Nike sells RTFKT "suspected to be acquired by a top brand," with its NFT project Clone X surging 340%

Nike Rumors of Selling RTFKT, Clone X Floor Price Surges 340% in One Week, Market Speculates Buyers May Come from Luxury Brands or Well-Known Web3 Teams.
(Background Recap: NIKE Ceased RTFKT, Was Sued! Class Action Alleging NFTs as Unregistered Securities, Fraud Claims Exceeding $5 Million)
(Additional Context: Sneaker Unboxing in Crypto Circle: RTFKT x Nike Dunk Genesis Loaded with Cyberpunk Style, Detachable Accessories… User Reactions Revealed)

After the news of Nike’s announcement to sell RTFKT on the 8th, the long-term bearish Clone X series saw its floor price jump 340% in the first week of January 2026, rebounding from below 0.1 ETH to about 0.44 ETH, hitting a new high since April 2024, with trading volume also increasing.

This becomes a rare event where, after NFT prices continually retraced, brand-driven re-pricing and capital concentration focus on the “next buyer.”

On-Chain Price and Liquidity Data

According to on-chain data, Clone X’s average daily trading volume in the first week of January soared to several times the usual, indicating large-scale turnover among holders and new buyers. Signs of smart money entering are evident, and during the same period, the floor price remained high, suggesting market funds are willing to pay premiums for potential acquisitions. Currently, Clone X’s floor price is 0.377 ETH.

Background of RTFKT’s Rise and Multiple Sales

RTFKT gained fame in 2021 with digital sneakers, and its Clone X series, launched the same year in collaboration with artist Takashi Murakami, set sales records.

After being acquired by Nike in 2022, community reactions slowed development pace, and discussions gradually shifted to physical sneaker sales.

Before the new owner was publicly announced, various rumors fueled the hype.

A January report from The Defiant stated that Yuga Labs and Improbable CEO Herman Narula denied involvement in the acquisition.

Currently, the market mainly focuses on two paths: one is LVMH entering the digital luxury space. With a long history of collaboration between Murakami and Louis Vuitton, if LVMH steps in, Clone X could shift from “outdated” to “high-end.”

The second is the Pudgy Penguins team. CEO Luca Netz has recently revitalized assets through community-driven methods multiple times, and he has been interacting frequently with RTFKT founders.

Neither party has issued an official statement; most information sources are speculative.