In this episode of Reimagine Ownership, host Dan sits down with Sovereign, CEO of the global movement CTRL, to explore his journey into Bitcoin, his leadership philosophy, and the groundbreaking work at CTRL. They discuss the transformative power of Bitcoin, Ordinals theory, and the cultural impact of digital collectibles. Sovereign shares insights on the challenges of centralized finance, the ethos behind CTRL, and their bold initiatives driving awareness and change in the financial landscape.
Sovereign’s journey into Bitcoin and early insights
The rise of Bitcoin Ordinals and its impact on digital ownership
The origins and bold beginnings of the CTRL movement
The mission, vision, and ethos behind CTRL
Challenges of centralized finance and the push for decentralization
Building a community and CTRL’s future plans
Collaborations and innovations in Ordinals
What’s next for CTRL and the future of digital sovereignty
"Bitcoin isn’t just a currency—it’s a revolution in ownership and autonomy." – Sovereign
"Decentralization isn’t about technology alone; it’s about shifting power back to individuals." – Dan
Bitcoin and Ordinals are redefining digital ownership and challenging traditional financial structures.
CTRL is more than a movement—it’s a bold initiative pushing for financial sovereignty and awareness.
Community-building and collaboration are essential for driving real change in decentralized finance.
The future of digital ownership lies in empowering individuals to take control of their assets and identities.
Sovereign is the CEO of CTRL, a global movement dedicated to reshaping financial and digital ownership paradigms. With a deep background in Bitcoin and decentralization, he is leading innovative projects that challenge centralized finance and promote individual autonomy in the digital age.
📢 X: https://t.me/hellometaversal 🔗
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaversal/?viewAsMember=true 🌐
Website: https://www.metaversal.gg
In this episode of Reimagine Ownership, host [Host Name] sits down with Amanda Schmidt, a visionary curator and art advisor, to explore the integration of digital art into the traditional art world. Amanda shares her journey, insights on NFTs, and the transformative potential they hold for artists and collectors. The conversation delves into her experience with digital ownership, her role in landmark NFT acquisitions, and her perspective on the future of art markets in the Web3 era.
"NFTs aren’t just a medium; they’re a movement redefining ownership and access." – Amanda Schmidt
"Collectors who embrace digital art today are shaping the museums of tomorrow." – [Host Name]
Amanda Schmidt is a curator and art advisor specializing in digital art and NFTs. With a background in traditional art markets and a deep understanding of blockchain technology, Amanda has played a key role in landmark NFT acquisitions and advising collectors navigating the evolving digital art landscape.
📢 X: https://t.me/hellometaversal
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaversal/?viewAsMember=true
🌐 Website: https://www.metaversal.gg
Key Topics Discussed:Notable Quotes:Key Takeaways:Guest Bio:Connect with Guest:
In this episode of Reimagine Ownership, hosts Dan sits down with Nir Efrat, CEO of Virtually Human Studio, to explore the evolution of digital ownership through the lens of Zed, a pioneering virtual horse racing platform.Key Topics DiscussedNir's 25-year journey through the gaming industryThe rise and fall of Zed Run during the NFT boomThe challenges of transitioning a Web3 product after market declineThe reimagined Zed Champions platform launching March 2025Expanding the ecosystem with Zed Pix for spectators and pickersAbstracting away blockchain technology to improve user experienceGlobal expansion strategy and competitive landscapeNotable Quotes"Many of the games at the time started by 'we're going to sell you some NFTs... and one day you can use it in a game, maybe.' Many of those promises never came to fruition." - Nir Efrat"I made the very strong revelation that the game might not be salvageable. However, there are lots of cool elements in the game... can we take elements that were exciting about the game and rebuild it in a way that will address all the other issues?" - Nir EfratKey Take AwaysSuccessful Web3 products must prioritize utility and experience over speculationFirst-time user experience is critical - complex onboarding processes deter new usersAbstracting away blockchain technology improves accessibility for mainstream usersStrategic company pivots require balancing logical analysis with empathy for existing teams and communitiesGuest BioNir Efrat is CEO of Virtually Human Studio, the company behind Zed. With a background spanning 25 years in gaming and digital entertainment, Nir brings a unique perspective on bridging traditional gaming and Web3. Previously, he held leadership roles at Take-Two Interactive, Dots, and King, and has expertise in mobile gaming, esports, and blockchain-based digital economies.Virtually Humans: https://www.vhslab.com/ X: https://t.me/hellometaversalLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaversal/?viewAsMember=trueWebsite: https://www.metaversal.gg
In this episode of Reimagine Ownership, hosts sit down with Stephen Gay, Co-Founder and CEO, and John Finger, COO, of Mode Maison Labs, to explore how their innovative digital platform is transforming luxury retail. They discuss how Mode Maison Labs blends cutting-edge technology and immersive storytelling to redefine digital ownership, the future of personalized and sustainable luxury goods, and the role of AI in shaping the industry. The conversation also covers the challenges of evolving traditional retail models and the potential impact of generative AI on commerce.
