The birth of NFTs and its rise to fame

Ideofuzion
6 min readOct 1, 2021

NFT is an abbreviation for non-fungible tokens. Non-fungible implies to not interchangeable, thus the value is not fixed but changes according to how much someone or the market believes it is worth. The token indicates how it is kept and traded via a Blockchain, which is similar to a digital ledger.

NFT (Non-Fungible Tokens) History | How did NFTs come to be or the genesis of NFT?

The concept of NFT existed long before the word was created. NFT, or Non-fungible-token, arose from a series of experiments with Bitcoin and the Blockchain itself. Bit domains were the initial concept for creating anything unique or uncommon. The project BitDNS began with the release of Namecoin, a so-called “alternative bitcoin.” This currency allows you to retain a register. Bit domains with the concept of keeping a record of data in Bitcoin that is guaranteed to be unique. Data was originally incorporated in the Namecoin transaction that gave rise to Monograph, a pioneering crypto art project. The urge to utilize Bitcoin for more than simply Bitcoin grows.

Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, are digital assets that are one-of-a-kind and scarce. Each NFT token is one-of-a-kind, as the name implies. Simply said, NFTs are cryptocurrency tokens like any other, but they differ in that they cannot be replaced, copied, or interchanged like other crypto tokens. The rationale for this is because each NFT token can store unique data or additional information about the digital asset. These can include ownership data, descriptions, token IDs, ownership history, and so forth. Because no two NFTs are similar, it is this data that distinguishes and distinguishes the NFT. They are all one-of-a-kind.

For example, suppose you have two Bitcoins and give one to a buddy. Your friend will have the same bitcoin as you. There is no value transaction at all. However, in the case of NFTs, you are physically swapping one NFT for another, and in this instance, the value is altered since each NFT might have its value and hence they are not interchangeable.

Who created NFTs?

Kevin McCoy and Anil Dash invented the Non-fungible-token (NFT) on May 3, 2014, live at the Seven on Seven conferences at the New Museum in New York City. This was the first attempt with a non-fungible token produced using on-chain metadata (allowed by Namecoin) and connected to a one-of-a-kind work of art.

The Rise of Non-Financial Transactions

The Rise of NFTs originated with Crytokitties. Yes, there were several NFT-based crypto games, as well as Crypto-Marketplaces and platforms, but no one knew about them. In this context, “no one” refers to those who have no understanding of what Crypto is or what NFTs are. Simply said, the rise of Crypto Kitties and their subsequent celebrity was the catalyst for the genuine buzz of NFT. Along with that, virtual lands were being purchased and sold, real estate was being turned into NFTs, and the art business was already on a whole new level.

It’s as if NFT, or Non-Fungible-Tokens, become the next big thing in 2021, yet its origins can be traced back to 2017- 2018.

NBA Top Shot, a trading card collection NFT platform about the NBA, was one of the most well-known NFT ventures. You could browse and buy trading cards of other NBA players here, but this one was special since you also got a video of the player’s finest moments in his matches.

While many new concepts were emerging, one of them was interoperability, in which a one-of-a-kind Crypto game item or outfit could be converted into an NFT and sold and utilized on another Crypto Game. Consider having one of the Call of Duty skins and being able to utilize that skin in PUBG. While such a thing is not conceivable, many new concepts were emerging.

What Is the Difference Between an NFT and Cryptocurrency?

NFT is typically designed with the same code as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, but that is where the similarities end.

Physical currency and cryptocurrencies are both “fungible,” which means they may be traded or swapped for one another. They’re also worth the same — one dollar is always worth another dollar and one Bitcoin is always worth another Bitcoin. The fungibility of cryptocurrency gives it a reliable method of performing Blockchain transactions.

NFTs are distinct. Each contains a digital signature that prevents NFTs from being traded for or equivalent to one another (hence, non-fungible). Because they’re both NFTs, one NBA Top Shot clip isn’t the same as every day. (For that matter, one NBA Top Shot footage is not necessarily comparable to another NBA Top Shot clip.)

How Does an NFT Operate?

NFTs reside on a Blockchain, which is a distributed public ledger that keeps track of transactions. You’ve heard of blockchain as the fundamental technology that allows cryptocurrencies to exist.

NFTs are generally kept on the Ethereum blockchain, however, they can also be held on another blockchain.

An NFT is generated, or “minted,” using digital objects representing both tangible and intangible entities, such as:

• Visual arts

• Animated GIFs

• Sports highlights and videos

• Antiques and collectibles

• Video game skins and virtual avatars

• High-end sneakers

• Musical Instruments

Tweets are also counted. Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, sold his first tweet as an NFT for more than $2.9 million.

NFTs are essentially digital collector’s items, similar to traditional collector’s items. Instead of receiving a physical oil painting to put on the wall, the customer receives a digital file.

They will also have sole ownership rights. That’s correct: NFTs can only have one owner at a time. The unique data of NFTs makes it simple to verify ownership and transfer tokens between owners. They can also be used to hold particular information by the owner or developer. Artists, for example, can sign their work by adding their signature in the metadata of an NFT.

What Is the Purpose of NFTs?

Blockchain technology and NFTs provide artists and content producers with a one-of-a-kind chance to monetize their work. Artists, for example, no longer have to rely on galleries or auction houses to sell their work. Instead, the artist may sell it straight to the buyer as an NFT, allowing them to keep a larger portion of the earnings. Furthermore, artists may design royalties so that they get a percentage of revenue anytime their artwork is sold to a new owner. This is an appealing feature because most artists do not earn future revenue after their work is sold.

How to Purchase NFTs?

If you want to build your NFT collection, you’ll need the following items:

To begin, you must obtain a digital wallet that allows you to store NFTs and cryptocurrencies. Depending on the currencies accepted by your NFT provider, you may need to acquire some cryptocurrency, such as Ether. You may now buy cryptocurrency with a credit card on platforms such as Coinbase, Kraken, eToro, and even PayPal and Robinhood. You will then be able to transfer it from the exchange to your preferred wallet.

As you investigate your alternatives, keep costs in mind. When you acquire cryptocurrency, most exchanges charge at least a portion of your transaction.

Popular NFT Exchanges

Once you’ve set up and financed your wallet, there’s no shortage of NFT sites to choose from. The following are the major NFT marketplaces at the moment:

• OpenSea.io: This peer-to-peer marketplace markets “rare digital artifacts and collectibles.” And get started, simply create an account to browse NFT collections. You may also categorize works based on sales volume to find new artists.

• Rarible: Raible, like Open Sea, is a democratic, open marketplace where artists and producers may issue and sell NFTs. Holders of RARI tokens issued on the platform can vote on features such as fees and community rules.

Although these and other sites are home to hundreds of NFT producers and collectors, make sure you do your homework before purchasing. Some artists have been duped by imposters who have listed and sold their work without their consent.

--

--

Ideofuzion

A bit of Blockchain GEEKS, a bit of Crypto nerds stored in a jug of brilliance with a pint of experience. We do best when shaken not stirred.