Introduction
It’s been a few weeks since the last recap. A newborn baby really shifted my priorities, but I think I’m back in the groove! Week 37 of Coffee with Captain brought us a diverse range of topics, from the success of Doodles at TIFF to the integration of ENS with PayPal and Venmo. We dove into the world of AI superintelligence, explored the ethical dilemmas in the NFT space, and got a glimpse into the future of anime with Azuki. Our special guests this week included community builders, project leaders, and industry experts, providing invaluable insights into the ever-evolving web3 landscape.
In case you missed any of the shows, below is a small recap of each day with links to the podcast on Apple and Spotify. Links to other streaming platforms can be found on our buzzsprout page. Check out the timestamp if you want to catch the specific interviews.
Monday
From Film to Fashion: Doodles’ Success at TIFF and Vonga’s at ApeFest
The week kicked off with positive news from the Doodles camp. Their premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was met with enthusiasm, reflected in both social media sentiment and NFT price action. Cap noted the overwhelmingly positive response on X (formerly Twitter), though details about the actual short film were scarce.
We also highlighted Vonga, a premium clothing brand born from the Bored Ape Yacht Club community. Von Frontin, the brand’s creator, shared exciting plans for ApeFest in Lisbon with the Coffee Crew. In partnership with ThankApe, they’re launching ApeQuest, a scavenger hunt designed to engage the community without requiring purchases. Von emphasized Vonga’s mission to bring blockchain benefits to a broader audience through fashion, stating, “everybody wears clothes.” You can read about the partnership details on this X post.
Check this episode out on Apple and Spotify.
Tuesday
Building Chimpers: Expanding Web3 through Pixels and Community
Tuesday’s episode began with a security warning for Android users about malware targeting seed phrases. The Coffee Crew then welcomed Insight from Chimpers to discuss their project’s origins and growing ecosystem.
Insight, twin brother of Chimpers founder Timpers, join the Coffee Crew to share the project’s journey from YouTube content creation to a full-fledged NFT ecosystem. Chimpers’ DNA revolves around an anime-inspired dojo, serving as a hub for community experiences. Their collaborative approach, exemplified by the recent “chimperfication” trend on X, showcases the project’s commitment to the web3 ethos of “going further together.”
Check this episode out on Apple and Spotify.
Wednesday
Bridging TradFi & Crypto: ENS, PayPal, and Venmo’s Big Leap
After a somber hour remembering 9/11, we pivoted to groundbreaking news: PayPal and Venmo’s integration of ENS (Ethereum Name Service) for crypto payments. With a combined user base of 470 million, this move could significantly impact crypto onboarding. By removing the reliance on complex wallet addresses, they’re empowering users to focus on what really matters – making seamless and secure transactions.
Khori Whittaker, Executive Director at ENS Labs, joined the Coffee Crew to provide insights. He emphasized ENS’s goal to become the universal naming service for all financial transactions, not just those on Ethereum. At the heart of this integration is the ability for users to leverage their ENS names when initiating crypto transfers. Instead of dealing with long, error-prone wallet addresses, users can simply enter an ENS name in the search field. PayPal’s system then automatically resolves this to the corresponding wallet address, specific to the blockchain being used. This streamlined process not only reduces the risk of errors but also provides users with a clear view of the ENS name and associated address throughout the transfer flow. While acknowledging short-term frictions like KYC requirements, Khori painted a picture of a more streamlined digital financial future.
Check this episode out on Apple and Spotify.
Thursday
AI Superintelligence + The CryptoPunk Dilemma
Thursday’s episode tackled two major topics. First, a controversy surrounding a rare CryptoPunk sale through an old fractionalized NFT contract sparked debate about ethics in the NFT space. The Coffee Crew explored various perspectives, from “code is law” absolutists to those crying foul play. Which side do I land on the debate? I’m not completely sure yet, but with more information I’ll pick a side.
Later, Bunchu joined to discuss AI superintelligence with the Coffee Crew. Contrary to doomsday predictions, Bunchu sees AI bringing an “abundance of knowledge” to the world. He emphasized the growing importance of prompting skills and predicted a future where AI agents assist in complex tasks like software development. It’s likely that we will continue to see significant growth in AI over the next 10 years.
The show wrapped up with Lost’s Ape Ecosystem Update, covering the Dookie Dash delay, a resubmitted Ape Mobile proposal, and ongoing AIPs. On X, Greg Solano shared that the Dookie Dash delay was because of a potential marketing opportunity that required Yuga to push out the launch by one week. He’s not sure if it’ll happen, but it would be massive if they got it.
Check this episode out on Apple and Spotify.
Friday
Azuki’s Vision for Co-Creation in the Anime World
The week concluded with a discussion on the maturing NFT market, evidenced by more measured reactions to project announcements compared to the 2021 bull run. Gone are the days of 100% floor price increases off a single piece of news. Some people won’t like it, but this new behavior benefits web3 as a whole.
Dem, Head of Community at Azuki, joined the Coffee Crew to share details about Anime.com, a platform aiming to reshape the anime industry through decentralized IP and community co-creation. Dem highlighted the potential for NFTs to bridge the gap between hardcore anime fans and brands, enabling true fan interaction and co-creation. Azuki is primed to make a big splash in the Anime world, even with those who are averse to anything crypto-related.
Check this episode out on Apple and Spotify.
Wrap Up
Week 37 was full of great guests who shared their expertise. We showcased the diverse and rapidly evolving nature of the web3 space. From the intersection of traditional finance and crypto to the potential of AI and the reimagining of established industries like anime. Coffee with Captain continues to provide a comprehensive look at the cutting edge of blockchain technology and its applications. If you missed Week 32, be sure to catch up here.
Be sure to check out:
- The Everything Token: A Book on Web3 and NFTs
- Making Coffee: Our Official Coffee Partner
- ENS: Ethereum Naming Service
- Harpie: The Onchain Firewall
