{"time":1728121896891,"blocks":[{"id":"wfa804OU1j","type":"header","data":{"text":"The Beginning","level":1}},{"id":"9VaYvWUxgy","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"To understand my web3 odyssey, we need to go back to late 2019."}},{"id":"GiNBMCPcEk","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The first global cases of the COVID-19 virus originated in Wuhan, China, and by January 31st, 2020, it had spread to the United Kingdom."}},{"id":"kbS6e8g1AC","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYp6o3ZW8AAq1ii?format=jpg&name=small"}}},{"id":"6T2HSvrriF","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"At thirteen years of age, watching on from home, little did I know how different the next couple of years would be."}},{"id":"4p5IavcSzz","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Non-essential businesses closed, civilians ordered to stay at home, and wages were largely bankrolled by the state through the furlough scheme."}},{"id":"8lMu_jlUC0","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It was if the entire nation, and the world, ground to a halt."}},{"id":"uhfXkgVn4X","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Not long after the government introduced a nationwide lockdown, \"The Last Dance\", a docuseries following the rise of Michael Jordan and The Chicago Bulls released on Netflix."}},{"id":"UGyHkALCE-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In my view, the combination of this show and the furlough scheme helped fuel an exorbitant secondary market for premium sneakers."}},{"id":"mHdSkbRU0U","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"And I had to get a piece of the action."}},{"id":"W14PpHNjz7","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYp66mNWQAAIl2h?format=jpg&name=900x900"}}},{"id":"DrGZeNscdh","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I began trying to ‘cop’ sneakers manually via Nike’s SNKRS app – a platform used to release limited edition trainers and apparel."}},{"id":"cWyaG9MZKf","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Most drops took the form of 15 minute raffles, where each participant was granted one entry. "}},{"id":"dioRxcLRHM","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Upon conclusion, a select few would win the 'right to buy’ a pair of sneakers, and the purchase would complete."}},{"id":"fplVPm6zMv","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYp7STwXoAATVQU?format=jpg&name=small"}}},{"id":"BLSDdKcKWS","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A business model relying purely on chance wasn't going to last, so I had to rethink."}},{"id":"tg_nFvOyFd","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Soon after, I purchased my first computer software dedicated to purchasing sneakers."}},{"id":"6sMfFkqsOA","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"With it, I could enter Nike raffles and compete for FCFS releases up to 600 times at once. "}},{"id":"7O1GNUsZbg","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Quite the upgrade from my earlier attempts!As I scaled operations, the profits quickly followed. "}},{"id":"ZxNAsiqIpC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"At the time, a typical hyped release could generate anywhere between £20-£250 per pair."}},{"id":"3KTgGfg-q9","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"My greatest day of ‘botting’ resulted in almost 30 pairs of Nike dunks arriving at my door - a high I would not reach again."}},{"id":"7waPRUpBqr","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYp9y1BWUAAS0nU?format=jpg&name=900x900"}}},{"id":"3xm2AQzeHO","type":"header","data":{"text":"Dipping a Toe","level":1}},{"id":"jrpJn5XBe8","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In the middle of 2020, I had my first taste of cryptocurrency, and boy it was bitter."}},{"id":"i_gEs_DhPB","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I'd purchased some $BTC via Revolut, and soon sold it all as I watched it fall almost 20%. "}},{"id":"3uakg32H_h","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In a panic, I lost a fifth of my investment and missed a stellar run of nearly 600% in the following months."}},{"id":"tLeFEnNyoI","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYp-AtkWYAAAkoQ?format=jpg&name=900x900"}}},{"id":"JOo956sGWb","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"At that point, I decided I wouldn’t touch crypto with a ten-foot barge pole."}},{"id":"XPijWrQ8sN","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Reselling was my game."}},{"id":"pkMGlSh-WF","type":"header","data":{"text":"My Return","level":1}},{"id":"l53cMsjjFn","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It would be at least fifteen months before I returned to the wild west that is the crypto industry."}},{"id":"l_T6vUv-pJ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"As the sneaker market began to implode, my fellow resellers and I turned our attention to a highly lucrative, novel asset class...."}},{"id":"xwG-wK_5TL","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Introducing: the NFT."}},{"id":"XIeAc_UmsR","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYp-XtuWgAAeC8d?format=jpg&name=900x900"}}},{"id":"CJUgtN7pBd","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In theory, the idea is fantastic. "}},{"id":"QEUqI_6vs8","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Using blockchain, digital assets can be proven unique, which is useful to artists, musicians and even events organisers."}},{"id":"kjYwnG__eX","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Not only that, but they allow for provable scarcity, direct relationships between artists and fans, integrated royalties and gated communities."}},{"id":"5MPTyDlurK","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Yet while few projects lived up to these revolutionary ideals, the NFT market quickly became a playground for bad actors and grifters."}},{"id":"CLsg4JzmcL","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"From Ethereum to Solana, Cardano and even VEVE - the NFT market was red hot, and it was a nightmare to keep up with."}},{"id":"0LfB4dtNDM","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"As I began to flip NFTs more and more frequently, one chain stood out from the rest. It was none other than @Solana itself."}},{"id":"vlZipdE5ba","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYp-p4vX0AAoM_E?format=jpg&name=900x900"}}},{"id":"gQGfwd62g1","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Low fees, speedy transactions and a very friendly user experience. As a 'blockchain agnostic', it was a no brainer."}},{"id":"bcX2085FZ-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"According to Solscan, my first transaction was made on October 7th 2021 - funding my @Phantom wallet no doubt."