THE CANDY MAN: Tad Smith Officially Acquires Candy Digital!

From something soft to chew on to a “hard launch,” the Candy community got some sweet news on Monday as former Sotheby’s CEO and Doodles Chairman Tad Smith and his family officially acquired the digital collectibles platform!

On Monday, Candy made Smith’s acquisition officially official with a new press release.

 

“The acquisition marks a new chapter for Candy Digital, with Smith stepping in to lead the business as it rebuilds around its fan community and a long-term vision for digital collectible ownership,” the company wrote. “As part of the transaction, Smith's company assumed digital licenses for Major League Baseball and DC Comics, continuing Candy's connection to some of the most recognizable names in sports and entertainment.”

 

As the Gazette previously reported in March 2026, Smith began tweeting about his plans to acquire the onchain collectibles company because he still believes in NFTs.

 

Since that initial post, Smith has announced plans to move the platform to Solana this summer and introduced an NFT burn option where eligible collectibles can be exchanged for 50 cents each!

 

"Candy has always had the ingredients of a special company: iconic partners, a passionate fan base, and a product category that is still in its earliest innings," said Smith in today’s press release."My focus is simple: restore trust, listen closely to fans, support our partners, and build Candy into a durable platform for the next era of digital collecting."

 

As part of today’s acquisition, Smith will also be bringing his wife and former motion picture literary agent, Caroline Fitzgibbons, onboard to help the company better connect with fans, along with notable names and founders from the company’s past, including Matt Novogratz, Mat Laibowitz, Steven Belser, Ryan Martin, Anthony Solis, Aaron Frebowitz, and Aaron Casanova.

"Candy has always been at its best when it brings fans closer to the moments and worlds they care about," said Matt Novogratz, Co-Founder of Candy Digital. "Tad understands collecting, culture, and trust at the highest level. This is the moment for Candy to reconnect with fans, rebuild the platform's foundation, and shape a future that's both premium and accessible."

To make sure they’re ready for everything happening with Candy going forward, fans should log into their accounts tonight to qualify as “Active Users,” which will allow their NFTs to automatically migrate to Solana for free later this month.

For more information on the migration and how to become an active Candy fan, check out the platform’s post below:

 

The Gazette will continue to follow all things Candy. Stay tuned for updates!