Thirst Traps Explode on NFT Platforms, With Predictably Controversial Results
The sale of sexy selfies and feminist GIFs as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has gained popularity on platforms like Rarible. This trend has sparked mixed reactions within the community. Marguerite deCourcelle, co-founder of Blockade Games, who has sold significant amounts of NFTs, including a cypherpunk self-portrait, intends to explore more "personal tokens" in the future. While she faced trolls and harassment on social media, deCourcelle sees her personal involvement as bringing transparency and engaging with her supporters.
Crypto influencer Rachel "CryptoFinally" Siegel has collaborated with various artists on Rarible, issuing NFTs inspired by her selfies. She has sold NFTs for significant amounts of cryptocurrency and reinvests her earnings in minting new NFTs, purchasing collectibles, and conducting other transactions. Siegel believes that these selfies represent the entry of new demographics into the NFT market.
Some crypto-savvy women are leveraging NFTs to profit from their public image, selling to fans who understand they are supporting the creator in exchange for a blockchain-based receipt. They argue that if sex workers can sell items like bathwater or socks, and podcasters can sell stickers, crypto influencers should be able to sell blockchain receipts. However, there are critics who consider selfie NFTs as silly and express concerns about their images being used without consent.
The market dynamics surrounding women in the crypto community reflect a longstanding issue where women's sexuality is objectified, and their profits from their own image are demeaned. This has led to calls for verification measures to guarantee the authenticity of purchased NFTs and protect artists from unauthorized use of their images.
While some artists like Kitty Bast, Kamil Juaregui, and Caroline Dy blur the lines between evocative portraits and digital collectibles, others prefer anonymity to avoid potential controversies or misuse of their work. Some artists, such as the team called ButerinSisters, use anonymity to create provocative NFTs and engage with feminist themes in the crypto space.
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