He put non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the map when one of his works sold at Christie’s for an unprecedented $69.3 million (RM287 million). Michael Winkelmann, also known as Beeple, now hopes NFTs will help people rethink their conception of collective memory.

The US artist has created “Wenew” to bring together the world’s most celebrated icons with savvy collectors of culture and legacy. The platform offers a selection of NFTs immortalising significant events in music, fashion, sports or politics.

“NFTs give people a way to meaningfully engage with the memories and moments that matter to them – maybe even inspired them or shaped who they are in some way.

“Wenew exists to facilitate and make concrete these once-abstract connections,” he said.

Wenew uses blockchain technology to auction off one-of-a-kind and limited-edition NFTs at a variety of prices. For its inaugural sale, the platform partnered with Wimbledon to offer tennis fans the chance to acquire an important piece of the tournament’s history.

It was Andy Murray’s victory over Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in three sets 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 during the 2013 Wimbledon final.

At the time, the Scot became the first Briton to win the tournament since Fred Perry won in 1936.

An NFT featuring Murray’s match point will be available for purchase early next month, along with other digital tokens of the tennis player lifting the Wimbledon trophy, his post-final interview, his victory speech, and a compilation of his best moments during the tournament.

These NFTs will be offered in editions of 20, 50, 100 and 500 copies starting at US$49.

“I decided to work with Wenew and Wimbledon to turn this moment into an NFT so that fans can share in that memorable day,” Murray said.

“Working with the platform made sense given their focus on legacy. It’s a new and exciting space, one I am looking forward to being involved in.”