Rakuten Group, the Japanese electronic commerce and online retail company based in Tokyo has announced the launch of a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace called Rakuten NFT. The announcement notes that new features will be added in the future, and a peer-to-peer service for minting and selling NFT content is planned to launch in 2023.
Rakuten Launches Non-Fungible Token Marketplace
Over the past few years, Japanese online retail giant Rakuten has been delving into the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain solutions. In the summer of 2019, Rakuten launched a cryptocurrency exchange, and in the spring of 2021, Rakuten allowed customers to load crypto into Rakuten Pay accounts. Now the company is getting into NFT gaming, as Rakuten announced the launch of a new platform called Rakuten NFT.
“Rakuten NFT is a service that provides a marketplace for users to purchase NFTs, as well as peer-to-peer buying and selling of NFTs, in a range of areas such as sports and entertainment, including music and anime,” the press announcement explains. “It also features a unique, one-stop platform which enables IP holders to build their own website for issuing and selling NFTs. Rakuten ID can be used when making purchases, allowing users to earn and spend Rakuten Points. Any NFTs purchased can be added to a collection on the buyer’s own webpage, and can also be put up for sale in the marketplace and sold.”
Rakuten tracks a number of companies that have launched NFT marketplaces over the past 12 months. Companies like Coinbase, FTX, Crypto.com and many more have launched marketplace platforms dedicated to non-fungible collectibles (NFTs). Additionally, Rakuten NFT faces competition from major NFT market platforms such as Opensea, Rarible, Looksrare, and Magic Eden. Rakuten’s press announcement states that a hit and sell feature will not be available until next year.
“A service for peer-to-peer issuing and selling of NFT content is planned for launch in 2023 or later, which will support IP holders in Japan and worldwide to issue NFTs, as well as spur further development of a global market for NFTs. Plans also call for the introduction of a diversity of additional payment methods,” Rakuten’s launch announcement discloses.
Rakuten NFT plans to launch J.League NFT collection
The Rakuten NFT launch featured NFTs featuring the Ultraman and Kurogane Hiroshi G1 Gekitoshi anime with artwork illustrated by renowned manga artist Hiroshi Kurogane. In future NFT releases, Rakuten NFT will feature collectibles from TV shows Asahi Corporation, Daiki Sound Co.’s Under Beasty, and NFTs featuring characters from Tiger & Bunny 2.
“Rakuten NFT is also planning to produce and sell the J.League NFT Collection Players Anthem, the J.League official NFT collection,” the company’s NFT platform announcement concludes.
