Stepping Into the
Future of Sneakers

The NFT features a metallic cube with only the emblazoned logos of RTFKT and Nike. It was airdropped to holders of the CloneX profile picture NFT that RTFKT created with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. After three months of completing a series of quests, collectors were finally able to unlock the mysterious cube.

Inside were a pair of virtual Dunks, dubbed as CryptoKicks, a single Skin Vial, and free mint passes to MNLTH2, which is currently still unrevealed. These CryptoKicks are customized using the Skin Vials once they are equipped. Skin Vials can also be collected for a whole range of different looks, with future collaborations with artists in the works. There will also be an “evolution mode” that allow further customization, which will be activated later

The success of CryptoKicks shows us that the metaverse is where the future of sneakers is headed. The culture of scarcity in streetwear translates perfectly into the virtual space and NFTs. Nike has been a trailblazer in digital expansion, launching multiple successful projects.

Last year, NIKELAND was released in collaboration with Roblox. Nike’s acquisition of RTFKT back in December ensures that more CryptoKicks and other NFTs are coming. Nike has also been issued a patent for the CryptoKicks system, which allows their physical shoes to be attached to a digital asset in a blockchain-powered system. 

Other brands and companies looking to do the same have since followed in Nike’s footsteps. Rival and other sneaker giant Adidas has also been acquiring and working with various NFT projects to launch some of their own. Just last month, they released a project with Ozworld and Ready Player Me.

The race to power in the digital world has just begun, and only time will tell if other brands will be able to achieve the same feats Nike has. Regardless, the sneaker community is clearly headed towards the metaverse, and with the launch of more projects, we simply cannot wait to see what we will step into next.