NFTs. Just uttering those three little letters causes everyone to groan and hiss. One of the favorite attacks on it is to call it a fancy JPEG loop. And frankly, I get it. You've seen the headlines: Bored Apes plummeting in value, celebrities shilling questionable projects, and the overall feeling that the NFT bubble has well and truly burst. What if I told you that NFTs are still very much alive and the obituaries we keep reading have all been written early? Could it be that this Doodles’ rally is the first indication of not NFTs being dead, but rather just mischaracterized?

NFTs Aren't Just Digital Collectibles

Let’s not kid ourselves, the first excitement around NFTs was largely bubbling up from a speculative frenzy. Everyone was trying to buy digital assets to turn around and sell them at a markup. And when the market did finally correct, a lot of those people were left holding the bag. To conflate that speculative boom with what NFTs can truly do is to miss the bigger picture. This is akin to dismissing the entire internet because of a few infuriating pop-up ads.

Think about it. An NFT need not be more than that in its purest form, it is a unique digital asset, a token that represents ownership of something. And that “something” can be an artwork, a musical creation, a piece of virtual land, or even a tangible item in the real world. NFTs have a revolutionary potential. They build community, they elevate creators, and they disrupt industries far beyond the creative sector.

The Doodles boom, sparked by their recent introduction of a native DOOD token, is a case in point. It’s no longer enough to simply own a cute, colorful avatar. It's about being part of a community, participating in governance, and sharing in the project's success. DOOD token allows for live action engagement incentives and develops a deeper connection between the creators and the collectors. This is utility beyond simple ownership. This is community.

Sure, the NFT data doesn’t lie about depressed buyers (buying down 76.8%!) and sellers (selling down 74.42%). Yes, transaction volume is down. Yet these numbers, as awful as they may seem, instead underscore a robust correction. The speculative tourists have left, leaving behind a core group of believers who are genuinely interested in the technology and its potential. It's like the dot-com bubble bursting. The internet didn't die, it evolved. The result? It lost all of the unsustainable hype and came out a leaner, meaner, more purposeful and practical entity.

  • Traditional Art Market: Opaque, gatekeepers controlling access, artists often receiving a small fraction of the sale price.
  • NFT-Powered Art Market: Transparent, direct access for artists to their audience, artists retaining a larger share of profits, built-in royalties for future sales.

The issue wasn’t the technology—it was how it was used, the misunderstanding, and greed that drove the first boom. And so folks imagined NFTs being an easy way to get rich quick. When that failed, they declared the whole idea a bust. That’s like blaming the hammer when you crush your thumb while trying to nail together a house. As the old adage goes, the tool is only as good as the carpenter wielding it.

Speculation Killed The Narrative, Not NFTs

We must change the conversation from fear and guesswork to informed readiness. We need to train the public to be critical judges of NFT efforts. They need to read past the glossy render, understand what’s actually in the box—the technology, community, long-term vision—and demand a deeper engagement. This is where financial literacy becomes crucial. Just as you wouldn't invest in a stock without doing your research, you shouldn't buy an NFT without understanding its purpose and potential.

I'm a firm believer in decentralization. I truly believe that people should have more agency over their data, their money, and their artistry. That’s why I’m so excited about the potential of NFTs. Perhaps most importantly, they offer an alternative route out of centralized systems. This provides the public with opportunities to participate in a more fair and open economy.

Now, picture a world where artists retain the independence to canvas their art directly to their consumers. No longer do they need to rely on galleries or record labels! Picture a world where you have ownership of your digital identity—where the only people who know your personal information are the ones you want to have it. Picture this—a world where supply chains are transparent and easily traceable, helping to decrease the opportunity for fraud while providing proof of ethical sourcing. These are just a few examples of what’s possible, and NFTs open the door to much more.

Decentralization, Freedom, and You

The Doodles rally isn’t a one-day wonder — it reflects the fact that NFTs are maturing. They are going past the hype and into real world utility. It's time to re-evaluate your perspective and see NFTs for what they truly are: a powerful tool for decentralization, community building, and individual empowerment. The future is most definitely decentralized, and NFTs are at the forefront of making sure that’s where it stays. Don't get left behind.

So it’s high time that we cease the contrary practice and begin the one of understanding. The future of NFTs is now — and it’s more promising than you imagine.

So, what can you do?

  • Educate Yourself: Dive deeper into the world of NFTs. Read articles, watch videos, and join communities. Don't just listen to the hype; do your own research.
  • Support Artists: Discover and support artists who are using NFTs to create innovative and meaningful work.
  • Explore Use Cases: Look beyond digital collectibles and explore the diverse applications of NFTs in fields like DeFi, supply chain management, and digital identity.

The Doodles rally isn't just a blip on the radar; it's a sign that NFTs are evolving. They're moving beyond the hype and finding real-world utility. It's time to re-evaluate your perspective and see NFTs for what they truly are: a powerful tool for decentralization, community building, and individual empowerment. The future is decentralized, and NFTs are playing a key role in shaping it. Don't get left behind.

It's time to stop misunderstanding, and start understanding. The future of NFTs is here, and it's brighter than you think.