What Is an NFT collection? | CoinMarketCap (2023)

Explore what NFT collections are and learn more about some of the most popular ones like CryptoPunks, BAYC and more as we dive into their value, variety and impact on the NFT market.

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have greatly impacted the digital art and collectibles industry, attracting numerous creators, traders and collectors. The NFT market has experienced remarkable growth recently, reaching a market cap of over $3 billion and an all-time sales volume of more than $61 billion. This rapid expansion is mainly due to the increasing popularity of NFT collections, which skillfully combine digital art, collectibles and community involvement.

Among the frontrunners in this space are iconic NFT collections like CryptoPunks, Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), Meebits, Azuki and more, which have racked up impressive all-time trading volumes of 1.12M ETH, 1.26M ETH, 3.67M ETH and 594K ETH respectively.

Individual NFTs can also make a significant impact in the market. For example, Alien CryptoPunk #3100, a rare piece from the coveted CryptoPunk collection, sold for a staggering 4200 ETH, — $7.58 million at the time of transaction. However, that was not the most expensive CryptoPunk ever sold — CryptoPunk #5822 cost CEO of Chain, Deepak Thapliyal, an astounding $23.7 million (8000 ETH).

In this article, we will navigate the world of NFT collections, highlighting their value, distinct varieties, and diving into some of the top NFT collections. Moreover, we will examine the impact of NFT marketplaces, tackle legal and intellectual property matters, analyze financial factors, and look at developments in this rapidly evolving area.

Subscribe

(Video) NFTs, Explained

Join us in showcasing the cryptocurrency revolution, one newsletter at a time. Subscribe now to get daily news and market updates right to your inbox, along with our millions of other subscribers (that’s right, millions love us!) — what are you waiting for?

Understanding NFT Collections

An NFT collection is a digital art collection which constitutes a limited number of unique NFTs created by an artist (or group of artists). Typically, NFTs under a collection contain a similar artistic style, but possesses individual traits and rarity. The number of NFTs in a collection differs, for instance BAYC features 10,000 PFP (profile picture) apes, while PudgyPenguins is an 8,888-piece collection.

Key Features of NFT Collections

NFT collections typically display several distinct attributes, such as:

  • Uniqueness and limited availability: Each item within an NFT collection is one-of-a-kind and typically contain traits which contribute to its rarity
  • Blockchain-based: NFT collections utilize blockchain technology to ensure provenance, ownership and transferability of assets.
  • Cohesiveness: Components of an NFT collection may be linked through a narrative, theme, or artistic approach, promoting a sense of unity and camaraderie among collectors.
  • Exchangeable and valuable: NFT collections often have a secondary market where enthusiasts can buy, sell or swap individual assets.

The Growing Significance of NFT Collections in the Digital Art and Collectibles Sector

NFT collections play an increasingly crucial role in the digital art and collectibles arena, as they:

  • Offer innovative opportunities for artists and creators to monetize their work.
  • Foster a sense of community among collectors with similar interests.
  • Stimulate investment and engagement within the NFT market.
  • Promote the adoption of blockchain technology across various creative and entertainment industries.

Popular NFT Collection

CryptoPunks

Source: https://cryptopunks.app/

CryptoPunks, a pioneering NFT collection consisting of 24x24 pixel-art images, has set the standard for numerous NFT projects since its creation. Developed in 2017 by two Canadian software developers from New York City's Larva Labs, CryptoPunks was later acquired by Yuga Labs, creators of Bored Ape Yacht Club, in 2021. With over $2 billion in lifetime sales, these NFT PFPs can be thought of as digital status symbols.

Bored Ape Yacht Club

The Bored Ape Yacht Club is an NFT collection featuring 10,000 unique primates that function as NFT PFPs and grant access to special perks. The collection has reached an all-time sales volume of 1,262,351.44 ETH. Bored Ape #8817 holds the record for the highest-priced NFT in the collection, selling at an impressive $3.4 million. Although it isn't the rarest NFT in the collection (ranked 17th by Rarity Tools), its appeal stems from the unique combination of its rare attributes. #8817 features golden fur set against an orange backdrop, a whimsical spinner hat atop its head, and a blue and white party horn playfully protruding from its mouth. BAYC are also popular with celebrities, with notable collectors including Madonna, Shaq, Eminem and Snoop Dogg.

(Video) NFT Explained 🔥 What is a good NFT Collection to Buy?

Meebits

Source: https://meebits.app/

From the creators of CryptoPunks, Larva Labs, this is another algorithm-generated avatar project called Meebits. In contrast to their previous work, this collection of 20,000 avatars features low-poly and voxel 3D graphics, reminiscent of the iconic visuals from Minecraft. The intent behind this design choice is to facilitate the exploration of virtual worlds, gaming environments and virtual reality experiences. It has the second-highest all-time trading volume at 3,671,502.46 ETH.

Mutant Ape Yacht Club

Source: opensea.io

The Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) represents Yuga Labs' subsidiary NFT collection, consisting of 20,000 unique collectibles. These can only be generated when Bored Ape Yacht Club token holders subject their apes to one of three mutant serums (by using a smart contract integration) that were airdropped to their wallets during the launch. MAYC has an all-time trading volume of 951,551.91 ETH.

