#how to find nft projects to mint

[innblockchain]

Why Smart Entrepreneurs Choose White Label NFT Marketplace Development?

In 2025, launching an NFT platform is no longer a novelty... It’s a business decision that demands strategy. Entrepreneurs are no longer chasing the hype. They’re building with purpose.

But here's the hard truth:

Developing a custom NFT marketplace from scratch is costly... slow, and filled with technical hurdles. That’s why smart founders are leaning toward white label NFT marketplace development... not as a shortcut, but as a launchpad.

This isn’t about using someone else’s code blindly. It’s about choosing a white label NFT platform that gives you control without starting from zero. A way to build your own NFT marketplace while skipping months of backend development. You still shape your brand, your features, your business model. But with a head start that saves time, money, and mistakes.

In this blog, we’re not going to recycle fluff. You’ll find no basic lists or vague tips here. Instead, we’ll walk through what truly matters when choosing the best white label NFT marketplace development:

speed to market, freedom to customize, and the ability to scale on your own terms.

Because in today’s NFT economy, launching quickly isn’t the win... Launching Smart is.

Custom vs White Label NFT Marketplace Development: What Founders Choose in 2025

Why Are NFT Founders Moving from Custom Builds to White-Label NFT Platforms???

Building an NFT marketplace from scratch sounds powerful. But it’s slow, expensive, and risky. That’s why more founders in 2025 are choosing white label NFT marketplace development.

Here’s the difference in simple terms:

Custom build: You start from zero. Everything is made for you... But it takes months and a big budget. You also need a full tech team.

White-label solution: It’s already built. You just rebrand, customize features, and launch. It’s faster, more affordable, and still lets you own your platform.

Founders today don’t want to waste time building what already exists. They want to launch fast, test fast, and grow fast. With a white label NFT platform, you stay ahead of competitors, spend less, and go live in weeks not months.

You still get your unique design. You still control your roadmap. But you skip the difficult development process.

That’s why startups and even big creators are switching to ready-made NFT marketplaces. It’s not just smart... It's strategic.

White-Label NFT Marketplaces with Real Customization: Beyond Basic Templates

Many NFT entrepreneurs assume that white label NFT marketplace development means working with a fixed template. Something generic. Something that can't grow with your brand.

That’s not true.

White-label doesn’t mean limited. It means ready-built and ready-to-customize saving you time while giving you full control.

Let’s break down what you can actually customize:

#1 Smart Contracts (Your NFT’s Brain)

Smart contracts control how NFTs behave. In a white-label NFT marketplace, you can choose:

Token Standards like ERC-721 for single NFTs or ERC-1155 for multi-editions.

Royalty structures for artists and creators.

Rules for minting, transfers, and ownership.

These contracts can be tailored to your project. You’re not forced to use default logic.

#2 User Interface (The Look and Feel)

You can design the platform your users see and touch:

Add your logo, colors, fonts, layout

Organize pages the way your users navigate

Make it feel like your brand, not a clone

This helps your NFT business stand out in a crowded market.

#3 Blockchain Options (Go Multi-Chain)

You’re not stuck with one chain. Integrate Ethereum, Polygon, BNB, or even Solana. This lets you reach a bigger user base and keep gas fees low where needed.

Polygon for low gas fees

BNB Chain for speed

Solana for scalability

Or even a multi-chain setup. This flexibility expands your reach.

#4 Payments (Crypto + Fiat)

Want to allow credit cards? USDT? ETH? You can. A scalable NFT marketplace solution should support many gateways so you can serve global users with ease.

ETH, SOL, BNB, MATIC

Stablecoins like USDT

Fiat payments using gateways like Stripe or MoonPay

This makes it easier for all types of users to buy or trade.

#5 Features (Pick What You Need)

From auction systems to lazy minting, bundled listings, and gasless transactions... a white-label NFT platform can incorporate advanced features without the need for complex custom coding.

These features are already part of the white-label platform... you just turn them on or modify them.

How This Benefits You

Total Brand Ownership: While the base platform is white-label, you maintain full control over the look, feel, and functionality of your marketplace.

Market Adaptability: You can quickly modify features to cater to emerging trends. without the lengthy process of developing new tech from scratch.

Ownership of Intellectual Property:

Many white-label solutions allow you to keep full ownership of your NFT marketplace’s intellectual property. which can be crucial as you grow your business.

Overlooked Tech Choices in White Label NFT Marketplace Development

When most founders hear white label NFT marketplace development... they think it's only about faster launch and cost savings. But behind the scenes, tech decisions can make or break your success. These technical choices are often skipped in casual conversations... but they carry long-term impact.

The Quiet Backbone of Performance

Many white label platforms come with a prebuilt backend. But here’s what no one tells you: not all backends scale well. Some use lightweight stacks that work fine for 100 users but crash at 10,000. If you're planning to grow fast or onboard creators globally, ask about the tech stack. Node.js? Laravel? Django?

These choices define how fast and secure your marketplace feels to users.

Databases Aren’t All Equal

It’s not just where your NFTs are stored; it’s how fast your system can retrieve and display them. Poorly structured databases delay loading times. That hurts trust. For marketplaces handling large media files and metadata... PostgreSQL or MongoDB offer more flexibility than traditional SQL databases.

Hosting Can Decide Your Future

You might overlook where your NFT platform is hosted. But it matters. Cloud services like AWS, GCP, or decentralized hosting like IPFS offer better uptime, security, and decentralization.

Cheap hosting? It’ll cost you more when bugs hit or if your platform goes down.

Every decision backend, database, hosting impacts your platform’s growth. Don’t just chase the best white label NFT marketplace based on features. Look deeper. Ask smart questions. Build on solid tech.

Future-Proofing Your NFT Startup: How to Choose the Right White-Label Partner

Choosing a white label NFT marketplace development company isn’t only a quick business decision. It's a long-term investment. As an NFT entrepreneur, you’re not just looking for someone to launch your platform. You’re looking for a partner who can grow with your vision.

Look Beyond the Demo

Many companies showcase flashy demos. But your focus should be on how flexible and future-ready their platform is.

Can they adapt to blockchain updates?

Can they integrate new features like AI tools, multi-chain support, or new NFT standards?

Do they offer a scalable NFT marketplace solution?

Can I add features like royalty settings, lazy minting, or dynamic NFTs later?

Transparency is Power

A reliable partner shows you what’s under the hood... their tech stack, architecture, even hosting. If they hide these details, walk away. You need clarity to make smart decisions for your NFT startup.

Ownership and Control

Some Nft white label marketplaces restrict customizations or claim parts of your code or IP. That’s risky. Make sure your provider gives you full ownership and control over branding, features, and smart contracts.

Support That Doesn’t Disappear

The best white label NFT marketplace providers stay with you after launch. Choose a company with solid post-launch support and security updates. NFT markets shift fast... you need a partner, not a vendor.

Quick final thoughts before we go!!!

Building a successful NFT marketplace is about more than just technology. It's about strategy, speed, and scalability. White label NFT marketplace development allows entrepreneurs to launch quickly. Customize features and scale with ease.

In 2025, the best entrepreneurs are choosing white-label solutions... because they speed up growth while allowing full brand control.

If you’re looking to launch an NFT marketplace quickly, don’t waste time and resources on custom builds. Instead, choose the best white label NFT marketplace that empowers you to take control of your future and adapt to the ever-evolving NFT landscape.

Choose wisely, act quickly, and build smart. The best white-label NFT marketplace is the one that’s built for both today and tomorrow…

[artnovadesign]

Explore the Future of Digital Assets with Digital Collectibles Specialists & the Best NFT Art Designs

As the digital economy continues to evolve, NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) have emerged as a revolutionary way to own, trade, and invest in unique digital assets. From rare artwork to music, videos, and virtual real estate, NFTs are reshaping how we view ownership in the digital space. Whether you're an artist, investor, or collector, working with digital collectibles specialists and accessing the best NFT art designs can significantly elevate your NFT journey.

Who Are Digital Collectibles Specialists?

Digital collectibles specialists are professionals or agencies who offer expert guidance in creating, managing, and promoting NFT collections. They combine blockchain knowledge with creative and strategic skills to help individuals and brands launch successful digital assets on platforms like Ethereum, Solana, or Polygon.

Services Offered by Digital Collectibles Specialists:

NFT collection design and curation

Smart contract development and deployment

NFT minting and marketplace listing (OpenSea, Rarible, Magic Eden)

Wallet integration and tokenomics

Marketing and community-building strategies

Consultation for investors and collectors

These specialists ensure that your digital collectibles are not only visually stunning but also technically sound and market-ready.

