{"id":"zora","title":"Zora","content":"**Zora** is an onchain social network built on the [Ethereum blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) and its Layer 2 scaling solutions, primarily [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base). It has evolved from an [NFT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) marketplace into a social-financial platform where creators can tokenize their content as tradable \"coins.\" The platform's interface is a social feed where users can discover, trade, and interact with content, reflecting its slogan, \"Trade what's trending.\" This model aims to create a more direct and equitable system for creators and collectors to earn from online activity through [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency).[\\[2\\]](#cite-id-tnxfuxsdmpb)[\\[17\\]](#cite-id-WKZD9x3ZSqchqHnO)\n\n![Snimok-ekrana-2021-06-09-030618png.png](https://ipfs.everipedia.org/ipfs/QmexAQZXTjNxvomgf9d2T5h68AiafMgrywZACZcyyc9cz1)\n\n*Doge NFT auction*\n\nIn a notable historical event, Zora hosted the June 2021 NFT auction where [Doge](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dogecoin), the iconic meme of a [Shiba Inu](https://iq.wiki/wiki/shiba-inu), was sold as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT).[\\[3\\]](#cite-id-0q4mxj1kts3)\n\n## Overview\n\nZora's model is centered on its identity as an onchain social network where content is financialized. Creators can tokenize their posts—primarily visual media—into tradable assets called \"coins\" on the [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base) blockchain. This mechanism is reflected in the platform's slogan, \"Trade what's trending.\"[\\[2\\]](#cite-id-tnxfuxsdmpb)\n\nThe main interface at zora.com is a social feed that integrates discovery, social interaction, and trading. Users can buy, sell, and trade tokenized content directly from their feed, with real-time pricing, price history charts, and on-chain ownership data publicly displayed for each post. The platform supports standard social features such as commenting and following, creating a transparent, on-chain social graph. This model aims to transform content creation and social posting into a direct source of revenue for users, allowing value to accrue to creators and collectors.[\\[2\\]](#cite-id-tnxfuxsdmpb)\n\nThere are no fees associated with creating, selling, or buying works on Zora. The only cost required to post a creator's media is the [gas fee](https://iq.wiki/wiki/gas) at the time of posting on the respective blockchain, such as [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) or Base.[\\[4\\]](#cite-id-qx0vn5tryj)\n\nWhile it previously focused on being a universal media registry protocol for NFTs, its mission has shifted towards building a decentralized social layer where creators have more control and ownership over their work and community. The platform is committed to open, interoperable systems built on [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) and its L2s, which it considers the most \"value-aligned, secure and scalable foundation.\"[\\[17\\]](#cite-id-WKZD9x3ZSqchqHnO)\n\n## Community Rewards\n\nZora gives creators, artists, and brands the power to launch their own community tokens, a model that has evolved into the platform's current \"creator coin\" system. As a fan and holder of a community token, one can gain exclusive access to community chat groups, forums, content, and restricted features on platforms that the creator uses, for example, community-only drops on Zora.[\\[6\\]](#cite-id-d5gtnwn1dc)\n\n#### Retroactive Community Distribution\n\nHistorically, a community token launch by Zora started with a retroactive community distribution. This is the act of retroactively rewarding proven and existing community members: this could be Patreon or Twitch subscribers, store customers, followers on Instagram or YouTube - any platform where creators interact with their community.