Where to Buy the Best NFTs & How to Invest in NFTs
Updated: Mar 14, 2022
Knowing where to buy the best NFTs is the key to successfully investing in NFTs. These digital goods are taking the world buy storm and savvy investors are raking in millions! In this article, we'll discuss:
How to go about investing in NFTs
The benefits of investing in NFTs
What the future of NFTs might look like
Table of Contents
Introduction
One of the hottest trends in the world of cryptocurrencies is the emergence of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). They allow anyone to create a unique token and trade it with others.
A few examples of NFTs include unique skins for game items, unique car models, and unique physical coins. If you’re interested in knowing more about how you can make money with NFTs, then keep reading.
What is an NFT?
In a bid to promote the blockchain and cryptocurrencies, Ethereum, the ‘father’ of the blockchain ecosystem, is the pioneer in the development of ‘non-fungible tokens’ or NFT.
What are Non-Fungible Tokens?
These tokens are known as non-fungible tokens, (NFTs) and are generally used in blockchain-based games. In blockchain-based games, non-fungible tokens are used to define assets like in-game items, weapons, characters, or money.
Developers use NFT to make their in-game assets unique and differentiate them from other players. These tokens have to be registered and stored in the blockchains.
The non-fungible nature of these tokens means that they are often impossible to distinguish one from another.
The NFT ecosystem is a major component in the Ethereum ecosystem and its usage can be enhanced when certain protocol level features are developed.
Developers can make use of NFTs to build new games, money, and even cryptocurrencies. They can be used to create digital identities and make them different from each other.
Where to Buy NFTs
There are a number of NFT exchanges that allow you to buy and sell NFTs. I personally recommend OpenSea.io because it is one of the largest and most-popular NFT exchanges.
The user experience is also very clean and there is ample support available from their Help department.
Most of these platforms will require you to also have a Blockchain Wallet where the NFT can be stored securely.
Blockchain Wallets
Wallets are used to store non-fungible tokens. Wallet providers need to follow specific standards and regulations in order to operate.
However, most wallets are found to be vulnerable to attacks. Coinbase Wallets are a secure option to store NFTs. However, phishing attacks remain a major concern.
Recent technological developments have made it possible to create wallets that automatically verify if NFTs belong to a specific user. Wallet providers can use Blockchains to store, register and manage non-fungible tokens.
How are NFTs Useful?
Blockchain-based games can use NFTs to build highly innovative games that are highly scalable.
Since the non-fungible property is stored on blockchains, developers can easily manage them and track all the transactions.
The players cannot abuse non-fungible tokens and reselling them is strictly prohibited.
Many developers aren’t taking NFTs seriously. But their usage is all set to explode in the gaming industry. Developers can use NFTs to build games that cannot be copied or exploited.
NFTs have the ability to transform the gaming industry by providing developers a new tool to design multipurpose games. They can now create games that are highly customizable and incorporate new features.
Cut to 2019, and non-fungible tokens have become popular in the blockchain gaming industry.
When Ethereum was first created, it offered developers a new way to create applications using virtual money. However, the ERC20 token type soon became popular and was used in over 2,000 applications.
Soon, the ERC20 became a standard in the Ethereum ecosystem. Then ERC721 was developed which made it possible to define virtual objects.
Since early 2018, many currencies have been introduced in Ethereum, but NFTs have made the most out of Ethereum’s potential. This is because Ethereum based games can use NFTs to build games that cannot be copied and that are scalable.
Developers can now build games that have unique attributes and build highly innovative games like CryptoKitties, CryptoCelebrities, and Hired Gun.
Soon, non-fungible tokens and ERC721 based assets are going to become vital in building innovative blockchain-based smart contracts.
So, it’s important that developers start taking NFTs seriously.
A blockchain-based business is a complex thing. If you roll out a blockchain-based product, you need to be aware of all the technical, legal, licensing, and regulatory details. It’s the best way to future-proof your new business.
The ICO boom of 2017 only made things worse. People all around the world started launching ICOs. Some people got started, others lost money.
How NFTs Work
We are all used to the Ethereum network now. We use it to store our Ether Wallet as well as store and interact with our smart contracts. NFTs are similar to these. They are stored in the Ethereum network and make use of smart contracts.
How can it be technology-based?
It may seem strange but it is quite straightforward. The smart contract is the engine that runs the NFT engine. The smart contract acts as a digital wallet.
When the smart contract is created, it is given a public key. With the private key, the smart contract is able to interact with the Ethereum network.
The private key allows the smart contract to receive Ethereum Gas, which is used to pay for transactions on the network. Ethereum Gas is the currency of the network and is used to pay for the transfer of Ether that is stored on the network.
How does the smart contract store NFTs?
When the smart contract is created, one of the first things it does is set up an NFT wallet. This wallet is used to store NFTs.
Once the NFTs are stored in the wallet, the NFT can be distributed out to the users of the network. When the NFT is stored in a user’s wallet, the NFT rolls over the Ethereum network and is recorded on the Ethereum network.
Each time an NFT is transferred to someone else, it is recorded on the network and every time the wallet is accessed, it is recorded on the network.
