When you had gotten into crypto earlier, you’d most likely be a millionaire by now. At the very least, that’s the frequent sentiment shared by those that missed the boat on the 2013 and/or 2017 Bitcoin booms. Hindsight is nearly at all times 20/20, however we can not change what has occurred up to now. Moderately, we are able to solely use our expertise to organize for and construct for our personal future.
That is exactly the angle of Daniel Maegaard, higher identified within the NFT house because the influential collector and investor Seedphrase. Having made a small fortune by investing in Bitcoin and altcoins practically a decade in the past, he not has to take a position whether or not or not his investing targets are attainable. His story has been instructed, and he’s turn out to be considerably of a mannequin of prosperity in Web3.
But, whereas the excessive life undoubtedly fits him, Maegaard has discovered himself figuring out with the standard rags-to-riches narrative much less and fewer. So as a substitute of stepping to his cue as a poster little one for crypto-trading success, he’s now transferring in a path that appears considerably left-field for somebody of his distinctive stature. In 2023, he says he will probably be actively attempting to reshape his longstanding identification.
Seven Trait, Good Cash Danny, Seedphrase, no matter it’s possible you’ll name him, Maegaard’s identification as a crypto savant is simple. Recognized all through the NFT house because the proprietor of CryptoPunk #8348, a.ok.a (arguably) the rarest of all CryptoPunks, his accolades as a collector, builder, and general proponent of blockchain tech are identified to all who traverse the tokenized facet of Web3. However over the previous yr, a brand new side of Maegaard’s identification has been launched to the general public.
Seedphrase the DJ, which the NFT neighborhood (and, to a lesser extent, the digital music neighborhood) is certain to have witnessed behind the decks at various exhibits and festivals, has slowly turn out to be synonymous with Web3 celebration tradition. A personality that coincides with Maegaard’s influential Social gathering Degenerates NFT challenge ecosystem, Seedphrase — a DJ who presents himself clad in a helmet that’s visually equivalent to Punk #8348 — has began to tackle a lifetime of his personal.
“When it began, it was solely meant to be this one-off factor. Seedphrase was simply going to point out as much as a celebration and begin DJing,” Maegaard stated in an interview with nft now. “However after that first night time, and seeing the response from individuals and receiving simply such an extremely constructive response, I noticed that I may need one thing right here. That was sort of the start of Seedphrase, after I really realized, ‘Okay, I can take this someplace.’”
Having been featured within the New York Occasions shortly after that first celebration in November 2021, Maegaard leaned into the thought of turning Seedphrase into one thing palpable. However whereas the primary few appearances of the CryptoPunk DJ at worldwide exhibits and festivals would possibly’ve felt random, Seedphrase’s newest surge in recognition is something however. Now that Maegaard has entered talks with some main manufacturers and metaverse gamers, he’s taken time to push previous being labeled a “Web3 model of Marshmello,” and conceive a multifaceted existence for his burgeoning alter-ego.
NFT collector, CryptoPunk DJ, or one thing extra?
Over the following yr, Web3 will doubtless see quite a lot of Seedphrase. Collaborations with legacy style homes, a slew of reside exhibits, and ventures in artwork, gaming, and extra are however just a few of the pit stops on the proverbial roadmap for the rising DJ. For Maegaard, although, the growth of the Seedphrase model is the end result of his work behind the scenes compartmentalizing his identities and solidifying what his new platform will stand for.
“Individuals both know me as Daniel Maegaard or Seedphrase. I sort of need to use this second as an instance the distinction between the 2. They coexist, however there’s clearly a person behind the masks as nicely,” stated Maegaard. And though he went on to notice that separating the character from the person is simpler stated than executed, in some way, Maegaard nonetheless appears to be thriving inside this division.
Lately, Seedphrase was reintroduced to the artwork world as a part of WME’s pop-up at nft now x Mana Widespread’s The Gateway in downtown Miami. There, he graced the DJ sales space, curated the vibe, and appeared alongside quite a lot of influential Web3 creators. However whereas partygoers could have witnessed the DJ break character, revealing a sharp-dressed Maegaard beneath, the 2 have been nonetheless perceived as completely completely different individuals.
On the one hand, Seedphrase, who was launched as a “manifestation of in the present day’s fringe tradition,” was on the job. He posed for pictures, hit just a few dance strikes, and voicelessly floated across the venue because the face of the night time. However on the opposite, a joyful Maegaard, the early-stage crypto investor and outstanding NFT collector, hugged his longtime associates, exchanged pleasantries with the who’s who of NFTs, and carelessly sipped on craft cocktails.
Oddly sufficient, whereas Maegaard could have got down to create a significant model, he’s additionally now completely illustrating the malleable nature of digital identification, one thing that others like multidisciplinary artist Snuffy have additionally taken nice curiosity in. Whereas identification is a really tough idea to know — very true in a realm like Web3 and the NFT house the place nameless and pseudonymous people typically reign — Maegaard success in sustaining his sense of self whereas giving life to his on-line persona could present an archetype for others endeavoring to do the identical.
It’s necessary to notice, although, that Maegaard’s need to capitalize on his Seedphrase identification didn’t come frivolously. In line with the influential collector, whereas that aforementioned preliminary celebration helped kick off the DJ’s identification, his longstanding ethos and excessive hopes for the way forward for Web3 have been the true catalysts behind the Seedphrase model.
“On the finish of the day, Seedphrase is supposed to embody this sacred mentality of what every of us holds pricey on this rising tech house. And to serve this form of cutting-edge voice that feeds the neighborhood with data, expertise, and knowledge,” stated Maegaard. “Your seed phrase, like your precise pockets seed phrase, is a gateway, a key to what you maintain pricey. That’s what I’m attempting to create now with the Seedphrase model itself. An individual that you would be able to look to as a guiding gentle locally.”
