Rapper Snoop Dogg offloads his extensive NFT collection of 996,000 pieces within a mere 30-minute timeframe.
In a groundbreaking move, rap legend Snoop Dogg sold nearly a million NFTs on The Open Network (TON) blockchain, raising $12 million through Telegram in just 30 minutes. This event, a significant step in integrating NFTs into traditional digital social environments, has had a substantial impact on the NFT market and digital culture.
Market Revitalization
The collection's rapid sell-out came at a time when NFT volumes had been sharply declining, with reported sales plunging by over 60% in Q1 2025. This rapid sell-out countered the negative market trend and injected fresh optimism into the space.
Integration with Telegram’s Social Platform
These NFTs, termed “Telegram Gifts,” could be displayed as animated profile wearables on Telegram or converted into Telegram Stars, the app’s in-app currency. This introduction of dual utility—as collectible art and functional social tokens—created a dynamic new use case that blends blockchain assets with mainstream social media engagement.
Cultural Influence and Branding
The collection's designs reflected Snoop Dogg's iconic style and hip-hop culture, attracting both his fanbase and the broader NFT community. The collaboration also included a new track release, further merging music, culture, and digital collectibles, amplifying cultural resonance and digital identity expression.
Innovation in NFT Utility
Highlighted by TON’s NFT lead Zenith, the profile-wearable aspect on Telegram is a unique feature that differentiates these NFTs from traditional ones, potentially inspiring other brands and Web3 projects to explore social utility and interactive NFTs.
Future Ecosystem Development
With the blockchain minting and secondary trading launching 21 days post-drop, it is poised to stimulate continued engagement, trading activity, and liquidity within the TON ecosystem and Telegram’s platform.
In sum, Snoop Dogg’s Telegram NFT drop served as a landmark event signalling a new phase for NFTs, combining celebrity appeal, blockchain innovation, and social media functionality to reshape digital culture and market dynamics. This model opens the door for other social applications to integrate blockchain to enhance trust, exclusivity, and creativity within their ecosystems.
[1] CoinDesk
[2] Decrypt
[3] The Block
[4] TechCrunch
[5] Cointelegraph
- In the wake of a 60% drop in NFT volumes, Snoop Dogg's Telegram NFT drop revitalized the market by injecting fresh optimism with its rapid sell-out, demonstrating the potential of NFTs to blend with mainstream social media and traditional digital environments.
- The integration of Snoop Dogg's Telegram NFTs, which can function as both collectible art and social media tokens, marks a significant milestone in technology innovation, opening avenues for celebrities, brands, and Web3 projects to explore social utility and interactive NFTs, thereby reshaping the digital culture landscape.
