So what does it mean when a collector or creator 'Mints' an NFT? Ultimately it’s about being the first owner of this digital asset. If the NFT is sufficiently unique its stored value will grow with time. However, this doesn’t mean that only the first owner who mints an NFT stands to gain from it.

A case in point are the NBAs Top Shot NFTs. The global sports collectibles market is massive, estimated at $26.1 billion in 2021 and predicted to reach $227.2 billion by 2032. With authenticity guaranteed and built-in, the tokenization of assets – such as the NBA Top Shots – suddenly becomes a legitimate investment vehicle for a far wider range of investors than hardcore enthusiasts.

The fractional ownership of premium real estate is another great example. The highest end of the properties was once a notoriously competitive market, due to the small number of potential investors. Making fractional ownership of such assets available to small and medium investors has led to a seismic shift. Virtually overnight expansion of the investment pool has created a win-win scenario for both a new class of investors as well as asset holders.

While these are only two examples, they are deliberately very different to each other. The idea is to convey the sheer scope of NFT Minting and why none of us can totally appreciate just where this innovation might take us in the future. One thing is certain; the applications will be as diverse as there are assets. Eventually, it is very likely that all asset and commodity markets will want to adopt the transparency and assured authenticity that only NFTs, Tokenization, and Blockchain technology can deliver. The beginnings of the NFT Minting wave may have been niche, but they contain the seeds of a more stable trade and economics, at a greater scale than ever before.