In just three years, one character has evolved from a niche comic sketch into a multimedia phenomenon powered by blockchain innovation — Blue Cat, the face of the Cool Cats NFT collection. While the crypto market has seen its ups and downs, Cool Cats has expanded beyond digital avatars into animation, manga, real-world events, and community-driven experiences. This is not just another NFT project; it’s a modern attempt to build a global entertainment brand from the ground up.
Backed by Ethereum and driven by passionate creators, Cool Cats exemplifies how NFTs can transcend speculative assets and become cultural icons. Let’s explore the journey, achievements, and future potential of this dynamic project.
The Origins of Cool Cats
The story begins with Colin Egan, also known as Clon, who first sketched Blue Cat during high school. What started as doodles on paper gradually evolved into a distinctive art style — minimalist yet expressive, colorful but timeless. After years of refinement, Clon partnered with Evan Luza (Elu), a creative director with a vision for brand storytelling.
Together, they launched Cool Cats, a collection of 9,999 unique NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. Each avatar features randomized traits — from hats and glasses to rare clothing and expressions — making every cat one-of-a-kind. The original team also included Tom Williamson (xtremetom), responsible for smart contracts, and Rob Mehew (Lynqoid), managing operations. Though Tom and Rob departed in April 2023, Clon and Elu remain at the helm, steering the project toward broader cultural relevance.
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Milestones That Built a Legacy
Launched on July 1, 2021, Cool Cats initially priced each NFT at 0.06 ETH (~$150). After selling only 300 units, the team dropped the price to 0.02 ETH (~$50), leading to a full mint within eight hours — an early sign of strong demand.
Just eight days later, boxing legend Mike Tyson changed his Twitter profile picture to a Cool Cat, triggering a wave of celebrity adoption. Stars like Reese Witherspoon, Alexis Ohanian, and Steve Aoki followed suit, propelling Cool Cats into the mainstream spotlight.
By March 2022, Cool Cats ranked among the top blue-chip NFT collections, achieving over $290 million in lifetime sales** and reaching an all-time floor price peak of **$92,000.
Expansion Through Innovation
Cool Cats didn’t stop at profile pictures. The project rapidly expanded its ecosystem:
- Cool Pets (2022): A companion NFT drop of 19,999 digital pets. Half were airdropped to Cool Cats holders; the rest were publicly available. These “eggs” could hatch into element-based pets (Grass, Fire, Water, Air) via Cooltopia, an interactive web platform.
- **$MILK Token:** The native utility token rewarded users for completing daily quests in Cooltopia. Though both $MILK and Cooltopia were retired in July 2023, they laid early groundwork for gamified engagement.
- Real-World Presence: In June 2022, Cool Cats launched Cooltopia NYC, a pop-up experience that brought the digital world to life. Later that year, former Disney and Warner Bros executive Stephen Teglas joined as CEO, signaling a shift toward professional entertainment development.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with OneFootball led to Cool Cats FC, blending soccer fandom with NFTs. The project also introduced spin-off collections like SideKX and Shadow Wolves, while securing a long-term alliance with Futureverse — though this partnership later faced criticism.
Breaking Into Mainstream Media
One of Cool Cats’ most significant moments came in November 2023, when Blue Cat floated above Manhattan as a giant balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, viewed by over 30 million people worldwide. This wasn’t just visibility — it was legitimacy.
Coinciding with the parade debut was the release of "The Milk Chug", Cool Cats’ first animated series produced by Titmouse, the studio behind Rick and Morty and Big Mouth. Premiering officially in September 2024, the 13-episode season quickly gained traction — episode five alone earned over 100,000 views in two days.
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Further expanding its reach, Cool Cats partnered with Japanese publishing giant Kodansha — renowned for Akira and Attack on Titan — to launch a serialized manga series in July 2024. This move solidified Cool Cats’ ambition: to become a cross-platform character franchise.
Challenges and Community Resilience
Despite its successes, Cool Cats has faced setbacks. The much-hyped game from Futureverse was canceled in summer 2024, disappointing fans. Several core team members exited afterward, raising concerns about roadmap execution and transparency.
However, the community remains resilient. Clon continues to engage directly with holders, emphasizing long-term vision over short-term hype. The cancellation of Sapphire Town hasn’t halted plans for new online experiences — the team is actively exploring alternatives to revive Cooltopia in a new form.
The Road Ahead: Building an Icon
Clon’s ultimate goal is clear: make Blue Cat a globally recognized cartoon icon, on par with Mickey Mouse or Pikachu. To achieve this, Cool Cats is focusing on several key areas:
🎯 Future Initiatives
- Animated Series Expansion: If The Milk Chug proves successful, additional seasons or spin-offs are likely. International distribution deals could amplify global reach.
- Physical Products: From apparel and collectibles to plush toys and action figures, merchandise has already gained popularity. Expect wider retail distribution in the coming years.
- Live Events: Following the success of Cooltopia NYC and Macy’s parade appearance, more immersive fan experiences — possibly global tours or theme park integrations — may follow.
- Web3 Integration: While past token models were retired, future utility tokens or blockchain-based games could re-engage NFT holders in meaningful ways.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What blockchain is Cool Cats built on?
A: Cool Cats is built on Ethereum, ensuring security, interoperability, and access to decentralized marketplaces.
Q: How many Cool Cats NFTs exist?
A: There are exactly 9,999 unique Cool Cats NFTs, each with randomly generated traits.
Q: What happened to $MILK token and Cooltopia?
A: Both were officially retired in July 2023. The team is evaluating new engagement models for future platforms.
Q: Is Blue Cat appearing in other media?
A: Yes. Blue Cat stars in "The Milk Chug" animated series and a manga collaboration with Kodansha.
Q: Who leads Cool Cats now?
A: Founders Colin Egan (Clon) and Evan Luza (Elu) continue to lead creative and strategic direction.
Q: Can I still buy a Cool Cat NFT?
A: Yes. Secondary marketplaces like OpenSea list available Cool Cats NFTs for purchase using ETH.
Why Cool Cats Stands Out
While projects like Bored Ape Yacht Club and Pudgy Penguins dominate headlines, Cool Cats has taken a quieter, more sustainable path — focusing on storytelling, animation quality, and authentic community building.
Its journey reflects a broader trend: NFTs are no longer just JPEGs. They’re intellectual properties with real-world potential. With anime roots, celebrity backing, and mainstream media exposure, Cool Cats is uniquely positioned to bridge web3 culture with traditional entertainment.
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Final Thoughts
Cool Cats is more than an NFT collection — it’s a cultural experiment in building a character-driven universe from the internet up. Despite market volatility and project pivots, its core mission remains unchanged: turn Blue Cat into a household name.
With animated content gaining momentum, manga expanding its reach, and physical products entering retail spaces, Cool Cats is proving that persistence, creativity, and community matter more than short-term price spikes.
As web3 matures, projects like Cool Cats may define what comes next: not just digital ownership, but shared stories that resonate across generations.
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