Melania Trump is releasing her first NFT

Melania Trump has become the latest celebrity to try and cash in on the craze for non-fungible tokens.

Melania Trump has become the latest celebrity to try and cash in on the craze for non-fungible tokens. 

The former first lady’s first NFT, called Melania’s Vision, will include watercolor art that “embodies Mrs. Trump’s cobalt blue eyes, providing the collector with an amulet to inspire,” according to an emailed statement. It will be available from Dec. 16 to Dec. 31 for one SOL, a cryptocurrency that runs on the Solana blockchain, currently priced at US$187.

Trump is venturing into the world of NFTs as the digital collectibles increasingly move into the mainstream, with stars like Justin Bieber and K-pop group BTS also entering the market. Others such as Lindsay Lohan have been in on the action for months. The tokens, which combine the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain with the realm of creative pursuits, are fodder for both retail traders and professional investors anticipating a metaverse where NFTs play a crucial role. 

While some series of NFTs like CryptoPunks and the Bored Ape Yacht Club are selling for thousands or even millions of dollars, other tokens command much lower sums, and their prices are notoriously volatile. And the complexities of the real world are already bleeding into the digital realm.

Sales from Trump’s collection will benefit her Be Best initiative, according to the statement. She will help foster children acquire “computer science skills, including programming and software development, to thrive after they age out of the foster community.”

The Solana blockchain network will power the NFTs, which can be bought using both the SOL cryptocurrency and credit card payments through MoonPay. The NFT will also include “an audio recording from Mrs. Trump with a message of hope.”