Story
Tom Friend, an accomplished Agile consultant, trainer, and coach based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the owner of Agile On Target LLC [1]. With 24 years of experience leading software development teams, Friend is recognized as a professional in the NFT space and is set to speak at NFT.NYC 2026 [1]. He will present on “Proof of Time: The NFT That Can Only Be Minted by Being There,” a novel concept that introduces a distinct category for NFTs based on biological presence [1].
Tom Friend is the owner of Agile On Target LLC, a company he leads with a focus on business agility consulting [1]. Residing in Charlotte, North Carolina, Friend is actively engaged in agile transformations [1]. His extensive career spans 24 years, during which he has led software development teams across diverse industries such as federal, banking, cable, telecommunications, and energy [1]. Friend also possesses 13 years of hands-on experience in Agile, XP, and Scrum software development [1]. In addition to his practical experience, Friend holds a BS in Aeronautics and is a distinguished graduate of Air War College [1]. These educational achievements complement his role as a business agility consultant, Agile coach, and trainer [1]. Beyond his professional endeavors, Tom Friend has a background as a retired military pilot, small unit leader, and squadron commander [1]. This experience likely contributes to his leadership and strategic planning skills in his current consulting roles [1]. His multifaceted experience in both software development and military leadership underscores his comprehensive approach to business agility [1]. Tom Friend's expertise is further recognized by his 'Pro' NFT experience level [1]. Tom Friend's work as a business agility consultant involves guiding organizations through agile transformations, ensuring they can adapt and respond effectively to change [1]. His focus on agile methodologies like XP and Scrum highlights his commitment to iterative and collaborative approaches in software development [1]. This dedication to agile principles is evident in his long tenure in the field, making Tom Friend a notable figure in the realm of business agility and software development [1].
Tom Friend is scheduled to present his concept of "Proof of Time: The NFT That Can Only Be Minted by Being There" at NFT.NYC 2026 [1]. This session will introduce a new category of NFTs, distinct from those backed by computational work or capital [1]. Friend argues that existing NFTs rely on resources that scale with machines and wealth, such as electricity for computational work or locked money for capital [1]. In contrast, "Proof of Time" proposes an NFT backed by biological time, a resource that cannot be manufactured, delegated, or accelerated [1]. The "Proof of Time" concept is built upon the NFT Presence Protocol, which formalizes biological time as a backing for tokens [1]. This protocol introduces a token that can only be minted by individuals who were physically co-present for a verified duration [1]. The hierarchy of these tokens is determined by the duration of co-presence; for instance, five minutes earns a Common NFT, while three hours earns a Legendary NFT [1]. This system ensures that the value and rarity of the NFT are directly tied to the shared human experience of being present together [1]. The underlying mechanism for "Proof of Time" is the Human Presence Protocol, a biometric attestation stack that links presence receipts to hardware identity [1]. This attestation rate is capped by human biology, meaning that technological advancements like Moore's Law do not apply to its acceleration [1]. The resulting NFT includes verified co-presence, signatures from all participating parties, and an optional dedication, effectively measuring the time two people chose to spend together [1]. Tom Friend posits that this is a structurally distinct category, emphasizing that the resource it consumes is unique and cannot be manipulated by artificial means [1].
Outside of his professional work as a business agility consultant and trainer, Tom Friend engages in a variety of hobbies that reflect his diverse interests [1]. He has a passion for the restoration of classic cars, a pursuit that often involves meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of mechanical systems [1]. This hobby could be seen as a counterpart to his professional work, where he focuses on transforming and optimizing complex organizational systems [1]. Another significant interest for Tom Friend is space exploration, particularly through the use of CubeSats [1]. CubeSats are miniature satellites used for space research, and his involvement in this area suggests an interest in cutting-edge technology and scientific advancement [1]. This hobby aligns with his professional background in software development and agile methodologies, which often involve working with innovative and evolving technologies [1]. These hobbies demonstrate Tom Friend's multifaceted personality, combining hands-on technical skills with an interest in innovation and exploration [1]. His engagement with both classic car restoration and CubeSats highlights a blend of historical appreciation and forward-thinking curiosity [1]. Tom Friend's ability to balance these diverse interests showcases a dynamic individual who is continuously learning and engaging with complex systems, both mechanical and digital [1].
Tom Friend's "Proof of Time" concept positions him as a distinct innovator within the blockchain space, particularly by moving beyond the conventional reliance on computational work or capital [1]. Unlike many blockchain projects that build upon existing consensus primitives such as Proof of Work (governing compute) or Proof of Stake (governing capital), Friend introduces "Proof of Time" as a structurally distinct category [1]. This approach emphasizes biological presence as the core resource, a factor not typically leveraged in mainstream blockchain solutions [1].
His methodology, the NFT Presence Protocol, offers a unique alternative to traditional NFT minting processes that often involve purchasing or digital interactions [1]. By requiring physical co-presence for a verified duration, Tom Friend’s work challenges the prevailing digital-only nature of many NFTs [1]. This distinction could appeal to those seeking more tangible and verifiable forms of digital assets, moving beyond speculative value to a more intrinsic value derived from shared human experience [1].
