ASICS has taken a step forward in its commitment to ‘get the Web3 community moving’ with the launch of the new ASICS x Solana UI Collection.
Web3 is sometimes referred to as the ‘decentralized internet’ and is based on blockchain technology.
Featuring custom-made GT-2000 11 running shoes, ASICS x Solana UI Collection customers will automatically receive a loyalty ASICS Badge NFT (non-fungible token) on making a purchase, with a chance to receive an airdrop of a limited number of ASICS x STEPN GT-2000 NFTs.
The shoes are exclusively available to purchase with the USDC digital dollar currency via Solana Pay and available for pre-order for a limited five-day period from November 4-8, 2022.
ASICS adds that it is aiming to merge physical and digital commerce together to provide a seamless end-to-end customer experience. Its ASICS x Solana UI Collection is claimed to be the first ever globally distributed physical product available to order using USDC on Solana Pay. (USDC is a ‘stablecoin’ on the Solana blockchain that is pegged to the US Dollar).
The GT-2000 11 performance running shoe is available in two custom designs: ‘light mode’ and ‘dark mode’. ASICS adds that… ‘The understated Solana-inspired design comes from the user interfaces (UI) on computer and phone screens to symbolize a healthy balance between screen time and physical activity.’
Automatically with their purchase, customers receive ASICS Badge NFTs, which will unlock access to future ‘tokengated ASICS rewards and experiences’.
For example… ‘ASICS Badge holders have an opportunity to receive a tokengated airdrop of ASICS x STEPN NFT sneakers, which can be used to play the powerhouse Move and Earn app that brings people to a healthier lifestyle by rewarding them with tokens for being active.’
The company adds that the limited pre-order window reduces inventory and increases overall efficiencies in the production process. In other words, ASICS won’t make or ship more products than are purchased.
Joe Pace, Director of Web3 and Digital Goods at ASICS said “The launch of the ASICS x Solana UI Collection is a major step forward for ASICS Web3 commerce.
“We’re proud to leverage Solana Pay and partner with STEPN to help us scale our mission to inspire the global Web3 community to create healthy habits with our products. Building on learnings and successes from our Sunrise Red and Genesis STEPN collections, we’re excited to continue delivering world-class Web3 experiences.”
Josh Fried, Head of Payments Business Development at Solana Labs, said “As a first mover in this space, ASICS is leading the industry by showing how customers and brands can come together around tokengated experiences that provide ongoing e-benefits to both sides.
“Furthermore, by using USDC payments on Solana Pay, ASICS is breaking down geographic barriers to facilitate transactions around the world and showing just how much more can be done with Web3 commerce.”
The shoes can be purchased for $200 USDC and are available for pre-order globally until November 9 at 06:59UTC.
