Founded in 2022 by gmoney, 9dcc “simultaneously reinterprets centuries-old traditions of house codes and offers a fresh take on fashion for a digital-first consumer, whose views on fashion and design align with gmoney's own vision of timeless style.” COLLECTION 01 by 9dcc is the first fully onchain fashion collection that seamlessly integrates physical products with digital experiences. 

In this Q&A, gmoney discusses how he blends the physical and digital sides of fashion and 9dcc’s upcoming mint of the Black Box on December 18. 

OpenSea: What inspired you to create 9dcc? What separates it from traditional fashion brands?

gmoney: Collaborating and working with brands like Adidas and Prada gave me a front-row seat to how eager companies are to embrace innovation. It became clear that to thrive in today’s market, you need to explore new, forward-thinking opportunities.

What makes 9dcc unique is how we use onchain tech to merge the physical and digital sides of fashion. Traditional brands focus on physical collections, but we’re creating products people love to wear while giving them a digital layer that’s interactive and community-driven. It’s a completely new way for people to connect with a brand, designed for trendsetters and tech-savvy disruptors who are shaping the future of fashion.

OpenSea: You’ve been a strong advocate for web3 and NFTs since early on. What initially drew you to this space, and how has your perspective evolved?

gmoney: NFTs immediately struck me as a game-changer — especially in art and fashion, where provenance matters. Over time, I’ve seen how web3 helps creators and brands build direct, transparent relationships with their communities, cutting out middlemen. Onchain technology is evolving fast, making it easier to bridge physical and digital worlds. Watching this shift has only strengthened my belief that web3 is the future—not just for fashion, but for culture overall.

OpenSea: What are some of the most rewarding moments or achievements you've experienced so far with 9dcc?

gmoney: Seeing 9dcc come to life has been incredible. Our debut at NFT Paris was a turning point—it showed the world what’s possible when physical fashion meets onchain tech. The pop-up shops in NYC and LA were also huge highlights. They brought our collections to life and created real-world connections with our community. Those events helped us grow a network of people who truly believe in the brand and are excited to shape its future with us.

OpenSea: How does 9dcc promote community within web3? (E.g., network points, NINES, etc.)

gmoney: Community is always at the heart of 9dcc. For example, we launched the NINES experience badges at our NYC pop-up shop, where visitors could earn onchain proof of presence badges by scanning caps on display and each other’s products. It’s a fun way to commemorate real-life moments and build connections among members.

These badges are just one way we’re blending digital and physical interactions. By putting experiences onchain, we’re creating a social graph that strengthens the connection between our community and the brand. Every interaction is meaningful, and we’re constantly rewarding engagement in ways that make being part of 9dcc something special.

OpenSea: 9dcc has been called a “digital-first” fashion brand. How do you envision the intersection of physical and digital fashion evolving over the next five years?‍

gmoney: The next five years will completely reshape the fashion world. With the emergence of AI, consumer experiences and the integration of tech into those experiences is about to completely change. As tech advances and consumer expectations grow, every brand will need to embrace digital components in their physical products.

At 9dcc, we’re leading this evolution by creating products that seamlessly link the digital and physical, building a stronger connection between brands and their communities. We’re also seeing a shift where consumers expect more value from brands. 9dcc is already ahead, creating systems that incentivize community building and growth. The future of fashion won’t just be about what you wear—it’ll be about the experiences and relationships that come with it.

OpenSea: What are some of the biggest challenges in convincing consumers and creators to embrace this digital-first mindset?

gmoney: Adoption takes time. People are still warming up to the idea of Networked Products, but every new product we release helps move the needle.

What’s great about web3 is how responsive it is. We can quickly adapt based on feedback and make the experience better over time. The goal is to create fashion that feels meaningful and connected, bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds. Once people experience it, they see the potential and get excited about this digital-first approach.

OpenSea: What inspired the 9dcc Black Box and ITERATION-04?

gmoney: The Black Box was about pushing boundaries—offering an experience that combines exclusive fashion, rewards, and surprises. It’s more than just a product drop; it’s a way to engage with our community in a fresh, innovative way. This drop marks the beginning of working towards new and innovative ways to get the community involved and excited about what we’re doing.

ITERATION-04 builds on my early experiments with NFC chips. Back then, I carried a PRADA keychain and handed out POAPs to introduce people to NFTs. That simple idea grew into Admit One and eventually 9dcc. With ITERATION-04, we’ve designed collectible keychains featuring rare animals like the Giant Panda, White Tiger, and, of course, an Ape with a beanie. They’re portable, interactive, and tap into the excitement around digital culture—all while staying true to our vision.

OpenSea: Can you share what buyers might find in their mystery box?‍

gmoney: Each Black Box is packed with exclusive rewards. Inside, you’ll find items from 9dcc’s COLLECTION-01, like the Essential Baseball Cap or Japanese Satin Bomber Jacket—pieces authenticated onchain.

The boxes also include ITERATION-04 keychains, a must-have collectible for 9dcc fans. Buyers will earn 9dcc Network Points and 21 $OP (Optimism) tokens with each box. There’s also the chance to win an orange beanie CryptoPunk—bringing someone into one of web3’s most OG communities. 

Mint purchases are eligible for OpenSea XP.

OpenSea: What was the reasoning behind including a CryptoPunk?‍

gmoney: CryptoPunks started the last bull market. They have a place in history. They are iconic—they represent the roots of the NFT movement. Adding one to the Black Box drop is a nod to the energy and excitement that brought so many of us into this space.

OpenSea: Can you explain how the redemption process will work?

‍gmoney: Starting December 18, 2024, the Black Box NFTs go live on OpenSea. It’s first-come, first-served, and open to everyone. Trading of the unrevealed Black Boxes begins on December 27. On January 15, 2025, you’ll be able to reveal what’s inside the box and redeem the physical goods for shipment. The grand finale? A CryptoPunk winner will be drawn from the pool of total redeemed products to one lucky participant on February 7, 2025!