If the question used as the title of the article is valid for NFTs, a phenomenon that is considered by some to be a meteor, it is not so for the Blockchain. The latter seems to be a real transversal technological dividing line for all sectors, a real upheaval of the network paradigm as we know it.
Centralized and distributed systems
The two main architectural approaches to software systems design are:
- centralization
- distribution
In the systems of the first category, the nodes of the network are all connected to a central computer and, to communicate even simply with each other, they always and in any case need the central computer. This is why they are called 'Centralized'. On the contrary, the nodes of distributed systems form a network of components connected directly and not, without having any central element that plays a coordinating and controlling role.
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Centralized system | Distributed system |
The Blockchain is a system that belongs to the second category, it is therefore a distributed system. Distributed systems have the enormous advantage of the exponential growth of computing capacity, but on the other hand they have several problems due paradoxically to the lack of a connection and coordination center which most often acts as a guarantor in all transactions, whether economic or simply to exchange information.
NFTs and intellectual property
One of the problems concerning the lack of centrality mentioned above is precisely the loss of the central figure who controls and establishes what belongs to whom through credentials and advanced security. In addition, another factor must also be considered: scarcity. Those who are digital natives have a low propensity to internalize this concept because when at the computer it is always possible to create instances and copies of a digital file without any particular difficulty or waste of economic resources. Among the characteristics that a digital artifact must have to be part of such a system, there is certainly its scarcity and, in addition, its verifiability. So how is it possible, within a distributed system, to establish the authenticity and ownership of a digital object? Simple, with a digital artifact that contains, in addition to the information for which it was created, also the contract (called smart contract) that binds it to an economic transaction and consequently to a digital wallet called a wallet. Such artifacts are called non-fungible tokens, abbreviated NFT.
A non-fungible token (NFT, in Italian non-fungible token or non-reproducible token) is a special type of token that represents the deed of ownership and the certificate of authenticity written on the blockchain of a unique asset (digital or physical); the non-fungible tokens are therefore not mutually interchangeable
This is in contrast to cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and many network or utility tokens, which are inherently fungible.
As mentioned above, NFTs are also created with the aim of creating verifiable digital scarcity. This aspect has meant that a real induced activity has been created around NFTs, made up of companies belonging to the most disparate sectors. Let's make a small overview of this world only at the beginning, but full of development possibilities.
NFTaaS for the video game industry
| Forte allows game publishers to easily integrate blockchain technologies into their games, enabling features such as wallets and NFTs, payment services and other solutions created specifically for managing digital and virtual assets within games. |
| Dapper Labs, the company of CryptoKitties, NBA Top Shot and blockchain Flow, uses blockchain technology to bring NFT and new forms of digital engagement to fans around the world, paving the way for a more open and inclusive digital world starting with games and entertainment. |
| Venly is a B2B service provider that offers game developers a suite of products that allow them to start using blockchain with ease, without requiring any development skills. |
| Noku is the governance and utility token of Nokuchain, a scalable blockchain designed to give life to the first protocol capable of improving the performance of NFTs for gaming applications. A little curiosity: the whole team is Italian! |
NFT-based creative agencies
| Noku is the governance and utility token of Nokuchain, a scalable blockchain designed to give life to the first protocol capable of improving the performance of NFTs for gaming applications. A little curiosity: the whole team is Italian! |
| NFT42 is a technology company that creates brands focused on virtual goods and the metaverse. He is the creator of Nameless, a platform that provides tools to create, manage and sell NFTs without any technical knowledge of blockchain and tokens. |
| Ioconic offers solutions for brands that want to enter the era of digital asset management. Ioconic leverages its experience and partnerships to provide a privileged gateway for new digital universes, offering, NFT digital art creation, marketing, distribution and social token creation. |
