While SuperRare and KnownOrigin were the pioneering curated platforms, Rarible emerged as a more open marketplace that democratized NFT creation. I saw this as an opportunity to reach new collectors and experiment with different types of releases.
Why Rarible?
Rarible's open minting model meant anyone could create and sell NFTs without waiting for platform approval. This aligned perfectly with the ethos of Bitcoin—permissionless, open to all, no gatekeepers. I used Rarible to release work that might not fit the "curated gallery" model of other platforms.
Things That Give the Dollar Value
One of my most provocative pieces on Rarible was "Things That Give the Dollar Value"—a visual exploration of what actually backs the US dollar in the modern era. Spoiler: it's not gold, and it hasn't been since 1971.
The piece examines the uncomfortable truth that fiat currency is backed by debt, military power, and collective belief—not tangible assets. It's a meditation on the nature of money itself and why Bitcoin represents such a fundamental shift in how we think about value.
Reaching New Audiences
Rarible attracted a different collector base than SuperRare or KnownOrigin. Many were newer to the NFT space, discovering crypto art for the first time. This gave me the opportunity to be someone's first introduction to Bitcoin-themed art.
The platform's royalty system also meant that secondary sales continued to support my work—a model that aligned with the idea of building sustainable creative practices in the digital age.
The Open Marketplace Model
Rarible represented a different philosophy than curated platforms. While curation has its place, there's something powerful about permissionless creation. Not every piece needs to pass through a gatekeeper. Sometimes the market itself is the best curator.
This doesn't mean quality doesn't matter—it means that quality finds its audience organically. The pieces that resonated most deeply were the ones that collectors discovered and championed themselves.
"In a permissionless system, value emerges from genuine connection between artist and collector—not from institutional approval."
Explore my Rarible collection: rarible.com/luchopoletti
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