Key Topics Discussed:
Stephen’s journey from Ralph Lauren to ModeMaison Labs
Challenges in traditional retail storytelling
The evolution and future of digital retail
Understanding Digital Core and its impact
The role of TMAC in digital product creation
Ownership and the future of digital twins
Royalty models in the digital world
Building a talented team at ModeMaison Labs
The importance of proprietary data
Exploring world models in AI
The future of AI in commerce and retail
Personal reflections on ownership
Notable Quotes:
"Luxury is about storytelling, and digital ownership allows us to extend that story in new ways." — Stephen Gay
"AI is not just a tool; it’s a collaborator in redefining commerce." — John Finger
Key Takeaways:
Luxury retail is evolving—AI and digital platforms are enabling new forms of personalized and sustainable luxury.
Storytelling is at the heart of digital ownership, and companies like ModeMaison Labs are pioneering immersive experiences.
Generative AI will reshape commerce, offering new ways to design, sell, and own products.
Proprietary data is the future—companies investing in unique digital assets will have a competitive edge.
Guest Bio:
Stephen Gay is the Co-Founder and CEO of ModeMaison Labs, with a background in fashion and digital innovation. He previously worked at Ralph Lauren, where he honed his expertise in luxury brand storytelling.
John Finger is the COO of ModeMaison Labs, specializing in the intersection of technology, commerce, and digital ownership. His work focuses on creating seamless, AI-driven experiences for the future of retail.
Connect with ModeMaison Labs:
Website:modemaisonlabs.com
LinkedIn:ModeMaison Labs
Connect With Us:
X:https://t.me/hellometaversal
LinkedIn:Metaversal
Website:https://www.metaversal.gg
In this episode of Reimagine Ownership, host Dan sits down with Dr. Sian Proctor, astronaut, Afrofuturist artist, and space advocate, at the Time to Be Happy gallery to explore the intersection of space exploration, art, and digital ownership.
Topics Discussed
Dr. Proctor's historic achievement as the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft
The fusion of Afrofuturism, space exploration, and digital art
Taking NFTs to space during the Inspiration4 mission
Time to Be Happy gallery's innovative clock designs by Benzi
The evolution of ownership across physical and digital realms
Web3 technologies and their impact on creative collaboration
Reimagining work, time, and happiness through artistic expression
Notable Quotes
"I took an NFT to space because ownership in the digital age is just as powerful as exploration in the physical world." - Dr. Sian Proctor "Art isn't just what we create—it's how we see time, space, and our place in the universe." - Benzi
Key Take Aways:
Space exploration offers unique perspectives that can transform artistic expression and our understanding of ownership
Digital ownership through NFTs creates new possibilities for artists to extend their work beyond traditional boundaries
The intersection of physical galleries and digital art forms represents the evolving nature of creative spaces
Afrofuturism provides a powerful framework for imagining more inclusive technological futures
Dr. Sian Proctor is a groundbreaking astronaut who made history as the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft. Beyond her achievements in space, she is an acclaimed Afrofuturist artist, poet, and advocate for inclusive space exploration. With a background as a geoscience professor, Dr. Proctor bridges scientific knowledge with artistic expression, advocating for new ownership models in both physical and digital realms.
Connect with Dr Sian
Website: https://drsianproctor.com/about
X: https://x.com/DrSianProctor
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sianproctor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsianproctor/
Connect with Benzi
Website:https://www.benzistudio.com/time-to-be-happy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benzistudio/?hl=en
Connect With Us:
Website: https://www.metaversal.gg
X:https://t.me/hellometaversal
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaversal/?viewAsMember=true
In this episode of Reimagine Ownership, host Dan sits down with Steve McKeon, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Collab Currency, to explore the evolution of blockchain, Web3, and digital ownership.
