Cardano NFTs #069: Hosky
Written interviews with NFT projects on the Cardano blockchain.
Today’s guest on the Cardano NFT column needs no introduction, but for those living under a rock, we had the pleasure to engage with our beloved doggo meme token: Hosky.
The previous guest was a project that seamlessly combines GameFi elements with its innovative “move to earn” model.
This column is where I invite NFT projects to share their stories and vision as a way to connect with and learn about the Cardano Community.
Hey, glad to have you here. I know you value your anonymity, but is there anything you can share about yourself?
I’ll share some of my hobbies. I have many interests I’d love to do a bit more of, but time is a scarce resource between my full-time job and managing HOSKY. I particularly enjoy collecting — cards, miniatures, and other collectibles have always caught my interest.
I’ve been into card games since middle school, which I think paved the way for my interest in NFTs since they share many similar traits. Even now, I still have a lot of my original Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Pokémon cards.
They’re treasures from my youth that I’ve carried into my current adult life. Additionally, I’m a huge Star Wars fan, so any spare time might go to enjoying that universe.
I also love painting miniatures, which is a relaxing and creative way to unwind. These hobbies provide a much-needed balance amidst my busy schedule.
How did the idea of Hosky come about? What is your objective with this endeavour?
Honestly, it all started as a joke. The initial idea was to explore, “What would a meme token say if it were being brutally honest?” That’s how HOSKY was born.
It was a different era in the Cardano ecosystem back then; no meme tokens had been accepted by our community, which is heavily focused on peer review and research.
However, the upfront honesty played a huge role in HOSKY being widely accepted. To this day, it remains the most held Cardano native asset on the chain, with no other meme token even coming close. This acceptance speaks volumes about the unique space HOSKY has carved out in the community.
Besides the $HOSKY token, you also have a nearly-worthless NFT collection. What can you tell us about it, and when will its value crash to zero?
We indeed have a unique collection within the HOSKY ecosystem, comprising a massive total of 420,420 NFTs. This still holds as the record for the most NFTs minted under a single policy on the Cardano blockchain.
Remarkably, despite the sheer volume, these NFTs have managed to maintain a market value above their original mint price of 6.9 ADA.
The concept behind launching such a large collection was to diverge from the norm. At the time, the trend was to release collections capped at 10,000 NFTs. However, at HOSKY, conformity to the status quo isn’t our approach.
We aimed to break the mold and set a new precedent, thus the decision to issue almost half a million NFTs. Against widespread skepticism regarding the feasibility of selling out such a vast collection, it only took 11 months to achieve this milestone.
Following the sellout, our efforts and innovation were recognized when we won the NFT Award at the Cardano Summit in 2022, and we secured the award again in 2023.
The driving philosophy behind our collection was to lower the barriers to entry for NFT ownership.
The NFT market can often be exclusive and cost-prohibitive, with many communities setting entry prices in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Such prices are unattainable for most people around the globe.
By setting a modest mint price and issuing a high volume of NFTs, we aimed to democratize access to the digital collectibles market. Our goal was to create an inclusive environment where more individuals could participate and own a piece of digital art without breaking the bank.
We wanted to challenge the norms and provide an alternative that was both accessible and engaging, thereby contributing to a more inclusive NFT landscape.
What are the HOSKY Token Rug Pools and how does that help decentralization? Can anyone become one?
The HOSKY Token Rug Pools are a unique initiative aimed at decentralizing Cardano by empowering small stake pool operators (SPOs).
These pools are designed to support and uplift smaller SPOs by providing them with additional delegation. By staking ADA to these rug pools, token holders contribute to the decentralization of Cardano’s network, ensuring that no single entity holds disproportionate control.
Additionally, anyone can become a part of these rug pools by staking their ADA. Since their inception, we’ve successfully brought over 180 million ADA into these pools, further enhancing the decentralization and resilience of the Cardano ecosystem.
Great contribution. Any final thoughts? Where can people stay in touch?
Thank you for the opportunity to share about HOSKY. As a final thought, I’d like to encourage everyone to stake their ADA with single stake pool operators. It’s a great way to help decentralize Cardano and make our network more resilient.
If you need to get in touch or follow our updates, the best way to contact us is through our Twitter handle @hoskytoken. We’re active there and always ready to engage with our community.
Disclaimer: The opinions and views of the people interviewed are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Cardano Foundation or IOG. Moreover, this content is for educational purposes, it doesn’t constitute financial advice.
