Web3 tradition is perpetually altering. Created by degens, innovators and the curious minds which have ventured into blockchain expertise, Web3 tradition is completely distinctive – and one NFT model condenses, lives and represents Web3 tradition greater than some other. That NFT model is Rektguy.
Constructed across the story of an eponymous translucent cranium character that’s an actual blockchain degen, Rektguy shortly grew from its humble beginnings as a present to the neighborhood into an emblem of creative expression, boundless creativity, and a de-facto illustration of trustworthy Web3 tradition.
With Rektguy, holders, believers and followers can expertise a real slice of the Web3 trade that they received’t get wherever else within the NFT trade – however what precisely is Rektguy, what have they created to this point, and the way has the venture turn into so successful?
Right here’s our full information to the Rektguy NFT venture.
Key Insights
Conceptualised in January 2022 by OSFReleased as a 8,814-piece NFT assortment in Might 2022Heralded for its die-hard, culture-focused communityKnown for in-person occasions, all-in moments, and movie star holdersExpanded into Rekt Manufacturers, Rekt Rewards and Rekt Drinks in late 2024
What’s Rektguy?
Rektguy is an 8,814-piece NFT assortment, minted on Ethereum in Might 2022, and created by OSF – in collaboration with co-founder Mando and AlienQueen, and with contributions from OSF’s family.
The eponymous character of Rektguy is a semi-autobiographical symbolisation of a typical degen dealer, getting “rekt” by the risky crypto markets. His hooded nature, gloomy overtones and penchant for a drink replicate the all-too-real coping mechanisms that many lean into throughout a market downturn.
With this daring, stark and trustworthy strategy to each Web3 tradition and the realities of being part of the blockchain neighborhood, Rektguy resonated with a large viewers, changing into a logo of shared experiences, degen communities, and crypto tradition.
The creator of the Rektguy character is Ovie Faruq, recognized in the neighborhood as OSF. Rektguy’s inception dates again to OSF’s tenure at Barclays financial institution. Disillusioned together with his company position, he would doodle in his spare time – and on one fateful day, OSF would doodle a cranium determine carrying a hoodie with “gm” printed on it, holding a cup of espresso.
Throughout this time, OSF was dipping his toes into the blockchain trade – and as he started to discover creating NFT artwork himself, this character would turn into front-and-centre of his creative explorations. OSF’s first main NFT endeavour can be the Degenz NFT assortment – however in October 2021, OSF minted the primary of what would turn into generally known as the Rektguy character as a singular 1-of-1 NFT on Basis, merely titled “gm”.
This character would turn into the focus of his digital creations – resulting in the conceptualisation of the Rektguy NFT assortment in January 2022, and its eventual launch in Might 2022.
The historical past of Rektguy
The Rektguy NFT assortment made its debut in Might 2022.
Holders of OSF’s prior NFTs, together with his Degenz NFT assortment, might mint a Rektguy at no cost, with an extra mint out there to the general public. A complete of 8,814 NFTs have been minted over the multi-day minting window. The gathering noticed quick success, rising to an all-time excessive ground value of 1.2 ETH shortly after mint.
As Rektguy was launched below a Artistic Commons Zero (CC0) licence, any holder might make spinoff artworks, merchandise and types from their Rektguy. The primary of those, eRektguy, debuted in June 2022, beginning an extended record of future Rektguy spinoff initiatives.
2022 was a busy yr for the Rektguy staff. It was throughout this era that the culture-centric focus of the Rektguy neighborhood got here to the forefront, with an engaged holder-base led by just a few standout neighborhood members – interacting in The Dive Bar Discord server and elsewhere. This consists of figures such because the ever-enthusiastic The Patron, the mysterious determine generally known as The Ghost, and later celebrities comparable to Snoop Dogg and Gary Vaynerchuk.
Hype and pleasure rose in direction of summer season 2022, the place Rektguy staged The Rekt Present at famed burlesque venue The Field throughout NFT.NYC 2022. Bringing collectively the Rektguy neighborhood in an official capability for the very first time, the occasion was a celebration of the Rektguy model and the insatiable neighborhood that they had construct as much as that time. This present would later be replicated in London, and once more in NYC, solidifying Rektguy’s IRL occasions as must-see points of interest.
September 2022 heralded the beginning of The Metallic Struggle, a fiercely-contested but pleasant rivalry between three teams of Rektguy holders: the Golden Ladies (gold hoodie Rektguys), the Silver Foxes (iced hoodie Rektguys), and the Strawberry Laces (strawberry lace hoodie Rektguys). This internal rivalry continues to at the present time, and serves as a testomony to the eagerness and engagement of Rektguy holders world wide.
