Top 10 Real-World NFT Use Cases

Non-fungible tokens, short for NFTs, are slowly but surely gaining popularity in the DeFi space, especially in the gaming and collectibles genres. It is one of the latest areas of the crypto industry. 

However, the true use cases of NFTs stretch way beyond just gaming or collectibles. In fact, developers are creating entire, comprehensive virtual worlds using NFTs. Looking at things, we can only say that we’re in very nascent stages of adoption, and there’s so much more to wait for! In reality, NFTs pack the potential to be used in a wide variety of domains, from art to fashion, music to movies, and so much more. 

If you want some more backstory into the crypto domain and how NFTs came into being, check out our other blogs where we regularly post about the latest happenings in the crypto domain. Learn the top 10 real-world NFT use cases and how NFT can change various industries. also learn where to purchase and store the NFT and the future of the NFTs.

What is NFT?

Non-fungible tokens can be understood as cryptographically secure tokens that feature unique properties and data within the smart contract of the token. 

The primary difference between NFTs and other types of tokens is fungibility. One Bitcoin in your wallet can be transferred to another wallet, and later may transfer another Bitcoin back; though it may not be the exact same UTXO, it is worth the same value. All known currencies are fungible as they represent equal value, and can be used as a medium of exchange from one entity to another. 

NFTs can be used for a number of things, for both real-world assets as well as digitally-crafted assets, for tokenizing them on the blockchain. When creating projects, developers must adhere to certain token standards of the blockchain to launch a successful platform (explained below).

• ERC-20

Generally, Ethereum-based cryptocurrency tokens use the ERC-20 standard. Think of these standards as a set of regulations and rules that a particular object must follow in order to be interoperable and compatible with wallets or exchanges that operate on the Ethereum blockchain. In fact, as of October 2020, more than 300,000 ERC-20 compatible tokens existed on Ethereum’s network, and this number is only going to grow. 

• ERC-721

Contrary to the ERC-20 standard, the ERC-721 standard represents a single unique asset that can’t be interchanged. It represents assets such as a certificate or any tokenized good that can’t be broken down further. Each ERC-721 token holds values of its own unique smart contracts, which can include ownership and identity details of the asset. Though there is no fixed rule when it comes to creation of tokens, ERC-721s are pretty strong in terms of transparency of ownership, immutability, and security. In common lingo, it’s ERC-721 tokens that are referred to as being “non-fungible” in nature. 

• ERC-1155 

The ERC-721 standard is great for creating unique assets that can be transferred from one wallet to another, but a collection of these tokens often proves to be slow and insufficient. For example, when somebody is transferring multiple armor pieces in a game for a character, the group of ERC-721 tokens will fall short. 

This is where ERC-1155 comes in. These have been described as a “next-generation multi-token standard”, and the focus here is truly on a “multi-token” approach. ERC-1155 is developed by Enjin, and supports both non-fungible and fungible tokens.

Top 10 Real-World NFT Use Cases

NFTs still have a long way to go, and as time passes, the use cases are only going to increase in number. That said, even right now, NFTs come extremely handy in a number of different use cases. The ability to easily verify scarcity and originality of digital information is not something to be taken lightly! Here are some ways NFTs have proven their presence and importance. and if you're curious about creating your own, learn how to make NFT in our comprehensive guide.

1. Art

The most common type of NFT art that’s available is programmable art - a blend of technology and creativity. There are a number of limited edition moving artwork pieces, with the ability to be programmed to change upon different circumstances being met. Using oracles and smart contracts, artists have been able to create images that respond to the variation in prices of crypto assets. 

The legacy arts industry is also opening up to the adoption of Blockchain technology, by tokenizing real-world assets and artworks. This comes as a combination of IoT and Blockchain, which offers people the ability to scan a code on a sticker placed on the back of a painting, and register as the owner of the piece on the Blockchain. The user can then see the artwork’s entire history - including all the previous ownerships and prices it was sold for. 

2. Collectibles

One of the first ways people learn how to use NFTs is usually through online collectibles, such as the much-loved CryptoKitties, whose popularity congested the Ethereum network at its peak in 2017. CryptoKitties are unique digital kittens that can be bred to make more unique kitties, with certain characteristics deemed more favorable than others (such as eye color or fur pattern).

If you’ve not seen Good Morning Crypto, the latest NFT collectible everyone is chasing are the Ivan on Tech, Big Boy Pants! We have first and second generations, alongside limited edition ‘Big Strong Guy’, and the Halloween ‘Big Boy Pumpkin Pants’, and more to be announced soon! 

3. Fashion

Blockchain has blended seamlessly with the fashion industry and provided benefits to all participants in the supply chain. Consumers can now digitally verify ownership of all their accessories and items, therefore eliminating the risk of counterfeiting. This can be done as simply as by scanning a QR code attached to the sale tag or internal label as an NFT. The consumers can also know details like place of creation of the asset, who all claimed ownership of it while it reached the consumer, and so on. 

Introducing Blockchain in the fashion industry has also helped in reducing carbon dioxide emission levels, increasing employee welfare, and protecting the customers!

4. Music

Music files, too, can be linked to NFTs. That way, only the person who truly claims ownership of the file will be able to access it. Rarible and Mintbase are two such platforms that are allowing their artists to mint their songs into NFTs! 

Looking at this from a music listener’s perspective, this means that only a limited amount of these records will be available - they can’t be duplicated and distributed. This brings a sense of exclusivity to the listener, giving the music a collectible-quality similar to that of vinyl, but with the modern technology supporting the awesomeness. 