Why You Need a Digital Collectibles Expert

Launching an NFT without a clear plan or the right infrastructure can lead to wasted resources and missed opportunities. Here’s how digital collectibles specialists add value:

Technical Know-How: From smart contracts to metadata, they handle the blockchain backend.

Creative Direction: Help you align your art with market trends and collector appeal.

Brand Integration: Develop NFTs that match your personal, corporate, or artistic brand.

Market Analysis: Know where and how to list NFTs for the highest visibility and return.

Security Measures: Ensure your assets are protected from fraud or mismanagement.

Whether you're launching a 10K PFP collection or a single exclusive art piece, expert support ensures you stand out in a crowded market.

Showcasing the Best NFT Art Designs in the Digital Space

In a world full of pixelated avatars and generative art, the best NFT art designs are those that blend creativity with innovation. These designs don’t just look good—they tell a story, engage the viewer, and carry value in collector circles.

Characteristics of the Best NFT Art Designs:

Original Concept and Visual Identity

High-Resolution and Scalable Graphics

Interactive or Animated Features

Backed by Authentic Artist Narratives

Limited Editions or Scarcity Elements

Utility and Real-World Integration (e.g., access, merch, or gaming)

From 3D illustrations to AI-generated art, NFT design is an ever-evolving field where aesthetics and blockchain intersect.

Where to Find Top-Tier NFT Designs

To discover or invest in the best NFT art designs, consider platforms and creators that have a proven track record:

OpenSea & SuperRare – Curated and community-rated art drops

Foundation – High-quality, artist-focused NFT gallery

Nifty Gateway – Premier platform for exclusive drops from major artists

KnownOrigin – A space for unique and experimental NFT artworks

Digital Collectibles Agencies – Teams that work with rising artists to launch new projects

Collaborating with digital collectibles specialists ensures that your NFT designs are not only creative but also optimized for blockchain performance.

NFTs and Digital Collectibles Across Industries

NFTs aren't limited to art. Today, digital collectibles are transforming several sectors:

Gaming – Skins, weapons, characters as tradable NFTs

Music – Limited edition tracks and concert experiences

Fashion – Virtual wearables in the metaverse

Sports – Tokenized highlights and digital trading cards

Real Estate – Virtual land ownership in metaverse platforms

Education – Blockchain certificates and achievements

Digital collectibles specialists help brands and creators tap into these emerging markets with precision and purpose.

Final Thoughts: Invest in Expertise, Create with Excellence

Whether you’re launching your first NFT collection or investing in rare digital assets, partnering with digital collectibles specialists gives you a competitive edge. From smart strategy to cutting-edge visuals, their expertise ensures your NFTs are not only eye-catching but also blockchain-ready and market-relevant.

[sophiejt1234]

The NFT Metaverse: Where Digital Assets Meet Virtual Worlds

Introduction

Imagine stepping into a digital landscape where land, art, and even clothing exist as unique tokens you truly own. That’s the magic of the NFT metaverse—a place where your digital items aren’t just files; they’re assets you can buy, sell, and trade. Thanks to advances in blockchain technology, new NFT metaverse development projects are springing up, offering everything from virtual real estate to custom avatars. Whether you’re a gamer, an artist, or an entrepreneur, the NFT metaverse opens a world of creative and financial possibilities.

Understanding the NFT Metaverse

At its core, the NFT metaverse blends two powerful ideas: non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and immersive virtual worlds. NFTs are blockchain-backed tokens that prove you own a one-of-a-kind digital item—be it a piece of art, a collectible, or a slice of virtual land. Virtual worlds, on the other hand, are online spaces where users interact via avatars, build environments, and join communities. Together, they create a universe where ownership is real and transparent.

Behind these experiences are specialists in NFT development services and NFT token development solutions. These providers partner with brands, artists, and game studios to mint tokens, set up marketplaces, and integrate blockchain wallets. Some even offer full-stack support—from launching an avatar collection to helping you create NFT metaverse games and experiences.

Ownership Challenges in the NFT Metaverse

While the idea of owning digital land sounds exciting, it comes with hurdles. First, the value of any virtual plot can be wildly unpredictable. In some cases, a small piece of metaverse land sells for thousands of dollars, while a neighboring plot may go unsold. This volatility can be daunting for newcomers.

Next, ensuring that ownership rights are clear and enforceable is tricky. Unlike physical property, there’s no universal legal framework for NFTs. If a platform suddenly shuts down or changes its rules, token holders might find their assets locked away. That’s why many companies turn to experienced NFT development companies—they know how to structure smart contracts so ownership terms stay intact, even if the platform evolves.

Interoperability Issues in Virtual Worlds

One of the grandest visions for the NFT metaverse is seamless movement between worlds. Ideally, you’d buy a digital sword in one game and use it in another, or wear your NFT avatar across social spaces. But today’s metaverse is more like a collection of gated kingdoms, each with its own rules and wallets.

This fragmentation stems from technical barriers: different platforms use various blockchain networks, token standards, and rendering engines. As a result, your digital assets often stay trapped in one corner of the metaverse. To tackle this, innovators in nft metaverse game development are exploring bridges—tools that let tokens move across chains securely. And NFT development services now commonly include guidance on cross-chain compatibility, helping you design tokens that can hop from one virtual realm to another.

Future Prospects: Technological Advancements and Legal Reforms Needed for a Thriving NFT Metaverse

For the NFT metaverse to reach its full potential, both tech and law must evolve hand in hand. On the technology side, solutions like layer-2 scaling and more efficient consensus algorithms are reducing high fees and environmental impact. Teams specializing in NFT token development are already experimenting with eco-friendly blockchains that lower energy use without sacrificing security.

At the same time, standards bodies and regulators are stepping in to protect users. We can expect clearer definitions of digital property rights, rules around royalties for creators, and better mechanisms to resolve disputes. As legislation catches up, trust in the metaverse will grow, inviting more mainstream brands, investors, and everyday users to join in.

To bring these visions to life, companies offering NFT metaverse game development and NFT metaverse development will play a pivotal role. They’ll not only build the worlds but also advise on compliance, user experience, and scalable architecture. Over the next few years, look for turnkey NFT development services that bundle token design, marketplace integration, and legal consulting into one package.

Conclusion

The NFT metaverse stands at a thrilling intersection of creativity, community, and commerce. While challenges like ownership clarity and interoperability remain, the combined efforts of NFT development companies, legal innovators, and technical pioneers are steadily paving the way. Whether you’re dreaming of digital landholdings or planning to launch a metaverse game, now is the time to explore these tokenized worlds. With the right partners and forward-thinking strategies, the boundary between the digital and the real will blur—and your virtual dreams could become your next big reality.

[sensoryloss]

if you’re an artist and want to make decent money from it, you should make a 10,000 piece NFT collection and release it for free.

you make money every time one of them gets minted, and you make money every time one gets sold. you focus on the revenue from things being minted by advertising the living fuck out of it, and then focus on secondary sales post-mint by advertising the living fuck out of it. you do it for free because “FREE” is a pricetag you still get paid on without creating a barrier for people to cross to support your work or speculate on its value, which also negates the stress of putting a price on something if you’re that way (I am) and the subsequent waiting game of hoping it even gets a mint, eventually bending and setting a different price (free). when you force the market to accept a price the market will reject it, whereas if you allow the market to decide the price for itself (with help) it can sometimes decide it’s pretty valuable, and the entire time you’re collecting on it.

