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How NFTs Can Be More Than Just Tools for Artists

By:
Tanvir Zafar

Much has been said about non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and their utility for those who would like to get on the train. Sales of NFTs alone have hit a record high this year alone, with everyone from independent artists to the biggest celebrities using them to expand their reach.

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There is little to no doubt that the world has definitely evolved and is ready to move even deeper into the NFT trend. However, like every new concept that grabs attention, many people run the risk of misunderstanding some fundamental things about NFTs.

NFTs Have Benefited the Art and Content Industries

One of the biggest misconceptions about NFTs is that they are only beneficial for artists and content creators who want to protect themselves. This misconception is completely understandable since NFTs have become especially popular because of these artists. Names like Snoop Dogg, Grimes, and more have been prominent in the push for artists to jump on the NFT train and become more self-sufficient.

Even in Africa, artists are using NFTs massively. Jude “MI” Abaga, one of the biggest hip-hop artists on the continent, has partnered with Binance and is looking at the possibility of launching his next album as an NFT. everywhere you go, artists are driving the adoption of NFTs.

Then, there’s the actual art scene. People are minting NFTs everywhere, using them to sell digital art and make money. They’re now side-stepping the conventional art industry, which involves exhibition houses and curators – all of whom take their own cut of the funds. Now, with NFTs, anyone can make money.

The same can be said for content creators. These people can build their following significantly and leverage that to sell NFTs to people. They set their own prices, and they get to enjoy all the profits that come from the sales of their tokens. If they like, they could program their NFTs so they take cuts out of any token sales that occur even after they’re done with their own purchases.

Utility NFTs: Their Rise, and Why They Look Appealing

But, NFTs are much more than this. Today, there is an interesting rise of “utility NFTs” – NFTs whose values are based on specific metrics which, to the largest extent, can be measured. Many NFT enthusiasts actually believe that these utility NFTs are the future of the industry.

Today, the NFT market is in an interesting position. Many tokens don’t specifically have a market value, and this has experts scared that the rise in popularity of NFTs will eventually create a bubble that will massively pop eventually. We saw a bit of a glimpse into this eventuality when the crypto market itself went on a downturn for months. Coins dropped significantly in value, and NFT volumes actually slowed down.

With NFT volumes rising significantly in February, things took a bit of a turn for the worse at the start of April. Coincidentally, this was also the period when the larger crypto market started what would be a months-long crash.

While things might be going great again, the crypto market has shown several signs of dangerous volatility that could wreck investors. What if we’re seeing the same thing with NFTs?

Despite the general belief that we could be in an NFT bubble, however, many experts believe that NFTs can still survive any wipeout that happens. One of the key factors that will play into that will be utility NFTs.

The concept of utility NFTs is pretty much the same as a utility token. These NFTs provide actual value, as well as the benefit of being scarce. A utility NFT could offer access to specific benefits and perks to its holder. Then, combined with the nature of being scarce, this token can drive massive value.

Several projects are already exploring the growth of utility NFTs. One interesting project is Sloties – an NFT project looking to revolutionize the gaming industry. Sloties are a collection of 10,000 NFTs built on the Ethereum blockchain. Each Slotie purchased offers ownership of an actual gaming platform’s profits. Sloties can also be used for staking, while the tokens offer additional perks like rakeback guarantees on bets and much more.

It’s easy to see the benefits that a project like Sloties will bring. The gaming industry is a real one, with billions of dollars in value and revenues. Instead of just buying an NFT for the fun of it, Sloties actually allow you to benefit from gaming.

There are many other projects using utility NFTs to their benefit – and those of the token buyers.

Should You Keep Faith in Utility NFTs?

For now, it is worth noting that utility NFTs are still in their infancy. If anything will be done with these tokens, prospective investors will need to verify the details of the utility that they claim to offer.

The cryptocurrency space is filled with several scam projects that claim to do something but aren’t true. Considering that there is still a lack of regulation in the NFT space, investors are tasked with verifying the details of the tokens they purchase.

Of course, this isn’t to say you shouldn’t invest in utility NFTs. Based on the intrinsic value that they offer, utility NFTs are actually a much better investment than just any other token out there. At the very least, they offer something. The problem is simply that you need to be more confident about the projects you’re backing by purchasing these tokens.

About the Author

Tanvir Zafarcontributor

Tanveer Zafar is a independent crypto journalist. He is passionate in covering topics about Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Markets. He has five years of writing experience in these areas of interest. You can find his pieces featured on FXStreet, Benzinga, Investing and many more finance magazines. Tanveer has done his BS in Software Engineering at GC University. Previously, he has worked as a banker.

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