A Solana NFT project is undertaking an ambitious and unusual mission: purchasing a decommissioned Cold War nuclear bunker located in England. The initiative, launched by creators known for the Meatbags digital collectible series, seeks funding through a unique NFT sale.
Dubbed Dead Bruv, the team plans to generate capital via their “#buythebunker” campaign by minting 100,000 unique crypto tokens styled as “land deeds.” Priced at $14 each, the sale targets a significant sum, with 10,000 NFTs reserved for an airdrop to existing Meatbags holders. The public sale window is tight, running from April 21 to April 24, concluding just as the bunker itself goes up for auction.
Acquiring one of these NFTs grants membership into the Billionaire Bunker Club. This newly formed decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) will collectively decide the ultimate purpose and use of the historic site if the purchase is successful.
Participation is accessible via SolanaPay or traditional debit/credit cards. To further incentivize buyers, entry into the sale includes a chance to win various prizes, from gaming consoles like the PS5 to unconventional rewards like a year’s supply of Liquid Death water.
Following the auction’s conclusion, the purchased digital collectibles will be distributed. On April 28, these NFTs are set to transform into one of 20 distinct digital parts, categorized across four rarity levels: Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Epic. While rarity might unlock future benefits or interactive elements, it won’t alter fundamental ownership stakes or voting rights within the DAO.
The target asset is a former nuclear monitoring post in Rutland, England, constructed in 1960 and taken out of service in 1968. Spanning 1.4 acres, the property includes existing planning permission for conversion into a residential dwelling and carries a guide price of £650,000 (approximately $862,000) at auction.
Ideas floated for the bunker’s future are as eclectic as the fundraising method itself. Concepts range from an exclusive members-only survival retreat featuring DJ sets, to a venue for unique festivals, or even a quirky Airbnb complete with themed service offerings.
Robert, the pseudonymous co-founder behind the venture, shared that the initiative began humorously but evolved into a genuine effort to inject fun and absurdity back into the blockchain space. He described it as the kind of unconventional, creative risk-taking that initially drew him to NFTs, aiming for something “completely new, absurd, and incredible.”
This venture mirrors previous high-profile attempts by crypto communities to acquire significant physical or historical assets using DeFi principles. Notably, ConstitutionDAO gathered over $47 million in Ether in 2021 to bid on an original U.S. Constitution copy, though they were ultimately outbid. Such efforts highlight the growing exploration of DAOs bridging the digital and physical realms, albeit with inherent fundraising and logistical hurdles.