owners of their shared interests. Prior to KIKI, Jana has launched and scaled several tech, biotech and material science enabled consumer businesses with global distribution as an entrepreneur leading EPIC and 12:01 – the active innovation platform.   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

Mercedes-Benz has launched their own NFT project, Mercedes-Benz Next. In the latest episode of the FiftyOne Insights Podcast, I sit down with Max Orgeldinger, founder of 0xNXT, the studio behind Mercedes-Benz’s Web3 presence. We discuss the journey, challenges, and the power of collectability. Here are three key takeaways: 1. Understand the Space: Brands need a deep understanding of Web3 technology, culture, and community. Max’s advice: “Show me your wallet” as a litmus test for partners. 2. Find Your Brand’s Voice: Identify your unique role and voice in Web3, aligning with your brand heritage and values, rather than chasing trends. 3. Patience and Realistic Expectations: A sustainable Web3 presence requires patience and a long-term strategy, with continuous experimentation and adaptation.   Resources Mentioned Mercedes-Benz Next (Twitter: @MercedesBenzNXT)  Max Orgeldinger (Twitter: @MaxOrgeldinger) "Read, Write, Own" by Chris Dixon Farcaster (Social App)    Mercedes-Benz NFT, Web3 for brands, NFT collectibles, Automotive Web3, Web3 marketing strategy, NFT regulations, Crypto-native artists, Web3 user experience, Immersive commerce NFT, Blockchain loyalty programs. 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

Sebastian Odo, VP of Global Digital Marketing Innovation at Mastercard, discusses the future of consumer engagement with blockchain and AI. He explores Web3's impact on brands, artists, and communities, emphasizing authenticity and culture. Mastercard's Artist Accelerator program supports artists in navigating the Web3 landscape for wealth creation and new opportunities.

In this inaugural episode of the FiftyOne Ventures podcast series, Marc Baumann explores the intersection of travel and blockchain with guest Steffen Boller, Dir. of New Business Ventures at Lufthansa Innovation Hub. They dive into the workings of Uptrip, Lufthansa’s groundbreaking loyalty program that leverages Web3 technology to gamify and personalize travel rewards. Boller shares insights into the creation process of Uptrip, strategies for integrating Web3 into traditional business models, and the potential future impacts of blockchain on the travel industry and beyond. They also discuss the challenges of pioneering Web3 projects in established corporations and the importance of creating meaningful, user-centric Web3 applications for widespread adoption. Timestamps:  00:26 Exploring Uptrip: A Web3 Loyalty Program by Lufthansa 01:18 Inside the Lufthansa Innovation Hub: Fostering Digital Transformation 02:34 The Genesis of Uptrip: Merging Blockchain with Loyalty Programs 03:51 User Experience and Community: The Heart of Uptrip 10:59 Navigating Web3 in Corporate Settings: Challenges and Strategies 15:26 Evaluating Success and Future Directions for Web3 in Travel 21:37 Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions with Steffen Links:  http://linkedin.com/in/steffen-boller https://lh-innovationhub.de/ https://uptrip.app/ https://www.podpage.com/fiftyone-insights/ 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