New Delhi: The NFT technology has been around for a few years now, since 2014 to be precise, but it was in 2021 that non-fungible token (NFT) became a buzzword, a year after its market value reportedly tripled.
NFTs are digital assets, and are unique. No two NFTs are the same. What distinguish them from each other are their different unique identification codes and metadata.
NFTs use blockchain to record who owns a digital file, which can be anything from an artwork, image or video to even a text message.
For example, John Lennon's son Julian is set to digitally auction off pieces of memorabilia relating to the Beatles. These include three guitars and handwritten notes about the 1968 song ‘Hey Jude’, Reuters reported.
Similarly, the Belvedere Museum in Austria is launching an NFT drop of famous artist Gustav Klimt's painting 'Der Kuss', or 'The Kiss'.
In India, many celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Salman Khan, Sunny Leone, and others have launched their own NFTs.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about NFTs.
How to make an NFT?
Anyone can create a non-fungible token. All you need is a digital wallet, a little investment in cryptocurrency, and finally a connection to an NFT marketplace to upload your asset and turn it into an NFT.
What Is The Connection Between NFTs And Cryptocurrency?
Like cryptocurrencies, NFTs also exist on a blockchain, which verifies the unique identity and ownership of the digital asset. The technology used to build NFTs is similar to Ethereum and Bitcoin. Ethereum is the most accepted crypto in the NFT market. The blockchain records all transactions connected to the particular NFT, and the asset it represents.
How To Buy Or Sell An NFT?
There are open marketplaces from where NFTs can be acquired or traded. These are different platforms specifically curated for buying and selling digital collectibles. A popular open marketplace is OpenSea.io. MakersPlace, Nifty Gateway, SuperRare and KnownOrigin are some places buyers go to for digital art.
How Is An NFT Valued And What Makes It Valuable?
The value of an NFT depends on the physical property it represents. For example, if an artwork is being sold as an NFT, the valuer will look at the popularity of the artist. At $69.3 million, artist Beeple’s landmark piece ‘EVERYDAYS: THE FIRST 5000 DAYS’, which he auctioned at Christie’s, is the most expensive NFT purchase in 2021.
Are NFTs A Good Investment?
According to experts, NFTs can be used as an investment because you can purchase an NFT and then resell it for profit. There are some NFT marketplaces that reportedly allow sellers to get royalties for their assets that are sold. However, proper research before a purchase is advised. In an article, Edul Patel, CEO and co-founder of Mudrex, a global crypto investing platform, said the value of NFT would be based on what the buyer is offering to pay, and that demand will drive prices.