This post strings together a bunch of disparate tweetstorms and thoughts I've had over the years.
Quick summary:
A simple way to think about NFTs are as files that live on the blockchain.
This means that like Bitcoin, they can't be copy-pasted, edited, deleted, or otherwise manipulated.
The result?
It is now possible to own digital media asset in the same way that you can own a digital financial asset, like Bitcoin.
So if you squint, you can see that NFTs have the potential to invert the ownership model of internet platforms.
Why?
Today, billions of images, videos, songs, and more media will be shared on social media.
When those files are posted, a copy of the media is taken from the creator’s device and pasted to the server of the platform distributing it—Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok and the like.
This may seem like a lightweight interaction, but when uploading, creators don’t simply copy a file—they also copy-paste ownership of the file to the platform itself.
Thats because somewhere in the Terms of Service, it says that when a file is uploaded, its ownership is shared with the platform, to monetize as they see fit.
Meanwhile, crypto is unlocking a new model, where creators can own and capture the value of their work directly.
This a key tenet of The Ownership Economy—a broader thesis on what crypto tokens and smart contracts unlock:
I believe we are well on our way to NFTs becoming the "port of entry" for every piece of media on the internet because every stakeholder involved—creators, their audiences, and developers—can all make more money in a marketplace built around true digital ownership.
To unpack this, I addressed a number of common Qs on NFTs:
Roughly six years later, in a world where the early majority (10%+ of Americans) own digital currency, the infrastructure and markets for NFTs is finally ready.
I'm excited :)
Oh and this space is growing fast...
Teams are hiring engineering, creator/dev evangelist, community, product and design roles.
@spencernoon has stewarded (and backed) an incredible community of builders by championing data driven insights, and creating venues for builders to do the same through @OurNetwork__
He's done all of this as a solo investor in FL—long before it was cool/the new Silicon Valley—a testament to crypto's decentralized, internet-first culture.
NFTs are very early in the irruption-installation phase of Perez' hype cycle.
I'm optimistic they are going to work with mainstream audiences, but what is the wedge?
If I had to guess, it'll play out as follows 👇
1/ Irruption becomes frenzy alongside the backdrop of a crypto bull market. Digital artworks sell for $MMs, grabbing headlines, creator and collector attention.
2/ Developers rush in, building new marketplaces and experiences around issuing, collecting and trading NFTs.
This is clearly happening right now. New marketplaces and subniches are popping up daily. My fav as of late is @artblocks_io for generative art.
1/ Being able to "invest in whats in the fridge"—brands whose products and services are used or recognized globally—is now globally accessible, as it should be.