Steemit Crypto Academy Contest / S2W4 - What are NFTs? by @tamighty

in SteemitCryptoAcademy2 years ago (edited)

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INTRODUCTION

Warm greetings to you all members of the Steemit Crypto Academy. It is good to be here again to participate in this week's contest for the Steemit Engagement Challenge.

As I contribute my knowledge to the knowledge built daily in this academy, I also hope to learn from those who are better than myself in the academy. Without much talks, let me go into the business of the day. I hope that you enjoy reading my content.



Using your own words to define non-fungible tokens: NFT, and to show the difference between fungible and non-fungible tokens.


NFTs known as Non-Fungible Tokens are special kinds of virtual cryptocurrency tokens that utilizes the technology of blockchain to prove their owners. They are non interchangeable, digital and intangible assets that exists in the form of artworks, music, GIFs, and Memes on blockchains which can only be exchanged when their ownership has been proven.

To explain NFTs better, let me break down the full meaning. I will take the word fungible. fungible from the dictionary means exchangeable or interchangeable. When something is fungible it means that another thing of same worth can be collected for it.
From this, we know that Non-Fungible means not exchangeable or not interchangeable.

Let me explain with real example, so we understand what I have explained about fungible and non-fungible.
If my brother borrowed 2GBP coin from me. When he wants to return it, he can decide to return it in USD as far as the USD holds same value for the GBP he borrowed as at when he wants to return it. He can do this because these are fungible tokens. In comparison to non-fungible, in the real world, we can liken NFT to a bus ticket that had already been issued for a particular date and time, givento a passenger. It cannot be exchanged for another ticket. The ticket cannot just be exchanged because it is non-fungible.

Tokens on the other hand are crypto assets that are used to power a project on the platform blockchain. This means that they can only exist under a blockchain to serve the project for which they are found.

In shorts, Non-Fungible Tokens are virtual or digital (only exists on the internet) assets of unique form that exist on blockchain but can be traded or exchanged in the cryptocurrency space for other coins with their ownership proven by the holders but are not interchangeable.
One special thing about NFTs is that they look alike but with different in their make up- this makes them unique. For instance, a holder of a Meme who desides to have 100 copy of it can create those copies of that meme and mint them. They will surely look same but eachof them have a different make up.

In the cryptocurrency space, many NFTs exist under different blockchains with Ethereum blockchain being the most popular powering many of them. Examples of NFTs are SAND , CHR, TVK, APE, RARE, BAKE, HIGH, SUPER, MANA, etc.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FUNGIBLE AND NON FUNGIBLE TOKENS

FUNGIBLE TOKENSNON-FUNGIBLE TOKENS
Fungible tokens tangible and intangible digital assets that can be split into smaller unitsNon-fungible tokens are intangible digital assets that cannot be split into smaller units.
FTs store value of an assetNFTs store information for organizations or governments.
The value of fungible tokens are determined by the number of the tokens an individual have in his possessionThe value of NFT is determined by by the uniqueness of the particular NFT and the benefits that can be derived from its use.
FTs have the same form and they do not have any special ID attached to themNFTs have special value and they have special IDs even if they look the same.
In the real world, they are used as payment systemsin the real world, they are used as intellectual properties.
Fungible Tokens are created using ERC-20 standard on Ethereum blockchainNFTs created using ERC-721 standard on Ethereum blockchain.

Are NFTs interchangeable? What are the differences between an NFT and other currencies? Is there an NFT marketplace? And how to invest in NFTs?


Are NFTs interchangeable

NO! Despite the fact that they look alike, NFTs are unique kind of tokens that are not interchangeable because they have special IDs assigned to each of them on the blockchain, this makes them different from one another.


What are the differences between an NFT and other currencies?

There is no gain saying the fact that NFTs are different from other currencies. They are a form of cryptocurrency but they are still different from the regular Cryptos such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, etc. They are also different from the fiat currencies like the USD, EUR and GBP. Some of the major differences that exist have been stated but I would specifically state some of the differences they have with other cryptos and fiat currencies.

With Other cryptocurrencies

  • NFTs do not have blockchains of their own, they are sold on blockchains of other cryptocurrencies while cryptocurrencies have blockchains of their own where their transactions are done.
  • NFTs are indivisible digital assets while cryptos are divisible digital assets.
  • Although NFTs look so much alike, they are unique therefore, cannot be interchanged while cryptocurrencies are not unique, they can be interchange.
  • The value of NFTs depend on the derivable benefits while that of cryptocurrencies depend on the number of a particular coin one has.

With Fiat Currencies

  • While NFTs are digital assets, fiat currencies are not digital assets.
  • While NFTs cannot be divided, cryptocurrencies can be divided.
  • While NFTs are used as intellectual properties, Fiat currencies are used as payment systems.
  • While NFTs can be accessed from different parts of the world by all, Fiat currencies can only be accessed by only people from a country.

Is there an NFT marketplace?

