Bitwise’s latest Ethereum ad can be minted as an NFT

Digital asset manager Bitwise released its first spot Ether ETHUSD exchange-traded fund commercial on Thursday, allowing non-fungible token (NFT) enthusiasts to mint the 39-second clip on Ethereum.

“Capture a piece of crypto history: the 1st national TV spot minted as an NFT,” Bitwise claimed in a June 20 X post.

Bitwise themed the ad on Ethereum, operating 24/7 while “big finance” sleeps, seemingly taking inspiration from an Apple ad comparing Mac computer devices to PCs in the early 2000s.

The Bitwise ad consists of a dialogue between a casually dressed, younger man representing Ethereum and an older man in a nightgown with business attire underneath (representing “Big inance”) who is hopping into bed at the close of trading hours.

“You’d want a little shut-eye too if you’ve been moving billions around the world," says Big Finance rather proudly. 

“Well, actually, I do.” the Ethereum man replies. "Stablecoins, NFTs, loans, people can access me 24/7 [...], but look, everyone's different. You should get some rest,” he says as he tucks "Big Finance" into bed. 

Bitwise described the ad as a "piece of history."

1,198 mints of the 39-second clip have been made so far from 530 unique minters, according to the Zora Network, an Ethereum layer-2 solution focused on artists and brands.

According to Bitwise, 50% of the NFT proceeds will go to Protocol Guild, a collective funding mechanism created by Ethereum core contributors.

The remaining 50% will go to the ad’s two actors, Jamie Kaler and Michael Tacconi.

Protocol Guild, Kaler and Tacconi have earned a combined $1,865 or 0.53 Ether from the NFT mint so far.