\n\nFor example, if one bought some merch on RAC's online store before the launch of their token, one would have received some $RAC as a reward for that purchase. [\\[16\\]](#cite-id-ccc8nDJIig)\n\n#### Ongoing Rewards\n\nThere are also ways to earn community tokens after the initial community distribution. The main way to reward current and future fans is to redeem items that a creator has dropped on Zora. A creator can set a reward per item redeemed.[\\[6\\]](#cite-id-d5gtnwn1dc)\n\n## Drops\n\nThis section highlights early projects that were foundational to Zora's development.\n\n### $FAME: The First Zora Drop\n\nThe Zora team created an internet-owned fashion house called Saint Fame, which created a token called $FAME.\n\nLike Unisocks, it was redeemable for a real-world item, in this case, a shirt. Unlike Unisocks, they decided to push this one step further: the team launched it before they even knew what the design was going to be. All that everyone knew beforehand was that it was going to be a shirt design by Dapp Boi. In December 2019, people started buying into the idea of the shirt.[\\[1\\]](#cite-id-kvc853pz3lm)[\\[2\\]](#cite-id-tnxfuxsdmpb)\n\nThe starting price was $8, rewarding early adopters. Every FAME sold increases the cost of the next, but they can be sold back into the pool at any time. The 99th shirt, if it sold, would be worth $170,000. The final one can never be bought.[\\[1\\]](#cite-id-kvc853pz3lm)\n\n$FAME traded near $20,000 in volume before the design even dropped. As of June 9, 2021, the price was sitting at $2460, with only 13 out of 100 shirts remaining.[\\[2\\]](#cite-id-tnxfuxsdmpb)\n\n### DJ RAC NFTs\n\nIn 2020, the Zora team announced that the first creator on Zora is Grammy Award-winning artist André Allen Anjos, known as RAC.[\\[7\\]](#cite-id-zkpntsq2bfq)\n\nRAC released a personal token on Zora. The $TAPE token represents 100 limited-edition cassette tapes featuring RAC’s latest album, BOY, and is sold on a bonding curve with a starting price of $28 per token. Tokens can be redeemed for a physical copy of the tapes.[\\[8\\]](#cite-id-8cb70h81qze)[\\[2\\]](#cite-id-tnxfuxsdmpb)[\\[10\\]](#cite-id-fj3bb7hytl) As of June 9, 2021, the last traded price of the TAPE token was over $2,794.[\\[10\\]](#cite-id-fj3bb7hytl)\n\nIn addition, in October 2020, RAC launched $RAC - a community token by Zora. $RAC is a token built on [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) that he decided to give to fans who support the RAC project. In total, more than 500,000 RAC were distributed among the musician's supporters.[\\[11\\]](#cite-id-dpvdsz4bv38)\n\n### AES-256\n\nOn July 30, 2020, the Zora team announced that AES-256, a New York-based fashion label, was launching DRP-LTD-001, three limited-edition physical garments. Each garment features refined form, fit, and fabrication. The [drop](https://iq.wiki/wiki/drop) includes $AESI (Black Logo T-Shirt), $AESII (Technical Cargo Pants), and $AESIII (Grey Stone Hoodie).[\\[12\\]](#cite-id-2yxkt6m6ea7)\n\n### Nathan Head\n\nIn August 2020, Nathan Head, a visual artist, photographer, and colorist, dropped his single most requested artwork, \"Hanging Gardens\" as a limited-edition print exclusively on Zora. The artist said:\n\n> I am really excited to be dropping this limited edition piece with Zora. It’s awesome being able to release this print in a meaningful way and try something new and innovative. Being able to give fans of my artwork the opportunity to invest in my art and own a limited edition piece is something I am super excited for.\"\n\n### Doge NFT Auction\n\nIn June 2021, Zora became the host of the NFT auction where Doge, the iconic meme of an excited-looking Shiba Inu, was sold as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT). The auction was curated and certified by Know Your Meme, the internet meme database.\n\nThe portion of the proceeds from the sale of Doge went towards the following charity organizations: Plan, [Terra](https://iq.wiki/wiki/terra) Renaissance, Florence, Japanese Red Cross, World Food Programme, Ashinaga, and Japan Heart.