This means that each NFT on the network is unique and there is no duplicates. This can also be applied to transfers. If the NFT is transferred to a new address and then stored in the new wallet, a new NFT is created on the blockchain.
Benefits of NFTs
There are a few key benefits that come with NFTs.
NFTs have a market value.
Each NFT has a market value and people will buy and sell them. For example, you may have an NFT for your favorite car. If you bought that NFT at $20 then you can sell that NFT for $200.
These market values are set by the society which created the NFT. So, if NFTs are used for something, the value can rise.
No one controls these market values, they can be whatever the society wants them to be.
So, if you own an NFT for an asset and the asset increases in value then that means that your NFT increases in value.
The market value of the NFT is updated each time it is transferred, this is good as it is a fair way of measuring value.
The market value is not set in stone, it moves with time and changes depending on supply and demand.
So, if the demand for NFTs increases then the price of NFTs will go up, if the supply of NFTs increases then NFTs will be cheaper to buy.
NFTs can be traded on exchanges.
This is the real beauty of NFTs. NFTs can be bought and sold on exchanges, whether it is at the specific peer supporter or by the market.
The market values can be changed which means that people can make trades with other NFTs outside of the peer supporter. This makes NFTs very attractive to investors.
NFTs can be used as currency.
You can use the value or trade the NFT on exchanges for things. For example, you can buy some artwork with your NFTs or goods and services.
NFTs can record transactions. The transaction history of the NFT is stored and can be viewed or modified. So, if you need to record every transaction of a particular NFT you can do it.
The Problems with Traditional Investment
Traditional investments have been based on one basic principle. Buy low and sell high.
This sounds great in theory, but any seasoned investor will tell you that the realities are far more complicated.
The idea behind traditional investments is that you grow your money by converting it into something else that is likely to gain value.
For example, you buy a $100,000 house and four years later it has gone up in value and is now worth $150,000. If you sell the now $150,000 house then you have made $50,000.
You have made $50,000 after only four years!
If you compare it to stocks and shares, you would need to make around $5,000 per month just to match the return on investment over a period of 4 years (assuming there has been no increase in house prices or inflation).
Sure, there is a risk with an increase in house prices (it can just rise exponentially), however, you do have to make the investment decision.
I personally don’t think that investing your hard-earned money in a speculative market is a wise choice.
Alternatives to traditional investments
There are so many alternatives to traditional investments. Here are some that I would recommend.
Property Investment:
You can find an absolute bargain if you buy a bit of land in the developing areas and turn it into a successful rental property.
There are sites like Airbnb where you can earn a significant amount of money by renting out your property.
You can also make money by investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts like CrowdStreet and DiversyFund.
Investing in Stocks:
There is now a wealth of knowledge available online about the stock market. It is actually quite accessible.
There is a wealth of information on YouTube about investing, from entry-level to advanced.
There are many websites out there that offer advice on investing in stocks and shares.
A word of warning though, if you have no idea how to buy and sell stocks and shares, then you should not be doing it.
It is good to know how to calculate how much it is worth, but it is very easy to get sucked into a stock market bubble without understanding the important details.
I would like to personally invest in something that I can control; something I can touch.
Something that will not lose or gain value.
Something that will give me a sustainable return on investment.
Something I can rely on.
Something I can see.
Something that I can relate to.
Something I can participate in.
Investing in NFTs
Investing in NFTs is very similar to investing in stocks. The difference between investing in stocks and NFTs is that with stocks, you are effectively investing in a company.
With NFTs, you are investing in technology.
Many different forms of NFTs exist. Some use Blockchain technology, while others use Smart Contracts or a combination of the two.
While there are a number of positive and negative things about investing in NFTs, there are some advantages to investing in them.
NFTs allow individuals to invest money in technologies that may not exist yet.
For some, this is a good thing.
It allows individuals to invest in the future of technology and a chance to get in before the technology becomes popular.
For other people, this is not so good.
Many people trust Bitcoin but not Ethereum or similar technology. This means that for those people, investing in NFTs is risky.
NFTs as Collectible Art
Artists all over the world have begun minting their work as NFTs and the work itself covers a broad range of artistic expressions. Take, for example, Alia Harding-Stern.
At 3 years old, Alia is one of the Internets youngest NFT artists on the Internet.
She lives in Northern California with her father; who has been helping her mint her digital artwork as NFTs and sell it to buyers around the world.
"We've seen a lot of interest from Chinese investors," said her father; who asked to remain anonymous. "People see a 3-year-old girl with her whole life ahead of her and they're betting that her work will increase in value. I, for one, agree."
The fact that her art is little more than casual doodling doesn't seem to matter either.
"People aren't buying her art because they want to hang it on their wall. They're buying it as an investment," her father said.
Alia's fans are able to purchase her work on OpenSea.io.
The Demand for NFTs
The way NFTs earn money is by attracting people to them. The more people who are attracted to the technology and buy into it, the more money the NFTs make.
This means that for investors who get into the technology early enough, there could be a big return. For people who get into the technology later, the return could be much, much lower.
