Hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg’s newest NFT launch bought out in half an hour, producing hundreds of thousands by way of Telegram and placing the platform’s blockchain-based options to the take a look at.
The feat was praised by Telegram founder Pavel Durov on Wednesday, as he famous that blockchain minting and a secondary market are going reside on the platform in three weeks.
“It’s going to be wild,” Durov tweeted.
🎤 @SnoopDogg’s digital collectibles drop on Telegram bought out in simply half-hour right this moment, producing $12M in gross sales. Practically 1M distinctive NFTs impressed by Snoop’s iconic model. Blockchain minting and the secondary market go reside in 21 days. It’s going to be wild. pic.twitter.com/DeinT5C2f4
— Pavel Durov (@durov) July 9, 2025
The NFTs, practically a million in whole, had been bought by way of Telegram’s in-app “Ship a Reward” function, with costs starting from 200 to fifteen,000 stars. NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are distinctive digital property recorded on a blockchain that may symbolize possession of artwork, music, or digital gadgets.
Durov mentioned each bit of the gathering was “impressed by Snoop’s iconic model” and ties into his newest observe “Presents,” launched concurrently on YouTube.
Within the music video, a information reporter describes how “Mr. Moneybag” Durov had allegedly been giving freely $17 billion {dollars} to “his 106 youngsters,” adopted by a characterization of Snoop Dogg as a “crip-walking capitalist.”
“Wakin’ up early on a model new day. Plug in my cellphone, dress, after which I plot my play,” the OG rapper rhymed, narrating his daily use of the app the place “essential existence, digital resistance,” thrives.
Some NFTs “proceed to thrive”
With the broader NFT market having cooled since its 2021 highs, and NFT shutting down one after one other, the gathering was extra than simply one other celeb drop—it exhibits that NFTs aren’t solely useless, in accordance with analysts.
“Whereas the NFT market has certainly misplaced momentum in comparison with its peak, sure classes proceed to thrive,” Ryan Yoon, senior analyst at Tiger Analysis, instructed Decrypt.
Observers say classes like airdrop NFTs and utility-based collectibles have continued to seek out traction, with Snoop’s assortment showing to straddle each.
Given the sale’s efficiency, the feat represents “greater than a easy collaboration,” Yoon mentioned. “It’s the results of aggressive, multi-channel advertising execution,” and operated by “channeling consideration and driving demand.”
Early this month, Telegram crossed a significant milestone as The Open Platform (TOP), the infrastructure builder behind The Open Community (TON) blockchain, surpassed a $1 billion valuation, pushed by rising adoption of mini apps, pockets integrations, and NFT exercise throughout the app.
On Telegram, NFTs are used instantly in-app and could be gifted “inside its social ecosystem,” an element that’s helped push it as a “hub for the ‘degen’ neighborhood,” Yoon mentioned.
That design selection, particularly, “creates real worth propositions by way of options like customized stickers and profile customization,” and positions Telegram as “a viable marketplace for useful NFT purposes,” he added.
