Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) allow ownership of digital assets like never before. This market grew from US$13M to US$25 Billion in the last 12 months. Companies like Walmart, Selfridges, Macys, Samsung, The Gap, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Taco Bell, Burger King and Coca-Cola have all minted NFTs – with more projects being announced almost daily. Just reading about millions of dollars being paid for NFT rocks, it is easy to assume this is a ridiculous bubble but there are genuine uses for NFTs. Big brands are using NFTs as a way to supercharge loyalty programs and as a powerful adjunct to CRM (customer relationship management) systems. For others there is real money at stake. The US National Basketball Association’s TOPSHOTS NFT program has notched up over US$700 Million in sales. While Penfolds has made 300 bottles of premium wine available by NFTs which has made it easy to gift (and trade) premium wine – something that to-date has been fraught with issues due to the fragility of wine.

NFTs are part of a broader megatrend known as Web3. Web3 is the coming together of augmented reality, the metaverse, cryptocurrencies, decentralised finance and NFTs. Web3 will impact all organisations and it is important to know about it. At Norton Rose Fulbright we are working with many organisations embracing the opportunities of Web3.

This session is perfect for people who are interested in how technology will impact the future of all industries, including their own. We will focus on NFTs and interview a leading NFT expert, Tim Lea. Tim is the CEO of the indigenous art NFT project, Walking between worlds. Key take always will include:

• Overview of how organisations are using NFTs
• A simple explanation of the key technologies involved. Not enough to build your own smart contract but enough to sound smart at a dinner party
• How NFTs can supercharge your CRM, your loyalty program and your “gifting market”
• Simple strategies for how organisations can benefit from NFTs
• The future of NFTs