This is the future Alexandria Labs wants to create. “We were really inspired by the ancient patronage model where the wealthy classes would support the arts so that everyone can access it,” says co-founder Amelie Lasker. Hoping to be the “great library for the metaverse,” the platform will launch with a small library of NFT books that anyone can read, but few can collect.

“We want to try different tiers,” Lasker says. “Maybe there’s a more accessible, more affordable version where it’s just the ebook, and then there’s a more expensive version that has original art or some kind signature from the author—or a unique piece the author has written into it that’s only for that one copy. That creates rare books.”