$ ~/learn/nfts cat▊
5 min read
// 07 · applications
NFTs beyond the hype
NFTs are a general-purpose primitive for provably unique digital objects — profile pictures were just the first use case.
> What they actually are
An NFT (non-fungible token) is a smart contract entry that records ownership of a unique ID. That ID can point to art, a domain name (ENS), a piece of music, a game item, or a real-world asset. The token proves ownership; what's owned is defined by the contract.
> Real utility
Domain names (.eth), event ticketing, tokenized real-world assets, in-game items with real ownership, verifiable credentials. The 2021 speculation cycle gave the tech a bad reputation, but the underlying primitive is quietly useful.