A record collection was one of the most common forms of collectibles in pre-digital popular culture, but this was overturned by the introduction of the internet and music streaming sites. Music pirating is rife within the industry and costs artists millions. This approach largely benefits the artists as they get an opportunity to eliminate the middlemen, and directly reach out to their fans. 

5. Certifications and Licenses 

A course completion certificate, or any other license or degree, is generally awarded in either softcopy (paper) form, or digital (online) copy. All the universities or employers that require this document require copies of these to be attached as a part of referencing before offering someone a position in an institute or a company. 

Having such licenses minted in the form of NFTs can save a lot of time and effort of the admins that would otherwise go into checking and verifying records. This approach also provides an easier way for certificate- or license-holders to store the evidence, without worrying to lose it later. 

6. Domain Names 

This is another way in which NFTs are coming into use, albeit unnoticeably. Decentralized Domain Name Services such as the ENS (Ethereum Name Service) and Unstoppable Domains have started getting the deserved spotlight. ENS allows users to exchange their address from a long, difficult-to-remember string of numbers to ‘myname’.eth, creating a much more friendly user and on-boarding experience. Unstoppable Domains, on the other hand, is powered by the CNS (Crypto Name Service), which is also built on top of Ethereum Blockchain. 

Creating a domain name generator is easy, but the difficulty lies in demand for these domains. So far, both ENS and Unstoppable Domains have proven successful in their attempt at decentralized domains created with the ERC-721 token standard.

7. Virtual Real Estate

In the virtual world, real estate is becoming a significant asset, with NFTs playing a crucial role. Platforms like Decentraland and The Sandbox allow users to purchase, sell, and trade virtual land as NFTs. Owners can develop their land, host virtual events, or rent it out, creating new opportunities for income and investment in the digital realm.

8. Gaming

NFTs have had a transformative impact on the gaming industry. Players can buy, sell, and trade in-game assets like characters, weapons, skins, and more as NFTs. These assets have real-world value and can be transferred across different games and platforms, providing gamers with true ownership and the ability to profit from their virtual possessions.

9. Supply Chain

NFTs are enhancing transparency and efficiency in supply chain management. By tokenizing products and their components, companies can create immutable records of their origins, manufacturing processes, and ownership transfers. This ensures authenticity, reduces counterfeiting, and allows consumers to trace the journey of products from production to purchase, fostering trust and accountability.

10. Web3 Identification

NFTs are also being used for Web3 identification, providing secure and decentralized identity verification. Individuals can use NFT-based digital identities to access various online services, platforms, and communities without relying on traditional centralized systems. This enhances privacy, security, and control over personal data, aligning with the principles of decentralization that underpin Web3 technologies.

Where can I purchase NFT?

In the fashion industry, the tokenized assets can generally be availed only through direct retailers. For other NFTs, there are many online marketplaces you can browse and search, here’s a list of a few such places! 

1. OpenSea 

OpenSea is one of the largest NFT marketplaces. They claim to be the eBay of the NFT world, and allow you to buy and purchase just about anything, including ENS Names, Cryptokitties, Axis, and a lot more.

2. Rarible

Rarible is another popular NFT marketplace. It is more recent than Open Sea, but similar to it, offering different types of NFTs. The platform is powered by its native token $RARI, and is completely decentralized. It allows holders to propose and vote to make adjustments and developments on the platform. Users on the Rarible platform are eligible to receive $RARI tokens when purchasing NFTs or making any sale. 

3. The Nifty Gateway

Founded in 2018 by Duncan and Griffin Cockfoster, Nifty Gateway is another popular platform. One year after inception, it was announced that Gemini acquired Nifty Gateway through parent company Gemini Trust Company, LLC. 

The digital collectibles economy is powered by NFTs known as Nifties. The acquisition by Gemini confirms that NFT tokens will definitely prove to be one of the hottest trends in cryptocurrency. 

4. Somnium Space

Somnium Space is creating a virtual social world using Ethereum Blockchain. Here, users will be able to buy and sell land, create virtual assets, and monetize the assets using the open marketplace - in the cryptocurrency of their choice. Somnium Space is available for free on Steam and is compatible with most VR headsets. 

Where can I store NFT?

An important consideration to make before purchasing NFTs is about storage of the token. You’ll need an electronic wallet, like you do for cryptocurrencies, to store your digital assets. 

These wallets can be easily integrated into any browser. Metamask is one such wallet, compatible with Chrome and Brave. It is now offering a direct native token swap with NFTs within the app itself, thereby simplifying the transaction process. 

A few years ago, Ledger confirmed a partnership with Metamask, which would allow users to store their CryptoKitties in a secure cold hard storage. While OpenSea requires you to have a wallet in order to form a connection and make any transactions, Rarible platforms has its own wallet and allows users to store their NFTs there itself. 

Future of NFT

Non-fungible tokens (ALREADY!) come in all shapes and forms, and even standards. We can only expect a rise in the number of these in the coming years. As a simple example, just the difference between ERC-1155 and ERC-721 can result in a hugely different set of use cases. 

NFTs are either digitally created or tokenized real-world assets, both on the Blockchain. This opens up literally a plethora of opportunities for different uses. In such a scenario, it is advisable to start digging up, researching, learning, and working towards NFTs. One might also think of learning the usage of NFTs in terms of their function and proceeding with buying them. 

Soon enough NFTs will be a commonplace thing in our world (like Bitcoin is, today). The use cases it has provided so far are a testimony to the above statement. Many legacy industries such as supply chain, medicine, law, and so many others can benefit from opening their arms to NFTs and Blockchain tech in general. It’s all about the time it takes!

If you need help in the NFT field, Minddeft specializes in NFT token development and NFT marketplace development and strives to provide solutions to help you move ahead.