[\\[14\\]](#cite-id-1fbyph9eu69)[\\[15\\]](#cite-id-3dwi9mnp2nq) The auction for the original 1/1 NFT opened on June 8, 2021, and received a bid of 7 ETH ($17,618) during its run.[\\[13\\]](#cite-id-ikgm8i2tfn)\n\nThis photo of the Shiba Inu \"Kabosu\" was taken by her owner Atsuko Sato on February 13th, 2010. After sharing it to her personal blog alongside the series of other famous images under the title \"Taking a walk with Kabosu-chan,\" these photos went on to kickstart the Doge meme and have circulated the web ever since.\n\n## Funding\n\nIn October 2020, Zora raised $2 million in a seed funding round led by venture capital fund Kindred Ventures. According to the report, additional investors include Yung Skeeter (Trevor McFedries) from startup Brud, [Alice Lloyd George](https://iq.wiki/wiki/alice-lloyd-george), Jeff Staple, and [Coinbase](https://iq.wiki/wiki/coinbase) Ventures.\n\nIn March 2021, Zora received an investment from [Paradigm](https://iq.wiki/wiki/paradigm). [Fred Ehrsam](https://iq.wiki/wiki/fred-ehrsam), the co-founder of the crypto VC firm, announced the news on his Twitter. In a blog post, Ehrsam effectively positioned [Paradigm](https://iq.wiki/wiki/paradigm)'s stake as a bet on the future of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). He went on to contend:\n\n> \"Just as much of the best online media could hardly have been imagined in the early days of the internet (who would have thought watching other people playing video games would be such a big business?), the same will be true of NFTs, both as a form factor and as a foundation for new types of applications. Crypto is rapidly creating the infrastructure for the metaverse. Zora is a key piece of that infrastructure, enabling experiences and worlds that seem unimaginable today.\"\n\n## Developments\n\nIn June 2025, Zora introduced a new token system for social content, laying the groundwork for its current creator coin model. The $ZORA token is the platform's official native token, used for all reward payouts to creators.[\\[16\\]](#cite-id-ccc8nDJIig) The creator coin model has demonstrated significant market volatility. For example, a coin launched on [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base) using Zora's tools, `$thenickshirley` by political journalist Nick Shirley, saw its market capitalization peak at $16 million before declining to $470,000 by mid-February 2026, highlighting the speculative risks of this emerging market.[\\[18\\]](#cite-id-OticsxOoAupjLDlC)\n\nOn April 25, 2025, Zora integrated [Chainlink](https://iq.wiki/wiki/chainlink)'s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP). The integration provides Zora with a secure standard for interoperability, supporting its operations across multiple blockchains, including [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum), [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base), and [Optimism](https://iq.wiki/wiki/optimism).[\\[17\\]](#cite-id-WKZD9x3ZSqchqHnO)\n\n## Attention Markets\n\nOn February 17, 2026, Zora launched \"Attention Markets,\" a new token market built on the [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) blockchain. The platform is an experimental product designed to let users tokenize and speculate on real-world trends.[\\[18\\]](#cite-id-OticsxOoAupjLDlC)\n\n[Jesse Pollak](https://iq.wiki/wiki/jesse-pollak), the creator of the [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base) L2 network, described the launch as an experiment to \"grow the onchain pie,\" confirming that Zora's core creator tools on zora.co and the Zora app remain fully operational on the [Base](https://iq.wiki/wiki/base) network.[\\[18\\]](#cite-id-OticsxOoAupjLDlC)\n\nThe platform experienced a slow start. In its first half-hour, the flagship `$attentionmarkets` token reached a market capitalization of approximately $70,000 with a total platform trading volume of $170,000. Zora's launch of Attention Markets was seen as a move to be first to market, as competitor Polymarket was reportedly developing a similar product.