VeVe Collectibles is transforming how fans connect with their beloved brands. The platform provides a dynamic space to discover, collect, and share officially licensed digital collectibles and comics, enhanced by immersive features like augmented reality and a vibrant secondary marketplace. The Bugg Report speak to Co-Founder Dan Crothers.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us Dan. To start, we’re fascinated by the journey of VeVe which began in 2017. Could you share the initial inspiration or core problem you identified that led to the creation of the company?
David and I have been building businesses together for years, always with a shared passion for collecting and fan culture. We had launched websites for collectible brands and understood the mindset of collectors, because we were collectors ourselves. So when crypto collectibles like CryptoKitties emerged, it wasn’t just an interesting tech experiment, it felt like the beginning of an entirely new era for collecting.
We saw an opportunity to bridge two worlds: the physical collecting space we knew intimately, and the emerging blockchain technology that could support something truly global and interactive. The question we kept asking was: how do we take everything we love about collecting, the thrill of discovery, the pride in displaying your pieces, the community connection, and bring that into a digital format?
That’s what drove the creation of VeVe. We designed it from the ground up as a true collector’s experience – from a store to discover new drops, virtual showrooms to curate and show off your pieces, AR tools to bring your collection into the real world. It was never about static images sitting in a wallet, but about reimagining what collecting could look like in a digital age.
Specifically, what was the driving force behind entering the space of digital collectibles and more specifically licensed NFTs, and how has that original vision evolved into what VeVe is today?
From the start, our focus was clear: how do we take everything we love about physical collecting, especially licensed collectibles, and bring it into the digital space?
That was the core idea behind VeVe. We saw digital collecting as a natural evolution, not a trend. And we believed that brands like Marvel, DC, and Disney should have a presence in this space, just like they do in the real world, through premium, officially licensed digital collectibles.
That vision hasn’t changed. In fact, we’ve spent the past several years doubling down on it. VeVe today still delivers on our original promise, a digital platform where fans around the world can discover, own, and showcase licensed collectibles. We’ve expanded that universe with things like VeVe Comics, where fans can read and collect digital issues, and the VeVeVerse, a fully immersive world where collectors can interact with their collections in ways the physical world can’t match.
So while the platform has grown, the mission remains exactly the same, to bring the world of licensed collecting into the digital age, and make it accessible, social, and engaging.
For those who are not familiar with NFTs, can you explain what these are and how you have applied brands and their IPs to NFTs with VeVe Collectibles?
Prior to digital collecting, if I had a picture of Batman on my computer, I could send it to ten friends, and they could send it to ten more. There was no real ownership, it was just a file that could be copied endlessly. Blockchain has allowed us to step up from that. We can create a limited number of digital collectibles that are verifiably authentic, each one with its own unique record of ownership that can’t be faked or duplicated.
Another way to think of it is, you can take a photo of the Mona Lisa, but that doesn’t make it the Mona Lisa. The original has provenance. It’s tracked, it’s documented, and it’s irreplaceable. That’s what blockchain enables in the digital space, authenticity, ownership, and scarcity.
At VeVe, we partner directly with leading IPs, Marvel, Disney, DC, Star Wars to create official, licensed digital collectibles in limited editions. They’re real, verifiable assets backed by blockchain, with proof of ownership and authenticity built in. Every drop is authorised by the rights holders, so collectors know they’re getting something legitimate, a digital collectible with provenance, scarcity, and lasting value.
Licensing has traditionally been focused on consumer products, however your offering is uniquely different. Can you outline how you have approached acquiring the licenses that you have and the appeal of your offering to these brands?
At its core, VeVe is a consumer products business, we’ve brought collecting into the digital era. We create limited edition, highly realistic 3D digital statues and collectibles in the same spirit as physical ones, but with new possibilities for accessibility, engagement, and scale.
That model resonated with licensors because it preserved everything valuable about collecting, scarcity, authenticity, and emotional connection, while removing the responsibility of production, logistics, and shelf space.
Our approach was pure hustle. We flew to LA with a pitch deck, a bold idea, and the belief that digital collecting was the next evolution. But more importantly, we’re collectors ourselves. When we presented to potential licensors, they recognised that we genuinely understood the culture, the fandom, and the value of scarcity and authenticity.
What helped us stand out was offering something new for collectors, while keeping it low-friction for IP holders. No manufacturing, no shipping, no inventory, just a new way to connect with fans.
Describe the typical VeVe collector’s demographics and their relation to traditional physical merchandise collectors. Also, explain VeVe’s value proposition and the drivers of value within its ecosystem.
