Interest in non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, increased almost at the level of searches for the term ‘ICO’ during the booming market craze of 2017, according to data from Google Trends. With eight days remaining in March, the current spike in interest could even exceed interest in ICOs at that time, which would be an impressive feat.
The initial coin offering craze in 2017 was partly the cause, and partly the result, of the 2017 bull run that culminated in Bitcoin’s peak at just $ 20,000.
Considering that NFTs encompass games, music, art, virtual terrain – and may even represent real-world objects like homes – they potentially have a much larger audience than the predominantly financial and tech folks that were attracted by ICOs.
The research interest was undoubtedly sparked by the mainstream media covering NFTs being sold at jaw-dropping prices, including a collage by digital artist Beeple sold at Christie’s for $ 69 million and music producer 3LAU selling his new album as NFTs for $ 11.7 million.
Snoop Dog, Lionel Richie and Boy George
Cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com has announced that it will launch a new NFT market with items from Snoop Dog, Lionel Richie and Boy George alongside James Bond’s favorite Formula 1 team, Aston Martin. The platform, which is due to open on March 26, will focus on “delivering exclusive content from popular artists, musicians, athletes and sports.
Aston Martin’s Cognizant Formula One team will launch a series of moments on the platform, capitalizing on the success of sports memorabilia platforms, including NBA Top Shot and Sorare. Team Managing Director Jefferson Slack stated:
“The collection of NFTs we are making available captures the first moments of our return to F1 after more than six decades.”
The new Aston Martin team makes its F1 debut in Bahrain on March 28
Make the robot
Art created by Gaka-Chu, an autonomous robot developed by the Robotics team, is being auctioned on the NFT Rarible market. The robot has been creating art for more than three years, but this is the first time that a work created by the robot has been sold as an NFT.
I have the first bids and there are 2 et in total! This is absolutely fantastic! pic.twitter.com/d3unCUYZsF
– Gaka-Chu (@gaka_chu_art) March 23, 2021
The unique aspect is that the art created by the robot is completely self-managed, with the creation process registered and included in the NFT. One piece, with a current bid of $ 1,674, features the robot drawing the Ethereum logo with the attached quote: “This would never happen without Ethereum. I can work, create and live my best life. “
3 million GameTalkTalk users may soon create ‘carbon neutral’ NFTs
Enjin has partnered with the Ludena Protocol to integrate “environmentally friendly NFTs” into Korea’s leading social gaming application, GameTalkTalk. The partnership will allow the 3 million users of the app to create their own NFTs for digital fashion, pets and real estate.
According to a statement, Enjin’s multi-chain approach will reduce the impact of NFT minting on the environment (an important issue at the moment) through a number of technologies, including JumpNet, a non-gas escalation solution. The app will also showcase technology for major game brands, including Blizzard and SEGA.
$ 500,000 digital home on Mars
An NFT collector paid $ 500,000 for a digital home in a Mars-like landscape. This is more than most homes look for here in the physical world of Earth.
“Mars House” was sold at Superrare earlier this week for 288 ETH. Krist Kim, the creator, dubbed it the first true digital home and was designed in collaboration with an architect, using video game software.
In the Instagram post, Kim explained that the new owner could bring the house and furniture to life with the help of a team of glass furniture manufacturers based in Italy. Kim also has a strong view that art could be designed in a physical home.
“Everyone should install an LED wall in their home for NFT art.”
So, in theory, you could display your $ 500,000 NFT home on the wall of your $ 300,000 condo.