In this episode of Tech Around and Find Out, host Calvin sits down with Aleksander (PsychOut), co-founder and COO at Sky Mavis, the company behind the Ronin blockchain and the renowned Web3 gaming pioneer, Axie Infinity. Aleks takes listeners through a candid recount of his journey from a competitive gamer to co-founding one of the most influential projects in the crypto gaming space.

Key Takeaways:

• Aleks’s transition from a competitive gamer and early CryptoKitties enthusiast to a pioneering Web3 entrepreneur highlights the grassroots origins and evolution of crypto gaming.
• The genesis story of Axie Infinity underscores the entrepreneurial perseverance required to build through market downturns and operational crises, including near bankruptcy due to crypto volatility and the impactful Ronin bridge hack.
• Aleks shares insights on designing robust Web3 game economies, stressing iterative experimentation with tokenomics to avoid early pressures and create organic user engagement.
• The transformative impact of Axie Infinity’s "Smooth Love Potion" token, exemplified by community adoption in the Philippines, demonstrates the real-world applicability of crypto gaming economies.
• Aleks outlines Ronin’s strategic expansion, emphasizing frictionless onboarding through innovations like the Waypoint social login wallet, enabling seamless entry for mainstream users.
• The conversation touches on critical lessons from the Ronin hack, highlighting Sky Mavis’s unwavering commitment to user security and fund restitution, fostering community trust and resilience.

Aleks forecasts the next evolution of Ronin, anticipating significant growth in DeFi, meme coins, and SocialFi applications, alongside technical advancements like potential layer-two scaling solutions leveraging ZKEVM. He advocates for a culture-first approach in crypto communities, seeing sustainable community building, experimentation, and genuine user engagement as foundational elements for Web3 gaming's future.

Join Calvin and Aleks as they explore deep entrepreneurial insights, pivotal moments behind Ronin’s journey, and the essential steps for the future of Web3 gaming and blockchain innovation.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this episode is financial or investment advice (NFA). Always DYOR (Do Your Own Research) and consult licensed professionals before making any decisions.