“At the end of the day, NFTs allow a level of digital ownership over content that has not existed before. And that is really powerful because it unlocks a lot of different things that were just never possible.”
— Matt Medved

Is the era of NFTs over? According to Matt Medved, the answer is a resounding no. He believes that we're on the verge of a revolution where content, culture, and creatives converge. With this vision, Matt co-founded nft now, an award-winning web3 media platform on a mission to empower the creators of culture and bring NFTs from niche to mainstream. To explore this upcoming future, catch Matt on the latest episode of The Speed of Culture.

Matt is a pioneering figure in the realms of blockchain and AI who has spent nearly a decade intertwining media, culture, and technology to elevate creativity. Since its inception in 2021, nft now has hosted industry-renowned events and unveiled groundbreaking web3 solutions, such as the Now Pass. Matt's visionary approach earned him a spot in Yahoo Finance's list of the top 10 most influential personalities in the NFT sector.

Before nft now, Matt showcased his leadership as the SVP of Content at Modern Luxury and the Editor-in-Chief of SPIN. Under his stewardship, Matt championed SPIN's memorable 2019 rebrand. In 2015, Matt established Billboard Dance, transforming it into North America's premier dance/electronic music publication.

Take a deep dive into the future of NFTs and Web 3.0 by exploring the key takeaways from this episode or reading the transcript below.

• The Parallels Between DJing and NFTs: Matt has a deep connection to the music world, working as both a DJ and a creative writer. He believes that the best DJs prioritize their audience by blending their personal taste with the crowd's mood. This perspective also applies to the NFT space, where authenticity is crucial. Additionally, DJing and NFTs share common misconceptions: people often see DJs as simple button-pushers, and NFTs are sometimes reduced to mere screenshots. However, both have a rich complexity that resonates with an entire generation, showcasing their true potential and appeal.

• Pioneering the Future of Tokenized Media: In 2021, Matt co-founded nft now, which has quickly become a trusted source in the Web 3.0 media world. Unlike many platforms that mainly target experienced crypto users, nft now's main goal is to educate the broader public so they can fully grasp the potential of this technology. Additionally, nft now is expanding the future of tokenized media by focusing on community involvement. Through the introduction of the Now Pass, the platform’s membership, nft now is allowing the community to actively participate in creating and sharing content, paving the way for using Web 3.0 to transform the media industry.

• The True Power of NFTs: NFTs revolutionize digital ownership, enabling artists to authenticate and monetize their work like never before. These tokens offer transparent, decentralized transactions, bypassing traditional platforms. While Web 2.0 prioritized audience building for indirect revenue, Web 3.0, powered by NFTs, highlights community engagement and direct value sharing. Beyond just digital art, NFTs promise broader applications, shaping the future of the internet. Future generations will intuitively embrace this combination of digital and physical ownership, as shown by platforms like Fortnite and Roblox today.

• From Adoption Curves to Community Building: New concepts typically go through a familiar pattern: initial excitement, a peak in popularity, a decline, and then steady growth. This pattern has been observed in the past during the dot-com boom and is now happening with cryptocurrencies and NFTs. While interest in Web 3.0 remains uncertain, numerous leading companies are still actively exploring blockchain technology. The main challenge is to build lasting connections within the community. But Matt's team is prepared to assist brands entering this space, ensuring ethical and successful engagement.

• Tokenized Media and Its Impact on Storytelling: From the pioneering Gutenberg press to the contemporary digital age, we're on the cusp of a new revolution: tokenized media. nft now is at the forefront, developing The Now Network, which focuses on a community-driven media approach and paving the way for a future where creators can thrive. Furthermore, nft now's Next Up series empowers the community to curate content, giving members a direct role in promoting emerging artists.