Telegram's NFT Revolution: The Rise of Digital Collectibles | S5 E28

Send us a textDigital ownership is evolving rapidly, and nowhere is this more evident than in Telegram's thriving ecosystem. Alex, CMO of DOGS and Open Builders, takes us on a journey through the revolutionary world of digital collectibles that's transforming how millions of users engage with Web3.The conversation begins with the fascinating origin story of DOGS, starting as a simple sketch by Pavel Durov himself for a charity auction supporting orphanages. This meaningful beginning blossomed into a movement that gathered millions of community members in just days and achieved a Binance listing within two months. The narrative then shifts to how stickers serve as powerful onboarding tools for Web2 users entering the blockchain space.What makes Telegram's digital collectibles truly unique is their built-in utility. Unlike traditional NFTs that struggled with practical applications, these stickers and collectibles integrate seamlessly into users' daily communications. "Collectibles on Telegram have this built-in utility from the get-go. They are very easy to flex, they have their place within the Telegram ecosystem and they always will be," Alex explains.Perhaps most fascinating is how these digital assets foster genuine community building. Owners of particular stickers have organically created exclusive chat groups, coordinated marketing efforts, produced merchandise, and even arranged real-life meetups. These communities blend crypto veterans with newcomers, facilitating knowledge transfer and creating shared experiences around digital assets—something Alex notes "many meme coins would be jealous to see."The market performance speaks for itself, with some stickers seeing price increases of up to 44,000% and trading volumes hitting all-time highs on secondary markets. Major collaborations with brands like Pudgy Penguins and Doodles demonstrate the growing appeal of this digital ownership model.As the TON blockchain ecosystem continues evolving, gaming collectibles emerge as the next frontier, with players already trading rare skins and items even before official marketplaces launch. For entrepreneurs, this represents an unprecedented opportunity to define entirely new categories in an ecosystem where "every product you ship is something entirely new" that could potentially "redefine the whole industry."This episode was recorded through a Descript call on June 10, 2025. Read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/telegrams-nft-revolution-the-rise-of-digital-collectibles/

Send us a text"We shouldn't be the homework assignment. We should be the song that you listen to on the radio," says Ariel Wengroff, EVP of Communications and Marketing at Ledger. This captivating insight captures the essence of how one of crypto's most trusted security companies approaches education in a space often overwhelmed with technical complexity.Throughout our conversation, Ariel reveals the strategic thinking behind Ledger's approach to storytelling and brand-building at the intersection of technology, security, and culture. Having produced "Woman with Gloria Steinem" and led content at Vice before joining Ledger, she brings a unique perspective on how to make challenging topics accessible and engaging.The discussion takes us behind the scenes of Ledger's educational initiatives, including their "Don’t Get Rekt" claymation series and their newly announced partnership with the San Antonio Spurs. This collaboration isn't just a logo on a jersey; it's a thoughtful alignment between a French tech company and an NBA team with strong French connections, focused on youth STEM education and financial literacy. As Ariel explains, NBA fans have twice the purchase intent for crypto compared to average consumers, making this partnership both culturally relevant and strategically sound.What stands out most is Ledger's commitment to long-term thinking rather than short-term marketing wins. From making their education platform entirely free to ensuring diverse representation in their marketing materials, every decision reflects a deeper understanding of their mission to empower people through digital sovereignty.For marketers, creators, and anyone interested in how technology brands can build authentic connections with audiences, this episode offers valuable insights into creating content that feels like entertainment rather than education, yet manages to accomplish both. This episode was recorded through a Descript call on June 30, 2025. Read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/ledger-x-san-antonio-spurs-the-global-partnership-built-on-trust-culture-and-digital-ownership/

