Part 1: Simple Assets and the First Atomic Assets
For years, the WAX Blockchain has maintained its standing as the most used/transacted NFT hub in the world. It currently serves over 13 million wallets, sees upwards of 16 million transactions every single day and proudly hosts over 30,000 verified/whitelisted NFT collections.
As we finish 2022 and look forward to exciting things for WAX in 2023, we’re going to take a walk down memory lane via a threefour-part series of WAX history.
Looking where we’ve been can help set the stage for where we’re going. So, without further ado, let’s dive into how creators lit up WAX with the use of Simple Assets, and then, the very first bombshell collection brought to you through Atomic Assets.
Humble Beginnings
Our journey began in 2019 when WAX took a massive step and transitioned into an EOS-based chain. This decisive moment would be the springboard for everything that was to come, including our metamorphosis into being the number one blockchain for all things NFT, as shown by both daily transactions and volume.
Due to the lightning fast transactions speeds and extremely limited minting/transaction costs, WAX quickly grew to be the blockchain to beat for NFT collectors.
It all began with Topps Garbage Pail Kids Series 1, the first major collection to be put on WAX utilizing the Simple Assets protocol. The power of the WAX Blockchain allowed Topps to package the NFTs, dazzle audiences with pack-opening animations and randomizing what collectors received. These new mechanisms introduced the WAX ecosystem to a whole new ball game.
From here, it didn’t take long for other creators to get in on the fun. Even celebrities such as William Shatner couldn’t resist the magical allure of NFT collecting and began selling their own NFT collectibles.
Even though it was a smaller release than the previously sold-out Topps series, enthusiasts still flocked to get theirs.
And then a major pivot took place. In summer of 2020, Blockchain Heroes made their initial splash on WAX, but instead of minting NFTs using the Simple Assets protocol, Joel Comm and Travis Wright (of The Bad Crypto Podcast) brought the collection to Atomic Assets, an improved, more flexible and more robust way to bring NFTs to the masses.
When the pair discovered AtomicHub.io, they launched their original collectible set of 50 heroes in multiple variations and the symbiotic relationship between creator and marketplace helped put both on the map.
In approximately 20 minutes, Blockchain Heroes sold 12,000 packs of cards, making it a raging success as the first major collection launched through Atomic Assets and AtomicHub.
It didn’t take long for other collections such as Kogs, Mutant Warriors and Uplift Art to bring their unique NFTs to AtomicHub. Today, it has become standard practice to mint, buy, trade and sell through Atomic Hub when surfing the WAX Blockchain.
Stay tuned in following weeks for more WAX history and an exciting announcement. What are your thoughts? Join the discussion on Discord and let us know!
