As a crypto-native artist and early adopter, I canāt help but reflect on what made NFTs so exciting when they first emerged. They werenāt just digital assets or collectibles; they were a revolutionary idea. NFTs stood for freedom, decentralization, and, above all, being anti-establishment. They challenged traditional systems, rejected corporate structures, and empowered creators and communities in ways weād never seen before. (R.I.P. artist royalties, for example.)
When I got into NFTs, it was through
@cryptopunks (though I never managed to own one)āa tight-knit, niche community of radically open-minded people united by one core belief: decentralization. CryptoPunks werenāt just collectibles; they were a movement. They were edgy, countercultural, and defiantly anti-establishment. They meant something.
@BoredApeYC, love them or hate them now, were undeniably cool in their early days. They captured the spirit of CryptoPunks but added a layer of branding and relatability. They symbolized a community that was bored of the grind, tired of traditional systems, and ready to build something new. They were niche, subversive, and different.
@coolcats, the collection that defined the third wave, took a different approach. With their charming, whimsical art style and a focus on creating a positive, welcoming community, they still managed to feel countercultural. They didnāt rely on shock or exclusivityāthey made NFTs accessible without sacrificing their creative edge. It wasnāt about mass adoption; it was about creating something genuine and heartfelt.
Fast forward to today, and it feels like the edge NFTs once had has completely vanished. Mainstream NFTs have lost everything that made them cool. The entrance of venture capitalists into the space has introduced the classic Silicon Valley playbook: take something niche and cool, strip it of its soul, and sell it to the masses. NFTs, once a symbol of rebellion and innovation, have been commodified. Revolutionary ideas have been repackaged into products that are anything but revolutionary.
While commercialization may bring visibility, it doesnāt align with the values that made NFTs specialāanti-establishment, decentralization, and empowering communities. Clever marketing isnāt the same as innovation. Itās not subversive. Itās just plain old capitalism dressed up in new clothes.
Crypto was meant to reclaim power from the establishmentāto disrupt the systems that keep individuals and creators out of control. Itās not too late to support the people and projects that still embody this vision. Letās go back to championing the ones who stay true to the rebellious, innovative spirit that made NFTs cool in the first place.