What makes an NFT valuable?

NFT value comes from scarcity, utility, artist reputation, community, and historical significance. A CryptoPunk is valuable because there are only 10,000, they were the first profile picture NFTs, and they have strong cultural significance. Value is subjective and market-driven.

Can I screenshot an NFT and own it?

You can copy the image, but you won't own the NFT. The blockchain proves ownership, not the image. It's like taking a photo of the Mona Lisa—you have the image but not the original. NFT ownership includes provenance, authenticity, and sometimes utility like access or royalties.

Are NFTs bad for the environment?

Early NFTs on Ethereum's Proof of Work were energy-intensive. Since Ethereum's Merge to Proof of Stake in 2022, NFTs use 99.9% less energy. Blockchains like Solana, Polygon, and Tezos were always energy-efficient. Today, minting an NFT uses about as much energy as sending an email.

What happens if the marketplace shuts down?

Your NFT exists on the blockchain forever, independent of marketplaces. If OpenSea closed, you'd still own your NFTs and could sell on other platforms. However, if the image is stored off-chain (IPFS or centralized servers), that could be at risk. Always check where the actual content is stored.

Can I create and sell my own NFTs?

Yes! Anyone can create (mint) NFTs. Platforms like OpenSea, Rarible, and Foundation let you mint NFTs by uploading your content and paying a gas fee. You can set royalties to earn a percentage of future sales. Start with low-cost chains like Polygon to experiment.

How do I know if an NFT is authentic?

Check the contract address and verify it matches the official collection. Look for the blue checkmark on marketplaces. Verify through the project's official website or social media. Be wary of slight name variations or copied art—scams are common.

What is an NFT? Complete Beginner's Guide

NFTs in 30 Seconds

An NFT (Non-Fungible Token) is a digital certificate of ownership stored on a blockchain.

Unique (Non-Fungible)

Unlike Bitcoin where each coin is identical, every NFT is unique and distinguishable.

Proof of Ownership

The blockchain proves who owns what, with an unforgeable record of every transaction.

Can Represent Anything

Art, music, game items, event tickets, real estate deeds—any asset can be an NFT.

Real-World Analogy

Think of NFTs like trading cards:

Each card is unique (different players, years, conditions)
Rarity affects value (a rookie card vs. common card)
You can buy, sell, and trade them
Authenticity matters (fake cards are worthless)

NFTs are like digital trading cards with blockchain verification built in.

Types of NFTs

Digital Art

Unique artworks, illustrations, and generative art

Examples: Beeple, Art Blocks, CryptoPunks

Collectibles

Digital trading cards, avatars, and limited editions

Examples: Bored Apes, Azuki, Doodles

Music & Audio

Songs, albums, and exclusive audio content

Examples: Sound.xyz, Catalog, Royal

Gaming

In-game items, characters, and virtual land

Examples: Axie Infinity, Gods Unchained, Decentraland

Event Tickets

Concert tickets, event passes, and memberships

Examples: POAP, YellowHeart, GET Protocol

Domain Names

Blockchain-based web domains and identities

Examples: ENS (.eth), Unstoppable Domains

Interactive: NFT Rarity Simulator

NFT collections often have different traits with varying rarity. Try customizing your NFT below to see how trait combinations affect rarity scores!

Common NFT

Rarity Score: 25/100

background

eyes

accessory

expression

How rarity works: In real NFT collections, each trait has a percentage chance. Legendary traits might appear in only 1% of NFTs, making combinations with multiple rare traits extremely valuable.

Top NFT Marketplaces

OpenSea

General

Fees:2.5%

Chains:ETH, Polygon, Solana

Largest marketplace
Wide variety

Blur

Pro Trading

Fees:0%

Chains:Ethereum

Zero fees
Advanced tools

Magic Eden

Multi-chain

Fees:2%

Chains:Solana, ETH, Bitcoin

Multi-chain
Low fees

Foundation

Curated Art

Fees:5%

Chains:Ethereum

High quality
Artist focused

How to Buy Your First NFT

Step 1

Get a Wallet

Download MetaMask or Phantom

Step 2

Buy Crypto

Purchase ETH or SOL on an exchange

Step 3

Connect to Marketplace

Link your wallet to OpenSea or Magic Eden

Step 4

Buy or Bid

Find an NFT and complete the purchase

Beginner tip: Start with low-cost NFTs on Polygon or Solana to learn the process. Gas fees on Ethereum can be expensive ($5-50+ per transaction), while Polygon and Solana are often under $0.01.

How to Make Money with NFTs

Create & Sell NFTs

Artists, musicians, and creators can mint and sell their work directly. Set royalties (2.5-10%) to earn from every future sale.

Potential: $100 - $1M+

Depends on audience & quality

Trade & Flip NFTs

Buy undervalued NFTs and sell for profit. Requires market knowledge, timing, and understanding of trends. High risk, high reward.

Potential: 10-1000% gains

Can also lose 90%+ - DYOR

Hold Blue-Chip NFTs

Invest in established collections (BAYC, Punks, Azuki). Long-term appreciation potential + airdrops and holder benefits.

Entry: $5,000 - $200,000+

Lower risk than small projects

Play-to-Earn Games

Earn NFTs and tokens by playing blockchain games. Popular options: Axie Infinity, Gods Unchained, Pixels, Big Time.

Earnings: $50-500/month

Time investment required

NFT Staking

Stake your NFTs to earn tokens or rewards. Many collections offer staking programs (Pudgy Penguins, DeGods, etc.).

APY: 5-50% in tokens

Passive income from holdings

Early Minting

Get whitelist spots and mint new projects at launch price. Successful mints can 10-100x, but most projects fail.

Risk: Very High

90% of projects fail

Where to Buy ETH/SOL for NFTs

Before buying NFTs, you need cryptocurrency. Get ETH for Ethereum NFTs or SOL for Solana NFTs from these exchanges:

Important: NFTs are extremely volatile and speculative. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. Most NFT projects lose 90%+ of their value. Always do your own research (DYOR) and be skeptical of promises of guaranteed returns.

NFTs: The Good and The Bad

Benefits

True digital ownership verified by blockchain
Artists can earn royalties on secondary sales
Enables new forms of digital creativity
Can provide utility (access, memberships, voting)
Creates provenance for digital assets
Global marketplace, instant transfers

Risks & Challenges

Highly volatile market, prices can crash
Many scams and fraudulent projects
Not all NFT content is stored on-chain
Legal ownership rights still unclear
Market has experienced significant downturns
Easy to lose access if you lose keys

Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Learning

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What is an NFT?