September 2022 additionally marked the beginning of a problem, issued by OSF: if Rektguy hits 1 ETH, he’ll get a “rekt” tattoo. On the time, the ground value sat at 0.3 ETH – making that focus on appear bold, however not unachievable. In a present of solidarity, many members of the Rektguy neighborhood pledged to hitch OSF in receiving a tattoo ought to the gathering hit 1 ETH. The ground value steadily rose, till that 1 ETH goal was reached in December 2022.
Figuring out that the 1 ETH ground was coming, OSF received his tattoo completed upfront with Ian Rogers, the CXO of Ledger, at famend Paris tattoo studio Tin-Tin Tatouages. Sharing the pictures as quickly because the 1 ETH ground was hit, the neighborhood response was overwhelming. Different Rektguy holders shortly following up on their pledges too, cementing the eagerness, camaraderie and degen tradition of the Rektguy model.
This isn’t the one problem issued by the Rektguy founders. Not solely has OSF pledged that he won’t minimize his hair till Rektguy reaches a 4.2 ETH ground value, co-founder Mando – ostensibly not a “tattoo man” – has acknowledged he’ll get a “rekt” tattoo on his posterior ought to that 4.2 ETH ground turn into a actuality.
2023 was considerably of a quieter yr – although Gary Vee grew to become a Rektguy holder in Might 2023. In 2024 although, all of it ramped up as soon as once more.
In July 2024, OSF introduced that Rekt Manufacturers, an organization set as much as handle and direct the way forward for the Rektguy model, had distributed shares within the firm to holders of Rektguys NFTs – changing into the primary main NFT assortment to take action.
This was adopted by a laundry record of cryptic social media posts, all with the caption “One thing is brewing…”. Then, August 1, 2024 got here the announcement of Rekt Rewards. By means of Rekt Rewards, individuals might earn DRANK factors by finishing social quests, and later down the road, for buying Rekt Drinks – a brand new glowing water beverage developed by Rekt Manufacturers.
September 2024 noticed OSF announce that each one revenues and royalties from any new artworks he made can be directed to Rekt Manufacturers, rising the corporate and investing within the Rektguy neighborhood.
Rekt Drinks launched on October 30, 2025, out there to buy on-line in fiat, SOL and SOL USDC, with near-worldwide supply. The launch was a large success, with the entire drinks promoting out by November 1 – totalling over 222,000 cans.
5 days later, Rekt Manufacturers introduced a $1.5M seed spherical, with traders together with Luca Netz of Pudgy Penguins, Zagabond of Azuki, and Jack Butcher of Visualize Worth.
These DRANK factors didn’t take lengthy to have an impact, as November 22, 2025 noticed the launch of $REKT – an ecosystem token for the Rektguy neighborhood. At the moment, $REKT sits at a market cap of $12.2 million USD, with a fully-diluted worth of simply over $20 million USD.
The Rektguy X profile was taken over by a $REKT-powered AI agent in January 2025 – and the model has continued to go from power to power. Rekt Drinks had a large presence at NFT Paris 2025, and their Rekt Radio podcast hit its a centesimal episode in February 2025.
What’s subsequent for Rektguy?
With a model that’s as community-centric and community-driven as Rektguy, the trail forward is an open guide.
With their latest funding, and efforts in selling Rekt Drinks particularly, right here’s what we might count on in future:
Extra Web3-related merchandise. Powered by $REKT, Rekt Drinks has been an enormous success. Extra utility can be a transparent enhance for the token, so maybe we will see an expanded suite of Rektguy-branded merchandise in future.Extra neighborhood initiatives. Rektguy’s main power has all the time been its passionate, engaged and wildly degen neighborhood. Discovering methods to capitalise on this following – in a means that advantages each model and neighborhood – might be key to their future success.Extra partnerships. With their big-name Web3 backers, alongside a usually constructive sentiment amongst many in the neighborhood, there might be ample alternative to leverage different distinguished Web3 communities for the advantage of the Rektguy model and NFT holders.
Rektguy isn’t only a motion, it’s the motion of the Web3 trade. What began as a doodle in a pocket book has developed into an impactful challenger model that’s discovering new followers in all places it goes.
By means of love, ardour and camaraderie, Rektguy has turn into one of the crucial well-liked and highly-regarded initiatives within the Web3 trade – and with the ability of the neighborhood behind them, their future is as brilliant as ever.
