Meet the CloneX - TAKASHI MURAKAMI, NFT avatar collection
CloneX is a new-generation collection that has made a significant market foray in a very short period of time. In fact, the collection has amassed over $120 million in trading volume in just one week after the public sale. The project was launched by RTFKT (pronounced artifact) in collaboration with the famous Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, meant to build the ecosystem that is about to settle in the emerging metaverse.
Now let's take a step back and consider what made the collection work and break into the top 10 of the all-time NFT collection rankings by sales volume.
Table of contents:
Awaited CloneX launch
Creators behind the project
What makes CloneX unique?
Financial stats and Engagement
Last Thoughts
Awaited CloneX launch
CloneX is the collection of 20,000 randomly generated 3D avatar NFTs, each with their own unique attributes. The creators expressed the collection as “our most ambitious project yet; the beginning of a whole ecosystem for our community, quality-focused, high-end avatars, ready for the Metaverse”.
The pre-sale for whitelisted collectors started on November 27th. The presale granted access to 11,133 (55.7%) CloneX pieces, while 8,367 (41.8%) were available to mint at a Dutch auction starting at 3 ETH. On Nov. 29, RTFKT Studios was all set to begin the public sale, however the subsequent public sale was interrupted by attacks to the RTFKT website. At just after midnight on Nov. 30, the team hit the pause button. “Minting will start tomorrow,” RTFKT tweeted. “Apologies for this fck up, we had way too many attacks.” After suffering the attacks cited by RTFKT, the project changed the sale method to a flat 2ETH price. Sales resumed and the avatars were sold immediately.
Creators behind the project
The collection was made by the RTFKT Studios in collaboration with the Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami. The RTKFT Studios, has been rising quickly in virtual streetwear and sneakers. With an ambition for the metaverse, NIKE Inc. acquired RTFKT in December 2021, shortly following the CloneX's launch, recognizing the platform’s “next-generation collectibles that merge culture and gaming”. Most recently, a co-branded digital sneaker collection called Nike Cryptokicks was revealed, modeled after the Nike Dunk sneaker and marking the brand's long-awaited entry into digital wearables. The Nike CryptoKicks are actually an exclusive privilege to the holders of the Clone X collection. On the other hand, Murakami is renowned for his involvement in many fashion-related products, gathering a cult following. Earlier, the artist launched a series of digital flowers inspired by Nintendo.
Together, these two made a perfect match for a prominent metaverse developpement. As such, a few days after minting, the Clone #15920 was sold for 289 ETH, or $1.11 million.
What makes CloneX unique?
The project is backed with a genuine roadmap “centered around using your Clone across worlds and realities”. Many features to be implemented in the near future. The CloneX is designed as Metaverse ready - a Clone.meta vault giving access to 3D files to use across platforms. In this vault the clone can be updated on the fly and exported as an object (.obj), Blender file (.blend) or for use in Unreal Engine and other graphical engines. Clone X avatars are fully rigged models that can be used for meetings or animations and across various platforms.
Subsequently, CloneX owners will get access to a dedicated Clone inventory with unique wearables from RTFKT, which can be used in 3D projects inside or outside the metaverse.
Furthermore Forging Events are planned, which provide owners “merge words and forge unique physical collectibles from your Clone “. Clone X Avatars also grant the user special access to the RTFKT ecosystem and exclusive Clone X Events. On the horizon, CloneX owners will be able to acquire exclusive products of their character in the physical world as is expected with Nike Cryptokicks sneakers.
Financial stats and Engagement
CloneX has generated over $120 million in trading volume in just several days since launch. Since then, the agiotage of the collection has decreased. Currently, a floor price sits on 11.95ETH or about $21,689, down from a floor price of 20.5 ETH in early April. Still, the collection has generated $61,321,593 in the past 30 days.
As mentioned above, the highest sale of 289 ETH or $1,145,006.44 happened only a few days after the original minting of the collection. Most recently, CloneX attracted two top-grossing sales. CloneX #1427 switched owners for $697,340, while CloneX #19042 generated a $645,920 sale.
As ever, if you are interested in distinguishing between clones according to their rarity, better check the dedicated rarity tools.
By the way, the project is very present on social media, where it has managed to achieve a phenomenal reach. In addition, Nike has brought its fan base. Currently, their Discord has over 182k members, and offers very active channels every day. TikTok is also popular, with over one million followers, and 460k followers on Instagram
Last Thoughts
At its launch, CloneX immediately sparked a lot of buzz and attention. Likewise, the team showed professionalism in handling the attacks. The project develops at the edge of the metaverse & the physical world. With the commitment of Nike, no doubt CloneX steps forward into the new era of fashion.