What's up, fam?

First of all, I want to say THANK YOU!

Your support since we announced the BorgoLabs launch last week (click here to read more about this) has been nothing short of phenomenal.

We're talking hundreds of DMs, over a dozen leads, and several partnership proposals. I'm truly humbled and fired up to keep giving my best in the Web3 space. So, again, THANK YOU!

On top of that, I’m happy to say that we have reached 10,000+ subscribers in The Wild West of Web3 gang.

I’ll do my best to keep improving and offering you a better experience in every single edition. And we are just getting started!

We Keep Moving Forward! 🚀

In my never-ending quest to support mainstream adoption of Web3, I'm thrilled to announce BorgoLabs' first official partnership with Crossmint.

“Why them?”, fair question:

Their API suite is a game-changer, simplifying blockchain complexities and making it accessible for everyone. We're aligned in solving real-world problems in sectors like:

• Brands

• Retailers

• Games

• Airlines

• Sports clubs

And through our combined expertise, we're covering several Web3 use-cases:

• Loyalty and Engagement

• Revenue Expansion

• Authentication

• Tokenization of financial instruments

• Ticketing

I have recently posted about this on my LinkedIn. Click here in case you want to see the full story.

Speaking of LinkedIn, let's tackle a question I often get in my DMs:

"Diego, what's it like going full-time in Web3?"

First things first. I've had my share of misses:

🤦‍♂️ Bitcoin at $400? Passed.

🤦‍♂️ Bored Apes at $1k? Yep. Passed again.

🤦‍♂️ Ethereum under 3 digits: Same thing.

But here's the kicker: I stuck around. Why?

Because Web3 isn't a get-rich-quick scheme (yes, there are exceptions); it's a revolution, and revolutions are messy, unpredictable, and often rewarding.

The late nights, the FOMO (“Fear of missing out”), the all-time highs, and yes, the lows - they're all chapters in this epic saga we're part of.

Back in 2022, I published a post about these “errors”.

The main lesson?

“Don't let your fails, misses, and the ‘market’ dictate your learning curve and long term thinking”.

📈 The ups and downs of a Web3 life 

As you know, I always keep it real, so here it goes: No, there's no one-size-fits-all strategy for Web3. What worked for me might not work for you, and that's the beauty of it. It's a landscape that rewards:

• Adaptability: The only constant in Web3 is change. If you're not agile, you're not surviving. And agility doesn't just mean following trends; it means anticipating them.
  

• Risk-taking: High risk, high reward. But remember, the biggest risk is not taking any risk at all. It's about calculated risks, about weighing the pros and cons and then making your move. It's about embracing uncertainty and turning it into opportunity.
  

• Longevity: This isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. The key is to stick around and keep learning. It's about the long game, about building something that lasts, something that makes a difference.
  

• Community building: Web3 is a collective effort. Your network is your net worth. And I'm not just talking about LinkedIn connections; I'm talking about meaningful relationships. The kind where you exchange value, where you grow together.

The platform behind The Wild West of Web3

Since I just mentioned “grow together”, did you know that The Wild West of Web3 is powered by Beehiiv? Yep, that's right.

When it comes to going all-in - especially into something new and under constant change like Web3 - having a great set of partners and tools is essential.

So let's dive into why this platform is a real game-changer.

First off, Beehiiv's user experience is top-notch. The platform is sleek, intuitive, and lets me focus on what matters most - delivering value to you. Plus, their analytics are a goldmine for understanding what you dig.

Got a passion? Share it.


Start your own newsletter and who knows, it might just be your next big thing. Trust me, everyone has a story, knowledge, or insights that the world is eager to hear.

Don't underestimate the power of your own voice.

Real talk: I'm not sponsored by Beehiiv at all. In fact, I'm just a paying customer who believes in their vision. Some of you have even told me you've jumped on the Beehiiv bandwagon after reading this newsletter, which is awesome!

By the way, here's my referral link so you can start sharing your own story today. Yep, joining Beehiiv through this link benefits me, but trust me, I'd recommend them regardless.

PINK BEANIE’S TAKE:

NFTs as collateral of Real World Assets: The ultimate liquidity unlock

The financial landscape is undergoing a radical transformation, and DeFi, NFTs and Blockchain are at the heart of it.

Imagine owning a digital asset - a piece of art, a Bored Ape, a CryptoPunk, or even a virtual estate in the Metaverse - and using it to secure a loan. This is what NFTs as collateral are all about.

You lock your NFT in a smart contract, borrow against its value, and if you repay the loan on time, you get your NFT back. Default, and the NFT gets liquidated.

It's that simple, yet revolutionary.

How It Works

The mechanics are straightforward but secure. You provide your NFT as collateral, which is then locked in a smart contract.

The loan amount is typically a percentage of the NFT's market value. If you default, the NFT is sold off (liquidated) to cover the loan.

But if you repay, you reclaim ownership of your digital asset. This system not only democratizes finance but also provides a secure and transparent way to unlock liquidity.

