Ex-Cricketer Shoaib Akhtar Launches World’s First Cricket NFT Marketplace

Shoaib Akhtar, a former Pakistani cricketer, and one of the greatest players ever to play the game has announced the plans to launch his own Non-Fungible Token (NFT) platform. The iconic cricketer, who once bowled a delivery at 161.3 km/h, is partnering with the blockchain startup, TenupNation. Through the partnership, the duo is set to unveil the marketplace while serving its customers the entirety of its offering.

I am so excited to enter in the world of crypto & blockchain, I am launching my NFT in collaboration with @TenupNation . Lets move to the future world with #ShoaibAkhtarNFT . pic.twitter.com/Ji2EvC0g5C

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 19, 2021

The cryptocurrency ecosystem has seen a tremendous application of blockchain technology in the form of NFTs. These are digital arts or collectibles whose ownership identity is stored on the blockchain. This way, the authenticity of the stored assets is secured, easily accessible, and verifiable to collectors. The advent of NFTs has made it more visible, how collectors are willing to pay humongous sums for genuine works of art. Beeple’s sale of “Everydays, the First 5,000 Days” for $63 million is a testament to this.

NFT marketplaces have helped recognize the inherent economy that can be generated from these NFT marketplaces, and have created the system for this. The Shoaib Akhtar-owned NFT marketplace is not designed to be an exception. Shoaib noted that the platform will offer an opportunity to both creators and collectors, transforming everyone into a real celebrity.

The Need for More NFT Marketplaces

Just as there are numerous cryptocurrency exchanges serving users in the crypto ecosystem, there is a growing need for NFT marketplaces. While trading cryptocurrencies comes off as technical, a lot of crypto-savvy users still nurse the idea that dealing with NFTs can be complicated.

The presence of more marketplaces beyond existing competitors particularly OpenSea will help expedite the move towards mainstream adoption. With the NBA Top Shots catering to the needs of basketball lovers, the Shoaib Akhtar platform will extend the sports engagements through blockchain technology.

Beyond the duplication of NFT marketplaces, superior innovations and collaborations are essential. While the growth of NFTs has slowed, in tandem with the broader market plunge, many proponents believe the true potential of the technology is yet to be uncovered.