What are NFTs?

NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are unique and indivisible digital assets registered on a blockchain. They represent artworks, digital collectibles, music, videos, and other unique digital items. Through blockchain technology, NFTs ensure the authenticity and exclusive ownership of an item, allowing for buying, selling, and trading in the crypto market.

The blockchain technology is a decentralized and immutable network that records all transactions and activities related to an NFT. These records provide encrypted proofs that a specific NFT is authentic and belongs to a specific owner. This gives artists and creators greater control over their digital works and enables them to establish royalties for each resale of the NFT in the secondary market.

Artists and NFTs

Many visual artists, like Sérgio Astral, have embraced the world of NFTs to expand their reach and gain international recognition. By creating unique digital artworks, they explore new markets and have direct access to collectors and digital art enthusiasts worldwide.

Some of the notable artists who have made an impact in the NFT market are:

1. Beeple (Mike Winkelmann): Beeple is a digital artist known for his bold and surreal digital artworks. In March 2021, he achieved a historic milestone with the sale of an NFT titled "Everydays: The First 5000 Days" at Christie's auction house for $69.3 million, becoming one of the most expensive digital artworks ever sold.

2. Pak: The artist known only as Pak is one of the most mysterious names in the world of NFTs. Their identity remains unknown, but their works garner much attention for their conceptual and minimalist approach.

3. CryptoPunks: CryptoPunks is an art project created by Matt Hall and John Watkinson of Larva Labs. They developed a series of 10,000 unique pixelated characters, each represented by an NFT. These characters have become cult icons and highly sought after in the NFT market.

4. 3LAU (Justin Blau): In addition to visual artists, musicians have also entered the world of NFTs. 3LAU is a DJ and music producer who released an NFT album titled "Ultraviolet," raising over $11.6 million in its sale, including future royalties for the buyers.

5. Fewocious (Victor Langlois): Fewocious is an 18-year-old digital artist known for their colorful and expressive artworks exploring themes of identity and self-expression. Their creations have been widely recognized in the world of NFTs.

As for the values, the prices of NFT artworks vary significantly based on the artist's notoriety, market demand, rarity of the piece, and other factors. While some NFTs reach multimillion-dollar values in auctions, others can be acquired for more accessible prices. The flexibility of the NFT market allows emerging and established artists to reach new audiences and monetize their creations in a unique and innovative way.

Keep in mind that the NFT scene is constantly evolving, and new artists and trends may emerge after my last update in 2021. It is always interesting to follow recent news and events to get updated information about the world of NFTs and its relevant artists.

Platforms for NFT Sales

Several platforms have stood out in the NFT market for buying and selling digital artworks. Each platform has its own procedure, but generally, the process of buying and selling NFTs follows a similar flow. Below are some of the most attractive platforms and their main features:

1. OpenSea: OpenSea is one of the largest and most popular NFT platforms. It offers a wide variety of collections, including digital art, games, and other collectibles. Artists and creators can list their artworks on the platform, set the price and terms of sale. Buyers can acquire NFTs through auctions or direct purchase.

2. Rarible: Rarible is a decentralized NFT platform, allowing users to create and sell their own unique collections. It is known for incentivizing NFT creation through rewards with the native RARI token. Artists can create unique NFTs or limited editions and set their prices.

3. Foundation: Foundation is an exclusive platform that operates by invitation. It stands out for emphasizing the creative and artistic aspects of NFTs. Artists can list their creations on the platform, and if they receive positive votes from the community, they are invited to become members.

4. SuperRare: SuperRare is a platform focused on digital and new media artists. It allows creators to mint (create) exclusive artworks or limited editions as NFTs. The artworks are auctioned, and buyers can acquire NFTs using Ethereum.

5. Nifty Gateway: Nifty Gateway focuses on high-quality digital art collections and NFTs released by famous artists. It offers scheduled releases, generating high anticipation and demand among collectors.

Each platform has its own registration process and wallet setup, usually using digital wallets like Metamask or others compatible with Ethereum. Artists create their artworks in digital format and mint them as NFTs on the platforms. Creating an NFT typically requires an Ethereum gas fee to process the transaction on the blockchain.

After an NFT is listed, buyers can participate in auctions or purchase the NFT directly using Ethereum or the platform's native currency, when available. The buyer receives a unique copy of the NFT, ensuring the authenticity and ownership of the artwork.

It's important to mention that each platform may have specific procedures and details, so it's crucial to follow the instructions provided by the chosen platform. Additionally, fees and transaction processing times may vary depending on the blockchain used.

Fees on NFT Platforms

NFT platforms generally charge fees for listing, creation, and NFT transactions. Each platform has its own fee policies, and the amount may vary depending on the service offered.

The main fees you may encounter on an NFT platform include:

1. Minting Fee: This is the fee charged to create the NFT, representing the transformation of a digital artwork into a non-fungible token. This fee may vary from platform to platform.

2. Listing Fee: Some platforms charge a fee to list the artwork or NFT on the platform, either for a period of time or permanently.