Furthermore, the Human Presence Protocol, which underpins "Proof of Time," introduces a biometric attestation stack that binds presence receipts to hardware identity, with an attestation rate capped by human biology [1]. This biological constraint means that the system is not susceptible to the exponential growth and scaling issues associated with Moore's Law, distinguishing it from many computationally intensive blockchain innovations [1]. Tom Friend's emphasis on a resource that cannot be manufactured, delegated, or accelerated by artificial means sets his work apart as a pioneering effort in creating NFTs that are deeply rooted in human reality [1].
FAQs
What is Tom Friend speaking about at NFT.NYC 2026?
Tom Friend is speaking at NFT.NYC 2026 in a Session titled "Proof of Time: The NFT That Can Only Be Minted by Being There" on the Social NFTs track. Every NFT today is backed by one of two things: computational work or capital. Bitcoin burns electricity. Ethereum locks money. Both scale with machines and wealth.There is a third backing no NFT protocol has formalized: biological time.The NFT Presence Protocol introduces Proof of Time — a token that can only be minted by people who were physically co-present, together, for a verified duration. Not bought. Not paid for. Created by showing up. Five minutes earns a Common; three hours earns a Legendary. That hierarchy cannot be faked or delegated.The underlying mechanism is the Human Presence Protocol — a biometric attestation stack that binds presence receipts to hardware identity. The attestation rate is capped by human biology, not compute. Moore's Law does not apply.The result is a new NFT category: metadata includes verified co-presence, all parties' signatures, and an optional dedication. The frame measures the time two people chose to spend together. The session is pitched at a Intermediate audience.
What is Tom Friend's role at Agile On Target LLC?
Tom Friend is the Owner of Agile On Target LLC, a company that provides business agility consulting services. He is also recognized as an accomplished Agile consultant, trainer, and coach with 24 years of experience, according to his NFT.NYC 2026 speaker profile.
Where is Tom Friend based?
Tom Friend is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he is currently working on agile transformations. His biography on the NFT.NYC 2026 speaker page states he operates in the East Coast region of the United States.
What is 'Proof of Time,' which Tom Friend will present at NFT.NYC 2026?
Proof of Time is a concept Tom Friend will present at NFT.NYC 2026, defining a new NFT category where tokens are minted by people who are physically co-present for a verified duration. This mechanism, based on the Human Presence Protocol, introduces a hierarchy where a five-minute presence earns a Common NFT and three hours earns a Legendary.
What is Tom Friend's experience in software development?
Tom Friend is an accomplished Agile consultant, trainer, and coach with 24 years of experience leading software development teams. His background includes working in various industries such as federal, banking, cable, telecommunications, and energy, with 13 years of hands-on Agile, XP, and Scrum software development experience.
What type of consulting does Tom Friend offer?
Tom Friend offers business agility consulting, specializing in agile transformations. He is an experienced Agile coach and trainer with 24 years of experience in leading software development teams across various industries, including federal, banking, cable, telecommunications, and energy. His expertise helps organizations improve efficiency and adapt to market changes.
What is Tom Friend's expertise in the NFT space?
Tom Friend is recognized as a 'Pro' in the NFT experience level, as listed on his NFT.NYC 2026 speaker profile. He is scheduled to speak on "Proof of Time: The NFT That Can Only Be Minted by Being There," indicating a focus on innovative NFT concepts.
What is the session title for Tom Friend at NFT.NYC 2026?
Tom Friend's speaking session at NFT.NYC 2026 is titled "Proof of Time: The NFT That Can Only Be Minted by Being There." This session will explore a distinct category for NFTs based on biological presence, a novel concept in the blockchain space. The event takes place on August 4, 2026.
What are Tom Friend's educational background and military experience?
Tom Friend is a distinguished graduate of the Air War College and holds a BS in Aeronautics. He is also a retired military pilot, small unit leader, and squadron commander, demonstrating a strong background in leadership and specialized education.
What are the industries Tom Friend has worked in?
Tom Friend has led software development teams for 24 years across diverse industries including federal, banking, cable, telecommunications, and energy. This broad experience underpins his role as an Agile consultant and trainer, bringing valuable insights to various sectors since 2002.
What is the quote from Tom Friend regarding Proof of Time?
Tom Friend's quote about Proof of Time states: "Proof of Work governs compute. Proof of Stake governs capital. Proof of Time governs biological presence." He emphasizes that it is a structurally distinct category, consuming a resource that cannot be manufactured, delegated, or accelerated.
How does Proof of Time differ from Proof of Work or Proof of Stake?
Tom Friend explains that Proof of Time is fundamentally distinct from Proof of Work and Proof of Stake because it governs biological presence, consuming a non-manufacturable resource. Unlike the other two, which scale with machines and wealth, Proof of Time is capped by human biology and cannot be faked or delegated.
How can I learn more about Tom Friend's speaking session?
You can learn more about Tom Friend's speaking session, "Proof of Time: The NFT That Can Only Be Minted by Being There," by visiting his NFT.NYC 2026 speaker profile. The profile provides details on the session's topic and a quotable message from Friend.
What are Tom Friend's hobbies?
Tom Friend's hobbies include the restoration of classic cars and space exploration using CubeSats. These interests are noted in his biography on the NFT.NYC 2026 speaker page, alongside his professional accomplishments, highlighting a diverse personal life. His passion for these activities reflects a curious and innovative spirit.