I recently spoke with Emmanuel Quezada, the Co-Founder & CEO of U-topia, where we explored the realm of Web3 and its potential impact on industries beyond its financial roots, spanning entertainment, media, and art. We delved into topics like the intricacies of Web3 IP licensing, challenges hindering widespread adoption, and efforts to democratize Web3 accessibility for diverse user groups and demographics. I hope you enjoy.
To Start, Can You Walk Us Through Your Professional Journey?
I stepped into the role of CEO at ATS Corporate back in 2021, a branch of my family office, ATS Mexico. It was an exciting time because I was also studying for my Applied Blockchain Diploma in Gold Coast, Australia. During this period, we dove deep into market research, exploring everything from blockchain to crypto and Web3 industries. We pored over hundreds of articles from big names like CoinTelegraph and CoinDesk to understand these industries’ challenges and how we could tackle them.
Out of this came U-topia, a project I’m incredibly passionate about as its Co-founder and CEO. It’s not just about business; it’s about shaking up the entertainment and Web3 industry. We’re working hard to ensure crypto and Web3 tech are accessible to anyone aged 13 and above, collaborating with regulators and governments worldwide. Our primary focus is on Gen Z, who comprise 26% of the world’s population.
And let’s not forget about my family’s political ties – my brother Daniel Quezada is gearing up to run for President of Mexico in the 2030 elections with his party, Partido Pueblo. Our mission is to ensure everyone, including future generations, can benefit from Web3.
Does Web3 bring new challenges and opportunities for Intellectual Property (IP) licensing?
Challenges — not really. Nothing specific to IPs. Of course, general issues like low scalability, etc., are there. But that’s only because the underlying technologies are still new.
Opportunities, however, are many. Blockchain technology, cryptography, and other Web3 frameworks have significantly broadened the horizon for IP registration, licensing, and transfers.
From automated, non-intermediated copyright enforcements to encoded royalties, we can now do things that were unimaginable in the past decade. It’s a really exciting time.
What’s stopping Web3 from achieving mass adoption from an IP and entertainment perspective?
Accessibility. Web3 still only serves a niche audience of enthusiasts and early adopters. Most existing projects aren’t designed for everyone, everywhere. This can be a feature in some sense, but it doesn’t help with achieving Internet-scale adoption.
Kids, for example, often can’t use Web3 due to complex processes, a lack of regulation, security risks, etc. Parents fear their children will be exposed to scams, hacks, and other dangerous activities. And they’ve got good reason to think so.
Plus, there’s a general lack of awareness among adults. Most people still think of crypto, and thus Web3, as a tool for frauds and criminals.
Another issue plaguing the Web3 landscape is the lack of interoperability. In simpler terms, the assets of one project are often trapped within its confines, limiting their potential. U-topia, however, offers a solution. We are building a bridge, a gateway to other metaverse solutions like Roblox. While other projects like Pixels and Mocaverse also offer interoperability, U-topia’s unique selling point lies in the world-class IPs we leverage to create our products.
The negativity stops the masses from exploring promising innovations in Web3 media and entertainment, among other sectors.
How does U-topia solve these problems?
Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater—that’s our approach.
Children can get addicted to the metaverse. The thrill of making some quick bucks flipping NFTs can get to them. They could lose their parents’ hard-earned money to scams and hacks.
But none of this means we should stop upcoming generations from accessing cutting-edge technologies early on. It’ll be a disaster for their progress and society as a whole.
So, we offer a safe space where anyone above 13 years can explore Web3. That’s U-topia, where we’re building Web3 for every age, every stage. It’s a platform to streamline IP licensing, entertainment, and Web3 education.
We’ve built the world’s first crypto ‘Wallet for Kids’ secured with a multi-account feature. It lets parents oversee their child’s Web3 activity and provide guidance. They can also set spending limitations, etc. That too, is within a fully compliant, safe, and regulated ecosystem.
So, on the one hand, we help educate our future generations about technologies that matter. On the other hand, we connect creators and collectors who want to explore the full potential of Web3 IPs.
U-Pass holders will get access to an integrated ecosystem of rich, engaging, and high-value IPs, both from Web2 and Web3. We’ve combined the best of both worlds. Bandai Namco, Nike, BAYC, and others live together in our U-topian multiverse.
Last but not least, we’re building on Solana to achieve the speed, flexibility, and cost-efficiency needed for broad adoption. We focus on providing a superior user experience that our community members will love and enjoy. Plus, our platform will be highly sustainable and eco-friendly.
Some people say NFTs are dead. What’s your response?
These people can’t look beyond price action and gross market dynamics. But the technologies we’re building have deeper significance.
NFTs, for one, are much more than cool PFPs. They’re a means to establish on-chain property rights, provenance, and ownership. They support highly resilient and flexible IPs. That too, is within functional circular economies.
These are novel avenues that’ll take a long way forward. NFTs are here to stay. They are not dying soon.
To wrap up, share your best advice for newcomers and projects building in Web3.
Explore new technologies. Experiment to your heart’s content. But educate yourself in every way. And, most importantly, always do your research.
We’re in a bull cycle and lots of lucrative options will pop up left, right, and center. All of them won’t be real, so make sure you test the waters before diving in.
Read the docs, and speak with your friends and peers in the industry. Follow experts. Do whatever it takes to make informed decisions. Remember — if something feels too good to be true, it most likely isn’t.