}},{"id":"5-6JJDSphB","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Jan 24' 2022 marks what I believe to be my first Solana NFT mint, 'Foxtopia', however I'm sure I lost access to a couple early wallets."}},{"id":"P0j3YNqqP0","type":"header","data":{"text":"Putting Pen To Paper","level":1}},{"id":"AsNmQNk_wa","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"As new NFT mints popped up daily, it was clear that there was a lack of information regarding each project."}},{"id":"-kKNQ3y1ir","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"This realisation led to my first steps as a crypto-focused writer."}},{"id":"fp5FyTK4PC","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYp-8q9XQAAZx32?format=jpg&name=900x900"}}},{"id":"OgRQf6geoI","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I started a page on Notion named 'ChefGunny's Alpha Association', where I condensed NFT whitepapers, roadmaps, community engagement and sentiment into concise yet informative investor-friendly guides."}},{"id":"rdLFTR8BAK","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Between GCSE's and A levels I continued to write, albeit infrequently, all the while keeping up to date with and learning more about the ecosystem."}},{"id":"mZg_ogP8LE","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Beginning November 2023, I changed my style, and since then have consistently found new ways to express and format my content."}},{"id":"ANIjYAwtXC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In my opinion, thanks to existing 'KOLs' and other influencers, quality content is far too infrequent in the space. "}},{"id":"OZhxlY-95u","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYp_dleWUAAkaEY?format=jpg&name=900x900"}}},{"id":"WFtxsk1RWw","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Education is key if we’re to onboard the masses, and I see it as my mission to raise the bar one article at a time."}},{"id":"iFQTL11u8L","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Before posting, I'll often get my 'normie' mother to read through the article. If she can understand the key concepts, then I must be doing something right."}},{"id":"1eCpXyYOeK","type":"header","data":{"text":"NFTs: Part of my Journey","level":1}},{"id":"zcbsM39P_B","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Since joining Solana, NFTs have been alongside me every step of the way."}},{"id":"YuSy6N0k3t","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"There is only one project however, that has stood the test of time, and where others have ceased to exist, @droidcapital continues to impress."}},{"id":"i-PhW-Ay16","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Having purchased a number of Droids at mint, back in June 2022, it is fair to say I know the project very well."}},{"id":"M_xHZl466x","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYp_mQ5WsAAxqeu?format=png&name=900x900"}}},{"id":"TG00S5eavX","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"At a basic level, it is a VC fund run by a DAO. "}},{"id":"7WfHL4ljJ_","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Each NFT is equivalent to one vote, a share of the treasury and a ticket into a big-brained community."}},{"id":"QXTBXc7ksy","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Not only has @iAmJohnDroid helped me to navigate and understand the markets, the Droid community have been instrumental in helping to grow my audience, singing my praises from the start. "}},{"id":"e-TQOyuPBC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I am truly grateful to each and every one of them."}},{"id":"BMqAqhWjXz","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The treasury has grown substantially since mint, and with Bitcoin mining-as-a-service and an art refresh around the corner, Droid Capital's future is looking brighter than ever."}},{"id":"UmC0nF4Dln","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYp_6-8WIAAiI4F?format=jpg&name=small"}}},{"id":"BLvv_TF7sr","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYp_6-6XkAAHyjR?format=png&name=small"}}},{"id":"14rsdYA_xs","type":"header","data":{"text":"Magic Eden's Role ","level":1}},{"id":"gJ_7S26u5M","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"@MagicEden was one of the first, if not the first dApp I used on Solana."}},{"id":"rJKxkvhwkz","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Call me loyal, but I am yet to try out any other NFT marketplace simply because Magic Eden have met my every need thus far - so why would I look elsewhere?"}},{"id":"mcBskhE550","type":"image","data":{"caption":"","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"stretched":false,"file":{"url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYqATarWoAA4Tiw?format=jpg&name=900x900"}}},{"id":"Xb5MizbHdh","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Given that I racked up some serious NFT volume on their site, I have plenty of diamonds, and I'm very much looking forward to the $ME token launch."}},{"id":"OKrRTaw2xx","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"As they've grown from a Solana-native dApp to a cross-chain ecosystem, it is clear to me that they have not forgotten their roots."}},{"id":"KkVKRT9lhp","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Much like Magic Eden, I am keen to expand my own presence in the cryptosphere, and carry out my educational crusade. "}},{"id":"CaHWoC8dgd","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Yet as I do so, I will not forget that it is you, my audience, that make this possible."}},{"id":"OFRUU1BNQN","type":"header","data":{"text":"Thank-you for reading!","level":1}},{"id":"YfRb8t0G1q","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I hope you enjoyed this and found it informative."}},{"id":"K1xtdwrG_4","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Do drop a follow on @X and join my @AccessProtocol pool for even more content like this!"}},{"id":"oyt78VV91D","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Shoutout to the @MEFndn for sponsoring this bounty - #NFTsandME."}},{"id":"hw-xcyANZc","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Thanks for your support."}},{"id":"wNr0QK27as","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"As always, stay safe and bullish."}},{"id":"h8BeJ1IUMV","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"ChefGunny.\n\n"}},{"id":"GZiZqs_dwM","type":"header","data":{"text":"Links:","level":3}},{"id":"OBUVlZhDx9","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"ChefGunny.sol (@ChefGunny_) on X - X"}},{"id":"HNSvszXaB7","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Access Protocol Hub - Access Pool\n\n"}}],"version":"2.30.6"}