open.spotify.com/track/4DmqW… Last week a prominent non-crypto CEO said in a fireside chat (that was not about crypto) that we really need to work on the “brand” of crypto, that it’s perceived as not much more than a mafia by the general public. It wasn’t a dis, it was just a simple genuine observation that a quick glance at the timeline can validate pretty often around here. Fast forward to these last few days in Venice, where MONUMENTAL work was done to create experiences underpinned by beautiful and powerful technology, this “mafia”, that makes a lot of this possible, fun and connected. Hundreds of creators, collectors, curious spectators gathered in Venice to collectively and inadvertently demonstrate just how far from a mafia this really is. 60 artists that put care and love into participating in an epic and groundbreaking artwork that tied a bow around the @brtmoments journey over the last few years. Passionately making work without expectation of monetization but because they love it and they want to be a part of it and maybe, just maybe, be there the moment that one of their works was minted in a room of hundreds of eager spectators (cc: @florianzumbrunn absolute honor and delight to have minted your work for the last token 🤯). Hundreds of equally passionate collectors traveling from all over the world to talk about art, community, relationships, technology, and reminisce over the madness and beauty of the last few years. Dozens of the most humble, welcoming, weird-af-in-the-best-possible-way BM team members that would do anything in their power to ensure that everyone there had a flawless experience with a contagious smile. All accompanied by more significant others and children than I’ve ever seen since entering the crypto world. This is powerful stuff y’all. This is the “brand” of crypto I want to be a part of. This is the “brand” of crypto that will present a compelling reason for new people to come and experience the magic that just a precious few of us have had the opportunity to experience over the last few years. This is the “brand” of crypto we can and all should be striving to build. Everyone can contribute. And subsequently everyone benefits too. And you didn’t have to be in Venice to understand. We need and want new people coming in not with expectations of instant gains, but people coming in with a desire to invest… financially, sure, but also emotionally, and participatorily (not sure that’s even a word sorry) in the career of artists passionately dedicated to their craft, with hopes of seeing them succeed not in hours-or-days-long time horizons but on a multi year journey sprinkled with both success and failure, gratification and regret, progress and regression more closely modeling the human experience. Crypto “tech” simply does not replace that. I promise if we collectively continue to elevate the “crypto brand” to the magic that materialized in Venice, I really really promise things will get better around here. Kudos @seth and team. Truly mind blowing thing you dreamt up and built. Thanks for trusting @artblocks_io and @ArtBlocksEngine through it all and letting us play a role in the magic. And thanks for letting me mint #999!!! Mad respect to @SamSpratt and @1OF1_art for putting together an exemplary interactive and introspective exhibition experience. @mitchellfchan, your work being included at @FondazionePrada was pure joy and highly inspirational. 🙌 @IsmaTaziS adding high design to the equation through the wonderful @trameparis experience. Collectors take note of the artists that contributed. Artists take note of the collectors that participated. Folks following along take note of both. I truly believe these folks are all GMI in one way or another and model what success looks like in the future of digital art. Love yall and will cherish these moments forever. My feet not so much. But I will. 🍻