Micah Johnson Debut's Aku World For Miami Art Week As Digital NFT Astronaut Enters Physical World In Partnership With FTX US

Aku, the digital explorer and crypto-native NFT IP created by artist and former MLB player Micah Johnson, will come to life for the first time since its inception with Aku World: Miami presented by FTX US from December 2-4, 2021 in the vibrant Wynwood Arts District. Aku World: Miami will be Aku's first introduction to the physical world, bringing friends and collaborators across art, music, fashion and technology together in one space. The visually-stunning, multilayered event will showcase the otherworldly dimension of Aku and allow guests to step out of reality and into the metaverse through carefully curated exhibits that blur the lines between NFT technology and IRL experiences.

“Aku World is a world built around dreams. It was imperative to incorporate talented artists and designers who have achieved their dreams into the world and it’s our mission to inspire everyone who walks through the door,” said Micah Johnson, creator of Aku. Through a partnership with leading cryptocurrency exchange FTX US, attendees will be able to sign up for their own crypto wallet, collect NFTs throughout the space via hidden QR codes, and purchase digital artworks by legendary 3D artist, Raf Grassetti, as well as unique Aku digital works. Top-tier ticket holders will have exclusive access to the Minting Room presented by FTX US, where they can create their own 4D-scanned avatar that lives within the Aku universe and mint them into NFTs, which they can later trade, sell or display in their digital wallets.

Attendees can shop on-site via the Merch Room, which will host three days of exclusive merch collaborations with VIP guest collaborators Pusha-T, Jerome LaMaar and Aleali May, with each day dedicated to a single limited time, limited edition collection, available for pre-order at the event and online.

Aku’s Collection, curated by Art Angels, will tell more of Aku’s story through an art installation for guests to explore and interact with. A special curation of young Black artists including Jade Yasmeen, Asiko, Floyd Strickland, and Solomon Omogboye will be exhibited alongside two new original paintings by Micah Johnson, as well as three screen prints by Jean-Michel Basquiat. Guests will have the opportunity to view and purchase original artworks on-site.

Conceptualized by renowned creative and experiential studio MATTE Projects, the 30,000 square foot space will house a futuristic lifesize art installation of Aku’s Helmet, where guests can experience three otherworldly dimensions of Aku. The Blue Room will host exciting, informal panel conversations led by leaders in art, fashion, music and crypto, and The Patio will provide food and beverages for guests. Aku World: Miami will also host an invite-only VIP opening party on December 2nd with an intimate live musical performance by Kehlani.

Conceived by Micah Johnson in February 2021, Aku has since become the first NFT to be optioned for film and television projects and is the first NFT to travel to space. Aku is a conduit to empower the next generation of explorers and dreamers.

Aku World: Miami will be held at Wynwood Arts 29 (95 NW 29th St, Miami, FL 33127). The ticketed event will be open to the public on December 2-4 from 12pm-7pm daily. Tickets are on-sale now. Visit aku.world for more information.

Follow Aku on Instagram @aku.dreams, Twitter @AkuDreams and Discord.

Meet Aku:

• Digital explorer conceptualized by Micah Johnson in February 2021

• Created to empower the next generation of explorers and dreamers

• First NFT to be optioned for film and TV projects & to travel to space

Explore the Dimensions of Aku World:

• Aku’s Helmet: A futuristic lifesize installation of Aku’s Helmet will invite guests to experience and interact with multiple different worlds of Aku

• Curated Exhibitions: by young Black artists Jade Yasmeen, Asiko, Floyd Strickland, and Solomon Omogboye, alongside two original paintings by Micah Johnson, and screen prints by Jean-Michel Basquiat

• The Merch Room: will host exclusive merch collaborations with VIP guest collaborators Pusha-T, Jerome LaMaar, and Aleali May. Each day will be dedicated to a single limited time, limited edition collection, available for pre-order at the event and online

• The Blue Room: will host exciting, informal panel discussions with leaders in art, fashion, music & crypto; including: special sit downs between Micah Johnson and Aku's merch design collaborators Pusha-T, Aleali May and Jerome LaMaar

• The Minting Room: visitors can create their own 4D-scanned avatar that lives within the Aku universe and mint them into NFTs, which they can later trade, sell or display in their digital wallets

• Crypto Wallet: visitors can sign up for their own crypto wallet, collect NFTs and purchase digital artworks by legendary 3D artist, Raf Grassetti and unique Aku digital works

Event Information:  

WHAT: Aku World: Miami

WHO: Micah Johnson in collaboration with FTX US

WHEN: December 2-4, 2021 | 12PM-7PM

WHERE: Wynwood Arts 29, 95 NW 29th St, Miami, FL 33127

TICKETS: https://aku.world/ (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC) 

Home Of Miami Heat AmericanAirlines Arena Renamed FTX Arena Following 19-Year $135 Million Naming Rights Deal

AmericanAirlines Arena, home of the NBA’s Miami Heat in Downtown Miami’s Park West neighborhood, has officially been renamed the FTX Arena. The American Airlines signage has now been removed following the Heat’s Round 1 playoff loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The name change is part of a 19-year, $135 million naming rights deal with cryptocurrency exchange FTX which was approved by Miami-Dade County Commissioners in March 2021.