NFT-based tech agencies
| Sivira is focused on the research and development of blockchain products, including dAuth, an IDaaS authentication solution that provides a complete set of APIs and SDKs to enable developers and end users to manage digital assets. Among the products of sivira it is certainly worth mentioning soulgem, which aims to write 'proof of love' in the blockchain in the form of contracts that attest to the veracity of the sentiment. |
| UFIN mainly operates in 4 areas including Artificial Intelligence (A.I), Blockchain, cloud computing and development of operating systems (OS). |
| Mintable is an Ethereum-based platform that allows users to create, distribute, buy, sell, and trade digital files on the blockchain using non-fungible tokens (NFTs). |
| NFTically is a global B2B SaaS platform that enables celebrities, influencers, gamers, clubs, and businesses to launch their own white-label NFT store or NFT marketplace without any technical knowledge. |
Metaverses and virtual worlds
| Decentraland is a virtual reality platform powered by the Ethereum blockchain. Users can create, experiment and monetize by creating content and applications. |
| Wilder World provides a "metaverse" around art that is monetized by non-fungible tokens. Wilder World is creating a world with Epic Games' Unreal Engine using a decentralized team. It is a decentralized NFT market and an artists guild. |
| ENVOY Network allows users to connect portfolios and collections under a single cross-chain profile. |
NFT Marketplaces
| OpenSea is a decentralized marketplace for crypto assets, which include collectibles, game items, and other digital assets supported by the Ethereum blockchain. On OpenSea, you can buy or sell digital assets through a smart contract, which means that no central authority will ever own custody of your assets. |
| Rarible is a marketplace that allows digital artists and creators to issue and sell personal digital assets. Of note, Rarible is both a marketplace for such assets and an Ethereum-based distributed network that allows their trade without intermediaries. |
| KLKTN, aka Kollektion, is an NFT market platform focused on the K-POP, Anime and J-CULTURE fandoms. The platform allows musicians and artists to share their behind-the-scenes content and creative process and enrich engagement with their fans by offering them a unique opportunity to show their support and appreciation. |
| TicketChain is developing a ticketing platform, which allows events, venues and stadiums to control their primary and secondary ticket markets, via NFT and blockchain. |
| SuperRare is a marketplace for collecting and trading unique single-edition digital artwork. Each artwork is authentically created by an artist on the net and tokenized as a digital collectible item of cryptocurrencies that you can own and trade. |
| Foundation is a platform that aims to build a new creative economy, a world where creators can use the Ethereum blockchain to value their digital selves in entirely new ways and create stronger connections with their supporters. |
| MakersPlace allows content creators to sell original art prints online while providing verifiable proof of authenticity, ownership and scarcity on the blockchain. |
| Momento is a mobile application that allows ordinary people to become NFT content creators on the Bitcoin blockchain. Momento's mission is to provide content creators with the opportunity and the ability to monetize using moments of everyday life. |
| Bitski is an NFT marketplace that aims to allow brands to easily create and sell non-fungible tokens across its platforms. Its website encourages content creators to "enter without the need for blockchain experience and allows users to purchase digital art via credit cards. |
Successful NFT campaigns
| The exclusive collection works like a membership card. It's sort of a key to the entrance to the coolest and most desirable club in the digital universe. In addition to its exuberant and charming design, the Alpha Collection is a set of digital assets that will offer incredible and unmissable benefits to its owners regarding future releases with the major luxury brands. |
| The main ambition of this project is to create meaningful intellectual property and create an amazing community. All tokens are a three-year admission token to VeeCon, an annual super conference. |
| Crypto Baristas are digitally hand-drawn characters whose purchase will help support the world's first NFT-funded café in New York City. Owners of a Crypto Barista NFT will enjoy lifelong benefits in all future bars. Other incentives include Governance on the Coffee Roadmap and Barista Bank Prime Analysis on Season 2 Releases Voting Power on Future Characters and Project Direction |
| The first NFT collection by Marco "Monty" Montemagno, 3,558 "Crazy Fury" which, in addition to being unique collectible pieces, offer you unique bonuses and benefits to interact with Monty and participate in his initiatives if you decide to become part of MontyLab . |
979 is also a fully-fledged NFT-based agency. Visit our page to know more.