How did it all begin?
“Necessity is the mother of invention”.
The United States entered a financial crisis in 2008 as a result of huge banks' willful gambling with their clients' money in high-risk endeavors. Blockchain was created in the wake of this upheaval, providing a crucial tool for changing a dysfunctional system. (1)
All digital currencies and NFTs are based on the blockchain, which may be thought of as their engine or system. Blockchain keeps track of every transaction in a way that makes changing, hacking, or gaming the system challenging, if not impossible.
Decentralization refers to the movement of control and decision-making from a centralized entity (person, organization, or group thereof) to a distributed network (group of people). This ground-breaking technology places the power in the hands of its users and demands responsibility and openness. (2)
Ethereum was the next step in the evolution of the blockchain. Another cryptocurrency that offers a flexible platform that enables the implementation of "smart contracts" is Ethereum. The digital assets associated with these smart contracts are code packets that guarantee each asset is individually identifiable, traceable, and verifiable. These agreements are generally impenetrable and uncopyable and can be used with anything digital.
WHAT ARE NFTs AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
NFTs (non-fungible tokens) appear to have exploded this year. These digital assets, some of which trade for millions of dollars, range from works of art and music to tacos and toilet paper.
But do NFTs live up to the buzz or the cost? Like the dot-com bubble or Beanie Babies, some experts believe they are a bubble that is about to burst. Others think NFTs are here to stay and will fundamentally alter investment. (3)
Digital assets called Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are used to represent things like artwork, collectibles, and in-game items. They are typically stored in smart contracts on a blockchain and exchanged online frequently with cryptocurrencies.
NFT is a non-fungible token. What does that mean?
The ability of an asset to be exchanged for another asset of a like-kind on an equal basis is referred to as fungibility. The US Dollar is a real-world illustration of a fungible asset; you may exchange one dollar for another knowing that it will always be worth the same amount, regardless of which dollar you have.
Non-fungible assets, in contrast to fungible ones, are valued differently based on their special qualities and scarcity. Baseball cards are one example of this, where each card is given a certain value based on its characteristics, such as its edition number, design, player, and rarity. Because each baseball card has a unique value and cannot be immediately exchanged for another baseball card, baseball cards are not fungible.
An NFT can be anything that can be transformed into a digital format. You can turn anything into an NFT, which can then be exchanged online using cryptocurrencies, including your drawings, pictures, films, GIFs, music, in-game stuff, selfies, and even tweets.
This groundbreaking technology that is shifting norms in every sector is a special piece of data stored on a blockchain that may be linked to both digital and physical items to show ownership incorruptible.
An NFT's data can be linked to digital photos, music, videos, avatars, and other content. They can also be utilized to grant an NFT owner access to a variety of tangible assets, including vehicles, yachts, and much more, as well as tickets to live or virtual events. (4)
In this approach, NFTs enable anyone to quickly verify the creation, purchase, and sale of goods using blockchain technology. However, keep in mind that when you purchase an NFT, you are not, unless specifically indicated, purchasing the copyright, intellectual property rights, or commercial rights to any underlying assets. (5)
The ERC-721 standard gave rise to NFTs. ERC-721 specifies the minimal interface—ownership information, security, and metadata—needed for the exchange and distribution of gaming tokens. It was created by some of the same individuals that created the ERC-20 smart contract.
The ERC-1155 standard expands on the idea by batching many non-fungible token types into a single contract and lowering the transaction and storage costs necessary for NFTs. (6)
NFTs have a variety of potential applications. For instance, they are the perfect means of digitally representing tangible things like real estate and art. NFTs, which are based on blockchains, can also be used for identity management or to cut out middlemen and link artists with audiences. NFTs have the ability to eliminate middlemen, streamline transactions, and open up new markets. (7)
Much of the present market for NFTs is oriented around collectibles, such as digital artwork, sports cards, and rarities. Perhaps the most touted location is NBA Top Shot, a place to gather non-fungible tokenized NBA moments in digital card form. These cards have sold for millions of dollars in some cases.
A tokenized version of the first tweet ever, which read "just setting up my twttr," was just shared by Twitter's (TWTR) Jack Dorsey. It is the first tweet ever sold for more than $2.9 million in NFT form. (8)
NFTs have been around since 2014, but they are just now becoming well-known since they are a more and more common way to acquire and trade digital art. Since November 2017, a startling $174 million has been spent on NFTs.
Although various blockchains have adopted their own NFT implementation, the majority of NFTs are, at a very high level, a component of the Ethereum blockchain. Like bitcoin or dogecoin, Ethereum is a cryptocurrency, but its blockchain also keeps account of who is owning and exchanging NFTs.
Simply said, when you list your NFT on a marketplace, you pay a "gas fee" (transaction cost) for the use of the Blockchain. Then, your digital artwork is recorded on the Blockchain, saying that you (your address) possess the specific NFT. You now have complete ownership, which nobody—not even the owner of the marketplace—can amend or change. (9)
Non-fungible tokens have distinctive qualities and are typically connected to a particular item. They can be used to demonstrate ownership of actual goods as well as digital items like gaming skins. (10)
How can you buy, create or sell an NFT?
An NFT can be purchased by anyone with a bitcoin wallet. The sole requirement to buy an NFT is that. No KYC documentation is required to buy an artwork. All you need is a Metamask-powered cryptocurrency wallet and a marketplace for buying and selling NFTs.
