Meta to Start Testing Digital Collectibles on Instagram

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, will start testing digital collectibles on a small number of users on its Instagram platform, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

A small group of creators and collectors in the US on Instagram will be able to use NFTs as profile pictures in a move similar to what Twitter has done in recent months. The test group will be able to post NFTs at no cost by linking their third-party digital wallets in-app. Each NFT will get a special “shimmer” around the photo attributing the piece to both creator and owner.

Ethereum and Polygon Provide Initial Blockchain Support

Ethereum and Polygon are blockchains that will be supported, with Flow and Solana launching soon. Rainbow, MetaMask and Trust Wallet, along with Coinbase, Dapper and Phantom, will be compatible with the platform.

Zuckerberg commented: “Meta plans to bring NFTs to apps in our family. This week, we’re starting to test digital collectibles on Instagram so creators and collectors can display their NFTs on their profile. Similar functionality is coming to Facebook soon, along with augmented reality NFTs on Instagram Stories via Spark AR [a free studio that allows businesses and private users to create their own filters] so you can place digital art into physical spaces.”

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, tweeted in agreement:

The news comes after speculation that Meta will support NFTs from Ethereum, Solana and Polygon, and confirms the rumour raised last year that the social media giant would support NFTs via the Novi digital wallet.