“10,000 is a lot,” yeah it is a lot. That’s why you streamline some things with AI tools already built to help facilitate it. Think of it as every layer of every photoshop/fl studio/paint/ink/etc project you’ve ever worked on thrown into a pile and scattered to reconstruct a new image or sound or story and using those layers at random in varying quantities. obviously if you do a lot, that might not work, but in this case, you focus on a uniform idea with maybe 5 to 10 to 20 to 50 unique creatures/characters with unique items/attributes and hit the randomize button with whatever parameters you give it. Some might look like shit, they all might look like shit, but artists are notorious for producing utter shit from time to time (always) and then building off of it or reworking it into something that isn’t shitty, perhaps even good. using ai does not mean you don’t have to put in work still, it just makes it so you don’t spend a buttfuck ton of time putting in the work only to find it doesn’t work and having to start over or totally scrapping the idea and giving up, or repeating the same thing until you do, or until you get it right. iteration is your responsibility.

this is particularly interesting for multifaceted artists, because you can build your community around one or several of your projects despite the difference in medium, or even try to make everything a functioning piece of a larger thing. ownership grants access, discounts, privileges, opportunities, kinship, etc., you make it work how you want it to and support the people supporting you, and you’re allowing outside speculators to inject more value into it which obviously further rewards everyone. you bought my NFT (fantasy character) so I’m giving you early access at a discount to the unique story it comes from, and later on, having these means you can use this character to actually play that storyline in the upcoming game, and you get the soundtrack my band is working on for free for holding them and being in the community. extrapolate. there’s a lot of directions you can go with it, or you can keep it simple and make a nice collection and never stop promoting it, maybe eventually you’ll want to expand, maybe you don’t really know how, or you have an idea but aren’t personally capable of applying it, maybe you build a team, maybe you all build together and make something incredible from your idea, maybe you’re a team member contributing to someone else’s idea. the point is you can make it work, no matter what you’re working on; this is a system to tokenize ideas and intellectual properties so creators can monetize themselves solo and also happens to connect you to people who enjoy what you do.

the limits on what’s possible are up to you to define, and up to you to cash in on. think hard.

[charleyad]

Converting the Digital You: AI PFP Makers Revolutionize Social Media Personal Branding

In the dynamic world of social media, where first impressions are often made through pixelated squares, the evolution of personal branding has taken an unexpected yet thrilling turn. Enter the era of AI PFP Makers like iFoto, tools that have become the secret weapons for crafting an online identity that's not just a representation of ourselves but a curated vision of who we want to be perceived as.

Have you ever wondered what makes a profile picture stand out in the sea of social media profiles? It's not just about the photo itself but the story it tells and the message it sends. As of the latest data from social media analytics, a compelling profile picture can boost engagement by up to 40%. This isn't merely a vanity metric; it's a testament to how we, as digital beings, are consumed by the image we project online.

In the past, we've relied on our smartphones and basic photo editing apps to snap and tweak photos to our liking. But what if I told you that with the advent of AI PFP Makers such as iFoto, you could transform any everyday photo into a work of art that encapsulates your digital identity? It might sound far-fetched, but the reality is that AI-powered tools are not just changing the game; they're rewriting the rules.

Imagine taking a simple selfie and, with a few clicks, morphing it into a cyberpunk avatar or a renaissance portrait. This isn't just about aesthetic appeal; it's about personal expression. How many of us feel that our true selves are a composite of different styles, themes, and personalities? AI PFP Makers like iFoto allow us to showcase that complexity in a single image, offering a visual shorthand for our multifaceted identities.

But it's not just about individual expression. The rise of these AI tools reflects a broader trend in the digital landscape. As of the first quarter of this year, over 4.48 billion people were using social media, a number that's only poised to grow. With such a vast and varied audience, standing out is more critical than ever. Companies and influencers have cottoned on to this, using personalized profile pictures to establish brand recognition and foster a deeper connection with their audience.

The beauty of iFoto's AI PFP Maker is its accessibility. No longer do you need to be a graphic designer or have expensive software to create a professional and eye-catching profile image. The AI handles the heavy lifting, allowing users to experiment with different styles until they find the one that resonates with their brand or personal ethos.

What's more, this technology is not static. It evolves alongside the latest trends, ensuring that your profile picture is always fresh and relevant. Consider the surge in popularity of NFT profile pictures, a trend that's showing no signs of waning. With an AI PFP Maker, you could create an NFT-inspired image that's uniquely yours, capitalizing on this trend without needing to mint your own token.

Of course, the ease and creativity these tools bring to the table also raise questions about authenticity. In an age where curated perfection is often equated with success, how do we maintain genuine connections with others? It's a valid concern, but perhaps the answer lies in the intention behind the image. When used thoughtfully, an AI-crafted profile picture can be a starting point for conversation rather than a barrier.

So, as we continue to direct the ever-evolving world of social media, tools like iFoto's AI PFP Maker serve as more than just a novelty. They're a reflection of how we see ourselves and how we want to be seen. As we craft our digital personas, these AI-powered companions are shaping the future of personal branding, one profile picture at a time. Whether you're an influencer looking to make a statement or someone simply looking to express their true self, the power to shape your digital identity is now quite literally in your hands.

[criptox]

Bienvenidos Al Más Allá: 96% De Las Colecciones NFT Se Consideran ‘Muertas’

Understanding the NFT Apocalypse: A Look into the Massive Collapse

The world of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) has seen explosive growth over the past few years, capturing the interests of artists, collectors, and investors alike. However, a recent report highlights a troubling trend: approximately 96% of NFT collections are now considered dead or inactive. This alarming data has sparked conversations about the sustainability of the NFT market and its future. Let’s dive into this phenomenon and understand what it means for creators and collectors.

The Rise and Fall of NFTs

In the beginning, NFTs were hailed as revolutionary, offering artists and creators the chance to monetize their digital creations. Platforms such as OpenSea, Rarible, and others flooded the market with NFT collections, from digital art to virtual real estate. However, the initial excitement has led to an oversupply of NFTs, causing the market to become saturated.

According to the report at CriptoX, only a small fraction of these collections have retained their value or engaging communities. As interest dwindles, many collectors find they have invested in projects that are no longer active, leading to a sort of digital graveyard for NFTs.

What Caused This Collapse?

There are several factors that have contributed to the massive collapse of NFT collections:

Market Speculation: Many investors jumped into NFTs hoping to make quick profits, leading to inflated prices for many collections without any lasting value.

Lack of Utility: As many collections focused solely on aesthetics, without real-world applications or community engagement, they struggled to maintain interest.

Over-saturation: With countless new NFTs launching every day, standing out in the market became increasingly difficult.

High Transaction Fees: The cost of minting and trading NFTs on platforms like Ethereum has deterred potential buyers, making it less feasible for people to enter the market.

The Role of Community in Sustainable NFTs

One of the key lessons from this collapse is the importance of community engagement. Projects that foster a sense of connection among their members are more likely to survive and thrive. Successful NFT collections often go beyond digital assets, providing value through exclusivity, utility, and active participation opportunities. For example, collections that offer holders access to events, future drops, or even membership perks are better positioned to sustain interest over time.

Future Outlook

While the statistics may seem dire, it's essential to recognize that not all NFTs are doomed. The landscape is likely to shift towards higher-quality collections with genuine value and community focus. The future of NFTs could very well depend on how creators choose to build and maintain their projects. Innovations in utility and partnerships with existing brands could also play a critical role in revitalizing the space.

In conclusion, though a staggering 96% of NFT collections are currently struggling, there is hope for those who adapt and engage successfully. As the NFT ecosystem continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how both creators and collectors navigate this turbulent market. Staying informed and community-focused may just be the keys to unlocking a more sustainable future for NFTs.

What are your thoughts on the NFT landscape? Have you been involved in any collections that you think have potential for longevity? Share your experiences below!

Bienvenidos Al Más Allá: 96% De Las Colecciones NFT Se Consideran ‘Muertas’

[vedaadesigns]

FMP : Contemporary Research

Evidencing LO1 + LO2

Space 10

Carbon Banks

Each piece of Carbon Banks furniture would feature a distinctive pattern acting as a key that binds the NFT to the item. Scanning the pattern would mint an NFT on the blockchain, which the owner can access using a private key.

The evolving digital NFT displays milestones, rewards maintenance and repairs, and narrates the chair’s life cycle. Viewable through augmented reality or shared virtual spaces, it helps create an emotional connection akin to nurturing plants and instils a sense of guardianship for physical objects. In doing so, Carbon Banks incentivises sustainable furniture practices, redefining our relationship with material possessions while exploring the potential of digital twins.

Critical Analysis

By creating a digital twin of each piece of furniture, owners can track its lifecycle, maintenance, and repairs, fostering a sense of emotional connection and responsibility. This innovative approach encourages sustainable practices and explores the potential of blockchain technology in the consumer goods industry.

Personal Viewpoint

Personally, I find the concept intriguing as it introduces new ways to encourage sustainability and mindfulness in consumption habits. However, the concept may reinforce consumerism by emphasising ownership and tracking of material possessions.

Findings to Inform Project

How can I create an emotional connect between users and nature?

How can I foster a deeper connection with nature?

[undrgrnd-nft]

SO THIS IS THE NEW YEAR AND I DON'T FEEL ANY DIFFERENT

Written By NFTjoe Originally posted on UNDRGRND.IO

JANUARY 2ND, 2024

TL;DR: marketplace, DAO, token launch, venue, book, revenue sharing, gamified curation, incentivized engagement, soon.

