X quietly removes the ability for paying subscribers to set an NFT as a profile picture, a feature Twitter launched in January 2022 for Twitter Blue subscribers
TechCrunchIvan Mehta
Context & Ripple Effects
NFT profile images began as a visible Twitter Blue perk, with subscribers able to use hexagon-shaped NFT profile pictures in early 2022. Their removal closes one of the service’s more distinctive identity features.
Paying subscribers can no longer use an NFT as their profile image, eliminating the feature’s visual distinction for existing users.
X simplifies its subscriber feature set by retiring a legacy Blue benefit rather than continuing to support it.
Second-order effects
Subscribers evaluating X’s paid tier lose one non-functional identity perk, making access-oriented benefits such as X Pro relatively more central to the package.
The removal further separates X’s subscription proposition from NFT-linked social identity features that Twitter once used to differentiate Blue.
Third-order effects
If X continues replacing symbolic perks with access controls, paid social subscriptions may become more focused on platform tools and distribution privileges than on status customization.
The pattern points to a less stable definition of subscription value: features can be added, restricted, or retired as the platform revises its monetization mix.
The trend: X is reshaping its paid offering from an assortment of experimental identity and status features toward a narrower set of subscription-gated platform utilities.
X removes support for NFT profile pictures It has now removed all descriptions about the NFT profile picture feature from its X Premium support page. People who had an NFT set as a profile picture still have hexagonal avatars. It's not clear if X will eventually remove those as…
in a stroke of irony now all the ape owners must commit the ultimate NFT sin: right click save-as , in order to upload and use their monkey picture on here
I was one of the people that developed this product, and it was such a fun team that wanted to explore web3 and what Twitter could do to lean in. We had talked about gated @HiCommunities , Spaces, and lots of other cool features that NFT profile pics could be just the gateway to…
Discontinued support for NFT profile pics on @X is a step back for the industry. Reduced utility is always a loss. NFT PFPs weren't widely used but it was an MVP and never got the treatment it deserved: communities, message signing and features built around proof of ownership.
Is there any justification for this move anywhere? It does seem like a step back and frankly an easy integration to maintain. It's making me think it's the Ethereum alignment that's the issue and @elonmusk has plans for an X blockchain.
@Web3markets @X Because it didn't offer enough utility. Also, I didn't want to mint my own PFP just to use it here. I would have if X wanted to sell me that service conveniently, or if some other features were unlocked by having a PFP attached to my account. @Reddit does a slight…
i have a similar feeling it was an under-utilized feature (maybe i should have used it myself) but getting rid of it could signal less integration of crypto moving forward and more integration of X-pay which will probably try to compete with pending onchain payment solutions
@robertocommit ... Yeah, I'm sure the choice was between doubling down or killing it. Status quo probably didn't make sense to maintain and maybe they just don't have the people/vision/interest in pushing the product forward.
X has removed support for NFT pfp verification. This represents my personal identity and sole asset. Should anyone dare to screenshot or use it as their own, my lawyers will reach out to you. [image]
😭 losing my nft as my pfp hurts simply because it shows a trend away from onchain for traditional tech 😭 🫵 I blame you, douchey nft bros! 🤔 (oh no am I a douchey nft bro?)
While @X is removing support for NFT PFPs, I'd be shocked if this is the last we see of verified PFP ownership in online spaces. One of the unique properties of NFTs is the ability to distribute one asset across multiple platforms. It's more efficient, secure, and credible. [imag…
Rarely has a skeptical public been so thoroughly vindicated as when most people responded to NFTs with “that makes no sense” and despite a massive amount of publicity to get people to invest they fizzled out within a year
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA RIP NFTs. I FUCKING TOLD YOU. The richest man on the planet just made it clear: FUCK NFTs. All of this NFT hype was one massive VC backed SCAM. Now they are rich again and you are broke. Never trust VCs. RIP @opensea @yugalabs @boredapeyc @cryptopunksnfts