The market for non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, was valued at $232 million in 2020, increasing to $22 billion in 2021. Because of its growing popularity in collectible trading and the developing significance of Decentralized Finance (DeFi), this market is anticipated to expand by around three times by 2031 as Web3 comes into being.
This article delves into why NFTs are an essential part of the future and how they fit into the evolution of the internet, known as Web3 and, eventually, Web4.
What Are NFTs?
NFTs are digital coins that operate similarly to cryptocurrencies on a blockchain. But they differentiate from crypto tokens because each one is bespoke. This means they can grant “uniqueness” to other assets to which they are connected. Digital art has proven to be the most common initial use for NFTs, with pieces made by artists like Grimes and Beeple being well-liked with online collectors, frequently fetching high prices.
NFTs are most frequently stored on the Ethereum blockchain. However, they may also be kept on other blockchains, including Polygon and Binance.
What Is Web3?
The phrase Web3 represents the notion of an innovative, improved internet. In essence, Web3 leverages blockchains, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs to return ownership and authority to the consumers. As put by a tweet from 2020: Web1 was read-only, Web2 is read-write, and Web3 will be read-write-own.
Some Web3’s core virtues are:
- Decentralized. Ownership of the internet is distributed among its builders and users, rather than with a controlled entity.
- Inclusive. Everyone has equal access to participate.
- Merit-driven. Web3 uses economic mechanisms and incentives rather than relying on third parties.
Let’s give a contextual example of how Web3 works.
Web3 offers you control of your digital assets. Let’s take the scenario of playing a web2 game. An in-game item that you buy is linked to your account immediately. You will lose it if the game’s developers terminate your account, or if you quit the game.
Direct ownership is possible with Web3, thanks to (NFTs). Nobody, not even the game designers, has the authority to revoke your ownership. Additionally, you may sell or trade your in-game possessions on open marketplaces to recuperate their worth if you decide to stop playing.
What Is Web4?
The semantic web, where computers instead of people will generate new information, is commonly seen as the result of “Web 3.0.” The Internet of Things (IoT), or a web of intelligent links, will be what we refer to as “Web 4.0.”
The core features of Web4 include:
- A hazy, blurred gap between man and machine
- Information transmitting from every part of the worldArtificial intelligence capable of human-like communication
- Completely transparency and traceability
- Incredible speed and resilience
Everything around us is changing because of Web4, including the economy, logistics, and even medicine. The customer would have complete control over the internet and unbridled access to their activities and data. Web4 expands the potential of any internet-related sphere of activity by enabling a connection between man and machine.
NFTs in Web3 and Web4
Web4 will be synonymous with the digital economy and all digital assets. The impending metaverse will bridge the digital gap, making “tokenomics” seem like nothing.
In this context, NFTs will prove key to online communities, events, exchangeable assets, digital identities, and more. They will also greatly add to the rising popularity of retail cryptocurrency trading, which has already produced its fair share of mavericks and winners. In essence, NFT technology protects the integrity of the growing digital asset space.
NFTs have been utilized to grant exclusive access to offline events in addition to online groups and events. The permanent evidence of ownership provided by NFTs on the blockchain makes the technology well suited to address significant problems in the realm of event tickets, such as forging and digital theft.
NFTs have been integrated into blockchain games like DeFi Kingdoms, Axie Infinity, and Crabada, resulting in the development of thriving in-game economies where NFTs are valued according to their characteristics and statistics. In these games, playing more is highly rewarded since leveling up NFT assets increases profits and boosts the likelihood that uncommon and expensive item drops will occur.
Concerned that someone could take your metaverse username? Through the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), NFTs have already made it possible for users to possess unique “.eth” Ethereum wallet addresses. The network is attracting a huge number of new addresses each day.
These unique addresses, which are NFTs, are linked to other decentralized services and make complicated wallet addresses more individualized and much simpler to remember.
Closing Thoughts
Usernames and wallet addresses are no longer the primary means of identifying assets in the metaverse–non-fungible tokens have taken their place. The Sandbox’s metaverse project already uses NFTs to represent virtual locations, furnishings, and other objects.
The Sandbox generated more than $24 million in revenue in March 2022 from selling NFTs representing real estate in the metaverse. Leading companies and well-known individuals from various industries, including Atari, Snoop Dogg, and the South China Morning Post, all own land in the metaverse.
NFTs are building the groundwork for digital communities, tradeable in-game items, and the greater metaverse economy while also revolutionizing the ownership and exchange of digital assets.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely the author’s opinion and not investment advice – it is provided for educational purposes only. By using this, you agree that the information does not constitute any investment or financial instructions. Do conduct your own research and reach out to financial advisors before making any investment decisions.
The author of this text, Jean Chalopin, is a global business leader with a background encompassing banking, biotech, and entertainment. Mr. Chalopin is Chairman of Deltec International Group, www.deltecbank.com.
The co-author of this text, Robin Trehan, has a bachelor’s degree in economics, a master’s in international business and finance, and an MBA in electronic business. Mr. Trehan is a Senior VP at Deltec International Group, www.deltecbank.com.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this text are solely the views of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of Deltec International Group, its subsidiaries, and/or its employees.
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