Futureverse, the metaverse and AI startup known for its open-world ambitions, just made a big move: it’s acquired Candy Digital, a platform best known for launching digital collectibles with Major League Baseball, DC Comics, and Netflix.

The deal gives Futureverse access to a library of over 4 million NFTs and a user base of 1.5 million accounts, giving the company a strong foothold in both fandom and tech.

“We’re building immersive experiences that connect digital and real-world fandom,” said Futureverse CEO Aaron McDonald, who believes this move can take storytelling and brand engagement to a new level.

Big IP Meets Bigger Ambitions

Candy Digital rose to prominence during the NFT boom, dropping licensed collectibles from some of the biggest names in entertainment and sports. But as the hype around NFTs slowed, so did the buzz around the platform. 

Their plan is to fold Candy’s brand relationships into The Root Network, Futureverse’s own Layer 1 blockchain, and turn these collectibles into characters, assets, and features inside its expanding AI-powered metaverse.

What Futureverse Actually Does

In case you haven’t been following, Futureverse is the company behind AI League, the FIFA-licensed AI football game, and a growing number of digital world-building tools. Since launching in 2022, the company has raised $54 million, hit a $1 billion valuation, and become New Zealand’s first Māori-founded unicorn.

Its platform combines AI, blockchain, and game engine tech to build what it calls the “open metaverse.” Think interoperable avatars, intelligent agents, and experiences that live across games, apps, and media, rather than being locked inside a single platform.

With Candy’s content in hand, they now have the licensing power to back that vision up.

A Natural Fit?

Candy co-founder Matt Novogratz described the acquisition as a “natural move.” In his words, Futureverse has the infrastructure Candy always needed, tools that let brands not just sell digital assets but actually use them in meaningful ways.

And he’s not wrong. Candy’s IP portfolio is stacked, with partners like FIFA, Warner Bros., Reebok, and the MLB already on board. Futureverse’s challenge now is to do something with it, something that feels fresh, fun, and functional in the post-NFT world.

The Timing? Tricky, But Bold

Honestly, NFTs and the “metaverse” aren’t exactly buzzwords right now. Many big names have scaled back or walked away from earlier web3 plans. Some platforms have even pivoted toward AI or sunset their NFT divisions altogether.

But Futureverse isn’t retreating. Instead, it’s betting that interoperable, AI-powered digital experiences are the next big thing. 

The company hasn’t shared financial terms of the deal yet, but major Candy investors like Galaxy Digital, ConsenSys Mesh, and Microsoft are now along for the ride.