A new paradigm for crypto-philanthropy

Little Honu, the adorable, aquatic CryptoKitty was released to the wilds of the Ethereum blockchain this past week.

Ending the first-of-its-kind charity event to benefit oceans and wildlife, but as well, the beginning initial steps towards the realization of a new paradigm for community-driven, crypto-philanthropy.

It’s been heartening to watch the cycles of public support for this idea.

How for the past couple of weeks, this part kitten/part turtle conservation icon has captured the markets imagination, connecting the 250,000 member game community of the CryptoKitties marketplace with diverse conservation communities from across the globe.

This project was not only about gaming, nor just about these endangered sea creatures. Nor even just about collective giving.

It was about the innate responsibility we have as humans to take action as a community for each other, our planet and its wildlife.

And for the first time, there is a platform on the blockchain that can tokenize intent and good will to bring these natural drives and communities together, instantiating something new and tangible in its stead.

And amazingly, that these unique digital pieces of art can be sold and sold again, creating in future iterations of the platform, a perpetual annuity for the charities.

This is simply one of those head nodding aha moments.

When you realize that the $25,000 bid to own Honu will provide supplies and fuel for the Sea Shepherd to keep poachers away this year’s hatching beaches, and support the legislative changes being driven by UniteBVI to protect future generations of these sea turtles.

From art on the blockchain to continued life and preservation of wildlife in our ocean. A new continuum and a new direction for crypto-philanthropy. And a new way for all of us to economize our beliefs as responsible citizens of the world.

This is step one. A new beginning and what we hope will be a scalable platform for giving in a new way.

A very special thanks and congratulations to Sean Walsh.

Sean is the CEO of Hyperblock Technologies Corp, founder of Redwood City Ventures, and the winner of the auction and owner of this rare CryptoKitty.

He is an early investor and visionary in the crypto-asset segment, not only with his pioneering mining-as-a-service but in his support of companies creating consumer products (like CryptoKitties) that bring the power of the blockchain to the mass market. We are honored to publicly thank Sean for his purchase and his inspiration in leading the charge towards an innovative rethinking of crypto-philanthropy.

Look to upcoming innovations in this area, already in process from the partnership between CryptoKitties Kitties for Good initiative, Bill Tai and ACTAI GLOBAL, and Sir Richard Branson, Gigi Brisson and Ocean Elders.

This idea of a better world wiring together tokenized objects on the blockchain with social causes is starting to be in play.

One of the magical moments where real market demand and extensible platform capabilities come together in a new way, for a greater good.

This is what we believe has begun.