The ubiquitous cryptocurrency ecosystem has become the home of many A-list celebrities over the years—primarily driven by the NFT hype of 2021. However, despite a prolonged bear market and an apparent drop in crypto prices, the celebrities continue to Streaming support the crypto market.
Over the past year, celebrities have begun to explore sub-ecosystems outside of the NFTs, in an effort to diversify their presence across commerce, gaming and other investment avenues. In light of that, here is an overview of some of the most influential celebrities who have entered cryptocurrency over the past year and how ready they are for the next upward trajectory.
Conor McGregor Partnership with Tiger.Trade
UFC star Conor McGregor, one of the highest paid athletes, recently partnered with Tiger.Trade, a crypto trading app. Part of the deal includes offering McGregor an in-game that users can play to win exclusive prizes.
Prior to signing as an ambassador for Tiger.Trade, McGregor’s involvement in crypto was indirect via UFC’s partnerships with Crypto.com, whereby fighters were paid rewards in cryptocurrency.
The game’s recent launch, although well-received by fans for its graphics and awards, has also been criticized for its lack of story. Unlike the majority of top UFC fighters, McGregor has not linked his name to the now stalled NFT projects and still maintains a secret about his crypto investment options.
Bought Eminem Bored Ape NFT for $460,000
Marshall Mathers, aka Eminem, is one of those rare celebrities who make headlines investing in NFT rather than trying to sell their collections. The fifteen-time Grammy winner bought Bored Ape “EminApe” NFT for $460,000, which depicts a gold chain necklace and khaki military hat that Eminem would wear in real life.
Eminem’s association with cryptocurrency dates back to 2018, when the rapper mentioned Bitcoin (BTC) on his new album Kamikaze. However, the subsequent purchase of NFT proved his interest in crypto investments. In June 2022, Eminem released a music video titled Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) NFT featuring rap legend and fellow crypto enthusiast Snoop Dogg.
While Eminem has not publicly shared an affinity towards any particular crypto asset for investments, the rapper continues to collaborate with BAYC for live performances.
Maria Sharapova becomes a strategic investor in Moonpay
Tennis legend Maria Sharapova, along with other celebrities like Gal Gadot, Bruce Willis and Justin Bieber, have invested in a crypto payment solution, Moonpay. The company revealed that more than 60 public figures and celebrities in the music, sports, media and entertainment industries have joined forces to invest $87 million in Series A funding as of November 2021.
The investment marks Sharapova’s entry into the crypto world. However, the superstar is yet to reveal her plans to invest in crypto assets.
Snoop Dogg: The Face of Web3 and NFTs
Snoop Dogg stands as a true OG in the crypto world considering his proactive involvement in the space for many years. Snoop’s first interaction with the crypto community began with his warning about impersonators marketing fake Snoop Dogg-branded NFT tokens and tokens.
After gaining knowledge about the industry, the rapper has collaborated with various crypto projects, including cryptocurrency exchanges, Web3, gaming, and NFTs, effectively stimulating mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies.
Recently, Snoop Dogg announced the launch of a new Los Angeles restaurant inspired by BAYC NFTs, named Bored and Hungry. Despite the low hype around NFTs, the Smoke King continues to show love for the ecosystem.
