When NFTs surged in popularity during late 2021, one collection emerged as a standout—experiencing both meteoric highs and dramatic lows. Through unwavering dedication, this project has evolved into a thriving entertainment brand.
That collection is Cool Cats.
In just three years, Cool Cats transitioned from an obscure cartoon character to a leading multimedia brand, spanning animations, manga, physical collectibles, and beyond. But how did they achieve this growth?
This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about Cool Cats.
What Is Cool Cats?
Cool Cats is a collection of 9,999 cartoon-style NFT avatars hosted on Ethereum. Each avatar showcases the signature Blue Cat character, uniquely customized with traits such as clothing, hairstyles, and accessories.
The project was developed by a core team of four:
- Colin Egan (Clon) – Lead artist and creator of Blue Cat.
- Evan Luza (Elu) – Creative director.
- Tom Williamson (xtremetom) – Blockchain and technical lead.
- Rob Mehew (Lynqoid) – Project manager.
Tom and Rob exited the project in April 2023, while Clon and Elu remain pivotal to Cool Cats' ongoing success.
The Blue Cat character originated from Clon’s high school sketches, with its design refined over a decade before debuting as an NFT.
The History of Cool Cats
Cool Cats launched on July 1, 2021, with an initial mint price of 0.06 ETH (~$150 USD)**. After slow initial sales, the team reduced the price to **0.02 ETH (~$50 USD), leading to a sell-out within just 8 hours.
Celebrity endorsements from figures like Mike Tyson, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Aoki amplified the project's visibility early on.
In early 2022, Cool Cats expanded with Cool Pets, a collection of 19,999 companion NFTs. These "eggs" could hatch into pets with elemental traits (Grass, Fire, Water, Air) via interactions on Cooltopia, an online platform.
The ecosystem also introduced $MILK**, a utility token earned through daily quests or NFT ownership. Both Cooltopia and $MILK were discontinued in July 2023**.
By March 2022, Cool Cats ranked among the top NFT projects, achieving:
- $290M+ in total sales.
- All-time high floor price: $92,000 USD.
Key Milestones:
- June 2022: Physical Cooltopia pop-up event in NYC.
- September 2022: Stephen Teglas (ex-Disney/Warner Bros) joined as CEO, rebranding the project for broader appeal.
- November 2023: Blue Cat featured in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (28.5M viewers).
- 2024: Debut of "The Milk Chug" animated series (produced by Titmouse).
- July 2024: Partnership with Kodansha (publisher of Attack on Titan) for a Blue Cat manga series.
Despite successes, challenges arose—most notably backlash over the Futureverse partnership and the cancellation of their flagship game in 2023.
What’s Next for Cool Cats?
Clon envisions Blue Cat as a household name, with Cool Cats focusing on mainstream expansion.
Upcoming Developments:
- Cooltopia 2.0: New interactive experiences.
- Physical merchandise: Expanded collectibles.
- Animations: Potential sequels to The Milk Chug.
- Live events: More pop-ups and fan gatherings.
👉 Discover how NFTs like Cool Cats are shaping digital art
FAQs
1. How do I buy a Cool Cats NFT?
Cool Cats are available on OpenSea and other Ethereum NFT marketplaces.
2. What is Cool Cats’ floor price?
Check real-time pricing on NFT market trackers like Rarity Tools.
3. Is Cool Pets still active?
No, Cool Pets and $MILK were sunset in July 2023.
4. Will Cool Cats release new animations?
If The Milk Chug performs well, more animated content is likely.
👉 Learn about top NFT collections transforming entertainment
Final Thoughts
Cool Cats has transcended its NFT origins to become a multimedia powerhouse. With manga, animations, and global brand partnerships, its influence continues rising—proving web3’s potential in mainstream culture.
Clon’s vision, paired with a passionate community, positions Blue Cat for enduring success beyond the NFT space.