Vertical Marketplaces
NFT projects will shift towards DTC marketplaces like
@larvalabs and
@SolanaMBS. Managing user experience is critical for retention, and eliminating 3rd parties doesn’t hurt.
The decentralization of code bases makes it possible.
https://t.co/h3Ox9Xy6je
“Soulbound” NFTs
NFTs are lauded for their transferability, but there are many use cases for non-transferable tokens: driver’s licenses, diplomas, certifications, proof of attendance, etc.
Soulbound NFTs lock in provenance, and can not be sold.
Retail
Retailers from 7-11 to Gamestop will use NFTs to incentivize IRL transactions, leveraging creators to drive traffic to storefronts.
For example, Yeezy NFTs that airdrop with purchases from Gap stores, or NFTs that unlock exclusive features for Tesla vehicles.
Borrowing Platforms
Because NFTs can unlock temporary access—like entry to conferences—markets for short-term lending are emerging. For example, I’ve personally leant friends $FWB so that they could attend local events.
Imagine this as a marketplace: StubHub, but for NFTs.
NFT Indexes
Getting exposure to hundreds of NFTs via indexes will boom as market movers tap collectors for funds.
Imagine a Christie’s NFT ETF. They have the influence to get assets to liquidity—investors will ape into that.
It will also broaden support for NFT communities.
Bounties
Creators and brands will drop unique quests within communities, rewarding completion with NFTs. This could be anything from completing a questionnaire, to referring members into the community, to attending events.
Bounties can be highly competitive, or open wide.
Social Investing
Web3 streamlines investing by reducing manual processes like spreadsheet mgmt + signature collection.
It also acts as a social record—startups like
@PartyRound will build networks around such activity, and reinforce them with NFTs.
Legal
The benefits of block security and its ability to trigger transactions via oracles will accelerate the adoption of web3 legal services + contract development.
A DocuSign killer (or acquisition target) will be built in 2022, and it will deliver NFTs to contract executors.
Services
NFTs will unlock access to services and hobbyist communities. Q&As and tutorials with influencer chefs, photographers, doctors, and niche enthusiastic communities will boom.
This will also extend into IRL services like transportation, hotels, and spas.
Content Submission
Users will submit content like short form videos, reviews, and tutorials in exchange for NFTs. It’s a marketing flywheel.
Rights can be programmed into contracts so that the use of the contributor’s content in advertising could yield them future profits.
Activism
Communities where NFT ownership supports political causes will gain traction as millions flow into community wallets.
Imagine environmental NFT collectives where sales are directed towards lobbying efforts, and those efforts are coordinated by a community DAO.
Social Feed Marketplaces
Social feeds based on NFT collections will emerge, providing insight into the strategy of top collectors, and a platform for collectors to interact.
These feeds will evolve into social commerce marketplaces, featuring reviews, analytics, and more.
Multiplayer
NFTs will create hive activity by incentivizing group behavior. MMORPGs that unlock levels once 10k users have aped in. Airdrops of rare NFTs to collector cohorts that have signed contracts to merge their base-layer NFTs.
Collecting is going to become a team sport.
Collateralization
To date, lenders have been averse to NFT holders borrowing against their assets.
But as institutional $$$ flows in, and assets become better stores of value, collateral markets will promise flexibility and liquidity for all NFT holders, not just whales.
Fractionalization
Splitting up NFTs into individual shares gives more people exposure to blue-chip assets, like owning a piece of a cryptopunk.
The result? More liquidity for holders, and more appreciation of blue chip assets as money enters the markets.
DeFi
As enthusiasts become more comfortable staking and farming their holdings for yield, NFTs promise incentive beyond APY%.
NFTs will become base DeFi assets, with community access included. These won't be simple savings plays—they'll also be investments in communities.
Loyalty Exchanges
As brands and creators seek to reinforce loyalty, community behavior will be rewarded with NFTs. Did the member contribute content? NFT. Complete surveys? NFT. Make a purchase? NFT.
Tokens are more liquid and bragworthy than traditional discount codes.
R&D
Brands and creators will exchange NFTs for insights on product development: pain points, marketing claims, roadmap and more.
The NFTs will unlock early access to product releases and potential profit sharing. Brands will track and maintain these key relationships.
Customer Cohort NFTs
Imagine receiving an NFT for being one of the first Air Jordan customers, and how valuable that would be today. How Nike might reward you years later with special access and product.
Cohort NFTs prove that you took a certain action, at a certain time.
Education and Customer Support
Upon demonstrating exceptional knowledge of a brand’s product, users can receive NFTs in exchange for onboarding newbies into the community, or providing support.
This can be exponentially more impactful than a brand employee doing the same.
Leaderboards
NFT communities will gamify by highlighting the performance and participation of top holders.
Top contributors will receive rewards and clout, thereby incentivizing communities to hold and participate in order to secure better returns on their investments.
Keep in mind: we are early.
The promise of NFT technology to democratize and reward community participation grows every day.
Please, share your predictions for the future of NFTs in the comments. Thx for reading.
