Bianca Wyler, the head of Reddit’s Collectible Avatars (RCA) program, has left the company, sparking worries among platform users about the project’s future. Wyler announced her departure on January 6 via LinkedIn, expressing pride in her achievements but providing no details on what lies ahead for the program.
“My role at Reddit has come to an end. While I’m sad about this change, I’m incredibly proud of the results we achieved during my time there,” she wrote.
What Are Reddit Collectible Avatars
RCA is a series of unique NFTs on the Polygon blockchain, featuring Reddit’s signature alien character. These tokens confer various benefits to holders, such as upgraded comment appearances. Launched in July 2022, the program collaborated with independent artists to produce limited-edition digital avatars. According to Dune Analytics, more than 33.5 million people currently own these NFT avatars.
Declining Interest in the Program
Following a peak of success in late 2022, RCA sales have significantly dwindled. Over the last three months of 2024, the monthly volume on the secondary market has been about $100,000, noticeably lower than previous levels.
Wyler joined Reddit in June 2024 and noted that at the time, the program was “in a challenging phase,” experiencing a lull after a prior wave of enthusiasm.
“The program required a thorough overhaul and a fresh strategy,” she told Cointelegraph. She claims that within three months, she managed to improve the program’s public image and increase sales.
Community Reaction and RCA’s Future
After Wyler announced her departure, some of her comments were deleted, prompting speculation about the future of RCA. Some users suspect Reddit might abandon NFT avatars in favor of other priorities.
Wyler stressed that her exit is part of “natural shifts” occurring in major tech companies like X and Meta as they explore new technologies:
“I don’t know what direction RCA will take in the future, but I’m sure Reddit will continue to care for its community — the central driving force behind everything the company does.”
Reddit representatives have not yet commented on the matter.
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