The procedure of producing and selling NFTs is actually quite straightforward. It operates as follows: A person (or business) chooses a special asset to sell as an NFT. Minting is a procedure where the object is added to a blockchain that supports NFTs.
Now the item is represented by the NFT on the blockchain, and ownership proof is confirmed in an unchangeable record. The NFT can be purchased, sold, and exchanged utilizing NFT marketplaces and auctions, or it can be retained as a part of a private collection.
With the right tools and assistance, non-fungible tokens can likewise be generated on other blockchains that support smart contracts. Despite the fact that Ethereum was the first to become extensively used, the ecosystem is growing and now supports NFTs on blockchains like Solana, NEO, Tezos, EOS, Flow, Secret Network, and TRON. (11)
Numerous NFT markets, including as OpenSea, Rarible, and SuperRare, provide non-fungible tokens for sale.
The largest NFT marketplace is OpenSea.io, where you can find digital art, collectibles like gaming items, domain names, and even virtual versions of real things. The site, which has millions of digital assets arranged into hundreds of categories, is essentially an eBay for NFTs.
Rarible is one of the biggest NFT marketplaces and is quite similar to OpenSea in that it allows artists and producers to issue and sell NFTs.
Foundation is another platform where users will require "upvotes" from other creators in order to post their work on this particular NFT marketplace. A 24-hour auction countdown begins after the first bid is put on NFTs that artists have listed for auction at a reserve price. The auction is extended for an additional 15 minutes if a bid is submitted within the previous 15 minutes. (12)
Here's how to use Rarible to get into the marketplace. First, go to the Rarible website and select the "Connect" button in the upper right corner. Choose the wallet you want to link to the platform from here, then log in. Before you can log in, you must agree to the terms of service.
Search the platform for the NFT you want to buy after logging in. Click the "Buy now" button when you've decided on the NFT you want to buy. You will be prompted to double-check the order's information in a confirmation window that appears.
To proceed to the next stage, click the "Proceed to payment" option if you are happy to proceed.
After then, a window from the wallet you have chosen will appear and ask you to confirm the transaction. Once more, if you agree to proceed, just confirm the transaction and it will be carried out.
Your NFT will be deposited immediately to your Ethereum address and become your property once it has been validated. (13)
So how are NFTs useful?
Recently, the demand for NFT paintings has skyrocketed. But there is still a great deal of doubt. Since digital files are typically associated with NFTs. What distinguishes owning such an NFT from taking a screenshot of a picture? What does "evidence of ownership" actually mean? Here are a few of the key justifications for why people own NFTs to aid in your decision.
Making money with NFTs is not limited to the arts. To generate money for charity, companies like Taco Bell and Charmin have auctioned off themed NFT artwork. With the highest bids coming in at 1.5 wrapped ether (WETH), which is now equivalent to $3,723.83 at the time of writing, Taco Bell's NFT art sold out in minutes after Charmin branded its offering "NFTP" (non-fungible toilet paper). (14)
Collectibility
A 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie card sold for $5.2 million despite having only cost less than 5 cents to produce. This occurred as a result of the card's heritage, scarcity, and cultural significance. In many respects, NFTs are this in the digital era. NFTs provide a special possibility that has never before been available outside of the conventional collectibles and art markets for people who desire to amass a collection of digital goods.
It supports creativity
Creators are frequently coerced into signing agreements that are against their best interests by publishers, producers, and auction houses. NFTs enable artists to independently mint and sell their creations while retaining ownership of intellectual property and creative control. Additionally, any subsequent sales of an artist's work are eligible for royalties.
Investment
Some NFT owners merely desire an asset with a rising value. Some collectors approach NFTs similarly to traditional art in this regard: as an investment. Need proof? Beeple, a well-known American digital artist, Mike Winkelmann, sold his Everyday: The First 5000 Days composite at Christie's in March 2021 for $69 million.
Community
NFT Ownership is a part of a community as well. Owning an NFT is a matter of identification for many collectors.
Additionally, several creators have developed thriving communities out of their NFT initiatives. The Bored Ape Yacht Club is arguably the best illustration of NFT project-related community building. Collectors have access to a members-only discord, special goods, a say in the project's destiny, passes to online meetups, and more.
Wondering which are the best NFTs to buy right now?
Here is a quick rundown about the NFT marketplace and what is worth buying.
One of the earliest NFT initiatives is the profile photo (PFP) series CryptoPunks, which dates back to 2017. The 10,000 24x24 pixel art images in the CryptoPunks collection by development company Larva Labs feature "punks" with randomized characteristics, such as gender, headgear, and eyewear.
Similar to CryptoPunks, Bored Ape Yacht Club is a collection of NFT avatars, with the exception that these apes are bored-looking. Like CryptoPunks, there are 10,000 of them, each with a unique set of characteristics, and a vibrant community has developed around them.
Since last year, a growing number of famous people—including Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Stephen Curry—have joined this exclusive club, making it even more exclusive. Yuga Labs, the company that created Bored Ape Yacht Club, has obtained Hollywood representation, similar to CryptoPunks' Larva Labs, with the goal of expanding the brand into film, television, and other entertainment mediums.
NFTs are anticipated to play a significant role in the metaverse, a shared, persistent virtual environment where users can communicate as 3D avatars. More businesses are anticipated to follow in the footsteps of firms like Meta (previously Facebook), Adidas, Nike, and Samsung, who have all entered the metaverse.
Overall, I personally think and truly believe that buying and trading NFTs is a great investment. In the future, the world will most likely be in the digital era completely and assets with sole decentralized ownership will be a big deal.
