This past week, the open arms of Miami’s populace and culture welcomed the web3 community to Miami Art Week and Art Basel. In a raucous week of openings, activations, premiers, and appearances, the eccentric NFT devotee contended with art and fashion elite for Ubers and Citibikes. Sift through the desperate Bored Ape hoodies and WAGMI boys and you’ll find kinship of vision, resolute in purpose and conviction. Despite the recent FUD overwhelming the industry, the conversation was antithetical. Those who see the bigger picture are unshaken and moving ever-forward.

There’s a common flirtation, with guests to sun kissed shores of Miami, of relocation to the winter paradise. The city has a long history of luring snow birds looking to escape the dreads of winter. Now, reasons go beyond the refuge of climate and temperature. NFTs, tech, and blockchain are solidifying their rank in the flirtation hierarchy and becoming a primary intention for relocation.

As a recent transplant to Miami, a lot of people were interested to understand why I would move to the city from a mecca like New York. The truth is a myriad of micro-reasons, but I’ve been honest.

1. Miami has done a great job of attracting capital, talent, and innovation. You’ve probably heard by now, Mayor Suarez has attracted and embraced this sector, as well as real estate development. When stubborn states tell builders to fuck off, Miami says welcome.

2. Actual diversity, not just some buzzword to make everyone feel righteous. When friends visit, they mention how it feels so different from any city in the US. That was a major attraction to me. Some US cities scream diversity from the rooftops, but few have organically cultivated it in a way Miami has.

3. New York has lost it’s soul. Debate me all you want, but when newcomers to NY tell me the city is vibrant because people are out to brunch, that’s not the sign I’m looking for. I visited in July, and it’s alarming how many store fronts were vacant. The homeless, or unhoused, are back to a surge I remember from my childhood. NYers are now feeble and frail, a long shot from the heroes of 9/11. It used to be a place to bring new ideas and challenge thought. Now, if you don’t follow the rules, you’re ‘dangerous.’

4. Miami is based. It is so refreshing to not have to debate closed minded people on a daily basis. Politics rarely come up here. I’d rather spar with people who have actually escaped political or economic distress, than someone who has never taken a ride through America. NY is a bubble. Go for a ride and talk to people.

5. The sun. It is beyond depressing and unhealthy to live 6 months of the year in death and darkness. The ocean and sun make me feel great.

6. Accessible. Miami is small. I don’t mean size. Respectively, you are an introduction, or person, away from whoever you need or want to speak to. This is an advantage Miami has over NY. In NY, everyone is trying to be cool, often to the detriment of their peers and community. Being pretentious means you suck. We know you grew up in a boring place and need to adopt an identity. Brooklyn happened before you arrived anyway.

7. Web3. I believe in blockchain, NFTs, and web3. The people I’ve met in Miami are beaming with enthusiasm for this space. It’s contagious. Visitors can feel the positive energy. It’s an extraordinary time here, possibly a ‘renaissance.’ I couldn’t sit on the outside and not participate. I encourage anyone thinking of making the move to do it. You won’t be disappointed.

This past week, the open arms of Miami’s populace and culture welcomed the web3 community to Miami Art Week and Art Basel. In a raucous week of openings, activations, premiers, and appearances, the eccentric NFT devotee contended with art and fashion elite for Ubers and Citibikes. Sift through the desperate Bored Ape hoodies and WAGMI boys and you’ll find kinship of vision, resolute in purpose and conviction. Despite the recent FUD overwhelming the industry, the conversation was antithetical. Those who see the bigger picture are unshaken and moving ever-forward.

There’s a common flirtation, with guests to sun kissed shores of Miami, of relocation to the winter paradise. The city has a long history of luring snow birds looking to escape the dreads of winter. Now, reasons go beyond the refuge of climate and temperature. NFTs, tech, and blockchain are solidifying their rank in the flirtation hierarchy and becoming a primary intention for relocation.

As a recent transplant to Miami, a lot of people were interested to understand why I would move to the city from a mecca like New York. The truth is a myriad of micro-reasons, but I’ve been honest.

1. Miami has done a great job of attracting capital, talent, and innovation. You’ve probably heard by now, Mayor Suarez has attracted and embraced this sector, as well as real estate development. When stubborn states tell builders to fuck off, Miami says welcome.

2. Actual diversity, not just some buzzword to make everyone feel righteous. When friends visit, they mention how it feels so different from any city in the US. That was a major attraction to me. Some US cities scream diversity from the rooftops, but few have organically cultivated it in a way Miami has.

3. New York has lost it’s soul. Debate me all you want, but when newcomers to NY tell me the city is vibrant because people are out to brunch, that’s not the sign I’m looking for. I visited in July, and it’s alarming how many store fronts were vacant. The homeless, or unhoused, are back to a surge I remember from my childhood. NYers are now feeble and frail, a long shot from the heroes of 9/11. It used to be a place to bring new ideas and challenge thought. Now, if you don’t follow the rules, you’re ‘dangerous.’

4. Miami is based. It is so refreshing to not have to debate closed minded people on a daily basis. Politics rarely come up here. I’d rather spar with people who have actually escaped political or economic distress, than someone who has never taken a ride through America. NY is a bubble. Go for a ride and talk to people.

5. The sun. It is beyond depressing and unhealthy to live 6 months of the year in death and darkness. The ocean and sun make me feel great.

6. Accessible. Miami is small. I don’t mean size. Respectively, you are an introduction, or person, away from whoever you need or want to speak to. This is an advantage Miami has over NY. In NY, everyone is trying to be cool, often to the detriment of their peers and community. Being pretentious means you suck. We know you grew up in a boring place and need to adopt an identity. Brooklyn happened before you arrived anyway.

7. Web3. I believe in blockchain, NFTs, and web3. The people I’ve met in Miami are beaming with enthusiasm for this space. It’s contagious. Visitors can feel the positive energy. It’s an extraordinary time here, possibly a ‘renaissance.’ I couldn’t sit on the outside and not participate. I encourage anyone thinking of making the move to do it. You won’t be disappointed.