I’ve been writing this post for over a year. 

The circumstances have changed but the sentiment is the same. 

This time last year I was set to launch the UNDRGRND Marketplace and begin onboarding artists featured in the publication. The day before the beta launch the developer decided he wanted to renegotiate the contract. The developer was from a previous relationship with my co-founders who gave me a job and handled the business side of UNDRGRND. I was not involved in the negotiations or project management of the site. I left the tech and business to them, they were my bosses, and they could handle it. The renegotiation devolved into legal recourse; lawyers were contacted but deemed too costly considering all the money that had already been put into the development of the site. 

So there we were on January 1, 2023, a publication, community, and gallery that I had spent two years developing and a marketplace that would never be seen by the public.  The beginning stages of the bear market were already showing. I assumed the bear market would be my time to shine: a new marketplace with gamified curation and incentivized engagement, supported by a publication and gallery, with the financial support of a DAO to purchase work.

It would have been exactly what we all needed. 

That’s my skill set. Many of my friends and followers have creative skill sets I’m in awe of, but my ability to see a need, and work to create a solution to fill that role, is how I fit here, with every talented individual.

I expected to be a life raft and found myself treading water alongside everyone else.

I began scrambling. I have bills and responsibilities like everyone else. I needed to find a way to keep this going while also preparing for the possibility it would end. I put aside writing, editing podcasts, social media posts, recruiting artists, and buying art. I began working on materials for accelerator programs, foundation applications, and grant requests. I made pitch deck after pitch deck, a business plan mapping out the next ten years, and submitted it, everywhere. 

One of the slides in a version of my pitch deck uses OpenSea as a metaphor. Many artists came to this space seeing the large sales numbers, total volumes, and market caps and thought it would lead to financial success. So many minted their first NFTs, tweeted, and waited, only to be met with a resounding thud of nothingness. 

I had the same experience submitting my deck and plans asking for funding. Nothing. 

From an early pitch deck circa March 2021

(If you’re reading this as an artist, musician, or creative and it sounds familiar, you’re in the right place).

I pitched to a few VCs, incubator programs, and foundations and felt close a few times, only to find more nothing and a lack of responses. 

My former bosses hustled and found success in other projects allowing them to continue their operations but it meant I lost what little support I had as it took their focus away from UNDRGRND. 

I was alone. 

I was stressed.

Depressed. 

I wasn’t sure if the thing I’d poured everything into would continue or if it would have to fade away into the background while I went back to teaching. So I took control of UNDRGRND and gave myself a year. 

So now I was in charge of everything which amounted to essentially nothing. 

I’ve been doing this for three years: building, writing, recruiting, searching (digging), planning, developing ideas, watching others succeed, and waiting for my time. 

But what do I have?

Experience? Knowledge? Passion? An Idea? 

Audience ≠ Community

Waiting on others does not work. Depending on higher-ups to do what is right for the community, for all of us, not just the top collectors or artists, does not work. I see influencers make millions while producing nothing, scammers suck money out of projects, and everyday people's true colors come out once they find success. How is this any different from the real world or web2?

Maybe that’s not fair though. Maybe that wasn’t their dream or why they came to crypto, web3, or whatever the fuck you want to call all of this. 

Why did I come here? I came for social change. The idea is that web3 promises a more equitable and sustainable future for those left behind by real-world elite one-percenters. The mentality that we were coming together as a group of individuals to begin to build better hooked me. For decades (centuries?) we’ve been kept out of the discussions with the decision makers of what better looks like. Or worse yet, we were included and they’re still not listening. 

Before the price speculation, the hype cycles, the influencers, the cliches, or the shill threads, crypto was a revolt, counterculture. Bitcoin was an underground movement in retaliation to the financial collapse of 2008.  Then DeFi promised the possibility of being your own bank. NFTs brought ownership to your creations.

So why have we brought the same broken web2 capitalistic models that many of us came to this space to reform?

It’s what is familiar. 

It’s how we survived in the past.

In one of my favorite essays, Brain Dead-Megaphone, George Saunders criticizes the state of media consumption and our focus on the loud, the hyperbolic and how individuals get sucked up in that machine, “A young friend who writes content for the news page of an online media giant, e-mails me: “I just wrote this news headline for my job: ‘Anna Nicole’s Lost Diary: “I Hate Sex.”’ If anyone wonders why Americans aren’t informed with real news it’s because of sell-out corporate goons like me who will do anything to never deliver a pizza again.”

Even those with good intentions fall prey to the same capitalistic ideals to ensure profitability, sustainability, and our basic survival.  We can say this is about the art, music, or the creative process all we want but the harsh reality is that it is also about the money. I’m not immune to this, I got roped into this because I thought I could make money writing. If we accept that truth then we will agree that the distribution of the wealth, the recognition, and the power remains unbalanced. 

I came into this space because I saw the opportunity for creatives to retain ownership of their art, and their creative spirit while finding financial freedom so that they could sustain themselves from their creations. I envisioned a world where appreciators, fans, and collectors could invest in unknowns to help support them and would be rewarded down the road when they become mainstream. I envisioned a sustainable, stable ecosystem where artists carved the path toward a more progressive equitable future. 

I thought this was how things could change.

I came to build bottom up.

But many say community when they mean audience. 

Bonfire of the Humanities

Art is a humanity. 

Whether we’re talking about visual art, music, written or spoken word, or film it all teaches us and communicates to others what it means to be human; why we’re here and why we’re alive. It’s about what we think and feel. So let's talk about that.

If we take the time to talk about this, to talk about what you create, the money will follow. There is value in humanity and the money attached to it simply acknowledges that value. 

The artist puts their humanity into their work. People acknowledge it by paying for it. You can’t give away your humanity for free. It comes at a cost. 

A part of you is given to that person when they buy your work. So let’s tell them what they are going to buy. Let’s tell them why it should matter to them. Why you have value. Why you’re willing to part with this piece of you. 

So why are so many of us willing to accept a pittance in return for that humanity? Why do so many of us beg to be seen as people of value to influencers, collectors, or gated communities? If the majority of us (and even the decision-makers for larger organizations) agree that community is what drives the value, why are we accepting the same old hierarchy of things?

We’re negotiating with our unintentional captors, hoping their humanity recognizes our own.

It’s familiar and we’re responsible for accepting it.

Web3 is supposed to be the technological solution to cultural and societal problems. Look at most white papers and there will be ideas of reformation, empowerment, and disruption. Many tech-oriented, buzzwordy, incubator programs look for “disruptors” when those disruptors simply replace and become our new captors. Uber disrupted transportation and became the same taxi service. Netflix disrupted film and cable industries to become the film and cable divisions run by the same producers and executives from the old guard. Spotify, Apple, Google, pick any industry and you will find upstarts that sought to change the dynamics at play only to eventually become exactly what they claim they sought to change.

We know that really good art can also become very valuable in the future…if the right people see it and say the right things about it. How many artists, bands, or movies would be loved if only more people knew they existed? If true art is honest then we deserve to be honest with ourselves.  How the art market is currently structured does not benefit us all. Rather than democratizing the art market, we’ve recreated the same hierarchy system of galleries and museums. The intended disruption settles into familiar old ways.

It’s not. We’re doing the same thing the traditional art market has done for years.

Why does this happen? The answer to all your questions is money. 

How do you disrupt archaic oppressive socio-economic norms for good? 

How do you avoid becoming what you seek to destroy?

Sell-Out, With Me

Throughout any submission process for funding, you have to answer what your project is, what it does, and what it means for the audience. The most common question is, What Problem Are You Fixing? When you hear the word underground regarding art, music, or film, odds are you understand what that means. Underground is a ubiquitous term used throughout our existence.  

OK fine, here’s a definition of underground:

(often initial capital letter) a movement or group existing outside the establishment and usually reflecting unorthodox, avant-garde, or radical views.

I see UNDRGRND as a revolt against the greed and current economic model of the creative industries, the same way the mp3 and Napster took down a broken record industry model. Lately, it seems more and more people are beginning to understand who holds the power.

The other night I saw a Tom Hanks interview discussing the role film and artists play in social change. So how radical are my views if Tom Hanks agrees with me? Especially when the cryptocurrency industry was founded on those radical views.

Pronoia is the belief the universe is conspiring for your benefit. This felt like that and why I ran to the tv to take a picture with my phone like a grandpa.

