AC Milan Teams Up With BitMEX to Launch Its First-Ever NFT
Derivatives-focused cryptocurrency exchange, BitMEX has teamed up with AC Milan to release limited edition non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The proceeds will be used to support the non-profit organization Fondazione Milan, linked to the wider scope of the soccer club’s Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability.
The latest initiative is European soccer giant AC Milan’s first-ever NFT venture as it explores new ways to engage with its international fanbase of over 500 million people.
AC Milan’s First NFT Venture
As per the official announcement, AC Milan has unveiled a new NFT project in collaboration with BitMEX and FanSea. The club has put a limited-edition 3D NFT of a special Rossoneri jersey from South Sudan on sale. The proceeds will be directed to support the NPO’s charitable initiatives worldwide and would also include its efforts to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in war-torn Ukraine.
The 3D NFT in question is created by a platform called FanSea with the help of sustainable tech. Interested fans can buy one or more of the only 75,817 certified pieces of digital memorabilia starting April 14th. Following this, users can access the 3D NFT on the app version of the platform after its launch two weeks later.
The limited-edition NFT represents a torn AC Milan jersey of a boy in South Sudan that made its way to a Milan museum. The special jersey was discovered by Danish photographer Jan Grarup when he visited South Sudan to document the effects of floods in the landlocked east African country.
The photographer reportedly met the boy in his Milan jersey, bought him a new one, and took the worn-out Milan jersey, which was donated to the club. Subsequently, it was put on display in the Mondo Milan Museum at Casa Milan – the Rossoneri’s HQ in Milan.
The team noted,
“Thanks to AC Milan’s partner BitMEX, which has committed to contribute to the project by making a donation to Fondazione Milan through the purchase of a large number of the special NFT, the first 10,000 fans to pre-order the NFT will also receive an additional benefit, which allow users to get trading discounts and other benefits on BitMEX.com.”
AC Milan-BitMEX
Last summer, AC Milan signed a multi-year partnership deal with BitMEX to be its first-ever official sleeve partner. As part of the deal, both men’s and women’s playing kits will feature the logo of the digital asset exchange.
The collaboration also makes BitMEX its official cryptocurrency trading partner, under which AC Milan’s fanbase will be able to benefit from all exclusive offers of the derivatives exchange.