KaiKai Kiki Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, President: Takashi Murakami; hereafter “KaiKai Kiki”) has acquired all shares of NiftyKit, Inc. (Headquarters: California, USA, CEO: Dan Carr; hereafter “NiftyKit”), a Los Angeles–based provider of Web3 and NFT-related services leveraging blockchain technology, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. Through this acquisition, KaiKai Kiki will accelerate the development of innovative projects utilizing NFT and other blockchain technologies, further promoting the fusion of art and technology.
Background and Purpose of the Acquisition
NiftyKit has developed platforms that support the issuance, management, and sale of NFTs, backing numerous NFT projects for creators and brands. KaiKai Kiki has previously invested in NiftyKit and engaged in a technical partnership for KaiKai Kiki’s NFT projects. With an eye on the expanding cryptocurrency market and the continued evolution of blockchain technology, KaiKai Kiki decided to make NiftyKit a wholly owned subsidiary. By doing so, the company aims to establish a robust framework to create strong synergies between KaiKai Kiki’s assets and NiftyKit’s blockchain expertise.
Notable Past Collaborations
MURAKAMI.FLOWERS (https://murakamiflowers.kaikaikiki.com/)
NiftyKit served as the technical partner for “MURAKAMI.FLOWERS,” an NFT project led by Takashi Murakami. Together, they developed and launched the project using proprietary smart contracts, delivering a new Web3 art experience to collectors worldwide.
Kaikai Kiki Marketplace (https://marketplace.kaikaikiki.com/)
KaiKai Kiki developed its own dedicated marketplace where NFTs can be bought and sold. The platform also encourages fan community engagement by offering a point system—awarded according to the duration and types of NFTs held—and ranking users on a leaderboard.
KaiKai Kiki Hometown Tax Donation (https://htd.kaikaikiki.com/)
By partnering with municipalities, including Kyoto City, KaiKai Kiki created a unique Hometown Tax Donation platform featuring art and merchandise as return gifts. NiftyKit’s web development capabilities were utilized in building and operating this platform.
Future Developments
Following the acquisition, KaiKai Kiki will leverage NiftyKit’s technical expertise to further accelerate the development of new projects based on NFT and blockchain technology. This move will enable KaiKai Kiki to expand its business and pursue opportunities in a wide range of areas.
Comment from Dan Carr
At NiftyKit, we set out to empower creators with accessible Web3 technology, and over the years, we’ve had the privilege of supporting artists and brands in bringing their projects to life. As the space evolves, so do we. Becoming part of Kaikai Kiki marks an exciting new chapter where we can take everything we’ve built and apply it on a larger scale, exploring new possibilities at the intersection of art, blockchain, and emerging technologies like AI. We sincerely thank Murakami-san and the Kaikai Kiki team for their vision, trust, and collaboration over the years. Their dedication to pushing creative boundaries continues to inspire us, and we’re honored to be part of this journey. We look forward to shaping the future of creativity and technology together.
Comment from Takashi Murakami
I first became aware of NFT art through Beeple’s work sold at Christie’s auction. NFT, theretofore unknown to me, suddenly fetched a price surpassing those of Jeff Koons’s works, and it made me realize there was this previously unfamiliar art community out there. That’s when I started learning about it.
I decided to immerse myself in NFT art and, in the process, encountered NiftyKit. Thanks to their presence, I was able to bring my NFT art projects to fruition. Over the past four years of collaboration, we successfully generated and released numerous NFT artworks.
The integration of NiftyKit and KaiKai Kiki combines crypto with art, the metaverse with meticulous craftsmanship in the physical world, all infused with a touch of Japanese subculture. We believe this fusion creates new artistic value. We look forward to unveiling the first new project born from this union in the near future. Please stay tuned!
Inquiries
For inquiries regarding this release, please contact us via the online form.