Why you should keep an eye on this:

→ Financial democracy: No credit checks, no banks, just blockchain.

→ Transparency & Inclusion: Every transaction is on the ledger, making the process transparent and inclusive.

→ Decentralization: Say goodbye to centralized financial systems.

→ Liquidity unleashed: Your digital assets can now be as liquid as cash.

Now you may ask, what if we could apply that for real world assets?

Hodl my beer.

Case Study: 9DCC Dancing between the digital & physical

If you haven't heard of 9DCC yet, you're missing out. The team led by gmoney is redefining fashion in the Web3 space.

They're not just slapping a logo on a hoodie and calling it a day. Nah, we're talking about a seamless blend of your digital and physical worlds.

Imagine owning an NFT that's not just a cool virtual jacket but also a real, tangible piece of clothing.

And there’s more: they're even tokenizing fashion, leveraging the security and verifiability of blockchain. This means you can own, trade, and invest in fashion pieces with verifiable scarcity. It's like your wardrobe just got its own upgrade.

That's the level 9DCC is operating on.

Now, let's zoom out. The fashion industry is undergoing a massive transformation.

We're seeing a paradigm shift where brands are using blockchain to offer unique, traceable, and own-able pieces.

The global market for digital fashion is expected to grow exponentially over the next few years. Imagine the amount of opportunities!

Real talk: Just so you know, I'm an Angel investor in 9DCC. But believe me, their vision is so on point that I'd be talking about them even if I wasn't invested.

Now that we’ve set the scene:

A few months ago, I had a deep-dive convo with gmoney, and let me tell you, the potential here is massive.

Have a quick read here:

Imagine owning a rare pair of Jordans or a limited-edition T-shirt. Instead of just flexing them on Instagram or having them doing nothing in your closet, you could use them as collateral for a loan.

And here's where things get interesting: it's all verified on the blockchain, eliminating any authenticity issues.

Gmoney put it perfectly:

"The ability to use NFTs as collateral is not just about owning a digital asset; it's about financial freedom and liquidity." - Gmoney

RESHAPING THE FINANCIAL LANDSCAPE

If you're not already thinking about how to get in on this, you should be. This is the kind of disruption that turns industries upside down and makes early adopters legends.

Until now, if you were a collector and needed liquidity, your main option was to sell your prized possessions. NFTs are flipping that script forever.

Now, you can keep your collectibles and still unlock their financial value.

Speaking of collectables, another big player in this environment is 4k Protocol. They're not just following trends; they're setting them. Tokenizing physical assets is just the start.

They are looking at a future where your entire asset portfolio, from your kicks to your crib, is as liquid as your crypto.

And let's talk numbers for a second. The collectibles market alone is worth around $400 billion worldwide. That's a massive pool of untapped liquidity just waiting to be unlocked.

“If I owned a pair of dead stock Air Jordan 1’s, and needed quick access to cash, I could go to my local pawn shop, pay a criminally high rate of interest, and get a criminally low loan to value ratio” - Gmoney

Now, add to that the fact that groundbreaking companies are bringing billions of dollars worth of precious metals and resources on-chain, like uranium-backed NFTs.

We're talking about a financial revolution that's not just limited to digital assets but extends to real-world valuables.

Imagine buying a $1 million gold NFT today and paying for it over 20 years without going through an escrow or intermediary.

That's what I call “cutting out the middleman”. This opens up business opportunities that were simply not possible before.

We may be on the brink of a financial revolution that could redefine asset management, financial freedom, and democratize access to capital on a scale we've never seen.

My two cents:

Look, while we can't say with 100% certainty that using NFTs as collateral will go mainstream, it's clear that this is a space worth exploring.

Remember, not too long ago, people were skeptical about credit cards and payment apps. Fast forward to today, and they're everywhere.

This could very well be the next big leap in how we think about finance and assets. So, keep your eyes peeled and your mind open. This is something you'll want to be a part of.

MY AGENDA AND A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU.

Catch me live at Web32 in Antwerp 🎤

Mark September 27th on your calendars, because that's when I'll be hitting the stage at Web32 for the second year in a row! Last year was a blast, and I'm super stoked to join a lineup of kick-a** speakers this time around.

We'll be diving into how emerging tech like Web3, the Metaverse, and AI are revolutionizing businesses and shaping our future.

And because you're part of The Wild West of Web3 fam, I've got a special treat for you: a 20% discount on tickets. Just use this special link, and you're good to go.

That’s a wrap, fam!

Hey, if you are here, you're as committed to the Web3 revolution as I am.

We've explored the ins and outs of going all-in, from NFTs as collateral to the multifaceted universe beyond crypto. But this is just the starting line, not the finish.

And remember, if you've got a passion, don't keep it to yourself. Share it. Perhaps start your own newsletter and who knows, it might just be your next big thing.

Once again, thank you for sticking with me.

See you next week!

#LFGrow
Diego Borgo