Cryptograph

Cryptograph is an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) auction platform that partners with artists, celebrities, and creators to produce one-of-a-kind digital collectibles. The company operates under the legal entity Perpetual Altruism Ltd. and was founded by a team of entrepreneurs and blockchain pioneers, including Hugo McDonaugh, Edouard Bessire, Guillaume Gonnaud, and George McDonaugh. The idea for the company reportedly originated during a meeting in Soho, London, between the co-founders, who had backgrounds in real estate technology, blockchain investment, and impact investing.

The platform's business model is centered on what it terms "sustainable philanthropy." A significant portion of the revenue from the initial auction of a Cryptograph, as well as a share of every subsequent trade on the secondary market, is automatically donated to a charity chosen by the creator. This process is managed through smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, ensuring transparency and creating a perpetual stream of income for the associated non-profit organizations. The company, Perpetual Altruism, also takes a share of the revenue, aligning its profitability with the charitable fundraising. The platform has supported over 26 charities, including Save the Children, Meals on Wheels, and The Ethereum Foundation.

Cryptographs are ERC-721 tokens, a standard for unique digital assets on the Ethereum blockchain, but they also incorporate a proprietary extension (ERC-2665) to ensure that revenue shares for creators and charities are honored even if the NFT is traded on external marketplaces. The platform was one of the early adopters in connecting mainstream figures with NFT technology, launching in 2020 with auctions from personalities like Paris Hilton, Vitalik Buterin (creator of Ethereum), and Jason Momoa, raising significant funds for various causes.

Keywords: NFT auction, digital collectibles, perpetual altruism, philanthropy, blockchain for good, charitable fundraising, celebrity NFTs, social enterprise, impact investing, Ethereum, smart contracts, ERC-721, digital art, secondary market royalties, crypto philanthropy, creator economy, transparent giving, sustainable philanthropy, digital legacy, non-fungible token