VanEck launches NFT platform, set to offer split ownership of token-backed watches and Wine By March

Global investment manager Van Eck has launched an NFT marketplace and digital assets platform called SegMint in collaboration with Nueva.Tech, Delegate.xyz, MINTangible.io, Portals.to and Walletchat.fun.

Founded in 1955, VanEck has a long history in asset management — primarily engaged in issuing exchange-traded funds. VanEck was one of the first to file an application for a spot bitcoin ETF in the U.S., with its HODL product launching alongside nine other spot bitcoin ETFs on Jan. 11. The platform was born out of VanEck’s digital assets research effort, designed to improve accessibility and security in the space via its “Lock & Key Model,” according to a statement shared with The Block. SegMint’s model aims to simplify the self-custodial sharing of digital assets.

The process is akin to having a secure vault to store digital assets and issue keys to others, granting them shared access and ownership without compromising security, according to the firm. “We identified a significant pain point in the digital assets ecosystem — the challenge of sharing access and ownership in a self-custody world,” SegMint founder Matt Bartlett said. “The Lock & Key Model addresses this by offering a user-friendly solution that empowers individuals to securely share their assets while retaining control.”

Additional SegMint features include a custom multi-sig wallet solution, NFT minting capabilities and token-gated utility — initially offered for free, VanEck said.