[\\[18\\]](#cite-id-OticsxOoAupjLDlC)","summary":"Zora is an onchain social network and NFT marketplace that has evolved to focus on a creator economy through tokenized content. 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By...\",\"timestamp\":1661161135381},{\"id\":\"qx0vn5tryj\",\"url\":\"https://help.zora.co/en/articles/4981037-does-zora-have-any-fees\",\"description\":\"Does ZORA have any fee?\",\"timestamp\":1661161197932},{\"id\":\"zke0muci5h\",\"url\":\"https://blog.ourzora.com/home/next-drop-aes-season-one\",\"description\":\"Next Drop: AES-256\",\"timestamp\":1661161272331},{\"id\":\"d5gtnwn1dc\",\"url\":\"https://blog.ourzora.com/home/community-rewards\",\"description\":\"Community Rewards\",\"timestamp\":1661161295643},{\"id\":\"zkpntsq2bfq\",\"url\":\"https://blog.ourzora.com/home/future-of-music-rac\",\"description\":\"The Future of Community Ownership\",\"timestamp\":1661161374533},{\"id\":\"8cb70h81qze\",\"url\":\"https://www.theblockcrypto.com/post/64760/ethereum-tokenized-cassette-dj-rac-zora-grammy\",\"description\":\"Tokenized cassette tape by Grammy winner DJ RAC\",\"timestamp\":1661161402115},{\"id\":\"reokfl6nkge\",\"url\":\"https://store.zora.co/rac/tape\",\"description\":\".\",\"timestamp\":1661161441258},{\"id\":\"fj3bb7hytl\",\"url\":\"https://store.zora.co/rac/tape\",\"description\":\"ZORA Store | Tape\",\"timestamp\":1661161474337},{\"id\":\"dpvdsz4bv38\",\"url\":\"https://blog.ourzora.com/home/introducing-rac\",\"description\":\"Introducing $RAC\",\"timestamp\":1661161599321},{\"id\":\"2yxkt6m6ea7\",\"url\":\"https://blog.ourzora.com/home/next-drop-aes-season-one\",\"description\":\"Next Drop: AES-256\",\"timestamp\":1661161621552},{\"id\":\"ikgm8i2tfn\",\"url\":\"https://twitter.com/ourZORA/status/1402349590335139841\",\"description\":\"ZORA Tweet\",\"timestamp\":1661161708151},{\"id\":\"1fbyph9eu69\",\"url\":\"https://news.yahoo.com/iconic-doge-meme-auctioned-nft-182618984.html\",\"description\":\"Iconic 'Doge' meme to be auctioned as NFT\",\"timestamp\":1661161731504},{\"id\":\"3dwi9mnp2nq\",\"url\":\"https://very.auction/\",\"description\":\"Doge Auction NFT\",\"timestamp\":1661161757207},{\"id\":\"ccc8nDJIig\",\"url\":\"https://zora.co/about\",\"description\":\"Zora About Page\",\"timestamp\":1756114452126},{\"id\":\"WKZD9x3ZSqchqHnO\",\"url\":\"https://www.chainlinkecosystem.com/ecosystem/zora\",\"description\":\"Zora on Chainlink Ecosystem\",\"timestamp\":1771386801746},{\"id\":\"OticsxOoAupjLDlC\",\"url\":\"https://thedefiant.io/news/defi/zora-launches-attention-markets-on-solana\",\"description\":\"Zora Launches ‘Attention Markets’ on Solana\",\"timestamp\":1771386801746}]"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"\"https://ipfs.everipedia.org/ipfs/QmPkLDWxredEL2RXeLADucYY8booCSiEoNrNhsB2HBP1Jc\""},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"Removed outdated introduction and Doge auction 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It operates on Ethereum, Base, and has expanded to other blockchains.\",\"timestamp\":\"2026-02-18T04:05:45.231Z\",\"category\":\"NFTs\",\"status\":{\"icon\":\"RiGlobalLine\",\"label\":\"Wiki Updated\",\"iconClassName\":\"text-green-500\"},\"user\":{\"name\":\"0x7da121Af2c3Fc2e65eDCD3573a403C352B4538Aa\",\"address\":\"0x1E23b34d3106F0C1c74D17f2Cd0F65cdb039b138\"},\"button\":{\"label\":\"View Summary\",\"icon\":\"RiFileTextLine\"},\"summarySections\":[{\"title\":\"Summary\",\"subtitle\":\"The summary was updated to reflect Zora's evolution into an onchain social network and its expansion to other blockchains.\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":1,\"changes\":[\"Updated the summary to describe Zora as an onchain social network and NFT marketplace focused on a creator economy through tokenized content, operating on Ethereum, Base, and other blockchains.