The Jungle Freaks nonfungible token (NFT) drove has lost roughly 80% of its trading value overnight after a series of racist cartoons drawn by one of its creators circulated on social media. The project is the brainchild of famed Hustler magazine cartoonist George Trosley and is curated by his son George Three Trosley.

Many participants from the NFT sale expressed their dismay later on Trosley'southward offensive illustrations came to light. Even Lord of the Rings actor Elijah Wood, who has recently taken a public interest in collecting various NFTs, responded, saying: "I was made enlightened of some of the creative person's disturbing prior cartoons. Upon learning this, I immediately sold the NFTs as I wholly denounce whatever form of racism. I have donated the funds from the sale of the NFT to LDF and Black Lives Matter."

The elder Trosley later tweeted what some believe amounted to a non-amends, stating:

"The illustrations that I was contracted to draw, some over xl years ago, have been taken out of context, equally today's generation may not accept an understanding of what was taking place in journalism and the earth during my fourth dimension at Hustler mag."

His son said separately, "My father has expressed to me how ashamed he is for the cartoons many have seen. This project and NFT space as a whole has allowed my father an opportunity to redeem himself. This community, from day i, has been near inclusivity."

Twitter user and self-ascribed person of color, or POC, Ricefarmer.eth tweeted:

"I've blocked over fifty accounts today, some of them my own followers. As a POC, I will non stand with anyone defending Jungle Freaks and their beliefs."

This isn't the starting time fourth dimension in recent months that an NFT project has faced backfire for offensive content. In June, a project known as Misfit Academy drew fire from domestic violence survivors when information technology released a series of NFTs featuring avatars with duct tape over their mouths. The project's creators eventually apologized and bought the offending assets back from the afflicted users.

Even NFT marketplace OpenSea has not been immune to controversy, albeit of a different sort. In September, the visitor confirmed that 1 of its production leads was profiting from insider trading. Nate Chastain purchased 11 NFTs that he knew would be featured on the marketplace'southward front page and unloaded them at a hefty profit one time they were up. OpenSea conducted an investigation and Chastain subsequently resigned as a issue.