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Most Influential 2021: Gavin Wood
Following the first batch of parachain auctions, Polkadot will solidify its place as a key proof-of-stake blockchain.
By CoinDesk
Updated May 11, 2023, 4:31 p.m. Published Dec 9, 2021, 9:45 p.m.
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Polkadot, the proof-of-stake blockchain Gavin Wood built after co-founding the world’s largest blockchain Ethereum, is gearing up for launch. Designed as a scalable blockchain that addresses the fundamental flaws in Ethereum 1.0′s architecture, Polkadot leverages a network of parachains (or parallel blockchains) that can run their own assets and ecosystems while maintaining interchain interoperability. Many of Polkadot’s foundational projects are set to go live this month, following a series of closely watched parachain auctions.
The Complete List: CoinDesk’s Most Influential 202
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Pudgy Penguins is building a multi-vertical consumer IP platform — combining phygital products, games, NFTs and PENGU to monetize culture at scale.
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Pudgy Penguins is emerging as one of the strongest NFT-native brands of this cycle, shifting from speculative “digital luxury goods” into a multi-vertical consumer IP platform. Its strategy is to acquire users through mainstream channels first; toys, retail partnerships and viral media, then onboard them into Web3 through games, NFTs and the PENGU token.
The ecosystem now spans phygital products (> $13M retail sales and >1M units sold), games and experiences (Pudgy Party surpassed 500k downloads in two weeks), and a widely distributed token (airdropped to 6M+ wallets). While the market is currently pricing Pudgy at a premium relative to traditional IP peers, sustained success depends on execution across retail expansion, gaming adoption and deeper token utility.
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Deus X CEO Tim Grant: We aren't replacing finance; we're integrating it
The Deus X CEO discussed his journey into digital assets, the company's infrastructure-led growth strategy, and why his Consensus Hong Kong panel promises "real talk only."
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- Tim Grant entered crypto in 2015 after early exposure to Ripple and Coinbase, drawn by blockchain’s ability to improve traditional finance rather than replace it.
- Deus X combines investing and operating to build regulated digital finance infrastructure across payments, prime services, and institutional DeFi.
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