In a groundbreaking partnership between entertainment giant Disney and web3 startup Cryptoys, the beloved character Mickey Mouse is undergoing a digital transformation into crypto collectibles. This collaboration, fueled by a $23 million Series A funding round supported by toymaker Mattel, introduces the “Mickey and Friends” NFT collection, set to launch next month at a price of $39.99.
Comprising 15 distinct pieces, each with varying “skin designs” and levels of rarity, the collection represents a fusion of Disney’s timeless charm with the innovative possibilities of blockchain technology. This move follows Cryptoys’ prior success with Star Wars collectibles, which is soon to welcome the iconic Yoda into its digital fold.
While the NFTs run on the Flow blockchain, precise on-chain sales data remains unavailable for public scrutiny. Nevertheless, this venture is a promising one, especially considering Disney’s strategic shift away from its metaverse endeavors following leadership changes and the dissolution of its metaverse division.
Disney Characters Casted in Platinum For Its 100th Anniversary
Disney’s foray into the metaverse arena commenced in 2022, choosing Polygon as its blockchain platform and showcasing its commitment through specialized hiring for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi). The company’s century-long legacy of captivating imaginations took a next turn on March 20, when it joined forces with a digital platform VeVe to unveil the 100 Collection.
This exclusive assortment celebrated Disney’s 100th anniversary by incorporating classic characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Dumbo in a dazzling platinum series of collectible posters.
The collection was dropped on March 22nd at 8 AM PT at a list price of $60. The Minnie Mouse NFT was an ultra-rare nft with 2,100 editions, whereas Dumbo was a secret rare drop with only 1,100 editions. Mickey Mouse was slated to be an uncommon drop with 4,100 editions and Donald Duck was a rare drop with 3,100 editions.
In addition to the existing VeVe 2.5% secondary market fee, a 6% licensor fee was imposed on Disney sales in the secondary market.