Twitter alternative and free-speech social app Parler expands into NFTs to build communities and foster creativity

It’s been eight months since we last wrote about Parler, a free-speech social media platform focused on protecting users’ rights. A lot has changed since April when we last covered Parler. Now, the social media platform is expanding into Non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Just last week, Parler demonstrated its effort into the NFT space by assisting in the buildout of the NFT platform for Melania Trump.

Today, Parler announced it will expand its business into NFT in a move that underpins the rapid growth of the digital asset in recent months. Parler now joins hundreds of tech companies getting into the NFT craze.  The NFT market has been booming since the beginning of this year and there is no indication that the market will slow down anytime soon. According to DappRadar, NFT sales volume has topped $10 billion in the third quarter alone.

“Parler will continue building its digital offering with an NFT pipeline that builds communities and fosters creativity while furthering its commitment to free speech and security,” the company said in a statement on Monday.

NFT (non-fungible token) is a type of cryptographic token on a blockchain that represents a unique digital asset. This asset can either be entirely digital assets or tokenized versions of real-world assets. Because NFTs are not interchangeable with each other, they may function as proof of authenticity and ownership within the digital realm, for example as proof of the authenticity of rare art. NFT is a special type of token that lives on the Ethereum blockchain and proves digital ownership of its associated media.

Last week, former U.S. first lady Melania Trump launched an NFT and blockchain technology venture, which was spearheaded by Parler. The platform, which is powered by Parler, will sell an NFT titled ‘Melania’s Vision’ as the first offering, Melania Trump announced on Thursday.

Excited for this new venture, which combines my passion for art and commitment to helping our Nation’s children fulfill their own unique American Dream. #MelaniaNFT https://t.co/XJN18tMllg pic.twitter.com/wMpmDDsQdp

— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) December 16, 2021

Meanwhile, it’s really a miracle that the platform still survives to this day especially considering numerous onslaughts from big tech companies like Apple and Facebook. Early this year, Google removed Parler from its Google Play store. Amazon pulled its web hosting contract, which later led to a lawsuit.

Parler was launched in 2018 as a social-media site, styling itself as a free-speech space for those seeking an alternative to major platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. The app quickly gained traction from conservatives and supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Based in Henderson, Nevada, Parler claimed to be the solution to problems that have surfaced in recent years due to changes in Big Tech policy influenced by various special-interest groups. Parler is built upon a foundation of respect for privacy and personal data, free speech, free markets, and ethical, transparent corporate policy.

Unlike Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms owned by the Big Tech, Parler describes its platform as an unbiased, free-speech social media platform focused on protecting users’ rights. In accordance with its free speech policy, Parler adopts a laissez-faire approach to offensive speech, citing the FCC’s definition of obscenity to define the threshold for acceptable conduct.