In the explosive rise of NFTs during late 2021, one collection captured significant attention with remarkable highs. Despite experiencing a market correction, its dedicated team has transformed it into a rapidly expanding entertainment brand.
That project is Cool Cats.
Within just three years, Cool Cats evolved from a simple cartoon character into a multifaceted brand encompassing animation, manga, physical collectibles, and more. This guide explores its journey, current status, and what the future may hold.
What Are Cool Cats NFTs?
Cool Cats is a collection of 9,999 programmatically generated, cartoon-style avatar NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. Each NFT features a unique Blue Cat character, distinguished by a variety of traits including outfits, headwear, facial expressions, and accessories.
The project was founded by a core team of four individuals:
- Colin Egan (Clon): The lead artist and creator of the original Blue Cat character.
- Evan Luza (Elu): The creative director responsible for the project's vision.
- Tom Williamson: The blockchain and technical lead who handled smart contracts.
- Rob Mehew: The project manager overseeing operations and community.
Tom and Rob stepped away from the project in April 2023, while Clon and Elu continue to lead Cool Cats today. The Blue Cat character itself is based on drawings Clon made in high school, with its design evolving over more than a decade.
The Evolution of Cool Cats
Cool Cats launched on July 1, 2021, with an initial mint price of 0.06 ETH. After slow initial sales, the team reduced the price to 0.02 ETH, resulting in a complete sell-out within just eight hours.
The project gained significant traction when celebrities like Mike Tyson, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Aoki publicly showed support by using Cool Cats NFTs as their profile pictures on social media.
In early 2022, Cool Cats introduced Cool Pets—a companion collection of 19,999 NFTs. Holders could obtain an egg that, through gameplay in the Cooltopia platform, would hatch into a pet with one of four elemental traits.
The team also launched **$MILK**, an ecosystem token earned through gameplay or by holding a Cool Cat NFT. Both Cooltopia and the $MILK token were officially retired in July 2023.
By March 2022, Cool Cats was among the top NFT projects by all-time sales volume, reaching a peak floor price. The brand expanded its presence with real-world events, including a pop-up experience called Cooltopia in New York City.
The hiring of former Disney executive Stephen Teglas as CEO signaled a shift toward mainstream entertainment. Although his tenure was brief, he helped reposition the brand for broader cultural appeal.
Later collaborations included partnerships with OneFootball for Cool Cats FC, the introduction of new NFT collections like SideKX and Shadow Wolves, and a major alliance with Futureverse, a blockchain technology company.
A significant milestone was reached in November 2023 when Cool Cats appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, reaching an audience of over 28 million viewers.
The same month marked the debut of “The Milk Chug,” an animated series produced in collaboration with Titmouse animation studio. The series began a weekly release in September 2024.
In July 2024, Cool Cats announced a partnership with Kodansha, the publisher behind iconic manga series like Akira and Attack on Titan, to produce a serialized manga based on the Blue Cat character.
Despite these successes, the project has faced challenges. The partnership with Futureverse drew criticism after their first joint game project was canceled. The departure of several core team members also led to questions about the project’s direction.
What’s Next for the Brand?
Clon’s vision is for Blue Cat to become a recognizable cartoon character on a global scale. The affiliation with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) since March 2022 supports this ambition, focusing on broadening mainstream appeal.
Although specific plans are not fully public, the team has hinted at several upcoming initiatives:
- New Interactive Experiences: While the Sapphire Town game was discontinued, new digital experiences are in development.
- Physical Products: The brand has a history of high-quality merchandise, with more physical goods expected.
- Additional Animation: If the first season of The Milk Chug performs well, more animated content is likely.
- Live Events: Following the positive reception of Cooltopia at NFT.NYC, more real-world events are anticipated.
While Cool Cats may not command the same floor price as some other leading NFT collections, its continuous expansion into animation, publishing, and gaming demonstrates a commitment to long-term growth.
The community remains strongly supportive of Clon’s vision. With strong viewership for The Milk Chug and upcoming manga releases, Cool Cats is positioned to transcend its NFT origins and become a lasting icon in popular culture.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What blockchain are Cool Cats NFTs on?
Cool Cats is built on the Ethereum blockchain. All transactions and ownership records are secured through Ethereum’s network, ensuring transparency and reliability.
How can I buy a Cool Cats NFT?
You can purchase a Cool Cats NFT through major NFT marketplaces that support Ethereum-based assets. Ensure you have a compatible crypto wallet and sufficient ETH for the purchase and gas fees.
What utilities do Cool Cats NFTs offer?
Holders gain access to exclusive content, community events, physical merchandise, and future digital experiences. Utility continues to evolve as the brand expands into new media.
Are there any companion collections?
Yes, Cool Pets was introduced as a companion NFT collection. Other derivative sets like SideKX and Shadow Wolves have also been released to complement the main series.
Is Cool Cats suitable for beginners in the NFT space?
Yes, its strong community and clear roadmap make it a welcoming project for newcomers. The brand’s expansion into familiar media like animation and comics also makes it more accessible.
What is the long-term vision for Cool Cats?
The goal is to transition Blue Cat from an NFT character to a mainstream entertainment figure through animations, comics, games, and consumer products.