RTFKT Co-Founder Pagotto Dies at 41 as NFT Prices Soar

Published: 2025-10-14 07:19:45 |

RTFKT co-founder Benoît Pagotto died unexpectedly at 41 on October 12. Pagotto helped launch RTFKT in early 2020 and spearheaded the Clone X x Takashi Murakami NFT collection, virtual sneakers, and digital fashion. He stayed on as Senior Director of Brand and Partnerships after Nike acquired RTFKT in December 2021. His passing triggered a 420% surge in RTFKT NFT token price, a 204% jump in trading volume, and drove Ethereum (ETH) up 8% to $4,174. Nike shares fell 4.2% on the news. Traders attribute the rally to both homage and renewed momentum in the Web3 fashion sector. Pagotto’s legacy lives on through RTFKT’s innovative work and the broader NFT community.

Bullish

Pagotto’s passing spurred a sharp rally in RTFKT NFTs and pushed Ethereum up 8%, reflecting immediate buying pressure and market momentum. In the short term, homage-driven demand boosted token volumes and ETH liquidity. Over the longer term, sustained interest in digital fashion NFTs and RTFKT’s legacy may support continued Ethereum network activity and trading, reinforcing a bullish outlook for ETH.