I Top 5 Countries Most Interested In NFTs

Cryptocurrency

Top 5 Countries Most Interested In NFTs

The market for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is in its infancy, but many investors have been quick to jump on the bandwagon. Total NFT sales between the start of January and end of April 2022 stood at $37 billion, according to a report from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, compared with $40 billion for the whole of 2021. Here are the top five countries that made the most NFT-related searches between June 2021 and May 2022, according to the NFT Club.

Taiwan

Population: 23.9 million

NFT searches per 100,000

people: 9.629

Taiwan is known to be a hub where new technologies such as blockchain and NFTs thrive. In December 2021, the OneOffs NFT International Art Fair was held in Taipei, Taiwan. The event had over 20,000 visitors and generated sales of over $1.7 million. In May 2022, the country saw the launch of the world’s first metaverse music label, dubbed 0x0, with the label’s artists existing in the form of NFT characters and releasing music as their character. Medicine Man, from the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection, was 0x0’s first artist.

Australia

Population: 26.1 million

NFT searches per 100,000

people: 8,198

Australia is home to the headquarters of seven NFT companies, representing 3.2% of the world’s total. In February 2022, the Australian Taxation Office set out its stance on NFTs, saying that they would follow the same general principles as cryptocurrencies. In April 2022, Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association inked a multi-year licensing deal with cricket NFT platform startup Rario and digital trading firm BlockTrust for collectible NFTs from Australian cricket and play-toearn virtual gaming, which will be available to over one billion cricket fans worldwide.

Canada

Population: 38.4 million

NFT searches per 100,000

people: 8,127

According to NFT Club, Canada is home to the headquarters of Dapper Labs, the third highest-funded NFT company in the world with $672 million, and The Sandbox, the 10th highest-funded NFT company in the world with $93 million. The Canada Revenue Agency has a policy in place whereby buying an NFT is not taxable but selling one might be. In March, Canada saw the launch of the Canadian Web3 Council, a non-profit trade association that aims to boost Web3 technology such as blockchain. Canadian entrepreneurs have made significant contributions to the digital asset space, from co-founding Ethereum to launching NFT platforms like CryptoKitties and NBA Top Shot.

Iceland

Population: 345,393

NFT searches per 100,000

people: 8,014

The Financial Supervisory Authority, Iceland’s sole financial regulator, approved the first blockchain-powered e-money firm in the country in 2019. Meanwhile, Iceland is among the 10 Best Global Crypto Mining Hubs, according to CoinMarketCap. The country has been supportive in creating environmentallyfriendly Bitcoin mining, with the Icelandic Blockchain Foundation claiming that 8% of all Bitcoin production is done through geothermal and hydroelectric energy.

New Zealand

Population: 4.9 million

NFT searches per 100,000

people: 7,651

In September 2021, All Blacks’ former rugby player Dan Carter and a number of local artists and entertainers launched a new NFT marketplace called Glorious to offer a curated showcase of premium authentic digital masterpieces from world-class creators across art, sport, and music. In 2022, New Zealand had its first NFT auction, consisting of two NFTs: Charles Frederick Goldie at His Easel, and Charles Frederick Goldie in His Studio, sold for $51,250 and $76,250 respectively.

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Forty Million Dollars and Counting: The Rapid Rise of Investium

With a fast-growing investment portfolio, multiple verticals, and regional expansion underway, Investium has come a long way in less than a decade. CEO Samer Zayat explains the company’s rapid rise – and its plans for further growth.

Samer Zayat, CEO, Investium

What can you tell us about Investium?

Investium is a leading investment manager of alternative investments with four lines of business: hospitality, technology, financial advisory, and a real estate division, which we will be launching soon. We have a revenue stream of more than $30 million, and an investment portfolio surpassing $40 million.

Our early phases included small, single-project iterations, which thankfully yielded. Our initial aim was to solidify each independent project and deliver a track record of outstanding results with rapid ROI, and in turn use that success story to attract more investors to other independent projects. Over time, we built on our strengths and learned from every deal and every market cycle to build relationships.

What is the Investium ethos?

A work ethic that is both entrepreneurial in spirit and institutional in practice, in tandem with a policy of investment that is both responsible and profitable. We strive to generate strong performance for our investors who have believed in our vision and continue to do so every day.

How would you describe Investium’s growth journey, and how do you plan to fuel it moving forward?

Consistency and growth have shaped our journey so far, and I am extremely proud to announce that Investium has just completed its fourth consecutive year of doubled growth, at 100% year-on-year, all while maintaining a 27%+ EBITA.

Our success is down to investor confidence, trust, and results. We take pride in saying that our partners entrust us fully in growing and developing their returns. Looking ahead, Investium constantly welcomes strategic partners and investors who can help us to continue raising funds, grow our verticals, and ultimately increase investor ROI.

What are your plans for 2022 and 2023?

Our upcoming short-term plans and strategy include continuing and building on the growth of our hospitality division, with emphasis on regional expansion now that we have presence in the U.A.E., Egypt, and K.S.A.

We will focus on developing the strengths of our existing star brands in this segment such as Al Beiruti, Logma, and Crown Catering. We will also pursue an aggressive strategy to develop our technology segment by furthering Clapp App’s services and business model. Additionally, we will soon be launching our own real estate division, which will add yet another vertical to our group.

Where did your entrepreneurial journey begin?

I started my journey at the young age of 18 by launching an import/ export-based retail business with an investment of $500. Shortly after, I was drawn by the world of investments, which led me to establish Crown Capital Investments in Beirut in 2010.

Two years later, we expanded the business into Dubai, where it grew exponentially.