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Phygital NFT's: when the physical and the digital come together

In this world where technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, the fusion of the physical and the digital opens up new possibilities and fascinating experiences. A concept that is gaining prominence in this context is the "phygital NFT's".

In this article you will dive into the universe of phygital NFT's, discover their essence and we will show you some iconic examples of these collections.

Understanding what is Phygital

Phygital, a word born from the fusion between "physical" and "digital". It encompasses the integration of physical and digital elements into a total experience.

When applied to the realm of NFT's, the term phygital implies the existence of non-fungible tokens that represent assets in both their physical form and their digital manifestation.

What are Phygital NFT's?

Phygital NFT's are non-fungible tokens that encapsulate assets with a unique duality: they exist in a tangible form and at the same time in a digital format.

Imagine you have a precious jewel. With an NFT phygital, you could have a digitized replica of that jewel in the form of a non-fungible token. This allows you to display your jewel virtually, share its beauty with others and, at the same time, enjoy the physical jewel.

How do they work?

Their essence lies in their dual composition: a digital representation on a blockchain network via a smart contract, and an accompanying tangible physical object.

These two elements are linked through a unique identifier, which can be a QR code or a microchip, or any identification device. This creates a truly unique ownership experience for collectors.

The link between these two assets can be achieved by including the barcode or QR code of the physical object in the NFT features.

In this way, an indissoluble link is established between the digital version and the material object, merging the digital and the physical in an unprecedented experience.

Examples of the blockchain universe

The universe of these digital assets has been enriched with many examples that have captured the attention of people around the world. Let's see what things have their digital variant in the form of NFT:

Music

One of the most well-known examples is the album "Phygital" by acclaimed musician and producer 3LAU. Each song on this album was released as an NFT, granting buyers a physical copy of the vinyl along with a unique digital version of the song.

Watches

Some luxury watch brands have embraced this trend, creating phygital collections.

For example, Swiss watch brand Hublot launched the "Big Bang e" collection, which combines the traditional craftsmanship of mechanical watches with digital technology.

These phygital watches not only display the time and other classic functions, but also offer customizable digital dials and connectivity with mobile apps to access additional information.

Clothing

Brands such as Gucci and Burberry have created phygital collections that combine physical garments with digital experiences.

For example, Gucci launched a line of phygital sneakers that include embedded NFC chips. These chips allow users to access exclusive content, such as music and digital art, by scanning the sneakers with their smartphones.

Burberry has also introduced phygital collections in which customers can personalize their physical garments via a mobile app and then unlock digital content related to those garments.

Louis Vuitton is also dabbling in this world. It recently launched a proposition called "Via" that will combine physical treasures and non-fungible tokens.

Art

The art world has been tokenizing its works for some time now. For example, the author Damien Hirst, has created a collection that was painted in 2016. But these paintings have their correspondence in an NFT that was released several years later.

The owners of these works could decide whether to keep the physical object or the digital one. After a year had passed, one of the two was to be destroyed, giving more value to the other.

Some popular Phygital Collections

In the vast landscape of phygital NFT's, a few collections have emerged with remarkable recognition and value.

Assassin's Creed Smart Collectibles

Assassin's Creed is a famous action-adventure video game franchise that combines historical and science fiction elements. The games allow players to embody skilled assassins in different eras, explore detailed open worlds and engage in exciting quests and combat.

In May 2023 Assassin's Creed introduced the Phygital "Smart Collectibles" collection, 3D printed tangible cubes containing captivating character figures. By purchasing these NFTs collectors can customize their characters and unlock access to a dedicated app for interactive experiences thanks to the NFC chips embedded in the cubes. With only 1,500 tokens available, this fusion of the physical and digital worlds promises to revolutionize the world of collectibles.

CryptoPunks

One outstanding example is the "CryptoPunks" collection, which consists of 10,000 unique pixelated characters.

Each character can be purchased as an NFT and can also be captured on physical prints, such as posters or stickers.

Bored Ape Yacht Club

Another famous collection is the "Bored Ape Yacht Club". These NFT's depict cute digital monkeys, each with unique characteristics.

In addition to the digital version, owners also receive a framed physical print of their adorable ape.

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