What is an NFT?

Introduction

Web3 & NFT

NFT is an emerging digital technology that allows for the creation of unique, tamper-proof digital assets. NFTs can represent anything from digital art and collectibles to in-game items and virtual real estate. One of the key benefits of NFTs is that they are stored on a blockchain, which provides a high degree of security and immutability. This means that NFTs cannot be duplicated or altered, and their ownership can be easily verified.

1. How do NFTs work


2. What are NFTs used for


3. How do you buy and sell NFT

1. Fungible vs. non-fungible

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are digital assets that are unique and cannot be interchanged. In other words, each NFT is one-of-a-kind and is not interchangeable with any other NFT.


On the other hand, fungible assets are those that can be interchanged. For example, two dollars are fungible because they have the same value and can be used interchangeably. In contrast, NFTs are not interchangeable because each one is unique.


NFTs are often used to represent digital artwork, collectibles, or in-game items. Because NFTs cannot be replicated or copied, they provide a way to securely and verifiably own digital assets. As a result, NFTs have emerged as a popular way to own and trade digital assets.

2. How do NFTs work?

Non Fungible Token or NFT is a digital asset that uses blockchain technology to store unique information. This information can be anything from the provenance of a work of art (digital asset) to the identity of a person (NFT provider). NFTs are created when a user "burns" a cryptocurrency such as Solano or Ethereum (see Ethereum transactions) into a new NFT. This process creates a unique (non fungible), unalterable record on the blockchain that can be used to track the NFT's ownership and history. NFTs can be used for a variety of purposes, including tracking the provenance of digital assets, registering intellectual property, and creating digital collectibles.

Unlike physical artwork, NFT art is stored as a digital file and is normally considered as "online only assets". After you buy NFT it will be stored inside your digital wallet where other digital art that's owned by you can be stored. Metamask is one of the more popular versions of a digital wallet that allows people to store their rare digital items and other digital assets.

Every time transaction is made it requires a digital signature from a user which will be stored permanently on the blockchain (see Ethereum blockchain) and can be looked up by anyone via distributed public ledger. Every blockchain records transactions on its own chain, meaning bitcoin transactions will be stored on a separate blockchain from the polygon or Ethereum chain.

NFT creators can turn any physical art, physical asset, or any real world items into digital objects and make millions of dollars doing so. Video games are a good industry where non fungible token found a good use and will continue to grow footprint. While some digital artists choose to create their own in game items, others choose to focus on replicating real assets (or even real estate) and then importing them into a game or other metaverse projects.

3. NFT Use Cases

Video Games

NFTs are being used in gaming to represent digital assets and give players true ownership and control over those assets. In the past, gamers have been limited to using in-game items that are locked to a single game and can only be used within that ecosystem. With NFTs, gaming companies can create items that are interoperable and can be used across multiple games, giving players more utility and value for their purchases. In addition, NFTs also provide a sense of ownership and permanence that is absent in traditional gaming. For example, in the game Axie Infinity, players can catch, train, and trade digital creatures called "Axies." These Axies are each unique, and they are stored on the Ethereum blockchain as an NFT. This allows players to be confident that their Axies cannot be duplicated or taken away from them. As the gaming industry continues to grow, it is likely that NFTs will play an increasingly important role in providing gamers with true ownership and control over their digital assets.


Private Membership

Non-fungible tokens have been gaining in popularity as a way to represent membership and ownership. One high-profile example is the use of NFTs for concert tickets by musician Chris Brown. In October 2020, Brown announced that he would be selling lifetime passes to his concerts as NFTs. The passes, which are stored on the Ethereum blockchain, will give holders access to private content and VIP experiences. Brown is not the only one using NFTs for membership and tickets. Platforms like VeChain and Blockpass are also exploring the use of NFTs for event tickets and passes. By storing ticket information on the blockchain, these platforms aim to improve security and prevent fraud. In addition, NFTs offer a unique way for fans to show their support and affiliation with their favorite artists. As the use of NFTs continues to grow, it is likely that we will see more artists and organizations using them for membership and tickets.


Metaverse Worlds

NFTs, have been gaining in popularity in recent years as a way to represent ownership of digital assets. Now, with the rise of metaverses and virtual worlds, NFTs are being used to power open economies and create new opportunities for users. For example, in Decentraland, a virtual world built on the Ethereum blockchain, users can buy, sell, or trade land and other assets using NFTs. This provides a way for users to own property in the metaverse and to establish economic activity within Decentraland's virtual world. In addition, NFTs are also being used to create unique items and experiences that can be traded or sold in metaverses and digital worlds. For example, some artists are creating NFT-based art that can be purchased or traded in virtual worlds. As the metaverse continues to grow, it is likely that NFTs will play an increasingly important role in powering these open economies.


Domain Names

Domain names are a necessary part of the internet, providing a way to identify and locate online resources. However, managing domain names can be a complex and time-consuming task. NFTs offer a solution to this problem by providing a decentralized system for managing domain names. The Ethereum Naming Service (ENS) is one example of this, allowing users to register and manage their domains using Ethereum smart contracts.Bonfida and Solana are two other platforms that offer similar services. By using NFTs to manage domain names, we can create a more efficient and user-friendly internet.


Profile Pictures (PFPs)

NFTs are digital assets that are unique and cannot be replaced. They have been gaining in popularity as a way to collect and trade digital items, and now they are also being used as profile pictures, or "PFPs." Crypto punks and bored ape yacht club are two popular examples of communities that use NFTs as PFPs. These subreddits provide a space for people to trade and show off their collections of digital avatars. By using NFTs as PFPs, members of these communities can easily show off their unique collections and find others with similar interests. In addition, using NFTs as PFPs allows members to support the artists who create the avatars. As more people become interested in collecting and trading digital items, it is likely that we will see more communities adopting NFTs as PFPs.


Collectibles

Physical collectibles like baseball cards and pokemon cards have been around for decades, but what sets NFTs apart is that they are digital collectibles that exist on the blockchain. This means that they are unique, tamper-proof, and can be easily traded or sold. Because they are still a relatively new phenomenon, it is still unclear exactly how collectibles will be used in the future. However, it is likely that NFTs will become increasingly popular as collectibles due to their many advantages.