Bugattis, Bored Apes and Bitcoin

✈️ Mile High NFTS … Blockchain Hits the Stock Exchange … And From Clicks to Blocks: Ecomm Giant Partners with Crypto King 💳

Author

Nahin Talhah
September 12, 2023

✈️ Mile High NFTS … Blockchain Hits the Stock Exchange … And From Clicks to Blocks: Ecomm Giant Partners with Crypto King 💳


What’s up Web3-ers.

In today’s issue, we’re diving into:

  • Mighty German airline eyes up NFT loyalty program to bring world travellers and Web3 together.

  • INFLECTION POINT REACHED: How the LSEG makes big move into blockchain technology.

  • Over 1 million online merchants set to be able to take crypto payments in world-leading collaboration.

  • From Bugattis to Bored Apes … How being exclusive has its perks.

SUCCESS PRINCIPLE LESSONS #114

Each week we decode one of the key Web3 principles giving you the inside track on what makes a successful Web3 strategy.

This week’s principle… Exclusivity

Why does a Bugatti Chiron cost $3 Million?

Well, it’s a pretty impressive car, obviously. With a 0-60 time of 2.3 seconds, and a top speed of 236 miles an hour, it’s not hanging about.

But that’s not the only reason your average supermarket worker isn’t rocking up for their shift in one of these beasts. See, the other reason a Bugatti Chiron will set you back what the average Brit would earn in just under 90 years is exclusivity.

Clearly, not many people can afford a Bugatti Chiron. But seeing as it’s arguably the best road-legal performance car in the world, you’d imagine there’d still be a line of thousands of fatcats, queuing up to get their hands on one. But they can’t, Because Bugatti limited production to just 500.

That screams exclusivity. And means Bugatti hold complete power in the buyer seller dynamic, allowing them to create sky-high high demand for their brand and products. So while they could have sold 5, 10, maybe even 100 times more, they chose not to, to preserve the exclusivity.

Exclusivity in Web3

More and more we’re seeing exclusivity like this enter Web3. Particularly with NFTs.

Brands like Gucci have done this with their digital collections, and you only have to think of Bored Ape Yacht Club to see how exclusivity gets people talking. So while it might be tempting to sell as much as you possibly can …

Long-term, restricting supply may be much smarter for your positioning, your pricing, and your sales.

Now, on with the main event …

MILE HIGH NFTS

You’re familiar with airline loyalty schemes, right? Well, German air giant Lufthansa have just gone and turned this concept on its head, by launching an NFT loyalty program.

The app — named Uptrip — uses polygon-based NFTs which can be traded and collected like regular trading cards. These then unlock exclusive rewards like lounge access, upgrades, discounts.

While initially similar to conventional loyalty schemes, Lufthansa have added a slight edge, as the trading cards have to be accumulated into set collections to qualify for a reward, rather than just used ad-hoc.

Seeing as Lufthansa already has 36 million members in its reward club, that’s a whole lot of travel-mad, spend-happy folks who are about to gain easy entry into the Web3 world.

Our 2023 Course Brochure is out and available. If you want all-hands access to our Mini MBA in Web3, download brochure today.

BLOCKCHAIN HITS THE STOCK EXCHANGE

Last week, the LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) reached what they deemed an ‘inflection point’ in their journey with blockchain.

The LSEG has been examining the potential of bringing traditional assets like stocks and bonds to blockchain for nearly a year, but are now finally planning concrete steps like launching a new blockchain-powered trading venue.

Before you get too excited, we do need to say that the move isn’t designed for trading crypto. (At least not yet.) Rather, the LSEG are looking to redefine their ecosystem for traditional assets — things like equities, bonds, and derivatives — powered, using solely blockchain technology.

So while it may not be a full embrace of Web3 and decentralised currency, this integration would improve efficiency, transparency, and security of financial transactions compared to current systems.

FROM CLICKS TO BLOCKS: ECOMM GIANT PARTNERS WITH CRYPTO KING

One of the world’s largest ecommerce platforms, Shopify, is teaming up with Solana.

The move means that literally millions of Shopify merchants will now be able to accept payments in USD Coin (USDC), a stablecoin, via Solana Pay.

What’s so great about this?

Well, lower fees, faster settlement times, and enhanced security versus traditional payment rails for starters. Plus, with over 1 million active merchants across 175 countries, like so many collaborations we’ve seen recently, Shopify could hold the keys to advancing the Web3 entry of people who may otherwise have taken years to get on board.

While we might not be at mass adoption just yet, the move certainly does a LOT for reducing friction in allowing users to become accustomed to digital currencies.

☎️ READER REQUESTS

Every week we pick one lucky reader’s question, and give you a full rundown here. Today’s request comes from Joe who wants to know…

“How Accessible Is Web3 For Newbies?”

Getting started with Web3 can feel like learning a new language.

Whether you’re bewildered about bitcoin, wondering about wallets, or flummoxed over ‘fungible,’ with so many experts, it’s easy to feel left behind.

But bear in mind cryptocurrency adoption is still only around 15-16% globally, and over 80% of those people are newcomers to crypto and Web3, so you're not alone. 

The vast majority of the population felt the same back when the Internet was taking off. But at least now we actually have the Internet to accelerate the learning process, and help you become ‘fluent’ in Web3. 

Obviously, you need to be careful who to trust. And not all information is good information.

But hey, at Roster, thats what we’re all about. We want to provide you with a trusted entry to Web3, and do so in a way that’s simple, fun, and breaks everything down into manageable steps. So stick with us, and you won’t go wrong.

THAT’S A RITELIST (W)RAP …

We always love hearing from our readers …

So if you want to reach out with a question, comment, or a suggestion for the best gluten-free baked goods, or what to watch on Netflix (nothing too scary though please,) just hit reply to this email, and we’ll get right back to you.

Until next time…