Key Take Aways
Steve's journey from academia to entrepreneurship
The founding story of Skyward and Collab Currency
Tokenization and real-world asset integration
The evolving landscape of NFTs and their utility
Meme coins as financialized entertainment
Decentralized AI and its role in Web3
Regulatory challenges facing the crypto ecosystem
Personal reflections on early ownership experiences
The tokenization of real-world assets represents a significant frontier for blockchain technology
NFTs continue to evolve beyond digital art into utility-focused applications
Meme coins serve as a form of financialized entertainment within the crypto ecosystem
Decentralized AI presents new opportunities for ownership and value creation in Web3
Guest Bio:
Steve McKeon is Co-founder and Managing Partner at Collab Currency. With a background spanning academia and entrepreneurship, Steve founded Skyward before launching Collab Currency. His expertise in blockchain economics and digital ownership has positioned him as a thought leader in the Web3 space.
Connect with Guest:
X: https://x.com/Collab_Currency
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smckeon/
Website: https://www.collabcurrency.com/
Connect with Us:
X:https://t.me/hellometaversal
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaversal/?viewAsMember=true
Website:https://www.metaversal.gg
In this episode of Reimagine Ownership, Dan sit down with Connor Moore, Co-founder and COO at MetaStreet, to explore the future of digital asset lending and NFT-backed loans.
Key Topics Discussed:
NFT-backed loan markets and liquidity solutions
MetaStreet's debt protocols and capital access in Web3
Fractional ownership structures
Real-world asset tokenization
GPU-based lending products
Risk management in digital asset lending
Evolution of debt markets in crypto
Key Takeaways:
- MetaStreet is transforming liquidity access by enabling NFT holders to use digital assets as loan collateral
- The company has achieved record-breaking loan volumes and secured significant funding rounds
- Real-world asset tokenization represents the next frontier for blockchain-based lending
- GPU-based lending products demonstrate how Web3 financial models can extend beyond purely digital assets
Guest Bio:
Connor Moore is Co-founder and COO at MetaStreet. With expertise in digital asset markets, Connor has helped position MetaStreet at the forefront of the NFT-backed loan ecosystem, creating innovative debt protocols that reshape how capital flows through Web3 environments.
Connect with Guest:
Website: https://metastreet.xyz/
Connect With Us:
X: https://t.me/hellometaversal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaversal/?viewAsMember=true
Website: https://www.metaversal.gg
In this episode of Reimagine Ownership, host Dan sits down with Jerome Faury, CEO at Immersive, to explore the evolution of payment systems from Web2 to Web3 and the future of crypto transactions.
Key topics discussed:
Jerome's journey from early programming to payments innovation
Immersive's origin story and founding vision
SaaS-based payment systems evolution
Strategic partnerships with Citibank, Mastercard, and major brands
QR code innovations for Web3 payments
Regulatory challenges and compliance strategies
Tokenization experiments (including Coca-Cola)
Global expansion and market dynamics
Leadership philosophy and team building
Key Takeaways
Bridging Web2 and Web3 payment systems is crucial for mainstream crypto adoption
Strategic partnerships with established financial institutions provide legitimacy for blockchain payment solutions
Regulatory compliance and engagement are essential for sustainable growth in the crypto payments space
Customer engagement and real-world use cases drive innovation in payment technologies
Guest Bio:
Jerome Faury is CEO at Immersive, a portfolio company specializing in crypto payment solutions. With a background in technology and payments dating back to the late 90s, Jerome brings extensive experience from developing early e-commerce solutions to creating SaaS-based payment systems. His work with major companies like Citibank and Mastercard has positioned him at the forefront of bridging traditional finance with Web3 innovations.
Connect with Jerome:
X: https://x.com/JFaury
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromefaury/
Website: https://immersve.com/company/
Connect With Us:
X:https://t.me/hellometaversal
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaversal/?viewAsMember=true
Website:https://www.metaversal.gg
The second instalment of our two-part conversation with Lumen Studios.
In this episode of Reimagine Ownership, we continue our conversation with Gillian Varney, CEO of Lumen Prize and Lumen Studios, and Jack Addis, Director of Lumen Studios, diving deeper into Lumen's impact on digital art and its future vision.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Lumen's rigorous judging process and international selection committee
- The growth from 700 to nearly 2,000 applicants in recent years
- Innovative artist works that challenge traditional digital art concepts
- Lumen Studios' global exhibitions and institutional collaborations
- Community engagement initiatives and the concept of "third spaces"
- The future vision of digital art in everyday spaces
Notable Quotes:
"To become a finalist was to be in the top 4 percent of all applications." - Gillian Varney
"I'm trying to really engage audiences with art through technology where they feel they can maybe have a hand in that and kind of understand something and learn something at the same time." - Jack Addis
Key Takeaways:
- Lumen's judging process involves multiple expert reviewers and a strict conflict of interest policy
- Award-winning works go beyond traditional digital art, including haptic technology and AI-driven sound-based imagery
- Lumen Studios has conducted over 70 commissions and exhibitions worldwide
There's a growing focus on making digital art accessible in community spaces and "third spaces"
Guest Bios: Gillian Varney is CEO of Lumen Prize and Lumen Studios. With a background in fine art storage, logistics, and art curation, Gillian brings a unique perspective on the intersection of traditional and digital art worlds.
