When NFTs exploded in popularity in 2021, a rush of new enthusiasts began to collect NFT art. An honoured few were praised as NFT art curators – and one become known as grand patron of the digital arts. That person is Cozomo de’ Medici.
Taking their name from a member of the influential 15th century Medici family, their ubiquity, acquisitions and donations have been lauded in every corner, leaving a lasting legacy on the modern art world.
NFT art is a stronger industry because of them – but what exactly has Cozomo de’ Medici achieved, why are they so respected, and what could we see from them in future?
Here’s our complete 2025 guide to Cozomo de’ Medici.
Key Insights
- Digital art collector, named after 15th century art patron Cosimo de’ Medici
- Emerged in July 2021, purchasing CryptoPunk #3831
- Acquired multiple 1-of-1 NFTs from XCOPY, Sam Spratt, Claire Silver and more
- Donated 22 influential works to LACMA in February 2023
- Seen by many as the most esteemed NFT art patron in the world
Who is Cozomo de’ Medici?
Cozomo de’ Medici is a digital art collector, angel investor, and NFT community influencer.
Named after famed Florentine banker Cosimo de’ Medici, they regard themselves as a patron of digital art. Medici has built an impressive collection of blockchain-based artworks – known as the Cozomo de’ Medici Collection – which features works from many of the biggest NFT artists in the world.
With over 300,000 followers on X, Cozomo shares their insights on digital art, upcoming creators and personal experiences – and sharing more through the Medici Minutes newsletter. These updates offer a peek into their thoughts on the world of digital art, covering market trends, new artists, and their journey as a collector.
Alongside acquiring art, Medici promotes digital art through both virtual and physical exhibitions. Using platforms such as Deca and OnCyber, they showcase their collection to art fans the world over, bringing digital art to the masses in an accessible and engaging way.
Medici emphasises that anyone can become an art collector, no matter your financial resources. They’re a big advocate of bringing digital art into the home, and has invested in technologies that further this aim, helping to transforming art appreciation from a privilege of the few to an experience for the many.
What has Cozomo de’ Medici achieved?
Cozomo de’ Medici emerged in the NFT industry by purchasing CryptoPunk #3831 – known as ‘CoZom’ – in July 2021. That nickname inspired them to adopt the Cozomo de’ Medici alias, referring to their purchases as The Medici Collection – which quickly became a big deal in NFT art circles.
Rumours soon surfaced that Medici was famous American rapper Snoop Dogg. In response, Medici posted a tweet stating that they’d reveal themselves on their personal account. Shortly after, Snoop Dogg indeed tweeted “I am @CozomoMedici“.
This seemed to confirm the connection – but subsequent investigations would appear to suggest that this was a publicity stunt, with Snoop getting involved to grow his prominence in the industry. To this day, Medici is yet to reveal their true identity, remaining as an alias ever since.
Though Medici initially intending to only make a single NFT purchase, they soon found themselves drawn further into the world of digital art. Inspired by other collectors and digital art galleries, Medici began to curate a collection of NFTs spanning various styles and mediums. This included multiple CryptoPunks, Fidenza by Tyler Hobbs, and works from XCOPY, DeeKay, Claire Silver and more.
Through building their collection and supporting a large community of artists, Medici not only contributed to the growing NFT art movement, but became one of the biggest and most revered NFT art collectors in the world.
Medici has used this status to promote digital art to the masses. They’ve helped to organise many physical exhibitions around the world, and have invested into companies that are developing digital art displays, helping to bring digital art into the home.
What NFTs has Cozomo de’ Medici acquired?
Medici has acquired a vast assortment of NFT art from some of the big names in the industry. This includes artworks from the likes of:
- XCOPY. Known for punk-inspired works, XCOPY‘s art embodies the edgy side of crypto art.
- Sam Spratt. Discovered through FEWOCiOUS, Medici owns “I. Birth of Luci”, “VII. Wormfood” and many others.
- DeeKay. A motion graphics expert. DeeKay’s NFTs are dynamic, colourful and fluid – and Medici’s support has helped to spreads his work to all-new audiences.
- Claire Silver. An AI art pioneer, Silver’s work blends human input with machine learning.
- Yam Karkai. Co-founder of World of Women, her work promotes diversity and inclusivity – a cause that Medici has often supported.
- Vissyarts. A Malaysian artist who turned from traditional galleries to the NFT space, Medici’s support has been vital in her work finding a new network of fans.
In addition to supporting artists, Medici invests in brands that look to enhance the digital art experience. This includes PIP Labs, Fountain, Spaceport and more.
What NFTs has Cozomo de’ Medici donated?
February 2023 saw Medici announce a donation of 22 NFT artworks to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). This was both “the first donation of on-chain art from a collector to a museum,” and “the largest [tokenized] digital fine art collection to enter a museum.”
These 22 individual works covered 13 separate artists, with all the pieces created between 2017 and 2022. The styles of the works ranged from AI and generative art to books, videos, sculptures, photos and more – with the donation becoming a significant moment in NFT art history.
Medici hoped that these pieces would “sit in one of the greatest art collections in human history” – as LACMA possesses works from Rembrant, Picasso, Monet and many more.
Furthermore, Medici expressed a desire for this donation to “forever cement the on-chain art movement in the canon of art history,” and further his hope that world-renowned museums could “hold the greatest digital works alongside the greatest physical [works].”
Cozomo de’ Medici continues to influence digital art through high-profile acquisitions, their extensive collection, and ongoing philanthropic efforts – supporting artists, brands, causes and more.
Their support of not just individual artists, but NFT art as a whole, has played a major role in the broader acceptance of both NFT art and digital art as a valued form of artistic expression.
Medici has already made an incredible impact on digital art so far – and with their efforts continuing, expect Medici to play a crucial role in the future of digital art too.
Riding crypto waves since 2012, bridging digital and physical worlds through prose.