Why are NFTs So Valuable if I Can Just Take a Screenshot? | Momint (2024)

That’s a good question.

If you’re just getting into the NFT scene, you’re probably wondering what the answer is. Why are people spending so much money on NFTs if they’re just a JPEG image that you could easily save or screenshot? Further to that, why are so many vocal skeptics questioning their value? To answer this question, we first need to understand the Technology Adoption Cycle.

The Technology Adoption Cycle

You see, NFT technology is in its infancy. It will take time for the masses to fully comprehend and accept - as does any new innovation. In fact, this period of time has been extensively studied, systematised, and is referred to as the ‘Technology Adoption Cycle’.

Why are NFTs So Valuable if I Can Just Take a Screenshot? | Momint (1)

As you can see in the figure above, we’re still at the early stages of the cycle - and a particularly challenging stage at that. Many people have heard about NFTs, but only the early adopters have started to use the technology - the rest are grappling with understanding its practical applications.

The general public’s understanding of why digital art is valuable if they could simply “take a screenshot” brings a core value proposition of NFT technology into question; its ability to prove ownership.

Let’s examine that.


Provenance and the art world

The value of NFT technology becomes easier to understand when we take a step back to examine how art dealing operates in the real world.

Firstly, the art world is full of forgery. Though it is becoming more challenging, fake Picassos, Rothcos, and Monets slip through the cracks and sell for millions at auctions from time to time. Auction houses do their best to combat fraud. The first port of call is to examine the provenance of the piece.

Provenance is a form of documentation that commonly accompanies art pieces. It details the ownership history of a piece. If the verifier is lucky, the list will trace right back to the original artist. Once a believable ownership history has been established, the examiner will proceed to test the artwork using a laundry list of methods - from examining the makeup of paint pigments to compare it with the paints commonly used at the time, to testing the age of canvas fibres. Many testing mechanisms are used because it is easy to fake any single one (even provenance), but challenging to get all of them right.

Verifying an artwork is a long and expensive process - so why is it done? The answer seems obvious - because art buyers want to know they’re getting the real deal. A copy, no matter how perfect, is not enough. Buyers pay for more than just the artwork - they’re paying for a spot in the chain of ownership of the piece - its provenance. Provenance is what makes owning an original Picasso (and not just a print from a museum gift shop) so special.

Now back to NFTs.


Digital Provenance

At their core, NFT technology enables trackable, transparent ownership. Each time an NFT is transferred to someone else, it is recorded on the blockchain - for all to see.

From the moment an NFT is created on the blockchain, future owners of that NFT will have a provable chain of ownership leading right back to the Creator.

Digital Provenance was never possible before NFTs came onto the digital art scene, and is precisely why the art world is going crazy for it. NFT technology gives a file (in this case, a JPEG) an irrefutable ownership history - something that even real-world provenance documents cannot do.

Further to that, because NFTs aren’t fungible (are unique and cannot be replaced), the buyer has proof that they are the sole owner of an art piece, issued by the artist. That means that NFT technology could place digital artworks in the same spot of cultural significance as real-world art: many people can see and enjoy them and they can even get ahold of free copies of them, but we know that the original copy linked to the artist is owned by an individual.


Question: Are NFTs valuable?

No, NFTs are not inherently valuable. They’re only as valuable as the creation they’re tied to. NFTs are simply a technology to verify and track ownership of a file.

Is it worth buying an original vs a copy in the digital age? That’s completely up to the individual.

A Supreme Hypebeast will tell you that buying Supreme shirts isn’t just about owning an expensive branded shirt to them - it’s about supporting a culture they care about. At the same time, a fast-fashion fan will tell you that they prefer to buy counterfeit ‘Subpreme’ shirts at the local Chinatown because they’re cheaper.

Why are NFTs So Valuable if I Can Just Take a Screenshot? | Momint (2)

Ultimately, NFT technology gives you a way to support your favourite creators, enabling them to continue making cool things that you enjoy. Who knows, maybe that NFT you buy from a creator you caught early in their career will be worth millions one day.

Other posts you may enjoy

Read More
Blockchain
Web3
Momint News
International Business Magazine Honors Momint : Best Blockchain Technology Platform in South Africa for 2024

Momint shines as South Africa’s premier blockchain platform, clinching the 2024 Best Blockchain Technology award. Join us in pioneering a sustainable future.

