NFT, or non-fungible tokens, can be anything digital (pictures, songs, your brain downloaded and turned into an AI). But they’re getting a lot of attention because of people like Grimes making millions of dollars selling them.
They’ve also been popular among teens looking to show off and impress their friends. But is this a gold rush?
1. Liquidity
Nonfungible tokens (NFTs) are digital versions of real-world items that offer buyers a unique ownership experience. They’re becoming increasingly popular among collectors, investors, and traders. For example, artist Grimes made over $6 million by selling her collection of NFTs, including an original video titled “Death of the Old,” which sold for $389,000.
Because NFTs are uniquely tied to the blockchain they’re built on, they cannot be swapped like for like. Unlike banknotes, which are all the same and easily exchanged one for another, NFTs must be auctioned or listed on a marketplace in order to sell.
This has impacted the profitability of some NFT projects that are relying on flipping for revenue, such as Azuki and Moonbirds. However, many NFT platforms are experimenting with more tangible offerings that can generate ongoing revenue.
This includes allowing users to collect and earn points, build community, or engage in utility activities. For example, OneOf is partnering with credit card companies, airlines, and hotels to modernize their loyalty programs. They’re also enabling consumers to trace materials and sourcing through NFTs.
2. Convenience
NFTs can be anything digital (including drawings, music, or your brain downloaded and turned into an AI), but most NFT enthusiasts are using them to sell digital art. The fact that each minted NFT has a unique identity directly linked to one blockchain address allows it to be bought and sold without the risk of duplicates. This makes them an ideal asset for a variety of users.
Value holders buy NFTs and then hold them for the long term, hoping that they will increase in value over time. This is similar to the way that some collectors treat traditional art.
Flippers, on the other hand, identify profitable NFTs and then trade them frequently. This can be a lucrative strategy, but it is important to know the risks involved in NFT trading.
In addition to transaction fees, developers of NFT apps must also pay platform commissions. These typically come in the form of a cut of the NFT’s sale price, with the creator getting the largest percentage and the platform taking the smallest. These fees can add up quickly, especially if the NFT becomes popular.
3. Scalability
NFTs can be a powerful tool for artists, but they’re also a dangerous bubble waiting to burst. During 2021, NFT sales rose 21,000%, leading to long wait times on marketplaces for buyers and sellers as demand outran supply. Meanwhile, NFT platforms struggled to handle congestion and high gas fees.
While flipping NFTs can be a lucrative hobby, many collectors are building private collections for their own enjoyment and not solely looking to turn a profit. These collectors are analogous to stock traders, betting that particular NFTs will rise in value over time.
However, the profitability of many NFT projects dipped after their initial peak in early 2024. NFTs like HV-MTL, Checks-VV, Opepen Edition, and Nakamigos experienced a decline in profitability, while others like Azuki maintained low and stable profit levels. NFT platforms will need to focus on utility and user experience to make it past this phase of scalability struggles.
Concordium blockchain, for example, offers top-tier features that can improve NFTs’ scalability, including affordable gas fees and quicker times to finality. These features will help stabilize the market and make NFTs profitable in the long term.
4. Security
The NFT universe is still young, and it’s difficult to know whether it will be a lasting success. But the concept with Chainers has certainly made waves, with some users earning huge profits by flipping NFTs. The Verge reports that one 18-year-old who goes by the name FEWOCiOUS claimed to have raked in $17 million from NFT drops.
In addition to video games, NFTs can also be used for digital collectibles and virtual goods in a wide variety of applications. Artists are hopping on board the bandwagon, with some renowned artists making tens of millions from their artwork in NFT form.
Non-fungible tokens are reinventing the world of art, giving budding artists new ways to generate income and reach their fans. They’re also transforming the gaming industry, where NFTs are helping to make the metaverse more interactive and immersive. In fact, some developers are even integrating NFTs into their own games.
For example, a popular game called Axie Infinity uses NFTs to represent in-game items like weapons and armor. NFTs can also be rented out, which is an efficient way to earn passive income.
5. Privacy
NFTs can be used to represent anything digital (doodles, music, a download of your brain uploaded into an AI), but the most popular use cases are those that allow users to sell their unique art or virtual collectibles. Known as non-fungible tokens, they leverage blockchain technology to verify ownership and authenticity.
With NFTs, artists, and other creative types can monetize their work and connect with new audiences. But this new frontier can be fraught with privacy concerns, especially when it comes to identifying individuals and tracing the origins of their creations.
This issue is especially prevalent with NFTs, as most blockchain platforms are public. While this transparency is necessary for the integrity of the blockchain, it can pose privacy concerns for the participants involved in the transaction. This can lead to questions about identity, sourcing, and materiality.
Dai believes that NFTs will provide a solution by allowing companies to track the authenticity of products and source information on the blockchain, enabling them to create more trusted and secure relationships with consumers. This will help brands overcome challenges and meet consumer demand.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the profitability of NFTs in 2024 depends on various factors, including the specific NFT project, the strategies employed by investors, the platform’s scalability and user experience, and the industry’s ability to address privacy concerns.
While NFTs continue to evolve and offer opportunities for creators and investors, it is essential to approach this market with a well-informed and diversified strategy to navigate potential fluctuations in profitability.
- Art, Blockchain, collection, digital, nft, trading
