Aces, Jokers, and NFTs: Playing Card Manufacturer Bicycle Launches NFT Genesis Collection

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The well known playing card manufacturer Bicycle has announced the launch of the company’s first non-fungible token (NFT) collection. The NFT card collectibles called the “Genesis Collection” were designed by the artist Adrian Valenzuela and the first drop of NFTs were officially revealed via the NFT marketplace Kolectiv on Thursday.

Bicycle Playing Card Manufacturer Aims to Bridge the Gap Between Tradition and Innovation

When it comes to playing cards, the name Bicycle has been a popular brand since the company’s inception in 1885. The card’s official name Bicycle was chosen because the bicycle was an extremely popular invention at the end of the 19th century. Now close to 136 years later, Bicycle is entering the world of blockchain technology with its first non-fungible token (NFT) collection. The artwork designed by Adrian Valenzuela represents iconic Bicycle playing cards but they transformed into cards from 1,000 years into the future.

“At Bicycle, we’re a heritage brand that has been at the forefront of playing cards for over 135 years and this NFT launch marks a special moment in our history where we’re bridging the gap between tradition and innovation,” Stefaan Merckx, the CEO of Bicycle said in a statement. “Looking ahead, we’ll continue to reach new consumers and generations, while also staying true to our history.”

According to the firm, the new collection will start the collector on a “journey alongside Bicycle, from continued support to perks including access to exclusive events, presales, and whitelists of future Bicycle NFTs.” Essentially, the cards will serve as VIP membership, Bicycle details, to an “elite club of Bicycle collectors.” However, Bicycle does disclose that the primary sale benefit will not be “extended for NFT buyers on [the] secondary market.” The auction started on Thursday via the NFT marketplace Kolectiv.

Bicycle Joins a Slew of Well Known Brands Jumping on the NFT Bandwagon

Bicycle cards, ten through the Ace, and the Jokers, will be dropped in groups every couple of days. Jokers will be issued in a surprise fashion and Bicycle intends to drop 8,008 NFT items for sale on December 16th as well. These specific cards will feature “an animated card tuck case and unique mint numbers from 1 through 8,008,” Bicycle explains. Besides crypto payments, the Bicycle card NFTs can be purchased with USD via a Shopify plug-in.

“The NFT launch demonstrates how Bicycle is leading the way for others as we continue to innovate and, in addition to introducing new tools that make our cards more digital and accessible, segue into a new era targeting younger generations,” said Ann Viaene, Bicycle’s CMO. “We’re focused on unlocking magical moments that foster connection and delighting our fans with new releases.”

Bicycle follows a slew of well known companies getting into NFTs like Pepsi-Cola, Budweiser, Adidas, Coca-Cola, Rolling Stone, TIME, Arizona Iced Tea, Ubisoft, AMC, Sony, Fox Entertainment, WWE, Studio 54, Disney, Marvel, DC Comics, and more. Since the start of 2021 and leading up to the end of the year, NFTs have become a multi-billion dollar industry.

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