From an artist to a founder of an NFT marketplace, these Gen.T honourees are harnessing the possibilities of Web3
Eight years ago, Gavin Wood, the co-founder of the blockchain-based platform Ethereum, coined the term “Web 3.0”. He later described Web3 in an opinion piece as “an executable Magna Carta—the foundation of the freedom of the individual against the arbitrary authority of the despot.” But it was only in 2021 that the term started to gain mainstream attention, partly because of the increased interest in cryptocurrency from investors and tech enthusiasts.
In simple terms, Web3 is the third era of the World Wide Web. Quoting 2020 Gen.T honouree and Web3 proponent Ivan Yeo from an interview he did with Gen.T last year, it is where “users become participants in networks and have ownership over their own content, data and digital assets”.
Blockchains, cryptocurrencies and NFTs—blockchain-based digital assets—are technologies of the Web3 world, intertwined with each other but also serving other uses including as a digital currency or to provide exclusive access to products, services or experiences. In the Gen.T List 2022, there are several honourees across Asia leveraging these technologies to innovate, elevate their business and make the world a better place. Read about seven of them below.
Read more: What Exactly Is Web3 And Why Should We Care?
Abdul Hafiz “Katun” Abdul Rahman
Who Artist and co-founder, 4 Stages
Where Malaysia
Not content with making Kuala Lumpur a more colourful place, illustrator and graffiti artist Abdul Hafiz “Katun” Abdul Rahman is now conquering the cyberverse. Already he’s collaborated with Post Malone, Dua Lipa, Footlocker, Vans and KFC. In 2021, he sold two NFT collections in less than 24 hours for nearly US$360,000. He also co-founded 4 Stages, a blockchain solutions and artist management firm supporting Southeast Asian artists.
Read more: NFT: Hugh Koh of Pestle & Mortar Clothing on Levelling Up Malaysian Streetwear
