SegMint, VanEck’s innovative NFT platform, underscores TradFi’s strong enthusiasm for Web3 tokenization.

Asset management firm VanEck is planning to replicate the success of its recently launched Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States by creating a new self-custody nonfungible token (NFT) platform. The platform, called SegMint, will allow users to vault and fractionize digital assets by issuing tradable keys on the platform’s in-house exchange. VanEck, known for actively exploring cryptocurrency ETFs and digital asset ownership, has appointed Matthew Bartlett as its NFT and Web3 head to lead this initiative. Bartlett, with his personal interest in NFTs and years of experience in traditional finance, aims to address the challenges faced by existing NFT platforms and focus on shared ownership and fractionalization of assets. SegMint, which launched on February 28, provides users with self-custody of their digital assets through vaults owned by their Web3 wallets. Bartlett also sees the potential of tokenizing real-world assets, such as vintage wines and luxury watches, and believes that fractionalized ownership of tokenized real estate could be a future possibility. However, he acknowledges that it will take time for the community to explore the best use cases and navigate regulatory compliance. VanEck’s Bitcoin ETF has gained significant investments since its approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in January 2024, while VanEck Europe’s Bitcoin and crypto exchange-traded products are also attracting investor interest.