The Miss Universe Thailand 2021 pageant has partnered with Bangkok-based crypto exchange Bitkub to feature non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as part of the competition, Bitkub announced. Bitkub claims the event will mark the first NFT beauty pageant.

Fast facts

  • Bitkub will mint NFT collectible cards of the pageant contestants. The company also will provide participants with access to educational materials on cryptocurrency and blockchain through Bitkub Academy, its educational content arm. Additionally, the winner will receive digital assets as part of the prize payout and will be featured as a limited-edition NFT in “Morning Moon Village,” a play-to-earn game on Bitkub Chain.
  • The Miss Universe Thailand pageant, which is scheduled to be held next month, has been organized annually since 2000 to select Thailand’s representative to the Miss Universe pageant. This year’s winner will go on to represent Thailand at the Miss Universe pageant 2021 to be held at Eilat, Israel. The winner will be crowned by her predecessor and Miss Universe Thailand 2020 winner Amanda Obdam, who will also be co-hosting the initial rounds of the competition.
  • Topp Jirayut Srupsrisopa, founder and group CEO of Bitkub Capital Group Holdings, said he was attracted to Thailand’s Miss Universe pageant because of its concept of “Power of Passion.” “It coincides with our strong belief that passion can be a powerful driving force that changes one’s life, as well as the world, for the better, much like how Bitkub Group believes blockchain technology will revolutionize the world,” he said.