3. Transaction Fee: Each time an NFT is sold, the platform may charge a fee based on the transaction value. This fee is typically a percentage of the final sale price.

4. Gas Fee: Most NFT platforms use the Ethereum blockchain to record transactions. As a result, it is necessary to pay an Ethereum gas fee to process the creation and transfer of NFTs. The amount of this fee can vary depending on network demand and transaction complexity.

Some platforms may offer subscription plans for artists or collectors, which can reduce or eliminate some of the fees mentioned above.

It's important to read the terms and conditions of each platform to clearly understand the associated fees before listing or purchasing NFTs. Additionally, it's essential to consider fees when setting artwork prices to ensure that costs do not significantly impact the desired financial return.

Procedure to Create a Metamask Wallet

To create a Metamask wallet, follow the steps below:

1. Access the official Metamask website: https://metamask.io/

2. Click on the "Get Chrome Extension" button (or "Get Firefox Add-On" if you are using the Firefox browser).

3. You will be redirected to your browser's extension store. Click on the "Add to Chrome" button (or "Add to Firefox" in Firefox) to install the extension.

4. After the installation, the Metamask icon will appear in your browser's toolbar.

5. Click on the Metamask icon and click "Get Started."

6. In the window that opens, you will have the option to import an existing wallet or create a new one. To create a new wallet, click on "Create a Wallet."

7. You will be prompted to create a password for the wallet. Make sure to create a strong and secure password, as it will be required to access your wallet in the future.

8. After creating the password, you will receive a series of words (mnemonic phrase) that serve as a backup for your wallet. Write down these words in order and in a secure location, as they will be used to restore your wallet in case of password loss.

9. Confirm the mnemonic phrase by typing the words in the correct order.

10. Your Metamask wallet will be ready, and you can start using it to interact with decentralized applications, buy and sell cryptocurrencies and tokens, including NFTs.

Remember that the Metamask wallet allows you to manage Ethereum tokens, including NFTs. Be sure to keep your password and mnemonic phrase secure, as they are essential for accessing your wallet and digital assets.

Tips for a Successful NFT

Having a successful NFT involves various factors, from the quality of the artwork or digital collectible to promotion and engagement with the community. Here are some tips to increase the chances of success with an NFT:

1. Artwork Quality: Create a unique and well-executed artwork with aesthetic appeal. Originality and artistic value are essential to attract buyers and collectors.

2. Platform Choice: Opt for a recognized and reputable NFT platform. Some popular platforms include OpenSea, Rarible, SuperRare, and Foundation.

3. Community and Promotion: Build a community around your work. Use social media and NFT-related forums and art communities to promote your creations. Interact with followers, answer questions, and share relevant information.

4. Storytelling: Tell the story behind your artwork or digital collectible. Storytelling can increase interest and emotional value associated with the NFT.

5. Participation in Events and Auctions: Consider participating in art events and NFT auctions. These opportunities can attract more attention to your work.

6. Collaborations and Partnerships: Consider collaborating with other artists or digital celebrities. Partnerships can expand the reach of your artwork and attract new audiences.

7. Limited Editions: Consider limiting the number of editions of your NFT. Limited editions can create a greater sense of exclusivity and appreciation.

8. Competitive Pricing: Set a competitive and fair price for your NFT. Take into account the quality of the artwork, demand, and the current market.

9. Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service. Respond promptly to questions and provide clear information about the purchase and transfer of the NFT.

Remember that the NFT market is dynamic and can be volatile. The success of an NFT may vary depending on various factors, including market trends, demand, and how collectors perceive the value of the artwork. Be persistent, stay updated on trends, and continue to improve your artistic skills and promotional strategies.

NFT: Cavérik, by Sérgio Astral

Sérgio Astral's creations for the Cavérik brand on the OpenSea platform are true, unique digital artworks signed by the artist. With a total of 278 items available, each one represents the uniqueness of Sérgio Astral's artistic vision and his talent in creating exclusive pieces.

Each NFT created by Sérgio Astral for Cavérik is a unique expression of his artistic style, which combines elements of the rock and roll universe with distinctive strokes and vibrant colors. His artworks are a true fusion of creativity, resulting in visually captivating and emotional compositions.

The exclusivity of these NFTs lies in the fact that each item is one-of-a-kind, with no reproductions or identical copies. Additionally, each artwork is signed by the artist himself, adding even more value and authenticity to the pieces.

Collectors and enthusiasts of digital art have the opportunity to acquire these unique artworks and add them to their digital collections. The OpenSea platform offers an easy and secure buying and selling experience, allowing interested individuals to participate in auctions or acquire NFTs through direct purchase.

Sérgio Astral's presence on the OpenSea platform, with his creations for the Cavérik brand, is a demonstration of the growing recognition and relevance of NFTs in the world of art and digital culture. These digital artworks provide collectors with the opportunity to own a part of Sérgio Astral's artistic legacy and celebrate his talent in the form of exclusive and signed NFTs.

NFT: Cavérik, by Sérgio Astral

NFT: Cavérik, by Sérgio Astral