Jack Addis is Director of Lumen Studios. With a background in digital art since age 18 and experience as an art technician, Jack has been instrumental in building Lumen's presence since 2015.
Connect with Lumen:
Lumen Prize Categories 2025 (Going live on January 31st, 2025): https://www.lumenprize.com/categories
Lumen Prize Website: https://www.lumenprize.com
Lumen Prize Twitter: https://x.com/lumenprize
Artists Mentioned:
Christian Kohl - Digital Art
Operator - Generative Art Award 2023
Keiken - Haptic Womb
Diego Trujillo Pisante - Lights AI Trained to Sounds of Mexico City
NonoTak - Eclipse Exhibition
Phaidon - Book Publishers
Connect With Us:
X: https://t.me/hellometaversal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaversal/?viewAsMember=true
Website: https://www.metaversal.gg
In this episode of Reimagine Ownership, hosts Dan sits down with Gillian Varney, CEO of Lumen Prize and Lumen Studios, and Jack Addis, Director of Lumen Studios, to explore the evolution of digital art and Lumen's rich legacy of supporting artists at the intersection of art and technology.
Key Topics Discussed:
The history and evolution of digital art since the 1960s
The challenges of selling and collecting digital art before blockchain technology
Lumen's origin story and mission to support digital artists globally
The democratization of digital art and making it accessible to new audiences
The transformation of art ownership through blockchain technology
Lumen's impressive reach across 65 countries and gender parity in submissions
The sophisticated intersection of technology and various art forms, including choreography
Notable Quotes:
"Artists have always used new tools, and with the rise of any technology, creative people will take advantage and learn how to use that once it becomes available to them." - Jack Addis
"Digital art really maintains an intimate connection between the viewer and the work itself. And there's far less time spent on maintenance and care and storage and you can really get to the meat very quickly." - Gillian Varney
Key Takeaways:
Digital art has a rich history dating back to the 1960s, contrary to common perception of it being a recent phenomenon
Blockchain technology has revolutionized how digital artists can monetize and sell their work
Lumen has supported over 900 artists across 65 countries, maintaining a unique 50-50 gender parity in submissions
Digital art encompasses more than static images - it includes various forms like choreography merged with technology
Guest Bios: Gillian Varney is CEO of Lumen Prize and Lumen Studios. With a background in fine art storage, logistics, and art curation, Gillian brings a unique perspective on the intersection of traditional and digital art worlds.
Jack Addis is Director of Lumen Studios. With a background in digital art since age 18 and experience as an art technician, Jack has been instrumental in building Lumen's presence since 2015.
Connect with Lumen
Lumen Prize Categories 2025 (Going live on January 31st, 2025): https://www.lumenprize.com/categories
Lumen Prize Website: https://www.lumenprize.com
Lumen Prize Twitter: https://x.com/lumenprize
Artists Mentioned:
Christian Kohl - Digital Art
Operator - Generative Art Award 2023
Keiken - Haptic Womb
Diego Trujillo Pisante - Lights AI Trained to Sounds of Mexico City
NonoTak - Eclipse Exhibition
Phaidon - Book Publishers
Connect With Us:
X:https://t.me/hellometaversal
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaversal/?viewAsMember=true
Website:https://www.metaversal.gg
In this episode of Reimagine Ownership, hosts Yossi Hasson and Dan Schmerin sit down with Oliver Quie, co-founder of Innerworks, to explore the evolving challenges of digital authenticity and bot detection in an increasingly online world.
Key Topics Discussed:
The origins of Innerworks and its evolution from a behavioral sciences concept to a cybersecurity company
The role of behavioral biometrics and psychoinformatics in differentiating real users from bots
The growing impact of bots on misinformation, elections, and digital asset security
Why traditional authentication methods like CAPTCHAs are becoming ineffective
How Innerworks' adaptive approach enhances online security
The connection between bot detection and digital ownership
The role of decentralized technologies in securing digital identity and privacy
The impact of zero-knowledge proofs on online security
The future of digital identity and ownership in a rapidly changing internet landscape
"Bots aren't just an inconvenience; they’re a real threat to democracy, security, and digital ownership." - Oliver Quie
"If we want true digital ownership, we need to ensure that the users interacting online are actually who they say they are." - Oliver Quie
Bots are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making traditional authentication methods obsolete.
