X 'removes support' for NFT profile pictures
It looks like Elon Musk's social media platform is starting to turn its back on NFTs.
Lots has changed since Elon Musk bought X towards the end of 2022.
One recent shift looks to be around NFTs, or Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are unique tokens that exist on the blockchain - often used for digital art, the tech signifies that you're the only person who owns that particular token.
There was a time when NFTs were a hot topic of conversation (remember 2022, when the 'Bored Ape' NFT was everywhere?) but hype has significantly died down.
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In early 2022, Twitter (as it was known then) brought in a new feature for Twitter Blue subscribers, letting you set NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain as your profile picture.
This became something of a status symbol, as it meant your profile pic appeared as a hexagon on the site.
Now, it looks like this capability has been removed for X Premium subscribers (the ones who pay extra for the service).
TechCrunch points out that any mentions of NFTs and profile pictures has been removed from the X Premium help center page, although users still currently have the hexagon shape on the site.
If you look at an archived version of the same support page, it said: 'As a Premium subscriber, you can create a customize your profile so you can show off the NFTs you own in a hex-shaped profile picture on your account.
'After a temporary connection to your crypto wallet that allows you to set up an NFT as your profile picture, your digital asset displays in a special hexagon shape that identifies you as the owner of that NFT.'
If X has removed support for NFTs, it would be following in the footsteps of fellow tech giant, Meta, which announced it was giving up on digital collectibles in March last year.
Plus, it would seem like Musk has bigger things to think about with X. One of the most pressing issues he'll face this year is the European Union’s investigation into the company, alleging a breach of rules in a number of areas including stopping illegal content and disinformation.
It's all part of tough new tech laws introduced by the EU, which require the biggest platforms to protect their users against extreme and harmful content.
Failure to do so can mean large fines or a service being suspended in the EU – outcomes X could not afford to face.
Then there's the advertiser exodus that started happening at the end of last year, which Musk himself has admitted cost the company "billions" of dollars in revenue.
But there's also opportunities for X this year - including drawing more creators to the platform, a plan which could have been sparked by a conversation Musk had with hugely popular YouTuber MrBeast.