\"]},{\"title\":\"Categories\",\"subtitle\":\"New categories were added to better classify the wiki.\",\"variant\":\"added\",\"changeCount\":4,\"changes\":[\"Added category 'Blockchains'\",\"Added category 'Ethereum'\",\"Added category 'Solana'\",\"Added category 'Protocols'\"]},{\"title\":\"References\",\"subtitle\":\"The list of references was updated, with new sources added and outdated ones removed.\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":5,\"changes\":[\"Removed reference with ID 'jz34jKh6US'.\",\"Removed reference with ID 'okOvLcPGgt'.\",\"Removed reference with ID 'cH8dJrIh6G'.\",\"Added reference: 'Zora on Chainlink Ecosystem' (ID: WKZD9x3ZSqchqHnO).\",\"Added reference: 'Zora Launches ‘Attention Markets’ on Solana' (ID: OticsxOoAupjLDlC).\"]},{\"title\":\"Introduction\",\"subtitle\":\"The introduction was rewritten to detail Zora's evolution into a social-financial platform on Base and other L2s.\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":2,\"changes\":[\"Rewrote the introduction to describe Zora as an onchain social network on Ethereum and its L2s like Base, with a social-financial model for tokenizing content into tradable \\\"coins\\\".[[2]](#cite-id-tnxfuxsdmpb)[[17]](#cite-id-WKZD9x3ZSqchqHnO)\",\"Updated the description of the Doge NFT auction, framing it as a notable historical event.[[3]](#cite-id-0q4mxj1kts3)\"]},{\"title\":\"Overview\",\"subtitle\":\"This section was updated to reflect Zora's current model as a financialized social network on Base.\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":3,\"changes\":[\"Rewrote the section to describe Zora's model as a financialized onchain social network where creators tokenize posts into tradable assets on the Base blockchain.[[2]](#cite-id-tnxfuxsdmpb)\",\"Removed an image and its caption about the Zora Marketplace Layout.\",\"Updated the platform's mission to emphasize building a decentralized social layer on Ethereum and its L2s.[[17]](#cite-id-WKZD9x3ZSqchqHnO)\"]},{\"title\":\"Community Rewards\",\"subtitle\":\"Minor updates were made to reflect the evolution of Zora's reward systems.\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":2,\"changes\":[\"Updated the text to state that the community token model has evolved into the current \\\"creator coin\\\" system.[[6]](#cite-id-d5gtnwn1dc)\",\"Reworded the 'Retroactive Community Distribution' subsection to frame it as a historical practice.[[16]](#cite-id-ccc8nDJIig)\"]},{\"title\":\"Drops\",\"subtitle\":\"An introductory note was added, and the language was updated to past tense.\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":2,\"changes\":[\"Added an introductory sentence describing the section as a highlight of foundational projects.\",\"Updated verbiage in the '$FAME', 'DJ RAC NFTs', and 'Doge NFT Auction' subsections to past tense to reflect that these events have concluded.[[1]](#cite-id-kvc853pz3lm)[[2]](#cite-id-tnxfuxsdmpb)[[13]](#cite-id-ikgm8i2tfn)\"]},{\"title\":\"Developments\",\"subtitle\":\"The section was completely rewritten with new information about 2025 developments and Chainlink integration.\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":2,\"changes\":[\"Replaced information about the 2024 token launch with content about a new token system introduced in June 2025 and the volatility of its creator coin model.[[16]](#cite-id-ccc8nDJIig)[[18]](#cite-id-OticsxOoAupjLDlC)\",\"Added details about the April 2025 integration of Chainlink's CCIP for interoperability across Ethereum, Base, and Optimism.[[17]](#cite-id-WKZD9x3ZSqchqHnO)\"]},{\"title\":\"Attention Markets\",\"subtitle\":\"A new section was added describing the launch of 'Attention Markets' on the Solana blockchain.\",\"variant\":\"added\",\"changeCount\":1,\"changes\":[\"Added a new section, 'Attention Markets,' detailing the experimental product launched on Solana in February 2026 to tokenize and speculate on real-world trends.[[18]](#cite-id-OticsxOoAupjLDlC)\"]}]}]}"}