Japan’s ANA airline launches NFT marketplace, sees future in metaverse projects

Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA Group) has launched a non-fungible token (NFT) platform called "ANA GranWhale NFT MarketPlace" through its metaverse subsidiary, ANA NEO. The platform allows for the trading of art and photograph collectibles in the form of NFTs. The first NFT products on the marketplace feature works by aviation photographer Luke Ozawa and were put up for bidding on Tuesday. Additional collections, including those featuring Boeing 787 aircraft, will be available starting June 7.

The marketplace will enable artists and creators to sell their works as NFTs, and certain NFTs will be available for trading. ANA NEO aims to explore the potential of NFTs in the aviation industry and create unique and memorable experiences by bridging the digital and physical realms.

ANA NEO previously partnered with the government of Hokkaido to digitally showcase areas of Hokkaido's nature, food, and culture through the ANA GranWhale metaverse platform. In October 2022, ANA NEO raised 1.3 billion yen (US$9.4 million) in a second round of fundraising, bringing the total to 5.8 billion yen since its inception.

The Japanese government has shown increasing support for emerging metaverse technology as a key component of the country's economic future. A government-affiliated white paper released in April outlined plans for adopting Web3 technologies.

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