In a new partnership that will bring together blockchain technology and historic artifacts, real-world artifacts from the wreckage of the Titanic are set to be tokenized as NFTs.
The partnership will involve the RMS Titanic (RMST), Venture Smart Financial Holdings (VSFH), and Artifact Labs.
RMST holds the exclusive rights to recover artifacts from the Titanic and its wider debris field. The plan is to preserve some artifacts as nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and share ownership with the public.
Venture Smart Financial Holdings will structure the tokenization of intellectual property linked to the artifacts. In-house NFT blockchain system Artifact Labs will create NFTs for 5,500 recovered artifacts from the ship, and future artifacts retrieved from the wreck will also be tokenized.
The tokenized instruments are to be made available exclusively to accredited investors as a means of legally raising capital to support continuous research, retrieval, conservation, showcasing, and licensing of RMS Titanic’s assets.
NFTs have been associated with digital artwork, but the partners behind this collaboration believe Titanic NFTs will allow enthusiasts to digitally interact with RMST’s content outside of physical exhibitions.
Artifact Labs is also planning to create the Titanic DAO (decentralized autonomous organization), allowing members to participate in various initiatives and proposals for future exhibitions of the Titanic site. The DAO will also facilitate the development of educational programs, digital content, and documentaries, research, partnerships, and events.
The partners say the money raised will fund ongoing research, recovery, and preservation efforts. RMST President Jessica Sanders highlighted the initiative’s intent to preserve the Titanic’s legacy and artifacts through digital innovations like NFTs and blockchain technology.
“As the entity responsible for salvaging and possessing the Titanic’s wreckage, we are committed to preserving the ship’s artifacts for eternity and ensuring their access to future generations,” she said.
“Our conviction is that transitioning to the digital realm opens up avenues to connect with a wider audience through high-quality programming that enlightens and motivates.”
RMST President Jessica Sanders
Lawrence Chu, Founder and Chairman of VSFG, commented that the Titanic’s artifacts have been highly sought after for over a century because of what they represent and that many people in the international community care deeply about preserving the integrity of the original artifacts. Chu believes that this partnership with RMST and Artifact Labs can further this purpose by bringing in Web3 and virtual asset solutions.
Artifact Labs’ Founder, Gary Liu, stated that the Titanic is one of the most treasured pieces of history in the world and that this incredible project will forever preserve the ocean.
The Titanic hit an iceberg and sank, killing 1,500 people, while on its maiden voyage in April of 1912. The shipwreck was discovered nearly four decades ago at the bottom of the North Atlantic. It has captured the imagination of ocean explorers, historians, and the public.
According to RMS Titanic, Inc, the debut collection of Titanic NFTs will feature an ultra-limited edition of digital collectibles, laying the foundation for the Titanic’s Web3 community. The NFTs will offer exclusive benefits to collectors, including VIP events and exhibitions, seminars with historians, and other exclusive experiences.
Titanic enthusiasts will be able to digitally interact with RMST’s content outside of the physical exhibitions that have drawn more than 30 million people.
The Titanic DAO treasury will be managed by members using governance tokens and funded through proceeds of NFT sales.
Titanic artifacts have been highly sought after for over a century because of what they represent.