IOI
JTA — Antisemitic and Nazi-glorifying artwork has been sold and traded on OpenSea, the world’s largest marketplace for non-fungible tokens, or NFTs.
The $1.5 billion start-up is the world’s largest trader of NFTs, which are digital artworks that can be purchased with cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and, more commonly, ethereum. Some things have sold for millions of dollars in the United States. Purchased things are saved on the blockchain, which is a permanent digital record that logs and publishes every transaction.
However, according to Vice, a considerable number of Adolf Hitler-themed NFTs are among OpenSea’s offers. “Hitler did nothing wrong” or “Heil Hitler” are among the troubling titles on some of the artworks. This week, a popular tweet brought attention to a collection on OpenSea depicting Hitler shown in various digital attires. Swastikas are depicted in other listings.
VICE reached out to OpenSea for comment, but they did not answer. “We are committed to providing a platform for the exchange of a wide spectrum of content, including controversial stuff,” the site’s terms of service state.
Offerings that inspire “hatred or violence against others” will be withdrawn, according to the terms of service. OpenSea also “offers the greatest selection of assets available while promoting trust and respect, as well as obedience to the law,” according to the terms of service.
It’s not the first time that digital shopping companies have been chastised for stocking Nazi-themed merchandise. E-commerce behemoths like Amazon and eBay have faced criticism in the past for selling Nazi-related artefacts and merchandise on their platforms.
