{"id":15039,"date":"2023-06-08T09:19:53","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T09:19:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nftportal.se\/?p=15039"},"modified":"2023-06-08T09:19:55","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T09:19:55","slug":"fran-wall-street-trader-till-nft-kreator-och-grundare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nftportal.se\/en\/interviews\/from-wall-street-trader-to-nft-creator-and-founder\/","title":{"rendered":"From Wall Street trader to NFT creator and founder"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meet OSF<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ovie Faruq, better known as OSF is a former Wall Street trader who transitioned into a crypto artist.\nIn addition to being a successful crypto artist he is the co-founder of the NFT investment fund Canary Labs and the NFT research platform DegenzNFT.\nHe entered the crypto and NFT space in 2021 and in July 2022 OSF reached an all-time-high selling his piece \u2018professional degen 4\u2019 for 59.69 ETH on SuperRare<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"OSF
professional degen 4, created by OSF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Could you tell us about your story and how you got introduced to the NFT space?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having been crypto-skeptic for many years, in 2021 I had a top-down view on low rates and rising inflation and finally bought some Bitcoin. My friend Mando<\/a> was looking at NFTs and though I was skeptical at first, I eventually made the plunge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What inspired you to start creating NFTs?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I used to draw\/paint a lot as a kid and created a lot of digital art as a teenager. When I started collecting NFTs, it only felt natural to start creating again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the first NFT you created?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first one I created was actually a piece called \u2018Just a Token\u2019 which is in a totally different style to what I have now, but something I did as a test.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"First
Just a Token, OSF's first NFT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Which tools do you use to create?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

iPad + Procreate, sometimes Photoshop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your biggest influences or sources of inspiration?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For me it is undeniably XCOPY<\/a> and AlphaCentauriKid<\/a>. I love their style and messaging in their pieces \u2013 they both hold themselves very well in a space that's filled with big personalities.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"OSF
Last Orders!, created through collaboration between XCOPY and AlphaCentauriKid<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Can you speak to the community and fan engagement aspect of your art and how it plays a role in your creative process?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Community is everything as you probably know. I don't view myself as having fans, but I believe I have supporters and I want to reward people who support me and believe in the vision. I believe in winning together as a team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What advice would they give someone starting out as a creator in the NFT field?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Understand that NFTs and traditional art are not the same thing. Spend some time identifying why some artists\/NFT projects have failed and why some have succeeded. Learn from other people's mistakes to help you make the right decisions and TAKE YOUR TIME.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Could you tell us about DegenzNFT and what led you to start your own NFT project?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Degenz was originally one pfp<\/a> project that failed because we weren't good at managing a community or building its IP. In January 2022 we decided to pivot to an NFT research platform and have spent the last year building that out; you can view it on degenz.finance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Degenz
Degenz, NFT research platform, co-founded by OSF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What has been the most rewarding part of being involved in the NFT space?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Meeting people I never would have met in any other aspect of my life - lots of interesting people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you think are the most important things for founders of NFT projects to keep in mind?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Put your holders first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you think are the biggest opportunities within the NFT space in the coming 5 years? Culturally, artistically and financially?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Collecting pieces that are both culturally and historically significant. We're just 5-6 years into what is a digital renaissance; it's the opportunity of a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As both a founder and creator, is there something that you feel is missing in the current NFT space?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People understanding what NFTs are supposed to be. They're supposed to be fun...about art...culture...possibly gaming. They're not necessarily an avenue to monetize consumers and I think people who buy NFTs are wise to that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the best piece of advice you have been given?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Play the long game and never give up.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is your favorite meme<\/strong>?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I love the bear market Pepe memes.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"OSF's<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You can find OSF and his works via the following links:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n