Interview with Eric Benz, CryptoFriends #LIVE - Malta Blockchain Summit (Malta 2018)

Here's a summary of the cryptocurrency podcast transcript, broken down into the requested sections:

1. Narrative Summary

This podcast interview, recorded live at the Malta Blockchain Summit in 2018, features Eric Benz of CryptoFriends. CryptoFriends is an events company focused on building a strong community and fostering meaningful connections within the cryptocurrency space. They host exclusive, non-conference style events and are expanding into a fashion collection, launching a line of t-shirts on the Coin Telegraph store and their own website. Beyond events, CryptoFriends is exploring integrating blockchain technology into their operations, including a potential membership platform and tracking the sourcing and production of their fashion line. The company is planning a significant event, the World Crypto Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia, which will feature a competition judging projects based on their development and innovation, even including a satirical "best scam" category. The interview also touches on upcoming events like a crypto regatta in Ibiza and a humorous discussion about potential blockchain mishaps and the role of Vitalik Buterin.

2. Main Topics Discussed

• CryptoFriends' Mission: Building community and fostering connections within the cryptocurrency space through exclusive events.
• Fashion Collection: Launching a CryptoFriends fashion line, initially with t-shirts, and integrating blockchain technology for transparency and traceability.
• World Crypto Cup: A major upcoming event in St. Petersburg, Russia, featuring a competition judging crypto projects across various categories.
• Blockchain Integration: Exploring ways to use blockchain for community management, membership platforms, and supply chain tracking in their fashion line.
• Crypto Regatta: An intimate event in Ibiza as a warm-up to the summer season.
• Humorous Take on ICOs & Blockchain: A lighthearted discussion about potential ICO failures and the possibility of "rolling back the chain."
• Social Media Presence: Promoting CryptoFriends' presence across various social media platforms.

3. Key Quotes

• "CryptoFriends really is about...crypto professionals all trying to build smart connections." - Eric Benz, describing CryptoFriends' core purpose.
• "We're going to be integrating blockchain and ability to like scan clothing and things that we do so that you can actually see on the blockchain where it was sourced, how it was made..." - Eric Benz, on the fashion line's blockchain integration.
• "It's really about crypto and blockchain overall in terms of where the advancement is in the development of the project's lie." - Eric Benz, explaining the focus of the World Crypto Cup competition.
• "I could probably do an ICO myself and on my memoirs." - Eric Benz, humorously referencing the potential for ICO failures.

4. People Mentioned

• Eric Benz: Founder of CryptoFriends (role: Interviewee)
• Vitalik Buterin: Co-founder of Ethereum (mentioned in a humorous context)
• Host: (Name not provided) - Interviewer for the podcast.

5. Bitcoin Price

The Bitcoin price was not mentioned in the transcript.