Not just the Ethereum-based "CryptoSnoos" announced last year, but Reddit is testing a feature that would let its users to set their profile picture to any NFT they possess — not just its own. A similar feature allowing users to designate their NFTs as profile pictures just emerged on Twitter, where the photos themselves include information on the NFT when clicked, and appear as hexagon-shaped images to separate them from the typical Twitter profile shot. Reddit hasn't decided exactly how it will enable NFTs just yet.
When asked by TechCrunch about the NFT test, Reddit explained that it's in a pre-alpha level and hasn't been made available to the general public yet.
“We're always searching for innovative ways to add value for users and communities on Reddit. At the moment we’re testing the ability to use nfts as profile pictures (avatars) and verify ownership” stated Reddit spokesperson Tim Rathschmidt. “It’s a small, internal test and no decisions have been made about expanding or rolling out the capability.”
Reddit has been experimenting with various efforts surrounding NFTs for some time, having even put up a separate page for NFT-related activities at nft.reddit.com. For the time being, the page largely concentrates on the CryptoSnoos, which are Reddit’s own digital collectibles.
Reddit's extraterrestrial mascot, dubbed "Snoo," is the inspiration for the "Snoo" component of this term, while the collectibles themselves are variations on Snoo's image. One portrays the mascot as a blocky image, and another as a helium balloon, for example. In total, just four CryptoSnoos have been released.
People have different views about CryptoSnoos. Several Redditors took to the comments section of the announcement post to express their displeasure with Reddit's move into NFTs, calling it "idiotic," "a gimmick," or worse." Some people were more concerned about the high costs of NFTs, which prevented many people from participating in the ecosystem. Most people's reactions to Reddit's initiatives had been more neutral.
These reactions mirror the contentious reception NFTs are getting across industry. Twitter accounts with NFT profile images, for example, can already be blocked by a tool written by someone. Both Discord and Mozilla suspended crypto initiatives after strong user outrage. Gaming communities have burst into pandemonium as traditional game companies tried shifting into crypto.
Reddit informs us it doesn’t have any definitive plans to launch more CryptoSnoos, as they were also simply an early test.
Meanwhile, developer Nima Owji found the new NFT test. He told TechCrunch that on Reddit's web app, he spotted a banner mentioning the project. Reddit users were not able to see it, despite the fact that it was prominently displayed on the front pages of several groups. Because it includes a variety of images to symbolize NFTs, not only the Reddit alien-themed one, Owji surmised that the image might reflect more than just the original scope of CryptoSnoos.
"Your NFT, now your avatar!" states the banner, which clearly describes the expansion of scope. "You can now utilize digital collectibles as your Reddit avatar," reads a short explanation.
The banner's "Get Started" button was broken at the time, he claimed.
It was only later that Owji discovered that the Reddit alien had been referred to in Reddit's code as a test collection of OpenSea NFTs. (It's not for sale, either.) Rinkeby, an Ethereum test network, was used to conduct these tests before they were published on the main Ethereum network.
Reddit declined to elaborate on the types of blockchains that would be supported if its NFT avatars were launched, or to provide any additional information about the blockchains supported.
