1. What are NFTs?
NFTs are unique digital assets verified using blockchain technology, which provides proof of ownership and authenticity. Unlike cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, which are fungible and can be exchanged on a one-to-one basis, NFTs are unique and cannot be exchanged for another NFT of the same value. This uniqueness gives NFTs their special appeal and value.
2. Key factors to consider when investing in NFTs
2.1. NFT product quality
The core of any NFT project is the product itself, which should be evaluated based on several aspects:
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NFT type classification: Understand the different types of NFTs (e.g., Collectibles, Artwork, Event tickets, Music, Gaming, Virtual items, Real-world assets, etc.) and their attributes.
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Story behind the NFT: Assess the narrative and purpose behind the NFT collection, which can influence its value and community engagement.
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Graphics and visual appeal: High-quality and visually appealing graphics are crucial for the attractiveness and marketability of NFTs.
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Supply, ownership distribution, and trading volume: Analyze the total supply, number of owners, and trading volume to gauge market valuation, liquidity, and potential selling pressure.
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Rarity: Check the scarcity of the NFT, as rarer items typically have higher demand and value. Use tools like Rarity.tools, Rarity Sniper, and CryptoSlam for this assessment.
2.2. Development team and Backers
The success of an NFT project heavily relies on the competence and reputation of the development team and its backers:
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Development team: Investigate the background and experience of the team members, including their previous projects and expertise in technology, art, or business.
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Backing entities: Identify the influential supporters or organizations behind the project. Notable and resourceful backers can provide credibility and enhance the project's chances of success.
2.3. Community engagement
A vibrant and active community is essential for the growth and sustainability of an NFT project:
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Community size and activity: Evaluate the size and engagement levels on platforms like Discord and Twitter. A larger, active community often indicates a more promising project.
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Core team involvement: Determine if the core team actively participates and engages with the community.
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Community enthusiasm and contribution: Assess the enthusiasm for the project's roadmap and the level of user contributions towards its development.
2.4. Development roadmap
A clear and realistic development roadmap is critical for assessing the long-term potential of an NFT project:
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Milestones and vision: Examine the project's milestones, goals, and vision to understand its growth trajectory and future plans.
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Adherence to the roadmap: Monitor the project’s progress in achieving its milestones and delivering on its promises.
2.5. Utility and use cases
The utility of an NFT significantly influences its value and adoption:
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Real-world applications: Consider how the NFT can be used in real-life scenarios, such as ownership of physical assets, event tickets, or access to exclusive experiences.
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Digital and financial utilities: Look at the digital use cases, including gaming, virtual worlds, and financial applications like collateral for loans (NFTFi), staking, or governance (DAO participation).
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Additional benefits for holders: Evaluate whether NFT holders receive additional perks like free mints, whitelist spots for future releases, or token rewards.
3. Best upcoming NFT Projects for 2024
3.1. Metaverse NFTs
Metaverse NFTs are unique digital assets that exist inside the virtual shared space of the metaverse. These can include virtual real estate, in-game items, and collectibles. The metaverse is a virtual shared space where users can interact with each other and digital objects in a seemingly real way.
3.2. NFT Art
NFT Art refers to digital assets stored on a blockchain that represent content or even physical items. The art mediums that NFTs can represent include digital drawings, paintings, music, film, poetry, or books. NFT Art allows artists to sell or rent their artwork beyond the physical world.
NFT Art is a digitalized form of art tokenized by the artist onto a blockchain. These digital artworks can be sold and bought by investors and collectors and are unavailable physically. Also, NFT arts establish ownership and cannot be transferred, which makes the circulation of digital art files scarce.
3.3. NFT Gaming
NFT Gaming is a niche gaming industry that uses Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to represent unique digital assets on the blockchain and prove in-game ownership of items. NFT games are essentially games where the gameplay involves earning NFTs. These tokens, unique and immutable, are earned through competition with other players or even non-player characters (NPCs).
NFT games are play-to-earn video games that are built on blockchain technology. Blockchain games often include NFTs in the form of trading cards and in-game collectibles that players can sell, buy, and trade for other assets. In Gaming, they allow true ownership of virtual items in games.
3.4. NFTFi
NFTFi, or “NFT finance,” refers to the ecosystem of decentralized protocols and applications providing financial utility to NFTs. It allows NFT owners to use the assets they own to access the liquidity they need by receiving secured wETH, DAI, and USDC loans from liquidity providers, peer-to-peer, in a completely trustless manner.
NFTFi’s vision is to build a fully decentralized, permissionless, user-owner public utility, supporting the seamless financialization of NFT based economies through innovative mechanisms and highly user-friendly applications.
3.5. NFT PFP
NFT PFP, or “Non-Fungible Token Profile Picture”, is a type of NFT that’s primarily used as a social media profile picture or avatar. These NFTs are digital items that are authenticated on a blockchain network, making them verifiably unique. Some PFP NFTs also grant access to designated online communities.
PFP NFTs typically come in the form of 2D images, as seen in projects like Bored Ape Yacht Club or CryptoPunks. However, other projects like Mutant Shiba Club and Impostors are introducing animated NFTs to the market. Furthermore, several artists are creating hand-drawn images as NFTs, like Gary Vaynerchuk’s VeeFriend collection, which sold for $1.2 million.
3.6. NFT Sport
NFT Sport refers to the use of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) in the sports industry. These are verifiably unique digital assets created on a blockchain to represent digital trading sports cards, sporting moments, digital memorabilia, and other types of sports items. The issuance of sports NFTs provides an opportunity for athletes, clubs, and sports brands with a new monetization avenue while enabling fans to connect with their favorite clubs and athletes in a new way.
4. How to stay informed about upcoming NFTs
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Follow NFT marketplaces
Keeping an eye on popular NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea, Rarible, and Foundation can help you discover new and upcoming projects. These platforms often feature curated collections and upcoming drops, providing valuable insights into the latest trends and opportunities.
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Join NFT communities
Participating in NFT communities on social media platforms like Twitter, Discord, and Reddit can keep you informed about the latest projects and trends. Engaging with these communities allows you to learn from other enthusiasts and stay updated on upcoming NFT drops and events.
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Subscribe to NFT newsletters
Many websites and influencers in the NFT space offer newsletters that provide regular updates on upcoming projects, market trends, and industry news. Subscribing to these newsletters can help you stay informed and make informed investment decisions.
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Attend NFT conferences and events
Attending NFT conferences and events, both virtual and in-person, can provide valuable insights into the latest developments and upcoming projects. These events often feature talks and presentations from industry leaders, offering a glimpse into the future of the NFT market.
5. Conclusion
The NFT market is rapidly evolving, with new and innovative projects launching regularly. By staying informed about the best upcoming NFTs, you can seize opportunities and participate in the growth of this exciting space. Whether you're an investor, collector, or enthusiast, keeping an eye on projects like Metaverse Realms, Crypto Art Collective, NFT Gaming Universe, DeFi NFT Platforms, Virtual Fashion, and Music NFTs can help you navigate the dynamic and ever-changing world of NFTs. As the market continues to mature, these upcoming projects are set to shape the future of digital assets and the broader blockchain ecosystem.
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