Send us a textKomal Amin (Koko) shares how GOAT Gaming is leveraging Telegram's billion-user ecosystem to pioneer AI-powered Web3 gaming with fast, competitive gameplay where users can win prizes and earn crypto.• Telegram provides unique distribution opportunities through peer-to-peer messaging• GOAT Gaming onboarded 5 million users by creating strong referral loops• Success on Telegram requires adapting to its unique ecosystem rather than following traditional marketing playbooks• AlphaGoats introduces AI characters that serve as community managers and content creators• Their AI character "Amy" runs competitive social games that increased engagement by 4x• AI allows marketers to test and iterate without engineering resources, cutting content cycles from weeks to 24 hours• Being able to test, capture data, and iterate quickly is critical in fast-moving spaces• The integration of AI with Web3 gaming may finally help overcome adoption barriersThis episode was recorded through a Descript call on June 11, 2025. Read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/the-telegram-gaming-revolution-why-1-billion-users-are-the-untapped-goldmFind Out More >>Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us a textImagine getting paid real cryptocurrency simply for walking. This isn't science fiction. It's the revolutionary model created by Sweat Economy that's bringing the next billion users into Web3 through something everyone already does daily.Walking through the breathtaking hills of Sintra, Portugal, Oleg Fomenko shares Sweat Economy's remarkable journey from their early days as Sweatcoin in 2014 to becoming one of the world's most downloaded fitness apps. Initially constrained by blockchain limitations, they operated centrally until 2022, when technology finally caught up with their vision. Now, through their Sweat token and non-custodial wallet, they've created a seamless experience that addresses the three critical barriers keeping mainstream users from embracing crypto: complicated products, poor user experience, and prohibitive entry costs.What makes their approach particularly refreshing is their focus on active users rather than Total Value Locked (TVL). While much of the crypto industry chases capital from whales, Sweat Economy builds for real people with real needs. "We want to bring the next billion people into Web3 and do it in an easy to understand, easy to use, and no barriers way," Oleg explains while demonstrating their model in real-time during our walking podcast.Their tokenomics incorporate clever mechanisms like requiring more steps for each additional token (similar to Bitcoin halving but happening continuously), and they've created innovative utility including activity-based staking—walk 10,000 steps today, earn 10% APY tomorrow—and an upcoming universal gas token feature letting users "pay fees with their feet" across multiple blockchains.Comparing crypto's current state to the internet around 2000, Oleg paints an exciting picture of what's next: "We're on the cusp of switching to consumer crypto... That gave us Google in 2003, Facebook in 2007. And that's where bulk of the returns and money on the internet were made." This shift from infrastructure to consumer applications is where Sweat Economy is positioning itself at the forefront.This episode was recorded during a walk in Sintra on June 12, 2025. Check the video footage, read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/walk-talk-in-sintra-with-sweatcoins-founder/Discover RYO: the Web3 payment solution making crypto simple and secure for everyone. Featuring an expansive ecosystem with LIFE Wallet, Global Mall, and Japan’s first licensed Crypto ATM Network, RYO empowers your financial journey. Awarded 'Best Crypto Solution.' 

Send us a textWhat happens when a meme coin project's founder vanishes overnight? For most crypto projects, that's a death sentence, but not for Shitcoin. In this fascinating conversation with Ajay, we explore the remarkable story of a community that refused to die.Ajay takes us through his journey from video game recruitment to leading a resilient crypto community that survived what should have been fatal—the complete disappearance of their project's original developer. After watching the market cap plummet when social accounts were shut down and the website disconnected, Ajay stepped up to lead a community takeover that breathed new life into what many would have written off as another failed meme coin.The power of transparency emerges as a central theme throughout our discussion. In a space notorious for anonymous teams, AJ's willingness to put his real face and name behind the project has created unprecedented trust. "There aren't many meme projects or communities that have that," he explains, "and I think that's what makes us real."Beyond Shitcoin's revival story, we dive into the growth potential of meme coins compared to the broader crypto ecosystem. Ajay shares insights about the intersection of AI and crypto, predicting an explosion of AI-driven content creation that will transform how memes connect with communities. His formula for success is refreshingly straightforward: followers convert to holders, holders generate volume, and volume builds market cap.Whether you're already immersed in the world of meme coins or simply curious about community-driven crypto projects, this episode offers valuable perspectives on building something authentic in a space often dominated by pump-and-dump schemes. As Ajay puts it, "This is about community. It has to be driven by people."This episode was recorded at MEMECON in Lisbon on June 5, 2025. Read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/rebuilding-a-meme-community-with-ajay-babber/Discover RYO: the Web3 payment solution making crypto simple and secure for everyone. Featuring an expansive ecosystem with LIFE Wallet, Global Mall, and Japan’s first licensed Crypto ATM Network, RYO empowers your financial journey. Awarded 'Best Crypto Solution.' 

