Anthony Anzalone is the founder and CEO of XION, a Layer 1 blockchain developed with a focus on consumer adoption. He is also known for his work under the alias "Burnt Banksy," which involved a notable project in the non-fungible token (NFT) space that garnered global media attention. ^{[1] [2]}

Career

The "Burnt Banksy" Project

Anzalone first gained widespread recognition in the Web3 industry as the figure behind the "Burnt Banksy" project. This initiative involved the purchase of an authentic, physical screenprint by the anonymous street artist Banksy, which was then publicly destroyed by burning in a live-streamed event. Immediately following its destruction, a digital version of the artwork was minted as a non-fungible token (NFT) on a blockchain. The act was framed as a conceptual art piece intended to question the nature of value and explore the transition of ownership from the physical to the digital realm.

The project successfully sparked a global discourse on the meaning of authenticity, scarcity, and value in the age of digital assets. It raised questions about whether the value of the physical artwork could be transferred to its digital counterpart and what it meant to own an object that existed solely in a digital format. The event attracted significant attention from major international media outlets, including Bloomberg, the BBC, and CBS, which covered the story extensively. This media focus elevated Anzalone's profile and positioned him as a provocative thinker in the burgeoning NFT space, known for blending performance art with commentary on blockchain technology. ^[2]

Founding of XION

Following the notoriety of the Burnt Banksy project, Anzalone transitioned his focus from conceptual art and NFTs to building foundational blockchain infrastructure. He founded XION, serving as its CEO, with the stated mission of solving the persistent problem of mass consumer adoption in Web3. His experience in the NFT space highlighted the significant technical barriers that prevented mainstream users from easily interacting with blockchain-based applications. The complexity of managing crypto wallets, understanding gas fees, and navigating different blockchain networks was identified as a major impediment to growth beyond a niche audience of technically proficient users.

The creation of XION represented a shift in Anzalone's career from commentary to construction. He aimed to build a platform that would "abstract away the complexities of crypto," thereby democratizing access to the technology. This new venture moved him from the art world into the competitive landscape of Layer 1 blockchain development, where he began to focus on user experience and building a platform capable of supporting consumer-grade applications at scale. ^{[1] [2]}

Media Appearances

NYSE TV Live

Anthony Anzalone appeared on NYSE TV Live on March 14, 2025, where he discussed his Burnt Bansky project and the beginning of XION.