Maybe the definition of underground needs an update. Maybe it means something as simple as genuine. Genuine creation. Genuine appreciation. Genuine movement towards change.

Every artist is an underground artist until they’re not.

Bitcoin started as an underground movement and now we’re on the cusp of a Bitcoin ETF. Mainstream adoption is inevitable and necessary. Usually, when something becomes mainstream, people like you, but especially curmudgeons like me, will feel it lost something. Whether you call that something lost edge, integrity, or authenticity it all boils down to that dreaded label: selling out.

What if you didn’t have to sell out though?

Why can’t independent mean successful? Why can’t equality be lucrative? Why can’t we achieve a redistribution of wealth to the deserving? Why can’t we reward ethical behavior? Or reward interactions that add to the conversation, rather than a hot take? What if album artwork was valuable? What if a small zine was profitable? What if we didn’t rely on donations or the generosity of the community?

What if you could keep your creative integrity AND be financially successful? 

Curators > Algorithms 

A reason Napster was successful in the late 90s was because the independent artist had a shot. Music blogs began to pop up all over the internet. It was how many of us discovered new music and began to shape our taste. Previously ignored by major labels, genres that never made it to the radio or even a recording studio suddenly began to gain traction. The community around Napster thrived because of the sharing and the dialogue occurring. It connected us with friends, helped us make new friends, and expanded our realm of what was possible. We shared music but we also shared ourselves.

We still do.

The idea of sharing data is just as important as what data is being shared. Biometrics, location mapping, and purchasing habits help AI learn our taste in music, movies, and art (could the rise of AI increase our need for human curation and validation? A topic for another time). If you have this information you can then begin to predict what art, or music will become popular next. We’ve given this information away, for free, to tech firms so that we can be marketed to, and sold an ad, or product we don’t need but loosely relates to our interest resulting in trillions in profit. 

And we’re beginning to do the same now without realizing how important it is.

Our opinions matter, especially to us, and we think it should matter to others. It’s why we read the opinions of others, discuss our own, and grow from them – one of my favorite movies (and books), High Fidelity, captures this perfectly. The whole movie captures a lot of my personality, and my formerly hard-lined beliefs surrounding music, art, and film. But, now that I’m older, softened, it’s the ending, with John Cusak focusing on his partner’s taste to make a mixtape full of things she likes, that I think communicates how our likes and dislikes shape our lives. A perfect metaphor for relationships and what it takes to maintain a healthy loving relationship.Play

00:00

00:50MuteSettingsEnter fullscreen

00:12

These things define us.

It’s why we vote on things that we like: music, movies, art. It’s why we enjoy discussing top 5 lists (and why UNDRGRND DIGS features five artists). Sometimes we lack the proper articulation of our feelings, thoughts, or ideals and turn to these art forms to help us communicate them to others (e.g. a mixtape). We can use our money to validate those people who help us shape our worldviews, personalities, and emotions (it’s why UNDRGRND purchases work from the artists featured in UNDRGRND DIGS). 

Art can save the soul and foundations on which crypto was based.

Art can and does the same for blockchains.

Einstein Never Said That

Before the next bull run, the next wave of users before the masses return we need to ensure we don’t repeat the mistakes made in 2021. We need something to do away with shill threads, engagement farming, and the hype machine that only produces FOMO. We need better, genuine “influencers” that don’t spam your DMs to offer promotions. We need to do away with the hollow cliches with no change in behavior (The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result).

We need to redefine community. An actual community shares in the means of production and the compensation. Our community, as a whole, does the first but misses out on the latter. How often do artists make a sale here to turn around and pump their earnings back into the ecosystem? How many curators are also artists? How many “failed” musicians know a great song when they hear it and share it with others? How many film students have the knowledge and ability to discern what makes a film good and enjoy discussing it with others? How many people who studied literature can write about these topics and communicate their taste in art, music, or movies to others? 

These individuals drive the transactions all blockchains seek. They make the markets, set the trends, celebrate discoveries, and drive the value to the creative experience. They deserve to be compensated as such. 

You deserve compensation for your community building.

Where the F*ck is this Going?

It was during a pitch to one of those institutional investors that it occurred to me that they were antithetical to what I was building. Why would any investor want to fund something that fundamentally disagrees with their ROI models?

I was in a shill thread and I was pitching old-world crypto influencers. 

I was offering the opportunity to the wrong people. I should have been offering it to you. 

I never wanted to do it this way. My role is to help others, not others to help me. That’s not how I operate. I wanted a finished product. I wanted to hand it to you all on a silver platter and say here, enjoy. But the personal greed and focus on short-term monetary gains I despise, were exactly what delayed this operation. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I’m so motivated to do things differently.

I’m not good at asking for help. However, the hardest lesson I’ve learned this past year: I can’t do this on my own. 

That’s kind of the point of the community. You’re not supposed to do it on your own. The work and the benefits are shared. 

This was the only way this ever could have happened. 

With all of you.

The idea is simple: a marketplace built with gamified curation putting the power of influence in the hands of the community members, it’s called DIG IT. It incentivizes the discovery of and promotion of undervalued creators; it incentivizes curation. Rather than the power remaining in the hands of one or a board of curators, it must be given back to the community. Artists tired of always selling and promoting themselves will have a home alongside individuals motivated to seek out the undiscovered. The notion that only a select few know what art is, or what should be discussed, is a fallacy. We all have selective tastes and if we can back up our claims, it is true. That’s the beauty of subjectivity.

DIG IT works with a token, DIG COIN/$DIG, with distribution, focusing on engagement with the content, rewarding quality conversation, and those who support artists, musicians, and filmmakers. With staking rewards offered to onboard communities of the self-proclaimed degens or potential collectors previously wary of their taste in art. 

I never wanted to build just another marketplace. That doesn’t serve my purpose. It doesn’t serve anyone. There’s enough that currently exists that UNDRGRND will continue to support. There is enough room for all of us to exist. If we all are supposed to make it in this space then that means we all need to make it. If we want to be better than the old dynamics we left the real world to reform here then that means being different. So a large percentage of revenue will go back to the community members who support the creation of the marketplace. 

This will all operate under the newly formed DAO, which will hire writers, video editors, community managers, social media managers, and all other types of employees to fulfill a multitude of needs. Members will play a role in shaping the direction of the UNDRGRND Publication, decide on purchases for the UNDRGRND collection, UNDRGRND drops, and the shows that occur at the UNDRGRND Venue.

This month, I’ll provide the details, dates, how to get involved, and other announcements amidst articles and podcast episodes.

Until then, keep your ear to the ground. 

UNDRGRND.

— NFTjoe, Founder

[ailtrahq]

Shiba Inu and Everlodge to Reach New Highs in 2023, XRP Recovers But How High Can It Go? Shiba Inu (SHIB) is one of the largest meme coins and recently saw a major influx of users following Shibarium’s launch. Moreover, XRP (XRP) is battling to maintain a stable value and could soon surge. Everlodge (ELDG) will change the way people enter the real estate industry. Through fractional property ownership, anyone can build a diversified portfolio starting at $100. Summary Shiba Inu can climb as high as $0.00001078 by the end of Q4 XRP to reach a maximum value of $0.79 by the end of the year Everlodge is projected to spike in value by 50x at the time of its launch Join the Everlodge presale and win a luxury holiday to the Maldives Shiba Inu (SHIB) Price Outlook Shiba Inu (SHIB) can soon see a massive upward momentum fueled by the Shibarium’s success. Based on official data from Shibariumscan.io, the network reached 3.3 million transactions. In addition, over 1.25 million wallets connected, and there were 963,000 blocks. As for the recent price performance of Shiba Inu, it’s been bullish; the Shiba Inu crypto traded between $0.00000715 and $0.00000759. Moreover, with a market cap of $4,265,232,970 and a trading volume of $101,060,490, it’s the 18th largest crypto.  In addition, the Shiba Inu crypto needs to break past the $0.000009 price barrier to reach new heights. This is a possibility, as based on the current Shiba Inu price prediction, it can surge to $0.00001078 by the end of 2023.  XRP (XRP) Price Prediction XRP (XRP) could soon experience a price breakout, as it is targeting $0.66 and the $0.91 resistance levels. Moreover, some analysts project that it can reach massive gains during 2023, leading many to consider XRP for their portfolio.  XRP has been in the spotlight since Ripple, the blockchain startup, secured a partial victory against the SEC in July. Since then, XRP’s appeal has increased rapidly. As for its recent performance, the XRP crypto traded between $0.496468 and $0.538723.  In the past year, the crypto has been up by 19.3%, and it has increased by 6.2% in the past week alone. According to the XRP price prediction, it can surge to $0.79 by the end of the year.  Everlodge (ELDG) to Surge by 50x at Launch Everlodge is an upcoming platform that will establish fractional purchases of luxury properties. It will integrate DeFi within the real estate sector. Consequently, anyone will be able to build a diversified portfolio of properties starting at just $100. Anyone will be able to buy a fraction of luxury holiday homes, hotels, and villas. Traditionally, they were out of reach for many people. For example, a property can be worth $3 million, which would need to be paid upfront or through financing.  🏠Final Call for Everlodge Presale! Stage 4 is LIVE with a 15% BONUS! 🌟 Already over 20% sold out! This is your last chance to grab $ELDG at presale prices. Act fast before 10/10/2023! 💥 Don’t miss the future of property investment! 🏡 🔗 pic.twitter.com/BlmcRNAnUU — Everlodge (@EverlodgeHQ) September 29, 2023 However, Everlodge will mint it as an NFT. Then, this property could be split into 30,000 pieces. Each one of them could then be bought individually, enabling multiple people to co-own a property. As the property increases in value, so will their NFT. Moreover, if it’s a rental property, they can get passive income. At the center is the ELDG token. This token will provide benefits such as voting rights and staking opportunities. During Stage 4, it trades at $0.019. However, analysts project that it can grow by 50x in value at launch as it gets listed on major exchanges.  Find out more about the Everlodge (ELDG) Presale Website:  

