Mimic Shhans NFT Project Faces Backlash Over Language Policy

In a recent tweet dated Dec. 11, SHHAN, the creator of the popular black cats nonfungible token (NFT) collection Mimic Shhans, explained the rationale behind blocking Chinese language posts on community social pages. This decision sparked controversy and accusations of discrimination from users.

Expanding to the North American Market

SHHAN, who is based in South Korea, created the Chinese post to directly address the concerns raised about his language policy. He stated, “It is because I previously announced on Twitter and Discord that my team is trying to enter the North American market. Therefore, I recommended everyone use English when responding to Twitter posts.” The goal of this approach is to enhance communication with North American holders of Mimic Shhans NFTs.

Challenges in Cultural Integration

In his explanation, SHHAN highlighted that when speaking with North American holders, they expressed difficulties in engaging with the Mimic community due to the prevalence of comments in Chinese. This isolation made it challenging for them to connect with the broader culture surrounding the project. He noted, “The vast majority of people did not appear to follow it,” referring to his earlier suggestion that users communicate in English on Discord.

Popularity in China and Community Impact

The NFT collection, which features playful black cats dressed in various costumes and is minted on the Ethereum blockchain, has seen tremendous popularity in China, with most of its NFT holders based in the country. Having launched in October, the Mimic Shhans project currently boasts 2,001 holders on OpenSea, with a trading volume of 285 Ether (ETH) since inception.

Looking Forward: The Shhan Metaverse

SHHAN emphasized the importance of reaching European and North American consumer markets for the upcoming Shhan Metaverse, referred to as the “Shhanverse,” by encouraging internationalized communication within the community. His intention is to foster a more inclusive environment that resonates with wider audiences, ultimately elevating the project’s profile on the global stage.

While the language policy decision aimed to support broader comprehension and participation, the backlash indicates the challenges NFT projects face when balancing their established communities against the pursuit of new markets.