Amazon plans to launch NFT marketplace in spring
According to multiple sources, Amazon is actively involved in acquiring digital collectibles, attracting influential players in the industry. These acquisitions reportedly include major blockchains, gaming startups, and digital asset exchanges, with a primary focus on blockchain-based games and related NFT applications.
Amazon's likely goal may be to engage its customers in crypto gaming to earn NFTs. It is speculated that in April, the e-commerce giant will unveil its ambitious crypto plans.
According to one source, Amazon's "entry into space" is a significant event for cryptocurrencies "for many different reasons. "We knew it was possible," the source said, "but now it seems like it's actually happening. This will impact existing players in this space—if they execute it correctly and approach it sensibly."
Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon, has previously stated that the company is open to selling NFTs and does not close its doors to cryptocurrencies in general.
The extent of Amazon Web3's ambitions and ultimate goals remains open-ended. It is not entirely clear whether the company intends to directly compete with platforms like OpenSea and Rarible, but two sources mentioned that both companies would view a successful launch by Amazon as a significant threat.
"With the number of Amazon customers, they could make a huge splash in the NFT market," one of the sources said.
According to data from Dune Analytics, more than 2.5 million users have interacted with OpenSea, which currently holds the position as the leading NFT trading platform in terms of trade volume. Currently, there are several well-established places for buying and selling NFTs.