[artnovadesign]

Explore the Future of Digital Assets with Digital Collectibles Specialists & the Best NFT Art Designs

As the digital economy continues to evolve, NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) have emerged as a revolutionary way to own, trade, and invest in unique digital assets. From rare artwork to music, videos, and virtual real estate, NFTs are reshaping how we view ownership in the digital space. Whether you're an artist, investor, or collector, working with digital collectibles specialists and accessing the best NFT art designs can significantly elevate your NFT journey.

Who Are Digital Collectibles Specialists?

Digital collectibles specialists are professionals or agencies who offer expert guidance in creating, managing, and promoting NFT collections. They combine blockchain knowledge with creative and strategic skills to help individuals and brands launch successful digital assets on platforms like Ethereum, Solana, or Polygon.

Services Offered by Digital Collectibles Specialists:

NFT collection design and curation

Smart contract development and deployment

NFT minting and marketplace listing (OpenSea, Rarible, Magic Eden)

Wallet integration and tokenomics

Marketing and community-building strategies

Consultation for investors and collectors

These specialists ensure that your digital collectibles are not only visually stunning but also technically sound and market-ready.

Why You Need a Digital Collectibles Expert

Launching an NFT without a clear plan or the right infrastructure can lead to wasted resources and missed opportunities. Here’s how digital collectibles specialists add value:

Technical Know-How: From smart contracts to metadata, they handle the blockchain backend.

Creative Direction: Help you align your art with market trends and collector appeal.

Brand Integration: Develop NFTs that match your personal, corporate, or artistic brand.

Market Analysis: Know where and how to list NFTs for the highest visibility and return.

Security Measures: Ensure your assets are protected from fraud or mismanagement.

Whether you're launching a 10K PFP collection or a single exclusive art piece, expert support ensures you stand out in a crowded market.

Showcasing the Best NFT Art Designs in the Digital Space

In a world full of pixelated avatars and generative art, the best NFT art designs are those that blend creativity with innovation. These designs don’t just look good—they tell a story, engage the viewer, and carry value in collector circles.

Characteristics of the Best NFT Art Designs:

Original Concept and Visual Identity

High-Resolution and Scalable Graphics

Interactive or Animated Features

Backed by Authentic Artist Narratives

Limited Editions or Scarcity Elements

Utility and Real-World Integration (e.g., access, merch, or gaming)

From 3D illustrations to AI-generated art, NFT design is an ever-evolving field where aesthetics and blockchain intersect.

Where to Find Top-Tier NFT Designs

To discover or invest in the best NFT art designs, consider platforms and creators that have a proven track record:

OpenSea & SuperRare – Curated and community-rated art drops

Foundation – High-quality, artist-focused NFT gallery

Nifty Gateway – Premier platform for exclusive drops from major artists

KnownOrigin – A space for unique and experimental NFT artworks

Digital Collectibles Agencies – Teams that work with rising artists to launch new projects

Collaborating with digital collectibles specialists ensures that your NFT designs are not only creative but also optimized for blockchain performance.

NFTs and Digital Collectibles Across Industries

NFTs aren't limited to art. Today, digital collectibles are transforming several sectors:

Gaming – Skins, weapons, characters as tradable NFTs

Music – Limited edition tracks and concert experiences

Fashion – Virtual wearables in the metaverse

Sports – Tokenized highlights and digital trading cards

Real Estate – Virtual land ownership in metaverse platforms

Education – Blockchain certificates and achievements

Digital collectibles specialists help brands and creators tap into these emerging markets with precision and purpose.

Final Thoughts: Invest in Expertise, Create with Excellence

Whether you’re launching your first NFT collection or investing in rare digital assets, partnering with digital collectibles specialists gives you a competitive edge. From smart strategy to cutting-edge visuals, their expertise ensures your NFTs are not only eye-catching but also blockchain-ready and market-relevant.

[sathishsethupathi]

Bholenath: A Divine NFT Collection for Shiva Devotees Takes the Crypto World by Storm

City, Country - In a groundbreaking move merging ancient spirituality with cutting-edge technology, a new NFT collection called "Bholenath" has emerged as a beacon for Shiva devotees worldwide. Celebrating the essence of Lord Shiva, this recently established NFT collection has quickly garnered attention and reverence in the crypto community.

Connecting the Divine with Digital:

The Bholenath NFT collection is a digital treasure trove of art and assets that encapsulate the awe-inspiring attributes of Lord Shiva. Developed by a group of artists and tech enthusiasts passionate about both the Hindu deity and blockchain technology, the collection aims to bring divine symbolism and spiritual significance to the realm of non-fungible tokens.

Unveiling the Collection:

Each NFT within the Bholenath collection depicts exquisite artwork, animations and exclusive virtual assets with deep meaning in Hindu mythology. NFTs evoke the enigmatic image of Lord Shiva, ranging from depictions of Shiva Linga, Lord Shiva's symbol of worship, Trishuga, Lord Shiva's powerful weapon, and Nandi, the sacred bull.

Empowering Devotees:

The Bholenath NFT collection is not merely a commercial venture; it holds a deeper purpose. The creators intend to utilize a portion of the proceeds from each NFT sale to support initiatives that focus on education, humanitarian causes, and the preservation of Hindu heritage and culture. By doing so, they aim to give back to the community and honor Lord Shiva's teachings of compassion and empathy.

Unlocking Scarcity and Value:

One of the most intriguing aspects of NFTs is their ability to confer uniqueness and scarcity in the digital realm. Each NFT in the Bholenath collection is minted on the blockchain, verifying its authenticity and distinguishing it from all others. This uniqueness has attracted ardent Shiva devotees, collectors, and investors who see value in both the spiritual significance and the potential for appreciation.

Global Phenomenon:

The Bholenath NFT collection has quickly become a global phenomenon, with enthusiasts and collectors from various countries eagerly participating in auctions and sales. Its popularity has surged across social media platforms, as devotees share their favorite NFTs and discuss the artistic representation of their beloved deity.

Community and Engagement:

The project's creators have also fostered an active and supportive online community, encouraging discussions on Hindu spirituality, art, and technology. Devotees and art lovers alike find a safe space to share their thoughts and experiences, further cementing the bond between spirituality and digital expression.

The Future of Divine NFTs:

As blockchain technology and NFTs continue to revolutionize various industries, the Bholenath collection stands as a testament to the meaningful convergence of spirituality and digital innovation. With its commitment to noble causes and its celebration of Shiva's divine essence, this collection exemplifies how art and technology can unite people across cultures and beliefs.

Conclusion:

The Bholenath NFT collection has emerged as a captivating fusion of devotion, art, and blockchain technology. By bridging the gap between ancient spirituality and the modern digital world, it has become a symbol of reverence for Shiva devotees globally. As the collection continues to grow and inspire, it embodies the true spirit of Lord Shiva - that of transformation and eternal evolution.