Send us a textThe digital landscape is undergoing a profound transformation as privacy awareness grows. What once seemed like a fringe concern has become mainstream, with users increasingly questioning how their data is used and stored. Mathias Buus Madsen, CEO of Holepunch and a leading voice in open source development, stands at the forefront of this shift with a radical vision: eliminating servers entirely.After more than a decade dedicated to peer-to-peer innovation, Matthias has watched public perception evolve dramatically. "Things were different," he reflects on earlier days when Facebook was continuously growing and privacy concerns were dismissed with "I have nothing to hide." Today's reality looks markedly different, with each passing year bringing greater privacy consciousness—a trend Matthias describes as "bad for the world but very good for peer-to-peer."Holepunch, backed by Tether, has developed what they call the "Pear Runtime"—a foundation for building applications that operate without servers. Their flagship app Keet demonstrates these principles in action, functioning like Telegram but with a crucial difference: complete decentralization. "If we stop working, the apps will still work," Matthias explains, highlighting the revolutionary independence these applications maintain.This serverless approach creates extraordinary freedom for developers. Without infrastructure costs to consider, features can be added based purely on their value to users, not their operational expense. The encryption-first design means even the developers themselves can't access user data—sometimes frustrating users accustomed to service recovery, but ultimately providing unprecedented privacy protection.The intersection of AI with peer-to-peer technology presents particularly fascinating possibilities. While centralized AI models raise serious privacy concerns (who knows what happens to data shared with these systems?), decentralized approaches could empower users to make better decisions without surrendering their personal information. As Matthias puts it, the combination could be "the most exciting almost in human history" or, if hyper-centralized, "the most dystopian and scary thing."This episode was recorded through a Descript call on May 13, 2025. Read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/the-peer-to-peer-revolution-with-mathias-buus-madsen-ceo-of-holepunch-backed-by-tether/Ready to explore the peer-to-peer revolution? Join the Holepunch community on Discord, explore their open-source repositories on GitHub, or download their applications to experience truly private, resilient technology that works even when the internet doesn't.Web3 CMO Stories featured in BitcourierDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us a textMEMECON transforms crypto Twitter's pseudo-anonymous personalities into real-world connections through a unique conference experience that embraces the wild, quirky energy of meme coins. Jax shares insights on building community through memorable experiences, expanding globally, and navigating the still-emerging meme coin ecosystem.• MEMECON provides a space for crypto enthusiasts who may feel disenfranchised from mainstream Web3 culture• The conference stands out by embracing chaos and quirkiness rather than traditional professionalism• Most attendees are crypto OGs looking for genuine connections beyond digital interactions• The power of the event comes from transforming online friendships into meaningful real-life relationships• Storytelling centers around community members who become characters that shape the conference experience• The deliberately unprofessional branding initially made people question if the conference was even real• MEMECON has expanded from Lisbon to Singapore and Bangkok, attracting global participants• Asian meme communities bring unique cultural elements influenced by manga and anime• Advice for meme coin investors: treat it like gambling and only risk what you can afford to lose• The meme coin space is still very early and should be approached for fun rather than fortuneThis episode was recorded at MEMECON in Lisbon on June 5, 2025. Read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/memecon-unleashed-inside-web3s-wildest-conference-with-founder-jax/Buy RYO-CHAN meme coins via my official ambassador link: https://ryochan.com/affiliate/?ref=RYO-KMVKKNFind Out More >>Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us a textSteven Dolcemaschio shares his journey from running an independent record label to leading marketing at global consumer brands like Nike, Converse, and Sonos, before entering crypto as CMO of Reown (formerly WalletConnect). He explores how authentic storytelling and human creativity remain crucial differentiators in an increasingly AI-dominated marketing landscape.• Culture and product are at the center of effective brand storytelling across all industries• Technical products in Web3 need better storytelling that focuses on benefits rather than features• Community building is essential - crypto pioneered modern community-centric marketing• Experience-focused marketing creates meaningful connections with users• As Web3 and traditional finance merge, infrastructure companies need to build bridges for mainstream adoption• Future growth will come from passive users wanting seamless experiences, not power users• Human creativity and authentic connection remain irreplaceable as AI threatens to create a "sea of sameness"This episode was recorded through a Descript call on May 14, 2025. Read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/storytelling-beats-features-a-cmos-perspective-on-web3-marketing-with-steven-dolcemaschio/

