Famous entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuck — likewise known as Gary Vee — is a long-time supporter and collector of nonfungible crypto tokens (NFTs).
In May 2021, Vaynerchuck announced the launch of his VeeFriends Non-Fungible Token (NFT) collection, which consisted of 10,255 unique crypto tokens to give holders access to exclusive events.
Shortly after launching the VeeFriends collection, Vaynerchuck demonstrated the capacity behind Non-Fungible Token (NFT) tickets during VeeCon 2022 — a Web3-focused conference built around Non-Fungible Token (NFTs), pop culture, entrepreneurship and marketing. Attendees of VeeCon 2022 required to hold at least one VeeFriend Series 1 Non-Fungible Token (NFT) to access the event.
According to the success of this model, Vaynerchuck moved forward with NFT-based tickets for VeeCon 2023, which was held from May 18–20 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The event organizers informed Cointelegraph that VeeCon 2023 attracted almost 5,000 attendees, a lot of whom were VeeFriend Non-Fungible Token (NFT) holders.
“I think ticketing will be a major case for Non-Fungible Token (NFTs). I want to be at the forefront of this,” Vaynerchuck informed Cointelegraph.
Vaynerchuck elaborated on the capacity behind Non-Fungible Token (NFT) tickets, his opinions on digital currency, and what to expect from VeeCon 2024 during an exclusive interview with Cointelegraph at VeeCon 2023.
Cointelegraph: Why is VeeCon important for the Web 3.0 community?
Gary Vaynerchuck: VeeCon is an incredibly important conference because it’s a place where people can come together in a human way rather than digitally. I think humans need this connection, and conferences are a great way to expand people’s ideas and relationships.
CT: Why did you choose to implement Non-Fungible Token (NFT) tickets for VeeCon 2023?
GV: Ticketing will be a huge use case for Non-Fungible Token (NFTs). I think that, by nature, tickets are collectibles. For example, if you were to go on eBay now and look at how numerous ticket stubs are being purchased, you may be shocked. People love memories and holding on to certain things, which is why I think ticketing will be a major [use] case for Non-Fungible Token (NFTs). I want to be at the forefront of this.
CT: What can we expect for VeeCon 2024?
GV: We will continue to expand this pop culture business conference grounded in innovation, marketing and motivation. We will continue learning from what we did in last years, and hopefully keep bringing positive and practical optimism. Similarly, I do not think that VeeCon 2024 will be held in Indianapolis once more since I like the idea of moving the conference to new cities.
CT: And once did you start getting interested in the cryptocurrency and blockchain tech space?
GV: I started getting interested in 2016, as I saw some interesting Non-Fungible Token (NFT) projects like CryptoKitties, which intrigued me. In January 2020, I started getting really excited about Non-Fungible Token (NFTs).
CT: What do you think about cryptocurrency? Do you own any crypto?
GV: I essentially own very little digital currency, as almost everything I own are Non-Fungible Token (NFTs). I’m more of a collector by heart than a financier. I do not get excited about finances, so I do not own many of currencies more generally. I am more of a baseball card collector and an art collector, which is what cryptocurrency represents for me.
CT: What excites you most about blockchain tech as a technology?
GV: The idea that the technology is entirely decentralized. I do not think numerous people understand the concept of other people owning their data, so I think blockchain tech will be a big deal in the future.
CT: What do you think about the present Non-Fungible Token (NFT) market?
GV: The Non-Fungible Token (NFT) market has dipped because there has been as well much greed. People have been day trading, short-term thinking, and there has been no real affinity toward actual Non-Fungible Token (NFT) collections.
It takes time to get people to care about something. Conferences like VeeCon allow me to get people to care about the VeeFriend characters and this collection, which is why this event really matters.
CT: What do you think about the metaverse?
GV: Longstanding, the metaverse network excites me. On the other hand, we are not there yet.
CT: Do you use a cryptocurrency wallet to store your NFTs?
GV: I use hardware wallets since I have a very substantial Non-Fungible Token (NFT) collection, and I want to secure maximum security. I’m likewise more of a custodial guy and believe that nobody should have access to my seed phrase.
CT: Any final thoughts?
GV: People love talking about patience and being passionate about things, and being in something for the long haul. Then they wake up a 30 days thereafter and start crying.
The VeeFriends brand is a 20-year marathon. If people do not understand this, it’s okay. On the other hand, the question then becomes, are you essentially in this, or are you in it for the short-term money or clout? Is this a fad for you, or is it real life? For me, the VeeFriends brand and vision is incredibly real-life and long-term.
