Adam Weitsman has never been a conventional person. He is an entrepreneur, art collector, and philanthropist whose career spans multiple fields, including scrap metal recycling, contemporary art, and more recently, NFT collecting.
Weitsman invests not only in creativity but also in talent, earning a reputation for pursuing his passions and sticking to what excites him, even if these things sometimes go against tradition.
As a long-time supporter of the Yuga ecosystem and one of the most prominent collectors in the field, Weitsman has not only built strong connections within the community but also brought mainstream attention to NFTs.
We spoke with Adam about how his early love for antiques and American ceramics shaped his philosophy on collecting, why he is so fascinated by Web3, and what he believes is needed for NFTs to gain wider adoption in the coming years.
Note: This record has been edited for length and clarity.
OpenSea: Your career has been very colorful - scrap metal, art, dining, charity, investment. You've done a lot. How do you personally define your career?
Adam Weitsman: It changes every day. I don't really have a fixed plan; I just try to do what I love. Not every job I like, but I strive to stay passionate about things. Now that I've grown up, a lot of the time it's for the investors. What the idea is doesn't matter; if I believe in a person, I will invest in them. This has led me down many different paths.
OpenSea: That's amazing; being able to break free feels like a huge advantage and is a luxury in many ways, right?
Adam Weitsman: It definitely makes life more interesting. I never know what will happen next because I don't care what the other person thinks, as long as they have passion and work ethic. I'm willing to try anything. It's evolved in many different directions, which is fun but also requires a lot of effort.
OpenSea: Can you elaborate on how your early exposure to the scrap metal business and antiques has influenced your philosophy on collecting and investing?
Adam Weitsman: I come from a small town where there wasn't much to do. When I was a kid, one of my dad's jobs was digging, and one day he accidentally discovered some ancient pottery beer bottles. That's when I started doing research. I was a bit of a nerd back then, had no friends, just liked reading comic books. I'm still like that now. I studied those bottles and then began researching American ceramics, especially since a lot of ceramics come from upstate New York. I participated in archaeological digs when I was in school, which was a lot of fun.
It wasn't until a few years later that I really started getting into the scrap metal industry. My grandfather ran a used parts business, and later my father started a scrap metal business. I didn't know I would go down this path. I opened a small shoe-box art gallery in New York, which I loved, but then someone in the family passed away, and my father asked me to help him. When I returned, I thought it would just be for a weekend, but I never left again. It was quite an interesting experience.
OpenSea: You mentioned that you invest more in talent than in specific technologies, but how do you judge whether something like NFTs will continue to exist?
Adam Weitsman: I dare to take risks, but I only buy things I like. Recently, someone posted that I never sell anything, and that's true. I never seek value or resale; I am a collector at heart. I buy things that bring me joy, and even if their value drops, it doesn't matter because I enjoy owning them. I got into NFTs relatively late, just because a friend recommended it, but if something resonates with me, I will buy it.
OpenSea: That's a perfect segue. How did you first discover Web3 and NFTs?
Adam Weitsman: Friends told me about this. At first, I didn't quite understand; I just looked at it. Then I saw a Bored Ape wearing an orange hat – orange is my favorite color – and I thought it was cool. That was my first NFT, and it just went on from there.
OpenSea: You have always been a strong supporter of Yuga and Bored Ape. What have they done right in this space? What keeps you loyal?
Adam Weitsman: I trust the Yuga team; I've been good friends with them all along. I trust them completely. I love their vision and passion, and I believe they will soon release some major works that will shake the entire industry. I've collected a lot about their works.
This year, after a long search, I finally obtained my first CryptoPunk piece. To me, it felt like a legendary NFT. I also love the Faraway team; their atmosphere is unique but vibrant, and their work ethic is strong.
OpenSea: What excites you the most about other emerging Web3 projects?
Adam Weitsman: I just want to help good people, and that's why I invested in Faraway. They need support, and they've always given me great advice, so I want to help.
OpenSea: Even though NFTs are becoming increasingly mainstream, I think there is still a general lack of complete understanding about them. Do you think NFTs will soon be adopted more widely?
Adam Weitsman: I consider myself an outsider in this field, but everyone has been really supportive. When I posted about NFTs, I saw comments from people who had never bought NFTs before, so it was a great crossover. I believe that as this field becomes more user-friendly, people's acceptance will also increase.
Getting closer to the goal is definitely easier now than when I first started. Once people get into it, they become addicted. The community and friendships here are unparalleled. I'm going to Las Vegas for Ape Fest instead of going to exotic places like St. Barts and Monaco, where my friends often go. That makes me happy.
OpenSea: What characteristics of the community make you want to stay?
Adam Weitsman: This place is full of love and support. People share information, regardless of whether they are 18 or 80 years old. It's a real community.
This week I went to a recycling conference, and an Australian recognized me from the ape community. He came over and said, 'Hey, I have an ape. I run a shredding business in Australia.' I thought, 'That's so crazy.' We hit it off immediately; it was just wild.
OpenSea: This is such a great story. The anonymity of Web3 means you don't always get to know people online, so those face-to-face interactions become particularly special.
Adam Weitsman: I've met some really smart and privacy-focused people who are willing to open up because I'm not in this business to flip for money or profit. This is a higher level of education for me.
OpenSea: Besides Yuga, what role does community play in your purchases?
Adam Weitsman: Of course, I keep an open mind towards other communities. I'm just waiting for that exciting moment to appear. Many people reach out to me to introduce their communities, and everyone is very enthusiastic.
OpenSea: Your collection is primarily PFP. Are you also interested in art?
Adam Weitsman: This could change. I used to collect contemporary art and opened a small gallery in Soho. A few years ago, I sold those collections at Christie's auction house, so this is my new art collection. Back in 1985, those who said I was crazy for buying Basquiat are now saying I'm obsessed with apes. That painting by Basquiat sold for $75,000. People thought I was crazy; they said, 'That's just a graffiti artist.' I bought it while he was still alive, but I don't care what others think. I just follow my passion.
OpenSea: What do you think the traditional art world currently thinks about NFTs? Auction houses like Christie's and Sotheby's are getting involved.
Adam Weitsman: I'm now fully dedicated to the NFT space. There's more and more discussion about them, and I even participated in a Sotheby's NFT auction.
OpenSea: One last big question: What advice would you give to new collectors?
Adam Weitsman: Focus on projects that can exist long-term. That's why I'm optimistic about Yuga and Faraway. Although there will be some transformations, these communities will endure. Ultimately, buy what you love; it doesn't matter if others think you're crazy. As long as you believe in yourself, you won't make the wrong choice.
OpenSea: I really enjoyed this. Thank you for taking the time.
Adam Weitsman: It's great to meet you, thank you very much.
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