One Ocean Foundation is turning NFTs into a channel for social and environmental impact. With this initiative, it becomes the first marine-focused foundation to combine this technology with the protection of marine ecosystems, thanks to a dual collaboration. Electroneum - the world’s greenest and most efficient blockchain - and international artist Andrea Crespi have joined forces with One Ocean Foundation, merging art, innovation, philanthropy, and ocean conservation. Crespi will sign the digital collection, curated by Alisia Viola and Sandie Zanini, bringing to life a project that unites creativity and sustainability.
The platform will be accessible at nft.1ocean.org.
The project was previewed yesterday during a private event at Fabbrica del Vapore – presented alongside the artist’s new exhibition Artificial Beauty – and is among the winners of the Aretè 2025 Award of Excellence at the Salone della CSR e dell’Innovazione Sociale held at Bocconi University.
An international launch
The initiative marks the beginning of a new international journey: following the Italian preview, the project will be unveiled on the global stage at the Blockchain Futuristic Conference in Miami (November 5–6), one of the most important events in the cryptocurrency and NFT world, attracting more than 65,000 participants each year. This step underscores One Ocean Foundation’s mission to expand beyond national borders, engaging with international communities and markets.
“We chose to collaborate with Electroneum because it is currently the most efficient and eco-friendly blockchain in the world,” said Jan Pachner, Secretary General of One Ocean Foundation. “With this partnership, we want to demonstrate that technology and ocean conservation can go hand in hand, opening innovative ways to engage audiences beyond our traditional community. Ocean conservation is a shared responsibility, and technology can be a powerful ally.”
All proceeds from the collection will go to Blue Forest, the Foundation’s international project dedicated to protecting and restoring marine forests: an initiative aligned with the United Nations’ 30x30 Agenda and with the mission to safeguard our blue natural capital.
“In my work, I always seek a balance between the visible and the invisible. In this project, every line becomes a metaphor for connection: like the drops that form the ocean, each fragment is part of a greater whole,” said Andrea Crespi, artist.
NFTs and Sustainability: A New Frontier for the Nonprofit Sector
NFTs – conceived for this project as unique digital works registered on the blockchain – have revolutionized the art and collectibles market. One Ocean Foundation has chosen to transform this technology into an innovative tool for philanthropy and sustainability.
The collaboration with Electroneum, a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain with ultra-low energy consumption, combines innovation and environmental responsibility. Thanks to its high-efficiency infrastructure - consuming less energy than well-known blockchains like Solana and Ethereum -Electroneum enables the creation of verifiable donation channels and a tokenized system for tracking sustainable practices. In this way, every transaction supporting the Foundation becomes part of a transparent and traceable ecosystem, strengthening blockchain’s role as a tool of trust and accountability.
“Brands worldwide need to demonstrate corporate social responsibility. Electroneum’s eco-friendly blockchain is the green ledger of the future—promoting sustainability through transparent and responsible actions, while delivering the benefits of Web3 in an accessible and environmentally conscious way,” said Richard Ells, CEO of Electroneum.
A project accessible to everyone
Innovation is not just about the content, but also about the purchasing experience. The limited-edition digital artwork will be divided into 2,000 collectible fragments, available for purchase both on Rarible (via cryptocurrency) and in traditional currency through a custom-built system. This ensures that anyone - even those unfamiliar with the crypto world - can participate in the project.
After each donation, the corresponding NFT will be automatically generated. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Foundation, with every transaction recorded on Electroneum’s blockchain, allowing donors to monitor contributions in real time and ensuring that funds are effectively allocated to One Ocean Foundation’s Blue Forest project for marine conservation and restoration.
