Lisbon Welcomes the World
The Web Summit 2021 has officially launched in the picturesque city of Lisbon, Portugal! Running from Monday to Thursday, this colossal tech extravaganza has attracted innovators, financiers, and thought leaders from across the globe. The mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, dreams of making Lisbon the epicenter of innovation, stating, “My dream is that Lisbon will be the capital of innovation in the world.” No pressure, right?
A Multicultural Hub for Business
Portugal’s finance minister, João Leão, echoed this sentiment by pitching the vibrant country as an ideal place for living and doing business. He highlighted the country’s multicultural atmosphere saying, “Portugal is the place to live, to invest, to do business, and to do so in a manner which is open to difference, tolerant and multicultural.” So pack your bags, folks! Lisbon might just be your next home base.
Notable Voices Taking the Stage
The conference saw an array of inspiring speakers, including Frances Haugen, the Facebook whistleblower, and Ayo Tometi, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter. They’re not just talking vibes here; they’re stirring the pot and making waves on crucial social issues. Also gracing the stage was Nicholas Julia, co-founder of the NFT fantasy gaming platform, Sorare. Who knew tech conferences doubled as the coolest TED Talks?
Navigating the NFT Landscape
Speaking of Sorare, let’s dive into the world of NFTs—those all-important digital certificates of ownership that have taken the art, music, and gaming industries by storm. These little gems can exist in your digital wallet, like a prized collection of baseball cards but way cooler and crypto-fueled. Julia explained, “NFTs will be the underlying technology for everything of value on the web”—kind of a big deal.
The Remarkable Growth of Sorare
Founded only three years ago in Paris, Sorare’s valuation skyrocketed from $270 million to an astounding $4.3 billion. Talk about a hot ticket! Half a million users found their way to the platform without any marketing. Imagine that persuasion power and how far it can spread! Now, more than 200 football clubs around the world are partnering with Sorare, and its digital player cards have racked up a trading volume of over 50,200 Ether (ETH). Get those wallets ready!
Beyond Gaming: The Future Vision
But don’t think it’s all about gaming—Sorare is just getting warmed up. Julia indicates plans to transcend the gaming realm, asserting, “We want people to feel the benefits of it, that you truly own your digital good, and you can move it around without the friction of crypto that most products face today.” A digital promise of easy ownership? Sign us up!