Behavioral biometrics and psychoinformatics offer a more effective way to differentiate between real users and bots.
Decentralized technologies and zero-knowledge proofs are essential for securing online privacy and ownership.
The future of digital identity will rely on adaptive, invisible security solutions rather than outdated methods like CAPTCHAs.
Guest Bio:
Oliver Quie is the co-founder of Innerworks, a cybersecurity company focused on digital authenticity and bot detection. With a background in behavioral sciences and cybersecurity, Oliver is passionate about creating a more trustworthy digital environment through innovative security technologies.
Connect with Ollie:
Website: https://www.innerworks.me/
X: https://x.com/oli_innerworks
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverquie/?originalSubdomain=uk
Connect With Us:
Twitter: https://t.me/hellometaversal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaversal/?viewAsMember=true
Website: https://www.metaversal.gg
In this episode of Reimagine Ownership, hosts Yossi Hasson and Dan Schmerin sit down with Tor Bair, CEO and co-founder of Stashh, to explore how Web3 technologies are reshaping our understanding of ownership, privacy, and value in the digital age.
Key Topics Discussed:
The evolving landscape of digital ownership and its implicationsHow fractional ownership is changing the way we think about value
The role of privacy in NFT marketplaces and digital asset ownership. Stashh’s unique approach to Web3 marketplaces and social discovery
The cultural and financial impact of meme coins
How blockchain technology is revolutionizing industries like music and ticketing
Lessons from Constitution DAO and the future of collective ownership
Notable Quotes:
"Privacy and ownership go hand in hand in the digital world. Without control over your data, do you really own it?" - Tor Bair
"We are just beginning to scratch the surface of what NFTs and blockchain can enable beyond speculation." - Yossi Hasson
"The power of collective ownership is becoming clearer every day. Web3 is about rethinking who gets to own and benefit from digital value." - Dan Schmerin
Key Takeaways:
Digital ownership is evolving beyond speculation – NFTs and Web3 platforms are enabling real-world use cases across multiple industries.
Privacy is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of digital ownership – True ownership requires control over personal data and assets.
Fractional ownership and collective value creation are gaining traction – Projects like Constitution DAO demonstrate the potential of decentralized collaboration.
Social discovery and community engagement are key to sustaining NFT marketplaces – The future of digital collectibles relies on deeper connections between creators and collectors.
Guest Bio:
Tor Bair is the CEO and co-founder of Stashh, a privacy-focused NFT marketplace built on blockchain technology. With a background in both blockchain development and the music industry, Tor brings a unique perspective on the intersection of technology, ownership, and creative economies.
Connect with Tor Bair:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torbair
X: https://x.com/torbairStassh
Website: https://stashh.io/
Connect with us!X: https://t.me/hellometaversal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaversal/?viewAsMember=true
Website: https://www.metaversal.gg](https://www.metaversal.gg/
Subscribe, rate, and review "Re:imagine Ownership" on your favourite podcast platform. Join the conversation about the future of digital ownership and Web3 technologies!#ReimaginedOwnership #Web3 #Metaversal
In our premiere episode, hosts Dan and Yossi introduce Re:Imagine Ownership, a podcast exploring the intersection of technology, society, and culture in the world of Web3. They dive into personal experiences of global mobility, the challenges of outdated financial systems, and how Bitcoin and blockchain technology offer new pathways to ownership. They discuss the rise and evolution of NFTs, why mainstream narratives often misunderstand them, and how digital ownership is reshaping industries like gaming, art, and finance.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The experience of moving countries and becoming “invisible” in new financial systems
- Bitcoin as a borderless financial tool
- The challenges of physical ownership in today’s economy
- The evolution of NFTs and their cultural significance
- Why NFT hype has faded
—but the technology remains transformative
- The parallels between Web3, AI, and other tech revolutions
- The future of digital assets and the shift from talking about technology to focusing on user experience
- Generative art and its impact on the art world
Notable Quotes:
"Once you cross the border, everything you've done in your previous country becomes invisible."
"Bitcoin transcends borders—it's one system globally."
"Owning a home today is unachievable for most people, and that trend is accelerating."
"Why are we still talking about NFTs? No one talks about MP3s when they listen to music."
"Generative art will be as big, if not bigger, than pop art."
Connect With Us:
X: https://t.me/hellometaversal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaversal/?viewAsMember=true
Website: https://www.metaversal.gg
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Join us every week as we explore the shifting landscape of digital ownership, emerging technology, and cultural transformations.