VeVe’s core audience is made up of passionate collectors and pop culture fans, the same audience who’ve spent years hunting down rare comics, statues, posters, and memorabilia. A big part of our user base comes from those traditional collecting communities, while others are newer collectors who’ve jumped straight into digital. Either way, the motivation is the same, a love of fandom and a desire to own an item connected to it.
If you’re passionate about a franchise, whether it’s Star Wars, Marvel, or Disney, you probably already own the T-shirt, the DVD, the action figure and so on. VeVe simply adds to that universe. Now you can own the digital statue, and display it, share it, and engage with it in new ways. For many, that’s where the true value lies, in personal enjoyment, a sense of pride of ownership, and the ability to interact with your collection beyond the physical shelf.
Our collectibles also go beyond static ownership. You can view them in augmented reality, drop them into the real world, and create full virtual showrooms. Scroll through our social feeds and you’ll see VeVe collectibles posed in Times Square or staged at home in elaborate digital setups. That level of creativity and connection is what helps set VeVe apart.
From a brand perspective, how does your platform’s features enhance fan engagement beyond sales?
Community has always been at the heart of VeVe. We involve our users in shaping the platform, from feature development to the types of content we roll out, because we’re building a platform by collectors for collectors.
A good example is the VeVeVerse. The objective behind building our metaverse was that collectors don’t just want to own, they want to display. Whether it’s a shelf, a wall, or an entire room, curating and showcasing your collection is a huge part of the experience. We brought that pride and passion into the digital world, giving fans a place to set up their showrooms, invite others in, and make it their own.
Our collectibles are interactive by design. With AR, fans can drop a digital Batman in landmark scenes or pose Spider-Man on their coffee table. That level of engagement just doesn’t exist with physical products. You’re not limited by space or geography, it’s global, and invites people to connect in new ways.
Can you also explain your secondary market and how it contributes to the ecosystem for licensors?
The secondary market is pivotal part of the collecting world. Collectors want the freedom to buy and sell, or cash in, and we’ve built the platform with that in mind, from day one.
Since launch, our community has generated over $1.4 billion in secondary market transactions. But the real innovation is what it unlocks for licensors. In the physical world, a brand might sell a statue once and only benefit from that sale once, no matter how many times it changes hands thereafter. On VeVe, thanks to blockchain, licensors earn a royalty on every resale, forever.
That means the IP holder continues to benefit every time their collectible moves through the market. This model creates a living ecosystem where digital collectibles stay relevant, collectors stay engaged, and licensors earn ongoing revenue without any effort. It’s a game-changer for how IPs can be monetised long term.
How important are digital assets to brands (complementing, replacing, or creating new categories?), and specifically, how does VeVe collaborate with publishers like Marvel and DC to translate the comic reading experience into a digital format?
From the beginning, brands saw the opportunity not just to complement their physical products, but to create entirely new categories. Our objective wasn’t to replace physical collectibles or comics. What we offer is another way for fans to connect with the IP they love, one that’s more accessible, more interactive, and in many ways, more scalable.
This is especially true with VeVe Comics. We’ve worked closely with publishers like Marvel to bring their titles into digital without losing what makes comics special. We’re not reinventing the comic, but enhancing the experience. You can read panel-by-panel, zoom in on the artwork in high resolution, and enjoy layouts designed for both immersion and clarity. Plus, digital never degrades. You can bag and board your physical copy for safekeeping, and read the digital version anytime without damaging a thing.
We’re also focused on improving that experience continuously. For readers, it means a cleaner, more dynamic way to explore stories. For publishers, it opens up access to global audiences without the challenges of shipping, shelf space, or print runs.
Given the unique characteristics of the Australian market, what specific opportunities are you most excited about, and what are your key goals for VeVe in Australia?
Australia has an incredibly passionate comic and collector fanbase, but like our home New Zealand, it’s often left out of the global fandom conversation. One of our goals is to change that. We want Australian collectors to feel just as seen, valued, and engaged as fans in larger markets like the US or Europe.
We’re also excited about supporting indie publishers and creators. VeVe already works with publishers like Humanoids and Ablaze, whose comics would usually not reach Australian shelves. By bringing those titles to VeVe, we’re giving Australian fans content they may not have discovered otherwise.
Long-term, our mission is to connect with and grow the comic and collector communities across the Southern Hemisphere. We want to offer content that doesn’t usually reach this part of the world, and do it in new, exciting ways, through AR, virtual spaces, and experiences that let fans engage more deeply with the IPs they love.
For companies in Australia who are interested in what VeVe offers, how can they best reach out to you and start a conversation?
Simply send an enquiry to marketing@veve.me, and our team will be in touch to start the conversation. We look forward to exploring potential opportunities together!
