People with a lot of time and money in their hands offered $ 2.5 million to “buy” the first message from Twitter founder Jack Dorsey on the platform.
The winner of the auction will receive a digital certificate that allows him to claim the 2006 tweet, in which Dorsey wrote “just configuring my twttr”.
The battle to buy the tweet is part of the latest digital fad, known as “non-fungible tokens” or NFTs.
An NFT is created using blockchain technology, the same technology behind digital currencies like Bitcoin. The “non-fungible” part means that it is unique and cannot be replaced.
Dorsey’s tweet will stay where it is on Twitter, even after being “bought” at the auction.
Collecting tweets, videos and digital art became hugely popular with those who had many pockets during the pandemic. A 10-second video by digital artist Beeple was sold for $ 6.6 million last week, bringing new attention to the trend.
Owners can display their NFTs in an online gallery.
Dorsey tweeted a link on Friday to the online auction held on the Valuables website. Before sharing the link, the bid price was below $ 1 million. On Saturday afternoon, the price jumped to $ 2.5 million.
Dorsey, 44, is worth about $ 12.5 billion, according to Forbes. There was no sign that the auction was for charity.
In its FAQ section, Valuables explains that a purchased tweet is still alive on the social media site, but the buyer receives a digital certificate of the tweet that is “unique because it was signed and verified by the creator”.
NFT enthusiasts expect the items they buy to increase in value, but it remains unclear whether there will be a lasting market for digital collectibles.