Tad Smith, chairman of Doodles and former CEO of Sotheby’s, has agreed to buy most of the assets of digital collectibles platform Candy Digital. He wrote on X that he’s “doubling down” on his “commitment to digital collectibles, adding that “when the transaction closes in a week or two, I will also serve as CEO.” The acquisition comes at a pivotal moment for Candy Digital, which launched in 2021 amid heightened interest in NFTs and blockchain-based collectibles. Backed by investors including Michael Rubin, Mike Novogratz, and Gary Vaynerchuk, the platform quickly secured partnerships with major entertainment and sports entities, including Major League Baseball, DC Comics, and Netflix. At its peak, Candy Digital reported around 1.5 million users. However, the NFT bubble burst in 2022, leading to operational changes, and the platform entered a maintenance phase in 2024, prompting speculation about its long-term viability. It’s therefore a bold move by Smith.…