<\/figure>\nThere is an elephant in the room, though: NFTs are difficult to use and a majority of them are digital snake oil. But these problems create the opportunity to provide answers. The accessibility and legitimacy of NFTs are both ripe for change. As funding pours into the space, the market is starting to mature, and that change is gaining momentum. We\u2019re entering a new era of NFTs \u2014 NFT 2.0 \u2014 where the technology will be more easily accessible by the mainstream, and the underlying value proposition of the NFTs will be more transparent and reliable.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the rise of NFTs<\/h2>\n In their short existence, NFTs have exploded onto the crypto scene, topping $17 billion in trading volume in 2021. This number is expected to balloon to $147 billion by 2026. Even more impressive is the fact that this volume is owned by fewer than 400,000 holders, which totals a whopping $47,000 transaction volume per user.<\/p>\n
Alongside the industry\u2019s meteoric rise, NFTs themselves have gone through enormous changes since their inception. For example, CryptoPunks, which minted for free in 2017, rose to blue-chip status, peaking with an $11.8-million sale at Sotheby\u2019s last year. A few years later, Larva Labs, the company responsible for creating the Punks, was acquired by the Bored Ape Yacht Club\u2019s parent company, Yuga Labs, for an undisclosed amount.<\/p>\n <\/figure>\nThe evolution of NFTs<\/h2>\n Dismissed as a fad early on, NFTs have shown a tremendous amount of staying power, attracting the attention of major celebrities and brands and even being featured in Super Bowl commercials. Companies such as Budweiser, McDonald\u2019s and Adidas have dropped their own collections, while Nike has entered the space by acquiring RTFKT Studios.<\/p>\n
Related: <\/em><\/strong>Why are major global brands experimenting with NFTs in the metaverse?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nWhile organizations determine their NFT strategy, the overall space has mirrored the past several decades of technological innovation, just under a significantly accelerated timeline. While the iPhone took about 10 years to reach its current version, NFTs have moved from 8-bit pixelated images and Pong-like blockchain games to high-fidelity 3D animations and complex play-to-earn game mechanics with massive multiplayer experiences in just a couple of years.<\/p>\n
While the actual NFTs evolve, the ecosystem of pick-and-shovel solutions is also rapidly advancing. The onslaught of NFT minting platforms and toolings has dramatically reduced the barrier to entry, which has created deep saturation in the market. As of March 2022, there were more NFTs than there were public websites<\/a>, creating a significant amount of noise that many have found difficult to cut through.<\/p>\n