While the price varies across different NFTs, generally, the earlier people invest in NFTs, the more they can potentially make.
The Risks of Investing in NFTs
The risks involved with investing in NFTs are the same as the risks involved with investing in stocks.
Just like investing in stocks, it is possible to lose some or all of your money. There are a number of different ways in which this could happen.
The first way is by someone stealing it from you. Although rare, this is not uncommon among people who store Bitcoin in unsecured wallets.
To avoid this, we highly recommend using the Coinbase Wallet. It is, hands-down, the most secure Blockchain wallet in existence.
Another way in which you could lose money is through a faulty algorithm. NFTs are powered by algorithms. These algorithms can have flaws and could result in the NFTs losing money. Again, this doesn't happen very often, but it's not unfeasible.
While it is possible to lose money, it is also possible to make profits. You could potentially make a profit if the NFTs go up in value.
There is also the potential for NFTs to lose value. This could happen for a variety of reasons. Some NFTs could lose value because of a poor track record, or because of a negative press.
The best way to protect yourself against these risks is by researching and practicing. Make sure to invest in NFTs which look reputable and do what they say they will do.
The moral of the story is that investing in NFTs is risky. However, for some people, the potential gains are worth it.
The potential for technology to grow, for prices, to go up, and for people to make more money are thrilling. For many people, it is worth the risk.
As technology grows and becomes more accepted, this may become more and more common. For Other people, it remains something that is rare and is feared.
Using NFTs for Your Business
Companies such as Ripple are now looking into ways of using NFTs to make business communication easier.
The problem with business communication is that emails are often not in accordance with the style of communication that the business prefers.
It is almost impossible to keep track of discussions and to make sure everyone is on the same page. NFTs can be used to ensure accurate communication.
A token can be displayed on the company’s intranet and attached with the relevant conversation.
Companies could have a system set up whereby the tokens are attached to the document itself and can be viewed at any time by whoever likes.
This makes sure that everyone is working from the same document and is on the same page.
NFTs can also be used in corporate environments whereby small tokens or tasks are handed out to employees. These could be given out to employees as rewards for good work or as a thank you.
Employees could then distribute the tasks to each other.
This could also be useful in law firms where tokens are used with clients to assist in contract development. These could be especially useful as clients could send along with their own suggestions and these could be incorporated into contracts.
NFTs could also be used in a similar way in various types of project management work.
NFTs in Game Design
NFTs are starting to revolutionize game design. Developers are looking at ways to give players ownership of their game environment.
For example, if a player is playing a game and earns enough tokens, they could be gifted ownership of a specific in-game environment which could then be passed onto another player.
Alternatively, the in-game assets could be given to the owner of the NFT when the token has expired.
This concept has already been used in the online games of Cryptokitties and Spartan Rush.
This means that developers don’t have to hold and remove assets from their game.
Players have ownership of their own assets. The developer does not have to constantly release new assets.
Cryptocurrencies
NFTs have already disrupted the cryptocurrency market. If you look at Cryptokitties, an NFT raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the game of Cryptokitties.
The same could be said for the NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) of Spartan Rush which raised $2 million.
Another benefit to NFTs is the fact that they have more efficient methods of pricing.
The Ethereum blockchain allows developers to issue NFTs and sell them off and players can then exchange these tokens for physical items.
The items are then created by the developers.
The tokens usually increase in value with time. The value is determined by the market.
This means that developers can be sure that they will get a liquid market for their tokens. They can look at the market capitalization for NFTs to determine token value.
The Future of NFTs
NFTs have been around for a while but I believe we are finally at a place where we are going to see the mainstream use it.
The internet is, and always will be, a central part of our movement as humans.
We search online, we chat, we watch videos, we play games. In the modern world, people have connected the entire world. The internet has changed how we communicate.
As we are starting to move from the old way of doing things, where everything is centralized (such as Google), to the decentralized world, we need a way to communicate beyond simply writing messages back and forth.
This is where NFTs come in.
Already we have seen a few cryptocurrencies use this technology, ERC721 tokens, and their equivalents.
These tokens are often referred to as Cryptokitties since they were one of the first to use this technology.
For the time being, it is hard to say how successful NFTs will be, however, we are sure to see a lot more of these types of assets in the future.
It is an exciting time for our industry and space travel, but quite a scary time for the public services.
In the past, it was relatively easy for a man to be the first into space, or to get a computer into space.
Since then, it has become much harder and more expensive.
The human race, although full of fear, are robust and adaptable. The technology is getting cheaper and we will be able to pioneer space at an affordable cost.
This means that we may get our first moon landing in 30 years but in space tourism, we would be aiming for take-off in 5-10 years.
CONCLUSION: NFTs Are the Future
By making money with an NFT platform, you can reap passive income, lend and borrow money through passive investing, and much more.
The ecosystem is also buzzing with activity but it is important to think about the wider implications.
There are a lot of unique benefits to owning digital assets in NFTs from crowd funding, funding investments for projects you love and many other ways in which the value will increase based on your feedback.
My hope is that this blog post has been useful for those people thinking about pulling their funds into an undiscovered investment opportunity!
