As the crypto world continues to evolve, the focus on utility and real-world applications becomes increasingly critical. The key question remains: Which areas of blockchain and crypto will emerge as indispensable in our daily lives? In a recent discussion, Roundtable anchor Rob Nelson, Noah Newton, CEO of Moby Media, and Brian Dixon, CEO of Off The Chain Capital, delve into this pressing issue, considering the potential of blockchain to transform various industries.

Nelson started the discussion by drawing parallels between the early days of the internet and the current state of blockchain technology. He highlighted the importance of utility, noting how email became a fundamental tool that people didn't realize they needed until they had it. Nelson posed a crucial question to Noah Newton about identifying the next big use cases in blockchain that could achieve similar ubiquitous adoption.

Newton admitted the difficulty in pinpointing specific projects outside of bitcoin and ethereum that would achieve massive success. While he emphasized bitcoin's potential to become a world reserve currency and its growth in value, Newton acknowledged the challenges facing other blockchain projects. He pointed out that sectors like decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, and decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) are promising but have yet to find a perfect market fit.

Newton particularly focused on the gaming industry, noting its potential to integrate blockchain technology. He argued that the gaming sector could revolutionize ownership and value retention for gamers, allowing them to truly own their in-game achievements and assets. However, he also recognized the difficulties in developing successful blockchain-based games, citing the long development times and high failure rates of even the biggest gaming studios.

Shifting the focus to Dixon, Nelson sought his insights on the broader applications of blockchain and crypto. Dixon emphasized the transformative potential of smart contracts, which can automate legal and contractual obligations. He discussed the nascent stage of smart contract platforms and the uncertainty over which platform would dominate, comparing the current landscape to the early days of internet search engines.

Dixon's legal background informed his perspective on the potential of smart contracts to revolutionize the legal profession. He envisioned a future where legal agreements are digitized and automated, significantly enhancing efficiency in business operations. However, he acknowledged the complexities involved in arbitrating disputes over smart contracts, which require expertise in both law and computer science.