NFTs
One-of-a-kind digital items with proof of ownership
NFTs
Let's say you have a digital artwork you love, a concert ticket on your phone, or even a certificate showing you finished a course. These things live online, but how do you prove they're real? Or that they actually belong to you?
That's what NFTs are for.
NFT stands for non-fungible token. That just means it's a one-of-a-kind digital item, like a collectible or badge, and its ownership is recorded on a blockchain. It's like a signed baseball card, but instead of being physical, it exists online.
An NFT acts as proof of ownership. It shows that something — whether it's a file, image, song, game item, or certificate — belongs to you. Other people can view or copy it, but only one person holds the official record of ownership.
It's like holding the title to a car. Others can take pictures or drive a similar one, but only you have the papers that prove it's yours.
NFTs first got attention in the digital art world. Artists could "mint" (create) NFTs of their work and sell directly to fans — often with royalties built in, so they earn a cut whenever the piece is resold.
NFTs help artists and creators get paid. Unlike traditional art sales, some NFTs give artists a cut every time the work is resold — automatically. Platforms like Zora, Rarible, and OpenSea make this possible by building royalties into the code.
NFTs have expanded into practical uses:
In 2021, NFTs got a lot of attention. Some sold for huge amounts. Things have calmed down since, but the idea behind them stuck. At their core, NFTs are just a way to own something digital — and prove it.