Sure, there are a number of NFT marketplaces where NFTs can be bought and sold. Each marketplace have a focus on what is being traded. It can be **meme, images or artwork, music or short video clips.
Some of the NFTs market places are:

  • OpenSea.
  • Axie Marketplace.
  • Larva Labs otherwise known as CryptoPunks.
  • Rarible.
  • Nifty Gateway.
  • NBA Top Shot
  • DraftKings
  • Foundation.
  • Super Rare.
  • Mintable.

This are just few of the places where NFTs are traded in the cryptocurrency space. There are still many of them.


And how to invest in NFTs?

Investing in NFTs is quite easy. In this section, I shall explain how to invest in NFTs. Though this doesn't include any practical approach, you will understand.

There are several means to invest in NFTs. One of which is to buy directly from a company that produces the particular NFT of ones choice. One of such company is DraftKings. After contacting them, one pays for the chosen NFT with credit card. After payment has successfully been completed, they will hold the collectible for the person in a custodial wallet for the person and let the person have the keys. In the future, when the person wants to sell, one can sell in their marketplace.

On the other hand, if one wants to invest in a digital market place where one can solely do the buying, cryptocurrencies can only be used to buy. This should be the cryptocurrency of the blockchain on which the NFT to be bough is traded. To do this, the following steps can be followed.

  • Go to the marketplace of your choice, example OpenSea.
  • After the transfer of the needed ETH to the wallet (Metamask) to be used, connect the wallet to OpenSea through a browser extension.
  • Locate and select the NFT to be bought
  • Payment can now be made through the wallet which was connected.

I have stated above two ways investments avdb be made on NFTs NFTs. One is to buy from a company that produces it and another is to get it from a marketplace.


How to create a new NFT and is it possible to have an NFT stolen? And why use a distributed file system like IPFS in this area?


How to make a new NFT


NFTs market is moving quite well in the cryptocurrency market. An NFT can fetch huge some of money if it presents appealing benefits. This is why some companies have decided not only to trade them but also make them.
The steps below can be followed to make NFTs.

Step 1: Choose the item you wish to turn into NFT.
This can be a picture, an artwork, a music or a short video clip. You should be the rightful owner of the chosen item. You should make sure it is unique and rare. This is where it gets its value.

Step 2: Select the blockchain to be used.
This can be Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polkadot, Cosmos or Tezos blockchain.

Step 3: Download, install and set up a digital wallet.
This can be Trustwallet, Metamask or any other wallet you wish. Just make sure the wallets supports the blockchain already chosen.

Step 4: Choose a marketplace for NFT.
The marketplace you choose should be the one that supports the blockchain and wallet already chosen. NFT marketplace can be OpenSea, Rarible or Mintable depending to previous selections in the creation process. After choosing the marketplace to create the NFT, connect the wallet to it. Ensure you have transferred the cryptocurrency required to mint the NFT into the wallet.

Step 5: Upload the file.
Follow the steps provided by the NFT marketplace chosen to upload the items. This will allow for the digital file to be changed from JP PNG, GIF or MP3 into NFT that can be traded.

To make this easier, after getting the item to be turned into NFT and also with the wallet set up, one can directly go to OpenSea site and click on Create your NFT. Follow the prompts and create the NFT.


Is it possible to have an NFT stolen?


Yes, it is very possible to have an NFT stolen. NFT can be stolen if an internet fraudster finds his way to one's wallet or the owner sends the security details of the wallet to the fraudster. However, without being careless about the security details of one's wallet, it is much difficult for NFT to be stolen. Just like the scams that have been in the cryptocurrency space, NFTs are stolen by scammers using deceptive methods or exploiting the lose security of an NFT wallet. NFTs are digital, and therefore are not carried about but scammers get their way to steal them in wallets where they are kept.


Why use a distributed file system like IPFS in this area?


IPFS means InterPlanetary File System. In the blockchain space, this is asystem of storing files or contents on many devices called nodes. The files are distributed across different nodes so that their tracking can be make easier. If one of the devices or nodes an information is contained in hacked, it can easily be traced and retrieved.
Therefore the use of IPFS in the NFT space is to secure the wallets of holders in the even that scammers find their way into any wallet.


How are NFTs used in art, video games and collectible card games? And how are NFTs revolutionizing property titles?


How are NFTs used in art video games and collectible card games


In the days of old, lovers of artworks buy them to keep and later sell. It was an investment for them as they didn't only buy them for the love of arts. When the prices of the artworks they have in their possession goes up, they put them up for sale in order to make profit.

The same thing goes for the NFT artworks in the NFT digital market. The demand and supply for digital arts is on the increase everyday and this have led to many number of marketplaces or galeries which have accepted the trading of NFT artworks. Some marketplaces also give interested traders the opportunity to create artworks just to increase the digital arts-NFT marketplace.

Also, NFTs are used in video games to earn. Instead of just playing for fun, people can earn a lot of money playing video games on the NFT market place. This gamed have been monetized by the marketplaces where they can be played. So for one to play, one has to have assets (tokens) in the wallet. When one loses, one lose part of the assets and when one wins, one wins assets attached to the game that have been played. For the video games, in some occasions players will have to buy the game which comprises a team of three Axies costing about $150 to be the rightful owner of it. Example of such games is Axie Infinity. Players who have become experts and have earned reasonable amounts of Axie Infinity token can lend out there tokens to new users and share the profit they make. This is the way NFTs are used in video games.

