Nike Unveils NFT Platform As Steve Jobs’ Sandals Sell For $200k And More

Nike has announced the launch of an NFT marketplace called “.Swoosh” as its latest foray into the non-fungible token (NFT) and Metaverse space.

iexclusivenews reports that while.Swoosh is still in beta, Nike announced that its “first digital collection” will launch on the web3 platform in 2023, with the remainder of 2022 devoted to platform and user growth.

Digital sneakers, apparel, accessories, and other collectibles are among the “virtual creations” that will be available next year. Furthermore, some will grant access to real-world products and events.

Following the release of the first collection, members can participate in a community challenge to win the chance to co-create a virtual product with Nike.

According to Nike, the challenge winners will be paid an undisclosed amount of royalties on the virtual product they helped co-create.

Nike Virtual Studios’ general manager, Ron Faris, stated.

The Swoosh platform provides a “gateway into a new digital arena,” according to Nike’s Twitter post, and it will help “onboard the next millions” into the “wonderful world of web3 and digital assets.”

“We are shaping a marketplace of the future with an accessible platform for the web3-curious,” he added.

Nike entered the Metaverse game in 2021 when it acquired the virtual sneakers and collectibles brand RTFKT. Nikeland, a virtual world, was also launched.

SWOOSH employs similar tools and technologies, but the three projects are distinct for the company.

Steve Jobs NFT Sandals Go Under The Hammer

An auction sold a one-of-a-kind non-fungible token (NFT) of the Birkenstock sandals worn by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs at various times during his life for $218,750.

Julien’s Auctions held the auction from November 11 to November 13, with 19 people bidding on the footwear with bids ranging from $15,000 to $175,000.

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The transaction included an NFT with a 360° digital representation of Steve Jobs’ sandals that was minted on the Polygon blockchain.

The NFT is a one-of-a-kind edition that includes the physical sandals that bear the “imprint of Steve Jobs’ feet.” It also included a hard case for storage and transport, as well as a book by Jean Pigozzi titled “The 213 Most Important Men in My Life.”

The sandals and NFT were expected to sell for between $60,000 and $80,000, but after 19 bids, the sandals sold for $218,750. The new owner of the sandal NFT has not been made public.

However, iexclusivenews Nigeria reports that in 1976, Jobs and Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple. Jobs died in 2011 from pancreatic cancer.