ICN.live Key Opinion | EXCLUSIVE Interview with Gabriele Zennaro, Managing Partner at 50x Capital

ICN.live KEY OPINION Exclusive Interview

Few leaders in the dynamic world of Web3 and digital assets have the depth of expertise and strategic vision that Gabriele Zennaro brings to the table. As a Managing Partner at 50x Capital, Gabriele plays a crucial role in identifying and supporting high-potential blockchain ventures, helping shape the future of decentralized finance and expanding crypto markets. With a track record in venture capital, ecosystem growth, and scaling Web3 innovations, he offers valuable insights into today’s digital asset landscape. In this exclusive ICN.live Key Opinion interview, we discuss market trends, investment strategies, and what’s next for the crypto industry.

Donald Trump recently announced the official US Crypto Reserve, which includes BitcoinClick here for more Details, Ethereum, XRPClick here for more Details, CardanoClick here for more Details, and SolanaClick here for more Details. How does such a major announcement influence your VC’s investment strategy moving forward?

It’s confirmation of what we already knew—crypto is no longer a side experiment, it’s a strategic asset. The moment a government starts holding Bitcoin, it’s not just a hedge, it’s a policy decision.
For 50x Capital, this doesn’t change our direction, but it does accelerate it. We’re betting on projects that thrive in a world where crypto isn’t just tolerated but embedded into financial infrastructure. That means real utility, scalable adoption, and regulatory resilience.
The biggest shift? The U.S. is now directly exposed to crypto volatility. If they buy more, the floor rises. If they regulate aggressively, the market adapts. Either way, we’re in for a new era of institutional adoption. That’s where the best investments will be.

Have you ever invested in a MEME coin project? If so, what was the main reason? If not, why have you avoided it?

We don’t invest in memes. We invest in attention.
Memecoins aren’t about technology, they’re about narrative. The right one at the right time can outperform anything else in the market. The trick? Knowing when the joke turns into an economy.
Would I bet on a dog coin with no purpose? No. But a meme that captures culture, builds a movement, and sustains momentum? That’s a different conversation. The line between a useless token and a billion-dollar asset is community conviction.
Most meme projects fail because they rely on hype, not structure. The ones that survive turn into ecosystems. If you can tell me why your meme matters in five years, not just five days, then maybe you have something worth investing in.

AI is currently one of the most attractive markets, but when combined with other high-growth industries, it can create even greater investment opportunities—such as in the healthcare/medical sector. In your view, where do you see the perfect AI combo for investments right now?

AI on its own is powerful. AI with data dominance and network effects? That’s an empire.
The best AI investments won’t be standalone—they’ll be in sectors where AI turns a bottleneck into a goldmine. Right now, that’s:

AI x Biotech – Drug discovery, diagnostics, personalized medicine. The edge? AI turns trial-and-error into predict-and-execute.
AI x Crypto – Decentralized AI models, on-chain AI agents, and data sovereignty. Why? Because who owns AI in a decentralized world? That’s a trillion-dollar question.
AI x Energy – AI optimizing energy grids, predicting demand, and trading power in real time. The play? Energy is data. AI makes it smarter, cheaper, and scalable.
The best investments aren’t just about AI—they’re about what AI makes 10x better overnight. That’s where the money is.

Which blockchain(s) do you believe will no longer exist in two years, and why?

If a blockchain is still selling itself on being ‘fast’ or ‘cheap,’ it’s already dead—it just doesn’t know it yet.
Speed and cost are not a moat. They’re features. And features get copied.
The blockchains that survive are the ones that have deep liquidity, real users, and a reason to exist beyond speculation. If your entire market cap depends on farming incentives and VC unlock schedules, you’re not a blockchain—you’re an exit strategy.

In two years, the ones that disappear will be:
Zombie chains – No devs, no users, no community, just bagholders hoping for a miracle.
VC experiments – Raised $100M, promised the world, delivered nothing.
Hype chains – Flashy narratives with no product-market fit.
Survival isn’t about tech—it’s about network effects and economic gravity. The chains that win will have both.

Your fund is called 50x—at what point do you consider an investment successful? Is it after a 5x return? 10x? Or only when it reaches 50x?

50x isn’t a target. It’s a mindset.

If you’re aiming for 5x, you’ll take safe bets. If you’re aiming for 50x, you look for asymmetry—high-risk, high-reward bets that redefine an industry.
That being said, success isn’t just about numbers—it’s about time.
A 5x return in six months? Good trade.
A 10x in a year? Solid.
A 50x in a decade? Life-changing.
The best investments aren’t just about getting 50x returns. They’re about being in the right place before the rest of the world realizes it. That’s how real wealth is built.

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