RTFKT co-founder Benoît Pagotto has died at the age of 41, according to public posts from associates.
The news was first reported by Philippe Rodriguez in a LinkedIn post, who called Pagotto a “client and friend” and noted that Pagotto’s death was “sudden.” Rodriguez is a founding partner at Avolta Partners, which advised RTFKT on its sale to Nike in Dec. 2021.
“He will remain the entrepreneur, super creative, discreet and humble. Passionate but always reasonable, he inspired as much as he sought inspiration from others,” an English translation of his French-language post reads.
The news was later confirmed by fellow RTFKT co-founder Steven Vasilev, who posted on X, “The vision, mission and inspiration [Pagotto] gave to the world will live on forever.”
Pagotto co-founded Web3 studio RTFKT (pronounced “artifact”) in early 2020, alongside Vasilev and co-founder Chris Le. The firm released artistic NFT sneakers, which quickly gained popularity, and led to brand collaborations with sneaker designer Jeff Staple, Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, and others.
The Murakami collaboration, the 20,000-piece project Clone X x Takashi Murakami, has the fourth-most total lifetime earnings of any NFT project, after Yuga Labs, Azuki, and VeeFriends, according to DefiLlama data, with nearly $120 million. RTFKT itself makes the list in ninth place, with over $50 million in lifetime earnings.
Nike announced it would wind down the startup in Dec. 2024. Pagotto stayed on with Nike, as a senior director, brand and partnerships.
“[H]e was just a unique human being, no one will ever replace him. [T]his dude was literally raising crows out of his apartment windows!” former RTFKT CTO Samuel Cardillo wrote on X, in his own tribute post.
The Block was unable to immediately reach Nike or representatives for Pagotto for comment.
© 2025 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Stay ahead of the market by turning news insights into trading opportunities. With Coinhub Exchange, you can seamlessly buy, sell, and manage your digital assets, all in one secure platform. Take advantage of real-time market insights, deep liquidity, and fast execution for your favorite cryptocurrencies. Don’t just read about it — trade crypto now!
Disclaimer
The content of this article shown by Coinhub News, powered by The Block, is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Coinhub News and its affiliates are not a licensed financial advisor, legal advisor, broker, or tax advisor, and ... should not be considered as professional advice or a recommendation to engage in any specific investment, legal decision, or financial transaction. Cryptocurrency markets are highly speculative and volatile. Readers should perform their own independent research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial or legal decisions. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Company of its affiliates. Additionally, the Company does not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, timeliness, reliability, or completeness of any information in this article. By accessing this content, you acknowledge that any reliance on the information contained in this article is solely at your own risk. The Company is not responsible for any financial losses, legal disputes, or other damages that may arise from reliance on this content or from any investment or legal decisions based on the information provided. Investing in cryptocurrencies involves substantial risks, including the risk of losing your entire investment, and you should carefully consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances.
Read more
