Crypto Gloss

KnownOrigin

KnownOrigin is a curated Ethereum digital art NFT marketplace launched in 2019 — one of the very first dedicated NFT art platforms predating the 2021 boom — that pioneered artist-first values, 100% ERC-721 on-chain provenance, and creator royalties, before being acquired by eBay in 2022 in one of the earliest mainstream e-commerce acquisitions of an NFT platform.

The Platform

Attribute Detail
Blockchain Ethereum
Type Curated NFT art marketplace
Founded 2019
Acquired eBay, 2022
Focus Digital art; limited edition and 1-of-1 works

Core approach:

  • Curated platform (not permissionless); artists apply to be accepted
  • Emphasis on art quality and provenance
  • Creator royalties enforced at the smart contract level
  • ERC-721 token standard for maximum interoperability

Historical Position

KnownOrigin’s founding in 2019 places it before nearly all major NFT art platforms:

  • Predates SuperRare’s early days (also 2018–2019)
  • Predates Nifty Gateway, Foundation, and the 2021 platforms entirely
  • Active before “NFT” was a mainstream term
  • The artists who exhibited on KnownOrigin in 2019–2020 are pioneers of the art NFT space

The eBay Acquisition (2022)

In June 2022, eBay acquired KnownOrigin:

  • The acquisition made KnownOrigin the first NFT platform acquired by a major mainstream e-commerce company
  • eBay’s intent: leverage KnownOrigin’s technical expertise and community to enter the NFT market
  • The acquisition came during the bear market; it was seen as strategic interest in NFT infrastructure despite market cooling
  • Post-acquisition, KnownOrigin continued to operate as a standalone marketplace within eBay’s ecosystem

History

  • 2019 — KnownOrigin founded in Manchester, UK; launches as one of the first dedicated NFT art platforms
  • 2021 — NFT boom brings attention to all digital art platforms; KnownOrigin grows alongside SuperRare, Foundation, and others
  • June 2022 — eBay acquires KnownOrigin; major mainstream validation of NFT marketplace infrastructure
  • 2022–2024 — KnownOrigin continues operating under eBay; artist community maintained; the acquisition relationship develops

Common Misconceptions

  • “KnownOrigin was the first NFT platform.” — KnownOrigin is among the earliest, but not the absolute first. CryptoPunks (2017), CryptoKitties (2017), and Rare Pepe (2016) predate it. KnownOrigin is notable as one of the first dedicated art NFT marketplaces.
  • “The eBay acquisition changed KnownOrigin entirely.” — Post-acquisition, KnownOrigin maintained its artist community and curatorial approach. The eBay ownership brought resources and attention rather than a complete overhaul.

Social Media Sentiment

  • X/Twitter: KnownOrigin is respected in the early NFT art community; artists who exhibited there in 2019–2020 have significant historical credibility.
  • Art NFT community: KnownOrigin is positioned alongside SuperRare as a “serious” art platform; the eBay acquisition is viewed with cautious optimism about mainstream art market integration.

Last updated: 2026-04

Related Terms

See Also

  • SuperRare — the other early curated Ethereum art marketplace; together SuperRare and KnownOrigin represent the early digital art NFT establishment
  • Foundation — another curated art platform; the 2021 wave of platforms that followed KnownOrigin’s early model
  • NFT Royalties — KnownOrigin pioneered on-chain royalty enforcement; a central part of its creator-first philosophy

Sources