Joana in Paris
Paris in February is unforgivingly cold, but my experiences there? Far from it. From the moment I stepped foot into Ledger’s HQ, I was reminded that I was standing in the middle of a living, breathing microcosm of Web3’s most brilliant, bizarre, and beautifully chaotic minds.
A World Within a World
In each and every event, the diversity of styles was so absurd that if you looked at a photo, you wouldn’t be able to tell what the dress code was—or what season it was, for that matter. The crowd? A blend of tech futurists, fine art purists, degens in designer sneakers, and collectors oscillating between quiet billionaires and meme-loving anarchists. Somehow, in the midst of it all, I always manage to find my people.
From eating escargots amidst French men (who happen to be some of the world’s greatest generative artists) to many nights gossiping in La Perle with a bottomless glass of red in hand, this trip was an education. It taught me how our beloved space is growing and, more importantly, how the people shaping it are moving and shaking.
I didn’t have any favorite events per se—I just loved spending time with people who genuinely understand art and tech and how marvelously they can coexist and merge.
What Blew My Mind
AI Everywhere – AI wasn’t just a topic; it was omnipresent. AI-generated art, AI-powered curation, even AI-driven networking assistants (one of which tried to convince me to buy a generative piece on the spot—rude, but effective).
The Underground Magic – Official events were great, but let’s be honest: the real alchemy happened in late-night gatherings—rooftops, speakeasies, and impromptu salons where artists, builders, and dreamers schemed up the next big thing.
Impulse Buys & Existential Crises – Web3 never sleeps, and neither do its collectors. More than a few people made high-stakes purchases in a haze of adrenaline, good wine, and sheer conviction.
The View from Ledger HQ’s Rooftop – Paris, in its full glittering glory, spread out beneath us to the sound of excellent music and dangerously good cocktails.
Alienqueen’s Exhibit at Artverse – A fantastical showcase featuring an artist whose heart I have had the privilege to know. Seeing her work with that personal connection made every piece even more vibrant and meaningful.
Good News Panel – A thoughtfully curated set of conversations featuring some of the space’s most brilliant minds. Representing Shillr on a branding and marketing panel was a highlight, but what made it truly special? It was a rarity in the space—a panel made up entirely of women.
The Takeaways
For all the talk about markets, hype cycles, and whether NFTs are ‘dead’ (spoiler: they’re not), NFT Paris reminded me why we’re all still here. It’s about more than just JPEGs and blockchain contracts—it’s about the collision of creativity, technology, and raw ambition. It’s about rewriting the future and knowing that no matter how uncertain things get, art and culture always find a way.
If the French Cabal tells you to eat the escargots, you eat the escargots—no matter how ugly they look. This isn’t an analogy or a metaphor. This is firsthand advice from someone who experienced the sheer persistence of French men and their eagerness to share their culinary legacy (a special shout-out to Hugo and Louis, for being particularly invested in my escargot escapades).
Artists are evolving in the best way possible. Not only are works increasing in sophistication, but the artists themselves are articulating their vision with even more conviction.
People love people. At the end of the day, no matter how flashy the events, the ultimate goal was always to escape the chaos for some quiet café time. Because sometimes, the best way to digest Web3’s ever-evolving madness is over a simple espresso and a conversation that makes you forget the world outside.
Holding space.