The Rise of NFTs: From CryptoPunks to Mass Adoption
The first NFT in history was created in 2014. Ethereum, a cryptocurrency that operates on a blockchain supporting smart contracts, provided the platform for the development and use of NFTs.
The initial NFT project was called "CryptoPunks," developed by one of Ethereum's founders, Vitalik Buterin. CryptoPunks consisted of 10,000 unique pixel art characters, each represented as an NFT on the Ethereum blockchain. This marked the beginning of the concept of NFTs gaining popularity and representing the uniqueness of digital assets.
However, the broader popularity and widespread use of the NFT concept came in 2017 with the advent of the CryptoKitties game. CryptoKitties allowed users to own unique digital cats, creating significant interest within the Ethereum community. The game played a crucial role in the mass adoption of NFTs and paved the way for the use of these digital assets in various fields.
Cryptopunks NFT
When was the first NFT in history made?
The first NFT in history was created in 2014. Ethereum, a cryptocurrency operating on a blockchain that supports smart contracts, provided a platform for the development and utilization of NFTs.
The inaugural NFT project was known as "CryptoPunks," developed by Vitalik Buterin, one of the founders of Ethereum. CryptoPunks consisted of 10,000 unique pixel art characters, each represented as an NFT on the Ethereum blockchain. This marked the inception of the concept of NFTs gaining popularity and representing the uniqueness of digital assets.
However, the broader popularity and widespread adoption of the NFT concept occurred with the advent of the CryptoKitties game in 2017. CryptoKitties enabled users to own unique digital cats, generating significant interest within the Ethereum community. The game played a pivotal role in the mass adoption of NFTs, paving the way for these digital assets to be embraced by the public in various fields.
Some of the popular platforms for selling NFT
As of 2022, there are several popular platforms where NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are traded. These platforms enable users to buy and sell various digital assets. Here are some prominent NFT marketplaces:
OpenSea: One of the largest NFT marketplaces, operating on the Ethereum blockchain. Users can trade art, collections, and other digital assets in NFT format.
Rarible: A marketplace on the Ethereum blockchain that allows users to create and list their NFTs for sale.
Foundation: A platform where artists can showcase and sell their own works. It is particularly popular among well-known artists.
Nifty Gateway: This platform features NFTs from artists and brands in the fields of art, music, and entertainment. It includes special collections and limited edition NFTs.
SuperRare: An Ethereum-based platform that showcases limited edition digital artworks created by artists.
Mintable: A marketplace operating on blockchains like Ethereum and Polygon, allowing users to create and sell their own NFTs.
Binance NFT: A platform on the Binance Smart Chain, offering various categories of NFTs and integrated with Binance accounts.
AtomicMarket: A marketplace on the WAX blockchain, particularly known for in-game items.
OPENSEA, the flagship of the NFT market
OpenSea is a platform that operates on the Ethereum blockchain, providing users with the opportunity to buy and sell various digital assets known as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Here is more detailed information about OpenSea:
Foundation Date: OpenSea was founded on December 20, 2017, by Alex Atallah and Devin Finzer.
NFT Marketplace: OpenSea is one of the largest NFT marketplaces operating on the Ethereum blockchain. Users can trade art pieces, digital collections, in-game items, and various other digital assets in NFT format.
Diverse Categories: OpenSea hosts NFTs in various categories, including art pieces, in-game items, music, domain names, and many other digital assets that can be bought and sold on the platform.
Create Your Own NFTs: Users have the ability to create their own NFTs on OpenSea and list these digital assets for sale.
Ethereum-Based: OpenSea operates on the Ethereum blockchain, allowing users to transact on the platform by integrating their Ethereum wallets.
Smart Contracts: OpenSea manages NFTs using smart contracts, ensuring the uniqueness and ownership of NFTs.
Statistics and Analysis Tools: Users can access overall market conditions, price movements, and other statistics related to the NFT market on OpenSea.
Community and Collaborations: OpenSea has become a widely used platform by many artists, developers, and collectors. Artists use OpenSea to showcase, sell, and interact with collectors.
https://opensea.io/
How to trade in OPENSEA
Trading on OpenSea is quite straightforward. Here are the basic steps for buying and selling on OpenSea:
Connect Your Ethereum Wallet:
- Since OpenSea operates on the Ethereum blockchain, you'll need an Ethereum wallet. You can use MetaMask or other Ethereum-compatible wallets.
- When you log in to OpenSea, you'll see an option like "Connect Wallet" in the upper right corner. Use this option to link your Ethereum wallet to OpenSea.
Explore NFTs:
- On OpenSea, you can find NFTs that interest you by using the search bar or applying category filters.
- There is a wide variety of NFTs, including different art pieces, digital collections, game items, and more.
Review NFT Details:
- When you find an NFT of interest, go to the NFT's page. Here, you'll find details about the artwork, artist information, previous owners, and other important details.
Place Bids or Make Purchases:
- If you want to buy or place a bid on an NFT, you'll typically find options like "Buy" or "Place Bid" in the top right corner of the page.
- If you're buying, you can complete the transaction by paying the listed price. If you're bidding, you'll compete with other users to place the highest bid during a specified period.
Confirm Your Wallet:
- During the buying and selling process, your wallet may require a few confirmation steps. If you're using a wallet like MetaMask, you may need to open your wallet's window to confirm transactions.
Become the Owner of the NFT:
- Once the transaction is completed, the NFT will be transferred to your wallet, and you'll become the owner.
OpenSea has a user-friendly interface and typically provides step-by-step instructions. However, always exercise caution and gather sufficient information about the seller and the product before completing transactions.