NFTs demonstrate humanity’s better side, as genuine support crosses national borders and reaches Ukraine via the metaverse. Furthermore, people worldwide are donating to Ukraine via NFT sales in light of the ongoing military conflict, as artists and activists prefer them to traditional fundraising methods.
NFT Sales Raise Millions in Donations for Ukraine
NFTs seem to be taking over the world lately, with more and more types of communities becoming involved every day. Everyone is rushing in to join the trend, from major visual artists to global fashion brands and video game studios to superstar rappers. Of course, armed conflict between nations, actual war, is one aspect of human life that no one expected to be drawn into the NFT phenomenon in 2022, but here we are.
NFTs were used to raise funds for helping refugees and other causes shortly after the start of hostilities in Ukraine and the countless human tragedies that followed. UkraineDAO is the most notable example so far, having crowdfunded 2,100 ETH by March 2, a total value of over $6 million at the time. Nadya Tolokonnikova, a Russian artist, activist, and member of the anarchist feminist punk rock band Pussy Riot, organized the event.
Contributors will receive fractionalized ownership of one Ukrainian flag NFT in the form of $love tokens rather than individual works of art. “Initially, there was the thought of artists creating something,” the UkraineDAO team explained, “but that idea quickly changed when the group decided the NFT should be a symbol of the Ukrainian people rather than focused on a specific artist or aesthetic.” However, we fully support other organizations auctioning off artists’ work to raise funds for Ukraine.”
Olive Allen is another well-known example of a Russian artist using NFTs to help people in need in Ukraine. “I’m a Russian artist, and in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, I burned my Russian passport to create the NFT’Passport Burning,” she said. The proceeds from the NFT sale will be donated to the SavetheChildren Ukraine Fund.”
The RELI3F.xyz NFT sale, which raised 699 ETH, worth over $1.7 million, according to data on OpenSea, is the second-largest example in terms of monetary value so far. RELI3F is a humanitarian aid organization founded by NFT artists to help the people of Ukraine. “In a crisis where time is of the essence, web3 allows us to collaborate with artists + collectors to get funds where they are most needed. And because of the blockchain, we can provide full transparency,” the RELI3F team explained.
In addition to new sales, established NFT communities also stepped up to show support for the people of Ukraine. The Bored Ape Yacht Club team sent $1 million in ETH to the Ukraine government’s official wallet on March 8, matching the $1 million in donations individual community members made already. Besides the $2 million in ETH, someone also sent an actual Bored Ape valued at $200,000. Even NFT funds created to support other causes have been donated to Ukraine. According to Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, a donation worth over $1.8 million came from the AssangeDao NFT sale – which was created to help the incarcerated Wikileaks founder and activist Julian Assange.
For anyone looking for an NFT to show their support for the people of Ukraine, many new sales are just getting started, but they have to make sure to watch out for scams.
One example of a new charity NFT sale is Ukraine’s Angels. ElephantsLab created this Ukrainian blockchain research, consulting, and software development company. ElephantsLab is based in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, which has become a hub for refugees fleeing destruction in other cities across the nation. Once the war started, the team used what they knew best to help raise funds for those who needed it the most in their country. Donations of any size can be made in BSC, and with a donation of 0.25 BNB or more, you can mint your unique NFT as an Angel of Ukraine.
The mission statement of Ukraine’s Angels reads: “This is the world’s crypto family’s contribution to #StopTheWar. By buying an NFT from this collection, you save lives. Your financial aid will help sustain those who need it most: the injured, the refugees, and all other Ukrainians affected… Once the hostilities are quenched, the donations will then be used to rebuild the vital infrastructure: roads, bridges, hospitals, educational facilities, etc….”
Another NFT sale just getting started is #ActLikeZelensky on Foundation. App – a limited art collection with only 100 items. Each item is a unique piece of 3D art of the Ukrainian President. According to the team behind the project, Shields Ukraine: “We raise money to provide Ukrainians at the frontline with much-needed protective non-lethal equipment and humanitarian aid.” The NFT sale’s proceeds will go towards buying helmets, bulletproof vests, thermal imagers, flashlights, and radios for Ukrainians.
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