Dime
Shut DownNFTs made simple
Platform making it easy for creators to create, buy, and sell NFTs using USD.
About
Dime was a platform that enabled creators to convert their social media content into tradeable digital collectibles without needing crypto wallets or cryptocurrency. By handling the blockchain complexity behind the scenes, Dime let creators set up NFT stores from their Instagram feeds and allowed fans to purchase items with USD, trade them on an integrated marketplace, and display collections on their profiles. Founded by Ben Share (Stanford CS, ex-Google) and Aaron Barbieri-Aghib (UChicago, ex-HFT), the company went through Y Combinator S21 and raised seed funding backed by Wing VC and Soma Capital. As the NFT market collapsed in 2022-2023, Dime shut down operations. The founders later pivoted to Dime Autotest, an automated end-to-end testing platform.
DailyDropout Take
Dime caught our eye as a bet on making NFTs accessible to mainstream creators. While platforms like OpenSea required crypto wallets and gas fees, Dime let creators turn their Instagram feeds into NFT stores purchasable with USD. The YC S21 team had the right thesis — simplify Web3 for consumers — but the broader NFT market collapse made the timing unfavorable.
Discovery signal: YC S21 batch, consumer-friendly approach to NFTs, backing from Wing VC and Soma Capital
What Makes Them Unique
Dime removed the crypto complexity from NFTs entirely — no wallets, no gas fees, no cryptocurrency needed. Creators could turn their Instagram content into NFT stores and fans could buy with USD, making digital collectibles accessible to mainstream audiences.
Target Markets
Founders
Ben Share
Co-Founder
Stanford CS graduate. Previously worked on ads ML at Google. San Francisco native passionate about building quality software products.
Aaron Barbieri-Aghib
Co-Founder
University of Chicago graduate in math and biology. Previously worked as a software engineer at a high-frequency trading firm.
Funding History
Lead: Wing VC