The Alpha Move: What NFT projects should I look out for in 2022?
After a groundbreaking year for NFTs, we take a deep dive into what projects could potentially moon in the next year.
Bored Apes. Cool Cats. Cyberkongz. Doodles. It’s insane that all of this was released in 2021 alone. Each of these projects have raised the bar for what it means to be a successful NFT project and even specialize in so many different areas. Be it community, utility, sales volume, or even artwork, the great projects have nailed those.
Now, with more people coming into the space, a lot tend to ask, “What’s the next BAYC?”
The fact of the matter is, there may never be a next BAYC considering how instrumental the project was to the NFT surge this past year. It has simply set itself apart from the rest of the pack.
A better question would be to ask, “What upcoming projects should I keep an eye out for?”
Here’s a breakdown on some of the projects that are poised to make some noise in 2022:
HAPEBEAST
➡️ Website link: https://www.hapebeast.com/
➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/hapebeast
➡️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HAPEBEASTGANG
➡️ Drop date: January 19, 2022
➡️ Mint price: 0.2 ETH + gas
➡️ Supply: 8,192
After the initial release of its teaser back in October, HAPEBEAST has been one of the most highly-anticipated NFT drops to date. We know how much the NFT community loves apes, but when you take into account the spectacular 3D artwork by DigimentalLDN incorporating flashy elements from streetwear culture, the insane hype and engagement around it, and the massive following it has gained, they’re primed for a ride to the moon.
Now, they’ll only be available through pre-sale to avoid gas wars. Those with the OG role get 2 mints while those with the HAPELIST role get 1 mint. Although there are around 1,000 HAPELIST spots left, these aren’t easy to get as you’ll need to contribute actively to their ever-growing Discord community. Submitting memes and fan-art, participating in the various events, assisting fellow members in various channels, and even hosting your own quizzes can all help increase your chances of acquiring that coveted role.
INVISIBLE FRIENDS
➡️ Website link: https://invisiblefriends.io/
➡️ Discord: https://discord.gg/rndm
➡️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/InvsbleFriends/
➡️ Drop date: Late February
➡️ Mint price: TBD
➡️ Supply: 5,000
BING BONG! The third project from the Random Character Collective seems to be the most popular one by far. Invisible Friends is a project by the RCC and Markus Magnusson and aims to make their community feel like a second home wherein its members can make meaningful connections. The art is also extremely unique from what we’re accustomed to seeing, as it showcases the animated avatar with invisible body parts.
Similar to HAPEBEAST, the team is aiming for a 100% pre-sale. Since there are only 5,000 mints available, that means there’ll be less opportunities available as well. Additionally, around 2,500 whitelist spots will be reserved for holders of SlimHoods and Mood Rollers, two of the RCC’s past projects. However, take note that holding these projects does not necessarily guarantee a whitelist spot. For those who aren’t holders, you’ll get the chance at a spot by participating in mini-games, submitting unique and creative fan-art, and continuously engaging in their Discord community.
WGMINTERFACES
➡️ Website link: https://wgminterfaces.com/
➡️ Discord: Coming soon
➡️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/WGMInterfaces/
➡️ Drop date: 2022
➡️ Mint price: TBD
➡️ Supply: 10,000
The Web Generated Modular Interfaces (WGMInterfaces) seek to bridge the worlds of Web2 and Web3 combined with internet culture. So far, there’s no roadmap and no promises, just vibes. At the same time, more than 70,000 people seem to mess with the vision, so there’s no denying that there’s some excitement behind this project.
There hasn’t been an official Discord yet, so we’re gonna have to look out for that later in the year. Some whitelist spots have also been given out to those who took part in fan art submissions and contests early on, but these days, those whitelists seem much harder to come by. In the meantime, we still recommend that you shoot your shot though, especially by engaging with them on Twitter. Who knows, you may just get lucky!
AZUKI
➡️ Website link: https://twitter.com/AzukiZen
➡️ Discord: discord.gg/azuki
➡️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AzukiZen
➡️ Drop date: January 2022
➡️ Mint price: TBD
➡️ Supply: 10,000
Azuki is a new collection of 10,000 avatars that gives you membership access to The Garden, which is a corner of the internet where art, community, and culture fuse to create magic. Some benefits include exclusive streetwear collabs, NFT drops, live events, and much more. One of the best things about the project is the artwork itself, which is very reminiscent of the anime styles utilized by popular projects like 0N1 Force and Divine Anarchy that have been highly traded in the past. The team’s looking good too, with Chiru Labs and Arnold Tsang (Character Art Director at Blizzard) leading the way.
For pre-sale access, they’ll be implementing the Mint List, wherein the team selects community members who consistently like, RT, and comment on all Azuki socials, create dope Azuki fan art, music, or anything creative, and win giveaways in collaboration with other projects with communities we resonate with. If the project ever holds events like Twitter Spaces, you may find yourself in a good position to get on that Mint List.
It’s gonna be a fun year for NFTs, and we’re just getting started. Make sure to follow The Asian Mint on Twitter (@asian_mint) and myself (@dom_nft) for more NFT content throughout the year. WAGMI!
