Metyis helps launch Swiss Crypto Marvels – NFTs for a good cause

Switzerland-based Pro Senectute beider Basel has teamed up with consultancy Metyis to launch its own NFT collection, with proceeds from the non-fungible token portfolio going to charity.

Since its inception in 1993, Pro Senectute beider Basel has been focused on helping older people in the Basel region to improve their quality of life.

In a groundbreaking move for a charity, Pro Senectute beider Basel has been quick to venture into one of today’s most hyped technological developments – the metaverse. At 10am today, the NFT gathering ‘Swiss Crypto Marvels’ goes live, in what is described as an industry-first mover in the non-profit scene.

Swiss Crypto Marvels consist of a collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) – virtual assets on the blockchain that can be collected, exchanged and traded. An NFT (also known as tokenized art) represents a digital certificate of ownership of an asset and is a unique, non-copyable original on the blockchain.

Based on the landscape photographs of Marcus Händel (known for his images for Visit Switzerland), Swiss Crypto Marvels will see 4,444 NFTs issued in four images (NFT Lauterbrunnen, NFT Old Town Chur, NFT Alp Palfries and NFT Churfirsten), with buyers remaining in the darkness which picture they buy (NFT Churfirsten, for example, is the rarest with only 44 copies published).

Looking to buy a Swiss Crypto Marvel? The sale starts here on 10 October at 10:00 (UTC +1 time zone).

With the proceeds from the sale, Pro Senectute beider Basel will finance a project that aims to build digital competence among older people in the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Baselland. Each NFT is on sale for CHF66, meaning that sold out will see the charity raise more than €300,000 for its good cause.

“We are proud to be one of the non-profit organizations venturing into the metaverse. One of our ambitions is to bring seniors closer to current and future digital technologies and empower them to use them themselves. The proceeds from the NFT collection will go to projects that enable older people to understand and use digital applications, says Michael Harr, CEO of Pro Senectute beider Basel.

Bringing the NFTs to life

To realize its metaverse venture, the Swiss charity received collaboration from “several Swiss influencers” and support from Metyis, who led the creative design and technical implementation.

Dominic Olonetzky, a partner at Metyis in the Zurich office, explained what exactly the firm did: “With Pro Senectute beider Basel, we chose four images from Marcus Händel to turn into NFTs. Based on these amazing images, we developed the idea of ​​merging the image with a dreamlike object that points towards our digital future.”

“Our design team collected topographical data that was transferred to the digital world using terrain modeling tools. They then began to imagine a mystical narrative that opens a dystopian space. The final result is a mixture of the original image with futuristic objects – stimulating the imagination of the viewer.”

Sustainability at the core

With Pro Senectute beider Basel operating in the charity sector, it was an important requirement for the development work to adapt to the sustainability goals. Not an easy task for Metyis, given that cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications are known for their (significant) energy use.

“We were well aware of the negative environmental impact of blockchain applications and therefore tasked Metyis with developing a climate-neutral NFT,” said Harr.

Metyis therefore decided to run the project on the Polygon blockchain, “which is considered one of the most environmentally friendly blockchains because it is based on the ‘proof of stake’ principle,” explained Aaron Selig, an Associate at Metyis. “Using the Polygon blockchain, we can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 90% [or more] compared to other known blockchains.”

In the meantime, to complete the client’s fully climate-neutral wish, Metyis Pro Senectute advised beider Basel to offset the remaining emissions in cooperation with the Swiss climate protection organization myclimate.

What will be next?

For Pro Senectute beider Basel, and elderly people in the Basel region looking forward to mastering digital skills, 10 o’clock today is the best moment. Harr looks ahead with confidence, with the advance interest in NFT reportedly high.

At Metyis’ side, Olonetzky said the firm is proud to have helped make an impact for Pro Senectute beider Basel – and most likely beyond. “This initiative provides evidence that even local nonprofits can make a real impact through blockchain technologies, especially in the metaverse realm.”

“The Metaverse is tipped to be the ‘next World Wide Web’ and if it achieves this potential, it will cause a digital revolution. We are proud to be at the forefront of the industry’s evolution.”