Founders

RTFKT was founded by Benoit Pagotto, Chris Le, and Steven Vasilev in 2019, with a focus on virtual sneakers and NFTs.^[1] The founders met in 2018. Pagotto was the Head of Marketing for the e-sports team Fnatic. Le had a business creating skins for the game Counter-Strike, and Vasilev ran a sneaker customization studio in London.^[1] In December 2021, Nike acquired RTFKT, and the founders became senior directors at the company, working with Nike Virtual Studios, a digital collectibles unit launched in January 2022.^[2]

Launch

The RTFKT X NIKE Trillium Lace Engine NFT project was unveiled on December 4, 2022, as part of the MNLTH 2 (RTFKT X Nike Monolith) project.^[3] The Lace Engine's function was revealed on December 5, 2022, with RTFKT's announcement of Cryptokicks iRL, the first native Web3 sneaker.^[3] The debut featured four colorways: Blackout, Ice, Stone, and Space Matter.^[4] Lace Engine NFT holders were given the opportunity to purchase the sneakers from December 12-16, 2022, while non-NFT owners could participate in a raffle from December 7-9, 2022 and purchase leftover pairs on December 14, 2022.^[5] The sneakers were limited to 19,000 pairs, with the colorway split determined by the collectors themselves. Physical redemption of the sneakers for Lace Engine NFT holders began on May 1, 2023.^[6]

Collaboration

The RTFKT X NIKE Trillium Lace Engine NFT project is a result of a collaboration between RTFKT, a metaverse collectibles brand, and Nike. Nike acquired RTFKT in late 2021, and the two companies worked together to launch the Cryptokicks iRL sneaker collection.^[5]

MNLTH Project

The MNLTH Project is a series of NFTs launched by RTFKT in collaboration with Nike. It began with the release of a mysterious metallic cube called MNLTH, featuring RTFKT's logo and Nike's Swoosh logo.^[7] After nearly three months, it was revealed that each cube contained a pair of virtual sneakers called Nike Cryptokicks, based on the Nike Dunk silhouette and customizable with eight RTFKT-made skins.^[7] The MNLTH Project led to the development of the RTFKT X NIKE Trillium Lace Engine NFT project and the subsequent announcement of Cryptokicks iRL, whch at the time marked the first major Web3-IRL sneaker crossover.^[3]

Physical Redemption

The RTFKT X NIKE Trillium Lace Engine NFT project allows Lace Engine NFT holders to reserve a pair of Cryptokicks iRL sneakers, which can be redeemed for a physical version starting May 1, 2023.^[6] The physical redemption process, known as 'Forging', enables collectors to obtain the real-world counterparts of their digital assets.^[4]

Cryptokicks iRL Features

The Cryptokicks iRL sneakers combine Nike's sneaker technology with RTFKT's digital designs. These features include the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms for walk detection, gesture control, and haptic feedback.^[4]

With app connectivity, users can connect their sneakers to a dedicated mobile application for additional functionality and customization options. The app enables users to control various features of the sneakers, such as adjusting the automatic lacing system, customizing colors and animations, and accessing additional information about their digital collectible NFTs. The app also provides authentication through a Near Field Communication (NFC) link, ensuring the legitimacy of the sneakers and their corresponding NFTs.^[4]

Customization

The RTFKT X NIKE Trillium Lace Engine NFT project offers customization options for the Cryptokicks iRL sneakers through the use of Skin Vial NFTs.^[8] These Skin Vials allow users to modify the appearance of their digital sneakers, providing a range of designs and color combinations. The customization options extend to the physical sneakers as well, with customizable colors and animations available through the dedicated mobile app.^[4]

No Content for Ownership Rights as of now.

The collection features four debut colorways for the Cryptokicks iRL sneakers and many of the features of the shoes can be customized by the holder, which may contribute to the rarity and uniqueness of individual NFTs within the collection.^[4]