Bob Iger returns to Disney as CEO: The crypto connection

Bob Iger, a supporter of the metaverse, has announced a sudden return to his previous position as Disney’s CEO, succeeding the company’s former CEO Bob Chapek.

Iger is most known for his 15 years as the CEO of the multinational entertainment company, but he also rose to prominence in the cryptocurrency world after joining Genies, a platform for virtual avatars that uses Dapper Labs’ Flow blockchain.

At the time, Iger stated that he was “excited to be joining the Genies Board of Directors to assist Akash Nigam and company in enabling humans to create the’mobile apps of Web3′: avatar ecosystems.”

When Disney filed for a patent on the Metaverse on December 28, Iger was still employed there as an executive and the board chairman.

According to the patent filing, the virtual-world simulator would enable guests of Disney theme parks to create and project customized 3D effects onto nearby physical places, such as walls and other objects, using their mobile phones.

Disney did not disclose any items based on the “virtual-world simulator” patent at the time, claiming there were “no current intentions” to use the invention.

Iger has only agreed to serve as Disney’s CEO for the upcoming two years, thus the Hollywood Reporter claims that his return will only be brief.

Iger will allegedly collaborate with the Board to establish the company’s strategic direction during his new tenure as CEO and try to groom a successor.

Disney has continued to work on initiatives involving the metaverse, NFTs, and blockchain all year long despite his absence.

Disney began employing a senior attorney in September to work on deals involving NFTs, the Metaverse, blockchain technology, and decentralized finance (DeFi).

We are specifically looking for someone to “offer comprehensive product life cycle legal advice and assistance for global NFT products” and make sure they abide by all applicable domestic and foreign laws and regulations.