Credit: NFT Agency
Chronicle.lu recently had the opportunity to sit down with local artist and entrepreneur Thuy Gattaux and experienced financial expert Aurore Dulieu about their new venture: NFT Agency, Luxembourg's first agency dedicated entirely to the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Having recognised the difficulty in finding clear and accurate information about NFTs in Luxembourg, Thuy and Aurore have set up this new concept, aimed at advising and accompanying both private individuals and companies in the NFT process. Firstly, a brief explanation of NFTs: a non-fungible token is a digital blockchain-stored token representing ownership of a unique asset (which can be physical or digital).
Aurore, a specialist in finance and international fiscality, explained that she has been interested in blockchain right from the start: "The blockchain always attracted my attention. I was interested since the beginning, and I followed its evolution". She continued: "And NFTs attracted my attention, [especially] the aspect of playful authentication, because it's fun as well; at the same time, you learn lots of things". Aurore noted that she has built up a rather profound knowledge of various aspects related to NFTs over the years, from art to the identification of documents.
Speaking from her own experience as an artist (and an entrepreneur), Thuy explained how NFTs are possible in all areas. Regarding art, there is a visual, behind which there is a method of securing this information in a blockchain. "And these are the things we will be able to do. It's not because [people] do not know about it that they cannot benefit from it. That is why we exist today", she noted, adding that the aim was also to "be as clear as possible" and to give everyone the opportunity to dive into the world of NFTs.
Elaborating on the role and mission of NFT Agency, Thuy explained that this is an agency that proposes information, advice and accompaniment concerning NFTs to people who may be just starting out. The agency targets both private individuals and professionals (companies). Aurore added that NFT Agency can accompany communications agencies, for example, who may want to add a unique element to their events, as well as fiduciaries or lawyers, for instance concerning the authentication system by NFTs, and private individuals who want to know more about NFTs in clear, understandable language. The agency also manages projects, events and client portfolios. There are plans, for example, to organise a masterclass on NFTs for private individuals.
The exact process depends on the client's profile and needs, whether they wish to secure information or create an NFT, for example. Thuy noted that obstacles remain for members of the public wishing to enter the world of NFTs and the metaverse (virtual world), stating: "We hope to accelerate things a bit".
Regarding some of the specific challenges for women in this field, Aurore noted: "The challenge of being a woman in the wonderful world of international finance is something I have lived for 20 years". She added that men were currently "very represented" in the metaverse, with women, particularly in Luxembourg, being less represented. Thuy commented: "That is part of the challenge: to share our knowledge and our experience in a rather masculine world. [...] In the end, we will go further, because we will offer education to private individuals to understand. It's not just for the professional [world]".
Concerning Luxembourg-specific challenges in this area, Thuy noted: "We in Luxembourg are very far [behind] compared to other countries". Aurore added: "NFTs are still in their infancy in Luxembourg. Lots of things have already been done operationally, but at the level of usage, we are not there yet. The challenge is really to put it centre stage, to speak about it, to be a specialist also in the domain".
NFT Agency, launched by Thuy and Aurore with the support of a team of lawyers, technicians and developers, is now operational. Further information is available on the website: http://www.nft-agency.lu/.
