STEPN and INFOBAR collaborate on NFT sneaker project

STEPN and INFOBAR collaborate on NFT sneaker project

KDDI will sell NFT sneakers that "fuse" the "STEPN" Web3 lifestyle app, which promotes "movement," and the "INFOBAR" mobile phone in the NFT marketplace "αU market" from Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in a limited edition of 200 pairs.

"STEPN" is a lifestyle app that promotes physical activity, allowing users to acquire NFT sneakers and earn cryptocurrency while enjoying walking and jogging.

The mobile phone "INFOBAR" was first released in 2003 as the first model of the au Design project, and its innovative design greatly shocked people. The design of the "INFOBAR" series is by product designer Naoto Fukasawa, and its design has been highly praised worldwide, being selected as a permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

This time, KDDI will sell four types of NFT sneakers that can be used with the STEPN app, based on the "INFOBAR" series motif. There will be 50 sneakers of each design available for sale, for a total of 200 (all OG sneakers).

Furthermore, four lucky customers who purchase the collaboration NFT sneakers will be selected by lottery to receive limited-edition NFT sneakers as a gift.

KDDI will continue to collaborate with creators and partner companies to propose new encounters and ways to enjoy technology and culture.

About STEPN

STEPN is a leading Web3 lifestyle app with over 5.7 million registered users. It provides a mechanism to earn rewards while enjoying exercise, allowing users to purchase virtual sneaker NFTs and earn rewards through walking, jogging, and running. It has partnered with global brands such as adidas, Atlético de Madrid, Steve Aoki, and ASICS and is loved by many people.

About INFOBAR

The INFOBAR mobile phone was first released in 2003 as the first model of the au Design project, and its innovative design greatly shocked people. The design of the INFOBAR, which has released 7 models to date, is by Naoto Fukasawa, one of Japan's leading product designers. The unique color designs unique to INFOBAR, including the color NISHIKIGOI, which symbolizes INFOBAR, still have a timeless charm. The INFOBAR series has been recognized worldwide for its design innovation and has been selected as a permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. In 2023, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of INFOBAR, October 31st, the release date of the first INFOBAR, was designated as "INFOBAR Day."

About αU

αU is a Metaverse and Web3 service that caters to a new generation that moves lightly between reality and the virtual world, such as Metaverse/Live distribution/Virtual shopping, and aims for a world where anyone can become a creator. It offers "αU metaverse" where you can enjoy entertainment experiences and conversations with friends in the Metaverse, "αU market" where you can purchase digital art works, "αU wallet" where you can manage NFTs and cryptocurrencies, "αU live" where you can enjoy high-quality 360-degree free-viewpoint music live performances with cloud rendering, and "αU place" where you can shop at virtual stores that replicate real stores.

About αU market

αU market is an NFT marketplace that can be easily enjoyed even by those who are not familiar with NFTs.

It offers a wide range of NFTs, including those in collaboration with famous artists and creators, and NFTs that provide benefits when held. In addition, credit cards and au Easy Payment can be used for payment, so even those who do not own cryptocurrencies can purchase them.


Please follow us to read more about Finance & FinTech in Japan, like hundreds of readers do every day. We invite you to also register for our short weekly digest, the “Japan FinTech Observer”, on LinkedIn, or directly here on the platform.

We also provide a daily short-form Japan FinTech Observer news podcast, available via its Podcast Page. Our global Finance & FinTech Podcast, “eXponential Finance” is available through its own LinkedIn newsletter, or via its Podcast Page.

Should you live in Tokyo, or just pass through, please also join our meetup. In any case, our YouTube channel and LinkedIn page are there for you as well.

Read more