[retrocanvas]

NFT Research (DYOR): How To Find a New NFT Project Early

How can you tell if an #NFT will succeed or fail? It's a difficult question to answer because there are so many variables to consider when #dyor #researching a project, and no two projects are the same.

How can you tell if an NFT will succeed or fail? It’s a difficult question to answer because there are so many variables to consider when researching a project, and no two projects are the same. We’ll go over some of the criteria we use to decide whether a project deserves to be featured on our discord. This should give you some insight into our process and help you be more successful in the…

[180crypto]

Hey, Tumblr NFT Fam, if I may introduce, TMK (Trade My Kids) NFT:

3,000 TMK PFPs launched on Crypto.com/NFT 3 months ago. Since then, they already doubled their sold out mint volume and traded over 620k, making TMK NFT the best performing NFT project on the CDC NFT platform.

TMK is in the process of getting ready for their 2nd drop which includes 5,000 3D kiddos with all new traits. Automatic whitelist spots are still available to holders of 2+ kiddos from the first collection.

If you’re reading this now, you’re early…this is my current collection.👇

View the collection here 👇

Join Discord to check the vibe and find out how you can win…there is always a contest going on Discord. 👇

[louonthemoon]

to elaborate on my very correct assessment of the gang's involvement in crypto:

dennis absolutely does not know what cryptocurrency is. the misconception that dennis would know what crypto is can be traced to the undeniable fact that dennis would pretend to know what crypto is, and he could easily convince the gang that he knows what he's talking about. he, however, does not. dennis would also express scorn for the whole concept and that its beneath him, which is how he would justify not investing in crypto.

dee knows what cryptocurrency is, but she'd buy into all the hype and be overly evangelistic about it, so it's very likely that she would get scammed. at first her investments would pay off, giving her ego a massive boost and pushing dennis to the edge. her success would fuel dennis' vocal disdain for crypto. eventually she'd get too confident and lose it all, and dennis would gleefully take this as vindication.

mac follows dennis' lead to some extent, but he'd get into NFTs as a side hustle once he finds out he can mint his own. he'd use charlie's art and begin calling himself charlie's agent. a few might sell, but he'd quickly go into debt.

charlie isn't a crypto guy; he's much more patient and less interested in getting rich quick relative to the others. he's forced to know about crypto because mac needs his help with the technical side of things, and also because mac and dee talk about it constantly, so he learns via osmosis. the thing about charlie is that he loves a passion project and will invest his hard-earned coins if something truly grabs him, like with kitten mittons TM and fight milk—things that are ~real~. because of this, he'd be generally confused about the whole nft thing and why anyone would pay for something they can download for free.

unlike dennis, charlie openly voices his confusion and frequently asks questions that mac can't actually answer. mac will dismiss this as charlie not being enlightened, but charlie technically has a better understanding of nfts because digital scarcity is very much artificial, and the demand relies on hype rather than actual value. charlie simply sees through this due to his intuitive grasp of the Marxian labor theory of value.

also, though it hardly needs to be said, frank is 100% in on crypto. one thing of note is that he buys nfts for aesthetic reasons. he's mostly into erotic furry shit.

[just-merlin]

Here are some things that are good to know about Nft’s before investing - from an average Joe.

The important things :

1. The Nft world is a fun world

2. The community is filled with genuinely good ppl who are freaking funny

3. It’s all about chill vibes

The technicals -

It’s very important to understand blockchains are in their infancy and Nft’s even more so. Not the jellyfish infancy stage when we’re alive but null (parents will understand), the stage where we can smile from a gold rush and maybe say mama or Goo-Goo Gaga.

What I mean by this is that many projects are still not fully developed. There is still lots of infrastructure that needs to be built and developed for even the user experience to be semi friendly.

The process of buying an Nft is not overly complicated but it requires steps.

1. You need to find a market place (opensea.io for Ethereum Nft’s and cnft.io for Cardano Nft’s) and create an account on it.

2. You need to create a wallet. If you’re going mobile I used Coinbase wallet and Rainbow wallet for Ethereum Nft’s and Yoroi wallet for Cardano Nft’s.

3. You need to connect your wallet to the marketplace. For Ethereum the infrastructure (tech) is more developed so it’s a lot easier using single sign in like experiences when it automatically recognizes what you have. For Cardano you need to transfer money into your wallet and then send money to an address on Cfnt. There is a wallet section in your account profile. If you use Coinbase to transfer money into your Yoroi wallet it is faster but Coinbase has a fee to buy coins. Voyager can take up to 24 hrs to release your coins. The process is slow the first time you set everything up. Even Yoroi wallet can seem slow and lagging. I’m no tech wizard but I’m sure there are some cache like things that go on afterwards because every transaction after the first was a lot faster. Note: There are probably better wallet options and everything may be faster on a Pc or laptop but I wanted to see if I can do everything mobile.

4. Then it’s just about going to the market place, clicking on buy on the Nft you want, and sending the respective wallet address the amount that’s needed to purchase the Nft. For Cardano the assets will live both in your wallet and on your Cfnt profile if that is the marketplace which you used.

Some things to know-

I) Gas prices for Ethereum are ridiculous. They vary by time of day but really they just vary in ridiculousness. It can cost you anywhere from $60-$700 in gas fees alone to get an Nft or set of Nft’s depending on the time of day. That means you’re paying that fee amount on top of the cost of the Nft. Which means that even a $10 Nft can cost you an additional $110 in gas fees for a whopping total of $120. Seeing as how only probably 1% of Nft projects are worth investing in and how those projects are usually thousands of dollars, I conclude, that, Ethereum Nft’s are probably not for the average Joe, unless you really like gambling.

II) A big part of Nfts are their communities so make sure to check out their websites, where you can find their roadmap, plans, storyline. You can also mint new Nft’s directly from the site by sending the specified amount of the crypto to the address provided. I also recommend checking out the Twitter pages of the projects to get an understanding of the community and join the Discord page associated to the project.

III) Understand, you can very easily get rugged. Which means that the creators of projects disappear after all of the Nft’s have been minted. This is very common. It’s a good idea to understand who the people are behind the project before investing in them.

I admit I’ve gotten rugged, but I also believe I am behind three good projects. I’m not made, I’m still devoted to the art. Rip Harambe again.

Good luck, and enjoy this new world my dear friends. Attempt to get wealthy but remember you can be rich in many other ways.

[elitegymnastics]

Q: What is this?

A: It’s a flyer for a virtual fundraiser on June 4th that Elite Gymnastics is playing. You can access the show at quietyear.com

Q: Hasn’t Elite Gymnastics been inactive for like, ten years?

A: Yes. This is the first Elite Gymnastics performance of any kind since November 30th 2012, at the Horn Gallery at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. 

Q: Why did Elite Gymnastics stop playing shows?

A: Elite Gymnastics started out as me (Jaime) and a bunch of my friends agreeing to help me play my songs live back in 2009. I made a lot of weird demos in GarageBand and my friend Dominique Davis from the band Dearling Physique got tired of watching me sit on them. So, he booked me to play at a show he was curating as part of a small local music and arts festival called Clapperclaw. For several months that’s mainly what EG was. At some point the focus shifted to making recordings rather than playing shows, to participate in the emergent culture of new music distributed via MP3 file-sharing. The lineup winnowed to just me and Josh Clancy, who began creating digital EPs that we posted on this Tumblr page as ZIP files full of MP3s accompanied by a PDF of artwork. This is the incarnation of the group that most people are familiar with.

This was before Patreon existed. If Bandcamp was around, we’d never heard of it. Though MP3 file-sharing culture and file transfer sites like MediaFire and MegaUpload allowed anyone to distribute music freely across the world via the internet, it was still pretty difficult to get people to pay you for it. I think it was for this reason that a lot of internet music back then featured a lot of sampling. A lot of artists’ first forays into the world of DAWs and production took the form of mash-ups, bootleg remixes, and DJ mixes. Artists like Animal Collective, MIA, Kanye West, and Daft Punk for whom sampling was a pillar of their creative process were extremely influential. Elite Gymnastics was no exception - the first song of ours to gain traction online was “Is This On Me?” which made no attempt to hide the fact that it heavily sampled Faye Wong’s “Eyes On Me.” The fact that it was so difficult to make money off MP3s pushed people to make different creative decisions than they would have otherwise. It was sort of a free-for-all.

