COMMUNITY AND COLLECTING: Yuga Labs’ New CEO Michael Figge Shares His Vision For NFTs And The Future Of The Bored Ape Yacht Club!

“Node by node. Collector by collector. Community by community.” Yuga Labs’ new CEO Michael Figge says bringing people together and reigniting a love for collecting is the future of NFTs.

Just days after it was announced that Yuga Labs’ longtime Chief Creative Officer had been tapped as the company’s next CEO, Figge stopped by LokiBird’s popular NFT megaspace on Sunday and talked all things JPEGs.

Figge compared bringing the people behind profile pictures together, whether online or IRL, to his past experience gathering crowds and putting on  major concerts.

 “The people are the best part, “he said. “I know its counterintuitive in the age of trustless transations and decentralization, we think we can do everything independently, like we are a bunch of lone wolves, but one of the best parts of NFTs for me has been its one of the best organizing principals outside of religious organizations.”

 

The idea of bringing people together is already becoming part of the “Figge effect” around the swamp.

As the Gazette previously reported, while the public just learned about his appointment this week, Figge actually stepped into the CEO role a few weeks ago.

Since then, IRL events have been the alpha, with meetups popping up from New York to Hong Kong. This weekend, the Bored Ape Yacht Club even hosted an event at Snoop Dogg’s compound to celebrate 4/20.

“The community yearns for regular meet ups with people down the street from them,” Figge said. “And it’s only through that you get to meet the people behind the PFP!”

 

While Figge said he’s not sure exactly where NFTs go next, echoing the idea that history doesn’t repeat itself but rhymes, he made it clear his goal is to bring the space back to its roots: community and collecting.

“Node by node. Collector by collector. Community by community. I think it’s something that reminds the whole space about why we showed up and how it all began,” he said. “My hope is for the club that it brings a love for collecting back to the whole ecosystem.”

 

The Gazette will continue to follow all things NFTs and will let you know how Figge makes that dream come true. Stay tuned for updates!