Furthermore, NFTs are used in collectibles card games just as it is done on video games. Here, as a player plays the game, the developer, investor and even the player wins. It is a win win situation for all the parties. For players to play, they buy the cards for the game. This helps them to access the game and play between each other. They earn points while they play. This they can use to buy another card to play again or convert to NFT and sell. Examples of collectibles are LegendsOfCrypto Mythereum and Gods Unchained.



How are NFTs regulated? And what are the solutions to the limits of NFT development?


The lack of regulation currently surrounding NFTs implies that people who develop, invest in, or trade in them have little to no legal protection. It is important to keep in mind that not all online marketplaces for buying and selling NFTs do so. Because anybody may access the digital market and claim to be the creator of the digital asset for sale, platforms have difficulty determining whether the seller is the original creator of the artwork.

The concerns persist even though some platforms have started to use AI algorithms to search public blockchains and NFT platforms for similar examples of artwork so that the artists can be informed of any questionable similarities.

The solutions to the limit of NFT development which is lack of regulation is not any general. There is no general solution to the lack of regulations associated with NFTs in their marketplaces. This calls for everyone to be security conscious for their personally created NFTs or investments. Because of the lack of regulation one has to be careful because scammers are in every NFTs marketplace. Additionally, sellers and investors should know that there are fake platforms created by scammers to defraud people of their assets.


CONCLUSION


This is the most tasking work I have done in a long while on this platform. At first I thought it was beyond my power but after doing researches, I could write these much. I am happy to have completed this task. I hope that some one out there draws inspiration from this I have done to write and be part of this contest. Thank you for reading.


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We have to protect our wallets really well from fraudsters to avoid our NFTs from being stolen. Excellent post.

 2 years ago 

You have made a very good presentation. Indeed NFT has been one of the special token, non fungible token which has been trending lately in the world of cryptocurrencies.

Because people are now joining NFT, it's gaining more popularity everyday. Thank you for sharing this with us

 2 years ago 

Thank you @msquaretk.
Your support means so much to me.
Thanks again.

My head is literally blown. So much information to read here. I've been seeing the term NFT's all round and about for a while now. I think I am beginning to understand it now.

Good work here

 2 years ago 

Crypto concepts are always that way. It's just a matter of time, you will understand better. Thanks for coming by.

You are welcome 🤗

I absolutely LOVE this post. It is the first post and first time I read about NFT's. I found it super interesting.

I can easily go to bed tonight and read it again.
Thank you for sharing and good luck with the contest!

 2 years ago 

Thank you grandma. You know you are so funny. I am glad my post could do that to you. 😂😂😂

Thanks for your support ma.

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 2 years ago (edited)

special kinds of virtual cryptocurrency tokens that utilizes the technology of blockchain to prove their owners

Yes, as soon as an nft is created the owner of that nft is recorded. It must be added that as soon as ownership is transferred too it is also recorded. This makes it very hard for a Duplication of the NFT.

NFTs are unique kind of tokens that are not interchangeable because they have special IDs assigned to each of them on the blockchain

Yes, this is rightly said . No matter the number of NFTs they are all unique in a way. Just like identical twins. We might see them to look alike in all aspects even their voice but there is always something different about them.

Payment can now be made through the wallet which was connected.

Yes, but I don’t know of other market places but on opensea the owner of the nft places the nft on the market and sets his price. He allocates a time frame for the nft to be on sale.

Whilst the market is on sale buyers are allowed to make their bids on the nft and during this period if the seller is okay with the highest bidder he can sell or wait till the time is up and then sale of the nft is made automatically to the highest bidder.

Note

For some reason I don’t seem to see your post when I click on the tag cryptoacademys2-w4 my suggestion is that you exchange it and make it the second tag to see if it will appear.

 2 years ago 

Thanks for your support sir.

I have equally fixed the problem. Thanks to you!

 2 years ago 

You are welcome

Well, I must say that you did justice to the topic. You were able to answer the questions without beating around the bush and I am pleased with that.

I made an entry too. kindly check it out by clicking here

 2 years ago 

Thank you for your kind comments.
I have made comment on your entry.

whatever happens in this contest, at least we get a lot of knowledge..

 2 years ago 

As much as I read your post, after reading it I realized that you have presented the post in a very nice way and you have discussed every topic with some very important information. I really like your presentation. NFT is an intellectual property. NFT is becoming much more popular every day. Made a very good entry

 2 years ago 

I am glad you have improved your Quality of your article and that's one of the advantages of steemit, this is good news.

Furthermore, NFTs are used in collectibles card games just as it is done on video games. Here, as a player plays the game, the developer, investor and even the player wins. It is a win win situation for all the parties.

This is true friend and they are so many games that can be played on using nft collectables. For example we have

  • Dark Country,
  • Gods Unchained,
  • Doctor Who – Worlds apart,
  • Splinterlands,
  • Skyweaver and
  • Metropolis Origins.

You should try them out.

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