Last week, Lisbon became the focal point of the crypto world during the NFC Summit, a gathering that brought together builders, investors, researchers, and creatives all working at the frontier of Web3. What struck me most wasn’t just the energy of the event, but the clarity around one idea. We are still incredibly early in the evolution of this space.

Despite the impressive progress across blockchain infrastructure, DeFi protocols, and digital identity systems, the general sentiment was that we’re only in the early chapters of crypto’s broader story. The tools we have now are powerful, but they’re still being shaped for scalability, user experience, and long-term resilience. There was a clear shift in tone compared to previous years from chasing hype to laying solid foundations.

Throughout the summit and the nonstop side events around the city, there was a palpable focus on the future. Many of the conversations I heard were less about short-term gains and more about the architectures that will support the next billion users entering the ecosystem. Whether through modular blockchains, frictionless onboarding experiences, or cross-chain interoperability, the direction is clear. The infrastructure must evolve to meet global demand without sacrificing decentralization or usability.Throughout the summit and the nonstop side events around the city, there was a palpable focus on the future.

It’s easy to get caught up in market cycles or headlines, but events like NFC Summit are a powerful reminder that we’re witnessing the slow, steady construction of an entirely new layer of the internet. If you're working in tech, finance, policy, or even user experience design, now’s a critical time to pay attention. The foundations being built today will shape how billions of people interact with digital value, identity, and ownership in the decades to come.