Rapper Ice-T is helping Niftify launch a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace in the US this month. A report unveiled this news earlier today, noting that the organization is dropping 10,000 NFTs in the likeliness of Ice-T, who is also a film star and producer. This development comes after the beta version of Niftify went live in October this year.
According to the report, Niftify initially launched for customers outside the US, and the platform leverages Polygon, a framework for building and connecting Ethereum-compatible blockchain networks. While the marketplace will be entering the US marketplace through a partnership with Ice-T, it is worth noting that the company previously dropped another Ice-T collection to non-US citizens in November.
Notably, both collections are the works of New York City-based digital artist Tommy the Animator. Per Niftify co-founder, Bruno Ver, the upcoming release symbolizes three pivotal moments from Ice-T’s career as a rapper and actor.
Specifically, Ver noted that the NFT collection will be based on the release of the O.G. Original Gangster album in 1991, the release of the film New Jack City in 1991, and Ice-T’s addition to the Law & Order SVU cast in 2000.
Democratizing NFTs
By launching an Ice-T NFT collection in the US, Niftify will join a growing list of NFT marketplaces that leverage Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchains, which leverage less energy than Ethereum. Apart from launching an NFT marketplace in the US, Niftify intends to launch a fiat on-ramp to let collectors purchase NFTs with a credit/debit card.
Ver further noted that,
We want to democratize the blockchain and specifically NFTs. If we just keep accepting only crypto we will continue to speak among ourselves. If we dream of mainstream adoption, we need to roll out the red carpet, bring the confetti and allow people to swipe, tap, type, or whatever they prefer to purchase their favourite NFT.
Artists continue embracing NFTs
This news comes as celebrities continue embracing NFTs, with some purchasing popular NFT projects and others launching individual projects. Among the renowned people that have adopted NFTs include Snoop Dogg, Lil Baby, Post Malone, and Tom Brady, to name a few. Former US first lady Melania Trump also launched a Solana-based NFT project in the past week.
While celebrities play a significant role in helping the NFT space thrive, renowned digital artist Pplpleasr said they should not expect their influence to guarantee the success of their NFT projects. This is because around 80% of their fans have not embraced NFTs and may struggle in this process.
To this end, Pplpleasr said,
Just because you’re a super big celebrity in the traditional world doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you’re going to be successful when you do an NFT drop.
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