Imagine a blockchain so seamless, so user-friendly, that even your grandparents could use it—and they wouldn’t even know they’re on Web3. That’s the mission Anthony Anzalone has taken head-on with XION, a project born not just out of necessity, but out of frustration with how Web3 has boxed itself in.
In this edition of "Behind the Startup", we dive deep into Anthony’s journey—from making headlines with a Banksy NFT to building one of the most intuitive Layer 1s the industry has ever seen. Let’s get into it.
Ishan Pandey: Hi Anthony Anzalone, welcome you to our "Behind the Startup" series. What inspired you to build Xion, and how does it address the technical barriers that have traditionally hindered Web3 adoption?
Anthony Anzalone: From the beginning we've been trying to bring crypto to regular users. We didn't intend to build our own blockchain from the start, but it was a necessity to start from scratch and build from the ground up. Everyone in this industry is so stuck in the same way of thinking, and is somehow surprised that the industry has only catered to the same few users and developers. XION solves this both from a technical level, making the crypto complexities disappear, but also from a cultural level, disassociating with all the lingo and complexities introduced by the industry which has kept external builders from seeing the true value.
Ishan Pandey: You gained global attention with your Banksy NFT experiment. Can you please tell us about it? Further, what key lessons did you take from that experience, and how did it influence your vision for digital ownership and blockchain adoption?
Anthony Anzalone: It was simple, we were trying to prove one of the value propositions of crypto on a global scale - the value of digital scarcity and ownership. Frankly that moment changed my life, it's what has led me to founding XION, and cemented what we believed in all along. It's clear, the general public is intrigued, and they need to be given a reason to care.
Ishan Pandey: Web3 is often criticized for its steep learning curve. How does Xion’s approach to accessibility compare to other blockchain solutions trying to simplify the user experience?
Anthony Anzalone: As mentioned, XION tackles this not only from a technical standpoint - abstracting many of the complexities at the protocol level in order to enable familiar web2 UX for end users - but also from the cultural standpoint which in many ways is most important. The industry, rightfully, has received a lot of criticism and skepticism and convincing web2 builders is extremely difficult. XION is uniquely doing so by removing both the user complexities and the crypto lingo. And the results are clear, with large brands such as Uber utilizing the platform in novel ways.
Ishan Pandey: Regulation remains a major factor in blockchain adoption. How does Xion navigate evolving compliance requirements while maintaining its frictionless approach?
Anthony Anzalone: Regulation is important in any fast growing industry, and XION has made a concerted effort to innovate in a compliant way. The two are not mutually exclusive, and recent regulation has made huge strides in creating clear pathways to compliance. We recently announced being the first L1 that was Title II compliant in the EU, and we strongly believe in the importance of innovating within regulatory frameworks that are clearly defined.
Ishan Pandey: Given your background in both art and blockchain, how do you see the intersection of these fields evolving over the next few years, especially with regard to digital ownership and building a market for art on blockchain?
Anthony Anzalone: The most exciting part about where we are is that the tools are finally in a place that enable this cambrian explosion of creativity, and I believe XION is going to produce many applications that will be novel but also looking back will look obvious.
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