Usain Bolt helps launch move-to-earn NFT training platform Step App

Step App is launching a private beta of its fitness metaverse platform with eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt.

Bolt is the face of a new “move-to-earn” brand that aims to become a gamified metaverse with goods for sale like digital sneakers based on non-fungible tokens (NFTs). In that way, Step App seems to tick off many of the buzzwords of our time.

Step App refers to itself as a FitFi platform, built on blockchain technology. With the Step App, the company said the blockchain economy is expanding beyond finance by incorporating lifestyle, fitness and play elements into the space. It has many rivals in this space, such as the “sneakerverse” app Aglet.

The platform transforms everyday fitness activities like walking the dog or a daily jog in the park into social activities or competitions with friends and strangers that encourage consumers to earn money as they train towards financial freedom.

Bolt, who will serve as the brand’s core ambassador, will help onboard millions of users worldwide, while attracting other premium brand partners and government organizations that share Step App’s vision for a healthier world through Web3. The former athlete is passionate about finding ways to intertwine financial technology and fitness, which made for the perfect ambassadorship.

“Exercise has always been, and still is, a big part of my life. “When I learned what the team at Step App was building, I was immediately inspired and wanted to be a part of this incredibly important global movement,” Bolt said in a statement. “I’ve said before that we must strive to inspire, and through the Step App I would like to inspire as many people as possible to live a healthier and happier life. We’re just getting started!”

The highly anticipated launch will give more than 20 million pre-signed users access to train, socialize, play and earn through the platform’s advanced technology, and introduce the brand’s “SNEAKs”, digital footwear that users can buy, trade and wear digitally on the platform.

Users will earn KCAL tokens for each step. The app will unlock economic opportunities in developing markets in the US and around the world. Built on Avalanche, Step App’s fast, affordable blockchain will host a metaverse. It has ready-to-deploy software development kits (SDKs) for smart contract solutions, NFT infrastructure and more.

Step App wants to be a potential partner for mainstream, crypto novice brands and companies seeking to branch out into the value potential of the crypto user base.

Features include augmented reality, where users’ metaverse characters grow and evolve as they complete training missions. It features gamification, where player-versus-player matchmaking allows people to combine their training with social experiences on a local, regional or global level. And players can earn via the KCAL token by completing missions and combining their training goals with new income incentives.

“We’re not only building an industry-leading Web3 platform, but more importantly, we’re championing a global movement to get millions of people around the world healthier,” Step App CEO Kirill Volgin said in a statement. “Our mandate is to inspire people to exercise daily so they feel better physically and mentally, and feel we will achieve this by incentivizing exercise by paying them in crypto.”

Step App’s private beta is now open. For those betting on the platform, registration for exclusive access is also available. Public Access will soon be available on iOS and Android devices.