eBay Acquires NFT Marketplace, KnownOrigin

JAKARTA - E-commerce giant eBay has reportedly acquired NFT marketplace KnownOrigin. However, eBay did not reveal how much money they spent to buy KnownOrigin. This acquisition demonstrates that eBay remains competitive and innovative in the world of digital collectibles.

“eBay is the first stop for people around the world who are looking for the perfect, hard-to-find, or unique addition to their collection and, with this acquisition, we will remain a leading site as our community continues to add to their digital collection,” said the eBay CEO, Jamie Ianone.

The eBay boss stated that he was enthusiastic about the advantages brought by the KnownOrigin marketplace. This is because the NFT marketplace has formed a group of artists and digital art collectors.

“KnownOrigin has built an impressive, passionate and devoted group of artists and collectors, making them the perfect addition to our community of sellers and buyers. We look forward to welcoming these innovators as they join the eBay community,” added Ianone.

Commenting on the statement, KnownOrigin co-founder David Moore explained that the KnownOrigin NFT marketplace was created to empower all kinds of NFT creators and collectors. KnownOrigin ensures that empowerment by giving them “the ability to showcase, sell and collect unique and authenticated digital goods.”

Furthermore, Moore stated that KnownOrigin would cooperate with eBay. In this way eBay can make KnownOrigin do its best to take advantage of consumers' ongoing interest in NFT. In addition, both parties will also map out a new path for the growth of NFT.

The KnownOrigin founders think the collaboration has the potential to help attract “a new wave of NFT makers and collectors.” eBay's acquisition of KnownOrigin follows a £3.5 million funding round that KnownOrigin raised in February.

KnownOrigin received funding from several investors, including co-leaders of venture capital firm GBV, Sanctor Capital, D1 Ventures, MetaCartel Ventures DAO, LD Capital, and Future Arts. Then there are Cultur3 Capital, Colborn, and Yin Cao who have joined the ranks of KnownOrigin investors.

The NFT marketplace has generated more than USD 30 million as of February 2022 from selling digital collections on its platform.