π Footwear has always played a significant role in culture and fashion worldwide. Some view shoes as a means of protecting their feet, while others consider them a crucial part of their wardrobe. Sneakers, in particular, have gained a devoted following, with rare pairs selling for exorbitant prices.
π° The sneaker culture has given rise to an entire industry, encompassing manufacturers, retailers, influencers, and now, even crypto. Big sneaker brands like Nike are exploring non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse, while projects like StepN are experimenting with tokenizing shoes.
π₯ One group that actively participates in this culture is resellers. They purchase highly sought-after shoes and sell them to eager buyers who missed out on the initial release. CryptoKicks, a shoe resale business based in the United Kingdom, founded by 13-year-old Blake Cockram, has added a Web3 twist to this model. Customers who buy sneakers with cryptocurrency receive a 10% discount.
π» “We accept crypto as payment,” Blake explained. “You can pay in whatever you want, but if you pay in crypto, you get 10% off any trainer.” This offer is particularly appealing to many customers, especially considering the high prices sneakers can fetch on the secondary market.
π‘ According to Blake, most of his customers are new to blockchain and cryptocurrencies. By offering discounts for cryptocurrency purchases, CryptoKicks not only provides an incentive but also educates customers about digital assets and their potential.
π “We’ve walked a couple of people through it, like download this app, create your wallet, it might take 24 hours to confirm you, because it normally does. And you just tell them how to go through it. And a couple of people have asked us, ‘What’s the best coin for me to pay you in? What would I make money off in the future?’ and stuff like that,” Blake shared.
π Blake’s venture into the world of crypto was inspired by his older brother. At just 13 years old, Blake still attends school, where opinions about cryptocurrencies vary among his peers. Nevertheless, he does his part to spread awareness and highlight the benefits of embracing crypto payments.
π Blake concluded, “I just say, ‘I think crypto is good.’ It’s a new way of payment that not a lot of people know about. You can get money instantly, and it’s good fun as well, having a bit of crypto, sending it around, that stuff.”
π§ To hear more from Blake and his insights on sneaker culture and his plans for the future, listen to the full episode of The Agenda on Cointelegraph’s Podcasts page, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.