Pinoys can now buy NFTs via GCrypto

Digital art is growing globally, and the Philippines is emerging as a market for artists and collectors. According to a study by Finder in 2022, the Philippines ranked seventh in the world for NFT adoption.

GCash, the #1 Finance Super App, has introduced the GCrypto NFT Hub, which allows Filipinos to explore the world of NFTs easily. Users can discover and purchase NFT art and support their favorite homegrown artists.

GCash has partnered with homegrown NFT marketplace, Likha, and the popular art gallery, Vinyl on Vinyl, for the release of its first GCrypto NFT collection: The House of Ohlala, from Filipino contemporary artist, Reen Barrera.

NFTs are digital assets that represent objects such as collectibles, art, and in-game items and are traded online, often with cryptocurrency.

“We are thrilled to partner with the esteemed artist, Reen Barrera, for his first ever NFT collection as we unveil the new GCrypto NFT Hub,” said Jong Layug, GCash Head of Wealth Management.

“Through the GCrypto NFT Hub, we hope to provide Filipino artists a platform to bring their digital art to a wider audience, while also enabling more Filipinos access to buy their first NFT art.”

Barrera’s NFT project features a collection of 1,000 NFTs built on the Polygon blockchain, with each NFT being sold for 80 MATIC. The House of Ohlala includes unique utility features.

NFT holders have a chance to win one of the four Ohlala statues to be raffled every quarter, they can gain exclusive access to artwork and merchandise, and get to join a whitelist for future collections. Owners of the 10 editions of 1 of 1 NFTs will also receive free Giclee prints of their digital collectible.

“I personally use GCash on a daily basis, and for sure, a lot of Filipinos also trust the app for their hard-earned money. To acquire NFT, you need a digital currency. And what’s the most trusted e-wallet app? It’s GCash,” said Reen Barrera.

“For someone like me who’s afraid to venture into something new like NFTs, I would be at ease knowing that I’m with a company I trust.”

The collection is based on Barrera’s most popular character, Ohlala, who is a soft commentary on socio-economic classes. Ohlala’s head is covered in canvas cloth to symbolize that each one of us, no matter our economic backgrounds, has the ability to design our own fates. Ohlala’s face is also decorated with symbols and patterns, based on the idiom “it is written all over your face.”

The GCrypto NFT Hub will feature digital art created by famous and up-and-coming local artists, such as National Artist Larry Alcala through a partnership with Scarletbox.io, Superordinary Friends x TRNZ, and Monster Mayhem by Distort Monsters. Upcoming collections include artworks by contemporary artist Bitto, and national artists Botong Francisco and Vicente Manansala.