2 min read

Read More
Blockchain
Blockchain and Solar: Empowering South Africa Against Loadshedding

Discover how blockchain and solar energy are joining forces to combat load shedding in South Africa. Invest in SunCash solar certificates and be a part of this transformative journey.

3 min read

Read More
Momint News
Blockchain
Discover What's New: Momint Version 3.07 Release Highlights

Introducing Momint Version 3.07! 🚀 Experience the future of Momint now.

4 min read

Read More
Momint News
NFTs
Web3
Crypto
What is a 'Buyout' for Solar Certificates?

Suncash has been making waves with its innovative solar projects. Let's dive into the prospect of Buyouts on Projects and what that could look like for you.

4 min read

Why are NFTs So Valuable if I Can Just Take a Screenshot? | Momint (2024)

FAQs

Why are NFTs So Valuable if I Can Just Take a Screenshot? | Momint? ›

NFT technology gives a file (in this case, a JPEG) an irrefutable ownership history - something that even real-world provenance documents cannot do. Further to that, because NFTs aren't fungible (are unique and cannot be replaced), the buyer has proof that they are the sole owner of an art piece, issued by the artist.

What's the point of NFTs if you can just screenshot? ›

Since this transaction is both available to anyone and can't be altered, it's easy to identify the true owner of that NFT. Even if someone else takes a screenshot of that image file, they don't have the blockchain transaction to prove that they own the NFT.

Why are NFTs worth anything? ›

For instance, you can trade one bitcoin for another, but you cannot necessarily trade one NFT for another. This uniqueness is what gives NFTs their value. Each token is associated with a specific digital or physical asset, which could range from digital art and music to virtual land.

Can I screenshot an NFT and sell it? ›

However, while NFTs are accessible to anyone online, it doesn't mean you have the right to create a copy and claim ownership. In fact, screenshotting NFTs is illegal if you try to sell them or pass them off as your own. There's more to an NFT than just a picture.

What stops people from just screenshotting NFTs? ›

However, you cannot screenshot an NFT and sell it due to the underlying copyright and license laws. This is equal to discrediting the original creator. It simply means passing someone's work as your own, nothing but a fraud.

What is the actual point of NFTs? ›

The idea behind NFTs is to create tokens that represent ownership. The token could represent anything from a digital image to partial ownership of an interstellar spaceship. In theory, because they are created using blockchain technology, they are immutable, secure, and don't require the intervention of third parties.

Why do people buy NFTs? ›

Many people are also serious collectors and enjoy buying NFTs to invest in an artist or musician as they simply love collecting unique artwork or cool digital collectibles. Gamers buy NFTs for various reasons too, perhaps to upgrade their gameplay or to own a valuable in-game item.

Are all NFTs now worthless? ›

Nearly all of the NFTs on the market today are reportedly worthless. This marks quite the fall from grace for the NFT, which saw a meteoric rise starting in 2021. It's estimated that 23 million people bought NFTs — and it wasn't just about sales.

What is the main purpose of NFTs? ›

What are NFTs used for? NFTs are tokens used to represent ownership of unique items. NFTs allow their creators to tokenize things like art, collectibles, or even real estate.

Do people actually make money with NFTs? ›

The direct and effective method of making money with NFTs is to create and sell them. Yes, you can create and sell anything digital such as arts, images, videos, memes, properties, etc., as NFTs. If you have a notch to creativity, you can monetize all your creations by selling them as NFT.

Is it illegal to screenshot an NFT and use it as a profile picture? ›

As a result, general copyright laws and ownership rules prevent them from being unrightfully used. So, saving a copy of an NFT to your computer or phone for personal use isn't illegal as long as you don't resell the screenshot or pass it off as your own work.

Why can't I screenshot an NFT? ›

You can absolutely screenshot the image that comes with an NFT, but that's not actually what an NFT is; it's only a feature that comes with it. See, NFTs come in two parts. The image behind the NFT, which you're probably familiar with, and the code or smart contract that makes an NFT an NFT.

What is the most expensive NFT? ›

1. The Merge – $91 Million. The most expensive NFT sold is The Merge, the NFT collection created by digital artist PAK that was sold for $91,806,516 within just 48 hours following its release on December 3, 2021, on the NFT marketplace Nifty Gateway.