Send us a textDennis Yu shares his expertise on Google Knowledge Panels, effective AI use, and establishing digital authority while revealing why most marketers fail by jumping to recommendations without proper analysis.• Google verification (Knowledge Panel) establishes your digital authority for free• The personal brand website homepage should be the definitive location for your professional facts• AI systems draw from Google's information layer, making your search presence crucial• Effective AI use involves conversations rather than one-shot "magic" prompts• The $1/day strategy tests content at small scale before investing heavily in winners• Real, authentic content consistently outperforms AI-generated material• The MAA framework (Metrics, Analysis, Action) provides a systematic approach to marketing decisions• "Flawsome" content showing authentic experiences resonates across all platforms• Paid promotion can actually improve SEO through behavioral signalsShare this episode with entrepreneurs who want to establish genuine digital authority. If you haven't yet followed the show or given a review, this is a great moment to do so - those five stars help reach a bigger audience!This episode was recorded at DGT/LX 2025 in Oeiras on April 22, 2025. Read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/dennis-yu-how-to-win-with-ai-in-search-social-business/Discover RYO: the Web3 payment solution making crypto simple and secure for everyone. Featuring an expansive ecosystem with LIFE Wallet, Global Mall, and Japan’s first licensed Crypto ATM Network, RYO empowers your financial journey. Awarded 'Best Crypto Solution.' 

Send us a textDigital identity represents the gravitational force aligning Web3's fragmented ecosystem, yet many projects struggle to communicate its importance in ways that resonate beyond technical audiences. Alice Shikova, Marketing Lead at SpaceID, brings clarity to this challenge through her practical approach to Web3 marketing and digital identity solutions.• Creating successful Web3 marketing requires translating complex technical concepts into emotional stories that resonate with users• Digital identity provides necessary context while preserving privacy, helping users understand who they're interacting with in Web3 spaces• SpaceID supports domains across 24+ blockchains, addressing the critical interoperability challenges in the ecosystem• Payment ID allows seamless transactions between Web3 wallets and centralized exchanges using simple, Gmail-linked usernames• Web3 marketing should focus on treating users as co-builders rather than customers, creating alignment between teams and communities• Zero Knowledge technology explained simply: "allows you to keep privacy and verify what you want without revealing information"• Marketers transitioning to Web3 should learn to think like users, write like founders, and understand development fundamentals• Measuring marketing success requires looking beyond vanity metrics to user retention, domain registrations, and community engagementThis episode was recorded through a Descript call on April 15, 2025. Read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/from-domain-names-to-digital-identity-navigating-web3s-evolution-with-alice-shikova/Discover RYO: the Web3 payment solution making crypto simple and secure for everyone. Featuring an expansive ecosystem with LIFE Wallet, Global Mall, and Japan’s first licensed Crypto ATM Network, RYO empowers your financial journey. Awarded 'Best Crypto Solution.'