AP Launches Polygon-Based NFT Graphics Platform

AP (AP) announced a Non-Fungible Commercial Token (NFT) where authors can purchase tokenized images on a global media platform.

The first NFT broadcasts will feature footage from AP photographers on topics such as location, weather, and war. According to the marketplace's website, NFTs will be available at various prices over the next several weeks starting January 31.

This image was printed from the NFT of the Ethereum Polygon Layer 2 Scaling Network. The platform supports Ethereum intermediary exchanges and payments using a debit or credit card.

The store is being developed by Xooa, a blockchain infrastructure platform that specializes in "building a free tagged NFT store for brands and IP owners."

Xooa's chief marketing officer, Zach Danker-Feldman, said the collaboration would be "a seamless connection between the virtual and real worlds."

Crypto wallet provider Metamask is also sponsored and will join Fortmatic, Binance, and Coinbase in the future. Other future features include “Outsourcing” for NFT Holders, “Community Outreach Capabilities”, “New Content” and “Benefits of Connections”.

Every two weeks there is a "Pulitzer Drop" with Pulitzer Prize winning photos. Each NFT contains detailed image information, such as time, date, location, equipment, and technology settings.

Proceeds from the sale of NFT will be used to support media coverage of The Associated Press, according to the Associated Press. The Associated Press is a 175-year-old nonprofit news organization headquartered in New York City. The platform allows a second sale but charges up to 10%.

It is not the first media organization in blockchain technology. In October 2021, The Associated Press partnered with Chainlink Labs to ensure all information on U.S. newsletters and members of the media was verified.

The news agency announced the results of the 2020 election using the Ethereum and EOS blockchains. Also in 2018, the company partnered with blockchain-based media startup Civil to support initiatives to track content usage and protect intellectual property.

The news agency is not the only media organization proud of the potential use of blockchain in the media industry. In June 2021, CNN announced the NFT project "Vault by CNN: A Time to Change Us". The series symbolizes the "news period" in the 41-year history of the media company.