05-28, 17:30–17:55 (CET), Seed
A decentralized movement is quietly reshaping the foundations of Virtual Reality. In this talk, we’ll explore how blockchain technology is enabling a new era of user-owned virtual platforms, where individuals control their identities, assets, and environments. As centralized platforms tighten their grip, the push for open, sovereign SocialVR spaces grows stronger. This session will not only dive i
As the CEO of Somnium Space, the oldest and largest decentralized Virtual Reality platform, I’ve spent the past 8 years building not just immersive digital worlds but the very infrastructure that powers a new kind of digital existence. In this session, I’ll share insights from the frontlines of creating a truly open SocialVR ecosystem where users own their identities, assets, and experiences.
This talk is driven by a simple yet urgent motivation: to show what’s possible when we take control back from centralized gatekeepers and empower people to build, trade, and live freely inside virtual environments. I’ll also showcase how this vision comes to life inside Somnium Space, including our own VR headset development, offering a real-world example of decentralized living in action.
This isn’t just theory. It’s a live demonstration of the future of existence in virtual reality.
Artur Sychov is the Founder and CEO of Somnium Space, the oldest and largest decentralized Virtual Reality platform. Before founding Somnium, Artur worked for many years as an investment trader, eventually shifting his focus to become a passionate evangelist of virtual reality and a pioneering architect of virtual worlds.
He firmly believes that immersive, decentralized virtual environments will play a crucial role in shaping the next evolution of human society and digital economies. At Somnium Space, he leads the development not only of persistent virtual worlds but also of proprietary Virtual Reality hardware, built in Europe, to ensure a fully open and independent ecosystem.
In addition to VR, Artur is also the founder of authencity.io, a decentralized social media protocol focused on digital identity, freedom of expression, and ownership of content. His mission is to empower users to reclaim control over their digital lives across every layer of the virtual experience, from hardware and platforms to identity and communication.