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William Entriken is a Civic Hacker, business strategist & software architect whose pioneering work in 2017 established the first mainstream NFT standard, called ERC-721, that also coined and defined the term "Non-Fungible Token", now used universally by all relevant authorities, mainstream media, and effectively catalyzed the multi-billion dollar digital collectibles eco-system. This innovation has won the support of Fortune 100 companies, ignited a torrent of funding from high-profile investors into Web 3 projects using it in their business models, and empowered multi-billion-dollar company valuations and overall market size. Its sweeping influence spans various industries including gaming, real estate, healthcare and even fine art marketplaces, while major sports leagues, titan brands, and a host of celebrities have embraced it for diverse projects. The influence of ERC-721 is further underscored by its near 200 citations in peer-reviewed journals across multiple disciplines, cementing William's pioneering & transformative contribution to how we affirm ownership and authenticity in the digital and real worlds.
William also co-authored a paper establishing a crucial standard that the entire Ethereum eco-system depends on to run normally, ERC-165, in 2018. Like a "universal translator," it allows smart contracts, which are at the heart of blockchain's FinTech & dApp enterprises, to communicate together, underpinning billions of dollars invested in projects relying on this standard to operate smoothly.
William lead authorship of the industry-defining & landmark paper, known as ERC-721: The NFT Standard, that is the cornerstone birthing of the NFT industry as we know it. Originated by Dieter Shirley and driven as a community effort, it not only coined & defined the term "Non-Fungible Token" but also laid the foundational code for implementing the first mainstream NFT standard called "ERC-721," published in 2018 propelling a myriad of digital innovations. It is endorsed by industry experts and cited countless times by the media & peer-reviewed journals around the world. ERC-721's approval marked a seminal shift, catalyzing the emergence of a multibillion-dollar digital collectibles market and adoption from Big Tech firms and notable projects setting the stage for a new digital frontier.
In 2021, users have sent at least $44.2 billion worth of cryptocurrency to ERC-721 and its derivative ERC-1155 contracts, the two types of Ethereum smart contracts associated with NFT marketplaces and collections. Source: Chainalysis
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The widespread adoption, compelling innovativeness and diverse utility of William's NFT standard, ERC-721, captured the interest of major tech giants, prompting them to integrate support for it across their platforms at one point or another.
The allure of NFTs has captivated the celebrity sphere, with notable figures investing hefty sums to acquire distinctive ERC-721 NFT collectibles (often using them as profile pics on their social media), most famously from collections like Bored Ape Yacht Club, symbolizing a prestigious blend of digital ownership and exclusivity.
"Non-Fungible Tokens are deemed the most powerful entity in the art world in ArtReview's 2021 Power 100 Ranking"
-artnews.net
The word "revolutionary" is often used in cliche by every dime-a-dozen innovator. The ERC-721 standard lead by William is considered by authorities to have changed how artwork is transacted, and not just digital artwork but also for the transfer of titles for physical ones too. The blockchain through the ERC-721 standard established a method of authenticating ownership of digital artwork to a single owner, a necessary function in a world of seamless copy-pastings.
An entire cultural art movement has emerged, there being roots in pre-ERC-721 blockchain art assets, the eco-system exploded within several years of the standard being published. By 2021, ArtReview declared ERC-721 (as a synonym for NFTs) as the most powerful art entity in the world. Crypto art projects began emerging with hundreds of millions and in some cases billions of dollars in total capitalization. Platforms exchanging artwork NFTs like OpenSea grew into billion dollar behemoths. Even the famous Fine Art auction houses Sotheby's and Christie's began selling art NFTs with single artworks selling for tens of millions of dollars.
Four years on from its publication, ‘ERC-721’, the specification for the ‘non-fungible token’ (on the Ethereum-based blockchain – other specifications exist) has upended the art market, bringing contemporary art and millennial meme culture crashing together. -ArtReview
Cited in publications from virtually every major scholarly publisher, William's pioneering contributions have become a touchstone for discourse and investigation in realms as varied as economics, legal theory, computer science, biomedicine, and logistics. It underscores not only the foundational importance of his work but also illuminates its far-reaching influence across different facets of contemporary knowledge and practice.
The NFT standard (ERC-721) William lead has served as the backbone powering industry-defining projects across various sectors and facilitating the movement of significant financial value in the digital asset landscape.
The Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), initiated by Yuga Labs in 2021 using generative cartoon ape images as (ERC-721) NFTs, exemplifies the mainstream appeal of NFT communities, bolstered by celebrity endorsements, culminating in over a billion dollars in sales in 2022. The project made its famous debut into the spotlight during Paris Hilton's guest appearance at The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon where both of them showed off their BAYC NFTs. Embodying William Entriken's vision of NFTs verifying ownership, BAYC also serves as a large-scale use case where owning these NFTs grant exclusive access to perks like access to private events, channels & special rewards.
Prominent investors have recognized the transformative potential of the technologies enabled by William's standards on the blockchain, channeling substantial investments into projects and platforms leveraging them (both ERC-721 & ERC-165). From major NFT marketplaces, innovative DeFi platforms, to cutting-edge dApps running on Ethereum and Polygon, the ripple effect of William's contributions is far-reaching in the investor community.
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The NFT standard, ERC-721, pioneered by William Entriken, has become a keystone in the blockchain ecosystem. Virtually all major institutions not only support and offer services around it, but regularly utilize and promote it. Its influence extends from the Ethereum & Polygon blockchains to various others bridged together, showcasing the widespread impact and acceptance of this groundbreaking standard across the digital asset landscape.
As a thought leader in technology, business finance, and even medical applications, William confidently & passionately engages audiences with his insightful discourse, creating a stimulating dialogue that resonates across diverse sectors. He attends a variety of event formats from workshops and panel discussions to podcasts and live interviews and even hosts his weekly community service hour syndicated across social media.
To learn more and request his participation as a speak at your event, head over to the Speaking page.
As the luminary who coined the term NFT and pioneered the first mainstream standard, William Entriken's influence is palpable and celebrated within the community. His recurring invitation as an honorary speaker at NFT.NYC since its inception is a testament to his seminal role in shaping the narrative and technological framework of the NFT space, making him a revered figure and a highlight of the event year after year.
Through weekly live broadcasts syndicated across social media, William extends his expertise to foster a vibrant community dialogue, welcoming enthusiasts and curious minds to share, inquire and delve into innovative projects and prevailing topics within the space. These sessions may feature interviews with prominent persons in leading projects and educational workshops, underlining his commitment to communal growth and knowledge sharing.
We invite members of the press to reach out for insightful commentary and expert analysis from a highly-respected thought leader cited over 250 times in academic journals and an established pioneer with authoritative insights spanning a multitude of domains including blockchain, cybersecurity, finance & economics, and medical technology, among others. William is well-positioned to provide nuanced perspectives on current events, emerging technologies, and the evolving digital landscape. His contribution can significantly elevate the discourse, providing a depth of understanding that only few can match. Engage with a distinguished figure whose insights are as pioneering as they are enlightening.
William Entriken exemplifies polymathic alacrity across a spectrum of domains where his authority has been acknowledged and sought after by numerous high profile entities for his problem-solving and advisory support. His deep-seated expertise ranges from blockchain technology, cybersecurity, and information architecture to the intersection of business strategy and emerging digital paradigms. His acumen is a blend of technical prowess and strategic foresight, offering a rich tapestry of knowledge and insight that propels industries forward. He can add his blend expertises in an advisory role to your project.