Why can t you just copy an NFT? ›

Is it possible to copy NFTs? Non-fungible tokens are unique, meaning that it is impossible to copy them. If you try to duplicate an NFT, you will end up with two different tokens, each with its own unique set of attributes.

Why are people against NFT? ›

Perceived Lack of Inherent Value. A major source of NFT skepticism stems from the perception that they lack inherent value. To critics, NFTs seem like absurdly overpriced images or media that can be easily copied or screenshotted.

What happens if someone uses your art as an NFT? ›

If you find out your artwork has been stolen and minted as an NFT, let the marketplace it is being sold on know. You can also use the DMCA process to have it removed from whatever website it was posted to.

Can you get in trouble for Screenshotting an NFT? ›

While taking NFT screenshots is not illegal; we shall admit that there are still many issues to solve when it comes to determining whether and how intellectual property shall be protected in the world of NFT projects.

What is the point of collecting NFTs? ›

NFTs have become so valuable assets that not just the big-time investors, but common people are also looking to invest their money in them. If you are still thinking about what is the point of buying NFTs, it is Authenticity and Rarity.

What is the point of investing in NFTs? ›

NFTs are blockchain representations of an asset. NFT investing is helpful for establishing a clear chain of ownership over an asset, but it still includes the possibility of counterfeiting, fraud, and money laundering.

What is the actual use of NFTs? ›

Non-fungible tokens use blockchain technology to digitally signify ownership. NFTs may change how you buy a home, get insurance, borrow money, and more. NFTs can be used for many applications beyond collecting digital art.

Top Articles
Are Self Storage Units Profitable?
Sam's Club membership on sale for $14 | AppleInsider
Use Copilot in Microsoft Teams meetings
Dr Doe's Chemistry Quiz Answer Key
Shaniki Hernandez Cam
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Buys Shares of 798,472 AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS)
Top Golf 3000 Clubs
You can put a price tag on the value of a personal finance education: $100,000
Caroline Cps.powerschool.com
Saw X | Rotten Tomatoes
Cnnfn.com Markets
Springfield Mo Craiglist
Craigslist Farm And Garden Cincinnati Ohio
Busted Barren County Ky
N2O4 Lewis Structure & Characteristics (13 Complete Facts)
Illinois VIN Check and Lookup
Hermitcraft Texture Pack
Ubg98.Github.io Unblocked
Www Craigslist Com Bakersfield
Homeaccess.stopandshop
Greenville Sc Greyhound
Walgreens 8 Mile Dequindre
Everything To Know About N Scale Model Trains - My Hobby Models
Craigslist Apartments In Philly
Bra Size Calculator & Conversion Chart: Measure Bust & Convert Sizes
Big Boobs Indian Photos
How rich were the McCallisters in 'Home Alone'? Family's income unveiled
Gridwords Factoring 1 Answers Pdf
Phone number detective
Craigslist Ludington Michigan
Sedano's Supermarkets Expands to Orlando - Sedano's Supermarkets
67-72 Chevy Truck Parts Craigslist
10 Most Ridiculously Expensive Haircuts Of All Time in 2024 - Financesonline.com
Closest 24 Hour Walmart
Umiami Sorority Rankings
Puffco Peak 3 Red Flashes
Ludvigsen Mortuary Fremont Nebraska
Nancy Pazelt Obituary
QVC hosts Carolyn Gracie, Dan Hughes among 400 laid off by network's parent company
Blackwolf Run Pro Shop
Mynord
Jimmy John's Near Me Open
Gander Mountain Mastercard Login
Argus Leader Obits Today
Theatervoorstellingen in Nieuwegein, het complete aanbod.
Rick And Morty Soap2Day
Barber Gym Quantico Hours
Congressional hopeful Aisha Mills sees district as an economical model
라이키 유출
Jasgotgass2
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanael Baumbach

Last Updated:

Views: 5783

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanael Baumbach

Birthday: 1998-12-02

Address: Apt. 829 751 Glover View, West Orlando, IN 22436

Phone: +901025288581

Job: Internal IT Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Motor sports, Flying, Skiing, Hooping, Lego building, Ice skating

Introduction: My name is Nathanael Baumbach, I am a fantastic, nice, victorious, brave, healthy, cute, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.