Eventually, all of this started to change. The major labels started getting a lot more aggressive about trying to destroy MP3 file-sharing culture. Platforms like MegaUpload were raided and taken offline. The replacements that sprung up to replace them were increasingly infested with ads and malware. Corporate platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud adopted Content ID filters to prevent the proliferation of copyrighted music there. Blogs and private torrent trackers being taken down meant thousands of hours of labor were wiped out in an instant. Some of the best archives of the history of recorded music ever created were destroyed without hesitation. Even the most devoted participants lost the will to keep repairing and re-making the stuff that cops and record companies kept obliterating.

Josh and I both dreamed of being able to make a living as musicians. We still do. Back then, we were willing to accept a lot of changes in order to make that possible, which seemed necessary. A lot of the stuff that we were great at just didn’t make any money. Once, we were asked to do a remix of a song called “Sa Sa Samoa” by the band Korallreven. I did the remix by myself, which was normal for us, and Josh was so inspired by it that he spent a week working non-stop to create a video for it. People loved it - the day the video dropped, Pitchfork designated the song as a “Best New Track” and New York Magazine wrote about it in their “Approval Matrix.” The video led to a ton of exposure, but from a financial perspective, it just did not make sense to put that much effort into promoting a remix of someone else’s song. The stuff we were personally excited by just seemed to have less and less to do with what actually makes money.

A lot of internet bands during this era began to palpably shapeshift in an effort to succeed in music as a career. Artists who’d first attracted notice for sample-based bangers they made on a laptop started posing with vintage hardware in their press photos and trading in their laptops for live bands and recording studios. It became harder to distribute DJ mixes or mash-ups that contained copyrighted music in them. Influential bloggers either closed up shop or were absorbed into the traditional music industry in some way. Feeds that once touted bizarre songs by laptop-toting weirdos with no industry connections started to become populated mostly by artists with labels and publicists. The bottom rungs of festival lineups started to consist mostly of new major label signings who have lots of money to spend on stage production but not much in the way of grassroots fan enthusiasm or media buzz. 

Internet music and what people tend to refer to as “indie music” split off into two separate streams. Today, there’s a pretty intense firewall between internet culture and whatever you want to call the culture of vinyl records, mid-sized indie labels with publicists, and positive reviews from the few remaining websites that still pay people to write about music. I call it “publicist indie,” “lifestyle techno,” or “prestige electronica” depending on whether or not the music features guitars and/or vocals. The recent online kerfuffle about NFTs really emphasized this split. The worlds of digital illustration and game development campaigned aggressively against mass adoption of cryptocurrency - if you saw any Medium posts explaining crypto’s environmental issues, chances are they were written by someone from those fields. Every new announcement by an artist that they had minted an NFT was met with a swift and vocal backlash from fans. Though I’ve never really been much of an Aphex Twin fan, it was still pretty startling to look at the replies under his NFT announcement tweet and see hundreds of furious people announcing that he was now dead to them. That’s an artist who has seemed more or less unimpeachable for most of my life up until this point! All of that seemed to change in an instant.

There is a massive disconnect between the insular world of the industry establishment and the cutting edge of online counterculture. We saw this again a couple of weeks ago with the online response to the crisis in Gaza. We saw passionate advocacy for Palestinians from games journalists and developers much more often than we saw it from musicians. This is a very serious problem for music! I do not believe it is possible to please both sides - that is to say, I do not believe it is possible to be part of internet counterculture and the industry establishment simultaneously. The music industry is too conservative, too compromised, too corrupt. If it weren’t for the ocean of valuable copyrights that labels are sitting on, most of them would be bankrupt within a year. If the industry was forced to live or die based on how they handle what’s happening right now in the present, it would most assuredly die. The only people who don’t realize this are those who are being paid to stay ignorant. 

Josh and I did not know this back then. From where we were standing, it looked like internet culture and established media industries were on track to converge. A career in the arts seemed genuinely, tantalizingly possible, right up until the moment that it no longer did. 

In my case, I had really been struggling up until that point. My life had been this ongoing sequence of evictions and hospitalizations, and it seemed to be getting worse, not better. I donated plasma twice a week to pay for groceries and while I was sitting there with a giant needle stuck in my left arm for an hour I would see my picture in The Fader or my songs being recommended by one of the Kings of Leon on Twitter or whatever. Music seemed like the only thing the world thought I was any good at. It felt like my only chance at a peaceful, happy life was somewhere out there in a world I could only perceive through a laptop screen. 

Gender, for me, was a big factor in all of this. The more invested in the craft of songwriting I became, the harder it was to repress or ignore my gender stuff. At that time I’m not sure I even knew what the word “transgender” meant - I just knew that when I showed up at a venue wearing a skirt, no one would talk to me or look me in the eye, and that reading about people like Anohni or Terre Thaemlitz or on the internet made me feel like if I could get out of Minneapolis maybe I could find a place where people would accept me. The internet was like, a pretty toxic place for someone in my position. When I tried to find people to talk to about what I was feeling, nobody tried to tell me to read Judith Butler or ask me what pronouns I preferred. The internet was just like, overrun with predators who just wanted to fetishize me and exploit me. Music seemed like the only way I’d ever have an actual life as myself. I was desperate for that. I was well and truly desperate.

Between all the big changes that were happening to us individually and the music industry moving farther and farther away of the anarchic free-for-all of MP3 file-sharing culture, the strain on us just got to be too much. We stopped trusting each other. We became the unstoppable force and the immovable object, crashing haphazardly against one another’s resolve in a dazzling display of youthful futility. Our partnership ended, and after finishing out the remaining live shows on the calendar by myself, I retired the name “Elite Gymnastics” and started making music on my own under other names. That was that.

Q: Why is Elite Gymnastics coming back now, then?

A: Over the years, Josh and I eventually started talking again. Though there was a lot we did agree on, and potential future projects were discussed, nothing truly felt right. We haven’t been in the same room since Summer 2012, and we’ve both changed a lot since then. We both have other projects and we’ve both developed other ways of working since we stopped working together. It’s a pretty big commitment to put all of that aside in order to join your fortunes together with someone you haven’t seen in a decade.

Recently, Josh decided to leave Elite Gymnastics. His reasons are his own, and I was very surprised by his decision, but after having had time to adjust, I’m really grateful to him. I had kept these songs at a distance for many years, because it seemed foolish to allow myself to get too attached to songs I didn’t feel like I was allowed to think of as mine, if that makes any sense. The songs felt like casualties of a conflict that I had to bury in the ground and try to forget about. Being able to embrace them again felt like re-growing a severed limb or having a loved one come back to life, almost. Feeling like it was safe to love these songs again made me feel whole in a way I didn’t expect to. I became really excited by the prospect of revisiting them, so that’s what I decided to do.

Q: Does this mean you’re going to put RUIN back on Spotify?

A: No. Taking the record off Spotify was the right thing to do. That record was only ever intended to exist during the era of MP3 piracy. I never envisioned a world where the music industry would be so aggressive about policing the way that copyrighted music is allowed to exist online. If we hadn’t opted to take the record down when we did, someone would inevitably have forced us to. If you want to hear those specific recordings again, you’re going to have to do it the way we originally intended: by downloading MP3 files from the internet. Try SoulSeek.

Q: What’s next for Elite Gymnastics, then?

A: Here’s the situation currently. There is no Elite Gymnastics music available to stream or purchase in an official capacity anywhere on the internet. It wouldn’t really be possible for me to put the old stuff on Spotify or Bandcamp now because of all the samples. Like I said before, it was a different time. Those records were created to thrive on a past version of the internet that no longer exists. They weren’t designed to be compatible with the 2021 internet.

Technically, Elite Gymnastics didn’t ever release a debut album. We had EPs, a compilation, and a remix collection. We didn’t make an album, a record that existed as the distillation of all that experimentation that contained all of the songs that fans of the EPs would want to hear, all in one place. It’s like we did Good Fridays but stopped before we made My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

So, I am currently working on the first Elite Gymnastics album. If you were following my stuff as Default Genders, you may have noticed me posting demos on my SoundCloud page from 2015-2018 that were all eventually reworked into the album Main Pop Girl 2019. The album I am making is taking that approach to all the old EG songs, including some unreleased stuff. I’m collaborating with others on some songs and I honestly feel like it has resulted in some of the best and most exciting music I have ever been involved with. It is a drastic reinvention, but iteration and reinvention have always been a big part of what I do. I want to make something that feels like the culmination of everything that came before, and so far, I think I’m succeeding.

Q: When will I be able to hear this new music?

At a virtual fundraiser on June 4th, 2021, where there is a suggested donation of $10. You can access it at quietyear.com