E-commerce giant eBay has entered the non-fungible token (NFT) sector through a strategic partnership with Web3 company OneOf.
eBay’s exclusive NFTs will include animated and 3D interpretations of iconic athletes highlighted on Sports Illustrated covers in the past years.
To offer high-value items and heightened passion to the eBay community of buyers and sellers, NFTs emerged as an ideal stepping stone, according to Dan Block, the VP of Collectibles, Electronics, and Home at eBay.
Block added:
“NFTs and blockchain technology are revolutionizing the collectibles space, and are increasingly viewed as an investment opportunity for enthusiasts. Through our partnership with OneOf, eBay is now making coveted NFTs more accessible to a new generation of collectors everywhere.”
With 142 million buyers worldwide, eBay is the second-largest e-commerce player after Amazon and seeks to render more economic opportunities through cutting-edge technologies like NFTs.
Lin Dai, OneOf’s CEO, pointed out:
“You don’t have to be a crypto expert to buy, sell, and collect NFTs. OneOf and eBay are bringing transformative Web3 technology to the next 100M non-crypto-native mass consumers.”
The NFT collection will comprise 13 limited editions, classified as green, gold, platinum, and diamond.
Wayne Gretzky, a Sportsman of the Year, noted:
“Forty years ago, I was grateful to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated, it was a monumental moment in my life. I’m honored to bring this collectible experience to my hockey fans who have followed my career for decades.”
E-commerce players continue entering the crypto space based on the opportunities rendered. A recent study by Checkout.com highlighted that nearly 70% of merchants view crypto payments as game-changers needed to revolutionize business models.
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