It’s rare to hear a CEO admit when they got something wrong, let alone acknowledge when an entire industry has stumbled. That’s why Zach Burks, Founder and CEO of Mintable, gave one of the most thought-provoking presentations on NFTs—and specifically, on NFT tech and utility—that I’ve seen.

Zach discussed the industry’s initial missteps with NFTs and, more importantly, how we can move forward in a more responsible way. His insights were powerful, and while I didn’t agree with every point, the debate we had afterward was one of the best discussions I’ve had in a while. No scripted answers, just genuine dialogue on the future of NFTs, the risks, the rewards, and what responsible innovation looks like in a fast-paced industry.

One thing we wholeheartedly agreed on: Utility NFTs and their tech are far from dead. New, exciting projects are emerging, and based on Zach’s presentation, I’m excited to see what Mintable and Mintology have in store for us in late July. 😉

Shoutout to Dune’s Alsie L. and Arnaud Simeray—check out the watermark on the slide! 😃💪🏻🔥 Huge thanks to the teams at Mintable, Mintology, W Legal, and everyone involved for making this event happen at the beautiful Imperial College London campus.

Side bonus: finally meeting Valeria Vahorovska in person! 😊🫶🏻 (Thanks for the intro, Masha! 💜)