Polygon, an Ethereum-powered scaling platform on-boarding consumers to Web 3.0, has announced a blockchain collaboration with DraftKings Marketplace, a digital collectibles ecosystem built by DraftKings (Nasdaq: DKNG) for “mainstream accessibility to support custom NFT drops along with secondary-market transactions.”
This deal offers DraftKings Marketplace with a scalable, eco-friendly blockchain solution that enables “added throughput and expanded capabilities.”
As noted in the update shared with CI, DraftKings has the option to contribute to Polygon’s governance and assist with securing the network as a validator node with its own stake pool.
Paul Liberman, co-founder and president of global product and technology at DraftKings, stated:
“Scalability and sustainability remain among the critical challenges of blockchain technology, so as we lay the groundwork today for the vision of DraftKings Marketplace tomorrow, the vast insights and proven products from Polygon around scalable solutions are invaluable. Although DraftKings Marketplace is still in its nascency, we are bullish on the possibilities that blockchain, NFTs, cryptocurrency and more will present as we prepare for Web 3.0 alongside Polygon and the new innovations ahead for digital collectibles.”
With the option of becoming a validator, DraftKings may be able to take part in the proof-of-stake consensus protocol for the Polygon blockchain main network to “produce blocks, join Polygon’s governance and contribute to network security as a leader in Polygon’s future.”
Since launching in August 2021, DraftKings Marketplace has reportedly hosted Autograph’s Preseason Access Collection NFT drops of iconic athletes featuring Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles and Derek Jeter, “all of which sold out almost immediately.”
DraftKings Marketplace is currently accessible to registered DraftKings customers across the U.S. and Canada, and these collectors will “eventually have the ability to transfer purchased NFTs to their own wallets on Ethereum Mainnet.”
Sandeep Nailwal, Co-founder at Polygon, remarked:
“Leveraging Polygon’s technology, DraftKings will be able to expand the variety and capabilities of DraftKings Marketplace for an enhanced user experience with even more exclusive content and drops. DraftKings Marketplace already provides fans and collectors with a seamless way to buy and resell authentic digital collectibles within a highly accessible ecosystem, so we look forward to being part of its continued growth.”
Through the launch of Polygon Studios to promote awareness and adoption of NFTs, the Polygon brand has expanded into the blockchain gaming and NFT space.
Polygon’s infrastructure supports more than 100,000 blockchain gamers along with Web 3.0 games and metaverses that all “contribute to high-quality gaming experiences.” Partnering with DraftKings Marketplace marks a key integration for Polygon along with existing partners that include Atari, Decentraland, OpenSea, The Sandbox, ZED RUN, Neon District, anong others.