Degeneve designs for subnets, not headlines. A Swiss-based graphic artist with 20 years in luxury goods, banking, and museum scenography, he entered crypto during lockdown. He saw AI threatening his craft and decided to join the wave instead of fight it. One dream posted on X in 2023 became Dynamic TAO a year later. Now he builds branding for Opentensor and subnets like TENEX, turning code into visuals that stick. He keeps it quiet, precise, and rooted in the Alps. This is his story, straight from the source.
Every conversation starts with this: Share something that is special and meaningful to you, and tell us a little about why you chose it.
I am a huge fan of Oasis, and their breakup was difficult for me. When they announced their reunion and the 2025 concerts, I waited eight hours on my MacBook to get tickets for Wembley, but it was impossible. I put out a call to the Bittensor community to see if anyone could get me tickets… and they did. I can’t thank that person enough. The Wembley concert was exceptional. Ask Max from Score (SN44)
Did I mention the birth of my son? Of course my first one best moment in my life.
Tell us a little about yourself and your involvement in the Bittensor ecosystem in a few brief sentences.
Indirectly, back in 2023, it was just a dream I had one night, because I loved Bittensor but I thought it was a shame not to know what was going on in the background on the subnets. And that night I dreamed that the subnets were available to investors.
I posted this dream on X, I must have had 30 followers at the time… And Jacob Steeves sent me a private message: “We need to talk about your dream, man.”
I was like… What the hell…
And indeed, we discussed it for three days and three nights. I was completely overwhelmed. I’m not a very technical guy, but in the end… Jacob released Dynamic TAO a year later.
What a day! Now I work from time to time for Opentensor or for some subnets and their branding. It’s an awesome world.
Before diving into Bittensor or crypto/AI, what was your professional background? What drew you to shift directions, and was it a smooth transition?
I have been working in graphic design, motion graphics, and visual effects for over 20 years in the luxury goods and banking sectors. I also work on scenography and visual experiences for museums in Switzerland. The transition to the crypto world was pretty smooth. And it’s much more open. Jacob and I also have the same tastes, which helps.
What sparked your initial interest in decentralized AI or blockchain, and how did that lead you to Bittensor specifically?
I was already into crypto in 2020… We were bored with the lockdown, so I needed to find some excitement. But honestly, a colleague of mine had shown me how AI could simply create an image on demand…
It wasn’t very conclusive at the time, but I thought to myself: my job is going to disappear quickly… so rather than suffer, I decided to embrace it and invest in it. I was looking for an AI project in crypto and came across an interview with Jacob via BlockRunners… Bitcoin + AI… Okay, you got me!
What led you to focus on design work within Bittensor, like branding for subnets? Was there a pivotal moment or “aha” realization?
It happened naturally. But you know, once you get in… things move quickly. Jacob was a huge help to me in that regard.
How does your past experience shape your approach to building or contributing to Bittensor’s community or projects?
All my experience in visual effects. You know, I just had a discussion with Mentatminds about a video they’d like to make… They tried using AI, but for now there’s always something that won’t work and that you can’t control. When I create something, I have it in my head and I want the final product to turn out exactly that way. I still have a few days left before I become a dinosaur.
Who are the ideal clients for your design work in Bittensor and why should they choose you over other options?
They are all different. You don’t work the same way with Jacob and Taomind from Tenex. With Jacob, I had to do 20 exports for the dtao logo animation because a musical note wasn’t right. I appreciate that level of precision. With Tenex… “Go for it, I trust you.” Okay.
Your designs for Opentensor often weave thematic narratives. What inspired that direction, and how does it reflect your personal values?
I’m a huge fan of Denis Villeneuve, I don’t even hide it. I wanted to depict dreamlike landscapes with just the TAO logo floating in the sky like something unnatural, but which fits into this space. For me, that says it all. It’s a minimalist visualization of what Bittensor is doing and will do in the future.
What’s been your biggest challenge in the Bittensor space so far, whether technical, community-related, or personal?
Things are moving fast and there are a lot of people involved now. It’s difficult, but sometimes you know something isn’t right, and you can alienate people by saying so. In the end, they know how much I love this project, and everything works out.
What have been your biggest wins or highlights since getting involved with TAO/Bittensor?
Dynamic TAO for my dream.
What does success mean to you on a personal level, beyond the ecosystem?
I will never be satisfied; I will always see minor flaws in my work that no one else will notice. Except maybe Jacob and his eagle eye.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given and by whom?
My guiding star since I was born, trust yourself, know your worth, and you will achieve the most beautiful things. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s so true. Right now, I have a fitness coach who pushes me to the point of no return, and at the end, I give her hug with my sweaty tee and say, “Thank you so much » : my revenge time at every sessions.
What’s one thing you wish your younger self had known?
Invest $10 in Bitcoin instead of spending it on DLC for Battlefield. Lesson learned. And it will be the same for my son. But I’m taking the lead and have created a TAO wallet for him.
What advice would you give to someone new to Bittensor, maybe a first-time TAO buyer, aspiring subnet owner, or community member?
Don’t listen to what you read on the subnet summer TG and the price talk Discord about subnets. Just do your research and fall in love with the projects. It will pay off one day.
If you could have one superpower in life, what would it be and why?
Traveling time. Buy TAO at 5 dollars and SN62.
What would be in your ultimate picnic hamper (and where would you enjoy that picnic)?
I just saw your photo of the view from your workplace. Shall we go? I bring some swiss chocolate for the dessert.
Favourite movie and why?
Arrival from Denis Villeneuve. I am fascinated by language and how we would communicate with aliens from an other world. All our mathematics are based on our 10 fingers… But if they have 24… That changes everything. And the ending of this film, difficult but a revelation. It has helped me in my life and with my son.
What’s your happy song or favourite piece of music?
Some might say – Oasis Every morning during my coffee that’s it
What’s one non-tech hobby or interest that keeps you grounded amid the volatility of crypto and AI?
Sport ! I know it’s a cliché but If you don’t do this, you’re dead in crypto. It allows you to maintain confidence in your positions.
What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
Geeks who read this will probably have played on a map I created for Battlefield 4 with DICE.
What are you working on next in the Bittensor space, or what’s on the horizon for you personally?
Mentatmind new video and Tenex new website. It’s gonna be great.
Degeneve keeps it simple: trust yourself, do the work, ignore the noise. He has already set up a $TAO wallet for his son and still starts every morning with Oasis over coffee. His advice to newcomers is blunt: skip the Telegram price chatter, fall in love with the projects, and the rest will follow. If you run a subnet and need branding that cuts through, DM @BitLoic. The Alps are not going anywhere, but good design moves fast.