As per the agreement the Heat, who have 19-years remaining on their lease with the arena, will receive an annual payment of $2 million for the naming rights from Miami-Dade County. FTX branding will also be placed on the Miami Heat’s website and digital platforms, promotions, contests and community engagement. American Airlines will retain a marketing agreement with the Heat.

Miami-Dade County has also entered into a partnership with FTX to collaborate on technology and Fintech education and has committed an additional $5 million in contributions to the county. Miami-Dade County must also reserve a portion of the naming rights deal proceeds to help combat local gun violence and poverty.

The deal represents the first partnership between a cryptocurrency company and a major American professional sports franchise. The partnership further advances Miami quest to be a cryptocurrency and blockchain hub and the Cryptocity.

AmericanAirlines Arena is located at 601 Biscayne Blvd. and first opened on New Years 1999 after the Heat moved from the Miami Arena. The arena was designed by Arquitectonica and 360 Architecture and had a total construction cost of $213 million. The spectator capacity for a basketball game is 19,600. The Miami Heat have appeared in five NBA Finals since 2010 and have won three NBA Championship titles since they were founded in 1988.

FTX US is a US-regulated cryptocurrency exchange led by CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. FTX operates two different exchanges, FTX (ftx.com) and FTX US (ftx.us). FTX is an international cryptocurrency exchange that is does operate in the US and supports more cryptocurrencies than FTX US. FTX offers innovative products including industry-first derivatives, options, volatility products and leveraged tokens. FTX pursues its mission, led by philanthropic founder Sam Bankman-Fried, to turn revenue into charitable giving which led to the launch of the FTX Foundation in which 1% of all FTX net fees are donated to select charities. FTX US supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Sushi, Tron, Tether, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash and other cryptocurrencies.

Miami has quickly become the Cryptocity, and is becoming a cryptocurrency and blockchain hub led by Mayor Francis Suarez. Mayor Suarez’s goals include turning Miami into a Bitcoin mining hub by using the city’s nuclear power capability. He is also working towards allowing the use of Bitcoin to pay for tax and public services, as well as a salary option for city employees. Mayor Suarez set his focus on a Miami tech boom following the COVID-19 pandemic and has been working to attract the top tech and investment firms from San Francisco, Silicon Valley and New York City. The effort has paid off shown by taxable property values in Miami having doubled over the past decade as high-paying jobs have been attracted to the weather, beaches, restaurants, nightlife, low-tax and high-quality of life.

For a background on cryptocurrency and blockchain and its application to real estate check out the PROFILE Insider: The Crypto Revolution Versus The Evolution of Blockchain Part 1.

Save 5% discount off of trading fees at FTX when you sign up with the following link: Click Here

Inside The PROFILEmiami Fall Real Estate Showcase & Forum 2018

PROFILEmiami, Miami's leading real estate news platform, hosted its first annual PROFILEmiami Fall Real Estate Showcase & Forum on November 13, 2018. The evening was filled with education and networking, bringing together Miami’s local real estate leaders: top architects, brokers, developers, investors, real estate professionals, luminaries and government officials. The forum featured four informative topic panels including Miami’s Private Use of Public Land, Opportunity Zones, Sustainable Development as well as The Tokenization of Real Estate.

“We choose topics to explore that are having a major effect on Miami real estate today,” said Demetri Demascus, Founder & Publisher of PROFILEmiami. “Our goal is to provide an atmosphere of education where the general public and real estate professionals can learn from some of the leaders in their field as well as have the opportunity to connect with them in person.”

Our panelists for Miami’s Private Use of Public Land featured John Greco, Deputy City Attorney - City of Miami, and Xavier E. Albán, Assistant City Attorney - City of Miami, who explored the process that the city, state and county take when it comes to private developers approaching them about operating on public land.

An Exploration Into Opportunity Zones featured Thomas Volpe, CEO of Sikari Fund, Sheri Colas-Gervais of the Beacon Council, and Miguel Pinto, President & Managing Broker of Apex Capital Realty. The panel introduced the economic incentives of investing in Opportunity Zones in Miami and how to find opportunity zone properties and the tax advantages.

The Sustainable Development panel brought together Jon Cardello, Vice President at Stantec, Martin Pinilla, Managing Partner of Barlington Group, and Jeremy Waks of Oak Ventures and developer of Arbor Coconut Grove, to explore sustainable technologies and design in Miami real estate.

The evening capped off with The Tokenization of Real Estate, which brought together Kim Prior of Shutts & Bowen, Peter Debs of Bitfinance, and Jorge Guerra, President of Miami Association of Realtors; together they explored how tokenizing real estate assets can make access to capital and equity easier, while unlocking secondary liquidity and value for investors. The panels were moderated by Demetri Demascus, Founder & Publisher of PROFILEmiami as well as Katya Demina, Editor of PROFILEmiami.

Thank you to our partners Tesla, Apex Capital Realty, RealDax, BB Capital Group, Hallandale Beacon, Miami Design District, Game Day Skincare and our panelists.