After almost three months of waiting, Nike and Rtfkt launched their first digital sneakers, the “Cryptokick,” which is expected to be the first among many digital launches for the two.
The much-awaited digital shoes from Nike and Rtfkt are finally here. The sneakers will be available to holders of Rtfkt’s mystery “MNLTH” NFTs dropped earlier this year. The announcement came from Rtfkt itself.
It will be remembered that virtual fashion start-up Rtfkt dropped the mysterious “MNLTH” NFT collection in February. The collection consisted of a metallic cube decorated with Nike’s iconic Swoosh. Holders of said NFT were required to complete various “quests” that Rtfkt would post in a bid to find out what was inside the cube.
The Revelation
On Friday, it was revealed that each cube in the collection contains a pair of virtual sneakers, the Nike Cryptokicks. The virtual sneakers’ design is based on the Nike Dunk’s classic silhouette. This release marks Nike’s long-anticipated entry into the world of digital clothing.
The Cryptokicks is expected to be the first of many digital launches from Nike and Rtfkt, as there are talks that more releases are in the pipeline. Nike and Rtfkt have their eyes set on another release next month.
Nike Cryptokicks
Holders of Rtfkt’s MNLTH NFT digital box who opted not to sell their NFTs can burn their current MNLTHs and exchange them for one that contains a Cryptokick. Eight Rtfkt-made revolutionary “skins” will allow holders to customize the sneakers into looks and designs of their choice.
The Eight Rtfkt-Made Revolutionary “Skins” for Cryptokicks | Image from Highsnobiety
The customization option is similar to a video game’s skill tree. However, according to Rtfkt’s co-founder, Benoit Pagotto, the evolution mode isn’t activated yet. There are plans for Rtfkt to collaborate with creators and partners, allowing them to create skins. For this launch, renowned artist Takashi Murakami created one of the skins.
Nike in the Metaverse
The sneaker community’s enthusiasm has gone beyond the real world into the Metaverse. It has eagerly embraced digital fashion, and to date, it has become a frontrunner in trends like Discord communities, digital collectibles, and PFPs.
Sneaker giants Nike and Adidas have been “battling” to whet the curiosity of the sneaker community about the Metaverse. In the same week that Nike purchased two-year-old Rtfkt back in December, Adidas made public its “Into the Metaverse” NFTs collaboration with Web3 influencers Gmoney and the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). On the other hand, Nike has an ongoing world on Roblox, and users can play there to earn digital goods.
Nike acquired Rtfkt for an undisclosed amount last year, and with it, they brought on a small team plus a huge NFT fan group. Nike described the platform’s items as “next-generation collectibles that merge culture and gaming.” According to John Donahoe, Nike, Inc.’s president and CEO, it would allow the company to serve creators at the “intersection of sport, creativity, gaming, and culture.”
Earlier in this week, Nike filed trademarks for Cryptokicks that offered clues regarding its future roadmap. Nike filed trademarks for the following:
- Downloadable computer software that can be used as a crypto wallet
- Marketplace for digital currency assets
- Digital currency for an online community
- Electronic bulletin board services
- Crypto-collectibles blog
- Online scavenger hunts
- Technology that allows members of a community to receive crypto assets.
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