Art Blocks

Source: https://www.artblocks.io/collections/curated/projects

Art Blocks functions as a collective of diverse collections. It is a generative art project encompassing numerous art releases from contemporary artists who create using code. The styles range from intricate linework to digital cubism or even imitations of ink on paper. Intriguingly, these art-based NFTs are bought without previewing the actual piece. The buying process involves selecting an NFT based on a collection's cover art. Upon purchase, an algorithm generates a wholly unique artwork on the spot, incorporating features that maintain cohesion with the original.

Azuki

Source: https://www.azuki.com/gallery

(Video) Easiest Way To Create An NFT And Sell It in 2023 (Complete Guide)

Created by Chiru Labs, a Los Angeles-based startup, Azuki is a collection of 10,000 anime-style NFT characters. Frequently donned as PFP NFTs, they enable users to define their Web3 representation, typically on Crypto Twitter. Furthermore, owning an Azuki grants entrance to "The Garden," an exclusive virtual community where artists, builders and metaverse enthusiasts can collaborate on various Web3 initiatives.

How To Create an NFT Collection

Defining Your Interests and Objectives

Before assembling an NFT collection, it's essential to identify your passions and goals. Determine which digital assets resonate with you and decide whether your primary objective is to appreciate and display your collection or view it as an investment.

Investigating and Choosing NFTs for Your Collection

  • Explore various NFT marketplaces, galleries and social media platforms to find NFT collections that align with your interests.
  • Get to know the creators behind the NFTs, their vision and the community that supports the collection.
  • Evaluate the rarity, historical value and potential future value of the NFTs you are considering for your collection.
  • Stay up-to-date on upcoming releases, auctions and drops to secure the opportunity to obtain desired NFTs.

Safeguarding and Administering Your NFT Assets

  • Select a secure digital wallet, such as MetaMask, Trust Wallet or Ledger, to store and manage your NFTs.
  • Regularly back up your wallet and ensure access to the recovery phrase or private keys to protect your collection from loss.
  • Monitor your NFT assets using portfolio management tools or specialized NFT platforms like NFT Bank or Rarity Tools.

Displaying and Showcasing Your NFT Collection

  • Share your NFT collection on social media platforms, online galleries or virtual reality environments.
  • Consider integrating your NFTs into virtual spaces, such as Decentraland or Cryptovoxels, to create immersive experiences for yourself and others.
  • Participate in online forums, Discord servers or Telegram groups to discuss your collection, share insights and stay informed about news and trends in the NFT space.

The Role of NFT Marketplaces in NFT Collections

NFT marketplaces serve as crucial online hubs that facilitate the buying, trading and selling of NFTs. These platforms significantly contribute to the development of NFT collections. Well-known NFT marketplaces include OpenSea, Blur, LooksRare, Rarible, SuperRare and Foundation.

NFT marketplaces enable users to explore and discover NFTs that align with their interests and desired collections. These platforms also offer multiple transaction methods, such as auctions, fixed-price bids and “sweep-the-floor” bids, allowing collectors to acquire or trade NFTs according to their preferences.

How To Determine the Value and Uniqueness of NFTs in Collections

Firstly, look at the historical records. NFT marketplaces commonly provide access to past sales data and price graphs, allowing users to estimate the value of NFTs and make well-informed decisions when buying or trading.

Second, assess the uniqueness and scarcity of that NFT: There are NFT platforms that rank and include statistics which show the traits and rarity of individual NFTs within the collection. This can assist users in measuring the uniqueness and scarcity of NFTs within collections, factors that can affect their worth and attractiveness.

Finally, some NFT marketplaces permit users to devise their own appraisals or pricing structures, aiding in the establishment of a more accurate market value for NFTs in a collection.

(Video) Your NFT Art Won't Sell Unless You Do This

The Effects of Royalties and Fees on NFT Collections

The recent royalty war between OpenSea and Blur at the start of 2023 signifies the importance, and difficulties, of managing royalties and fees to attract traders and reward creators. While upstart Blur has surpassed OpenSea in royalty payments, and trading volume, it remains to be seen if this is sustainable —many traders are incentivized by Blur’s airdrop token rewards.

Regardless, here are some royalties and fees that users should take note of when buying NFTs:

Royalties for creators: A number of NFT marketplaces employ royalty systems, giving creators a share each time their NFTs are resold on secondary markets, which influences the overall value of an NFT collection.

Fees imposed by marketplaces: NFT marketplaces generally levy fees for services such as listing, buying or selling NFTs.

Blockchain-related Costs: As NFTs operate on blockchain technology, users often encounter gas fees for activities like minting, purchasing, or transferring NFTs, affecting the expenditures associated with maintaining an NFT collection.

This article contains links to third-party websites or other content for information purposes only (“Third-Party Sites”). The Third-Party Sites are not under the control of CoinMarketCap, and CoinMarketCap is not responsible for the content of any Third-Party Site, including without limitation any link contained in a Third-Party Site, or any changes or updates to a Third-Party Site. CoinMarketCap is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by CoinMarketCap of the site or any association with its operators.This article is intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only. It is important to do your own research and analysis before making any material decisions related to any of the products or services described. This article is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial advice. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s [company’s] own and do not necessarily reflect those of CoinMarketCap.

FAQs

What Is an NFT collection? | CoinMarketCap? ›

An NFT collection is a digital art collection which constitutes a limited number of unique NFTs created by an artist (or group of artists).

What defines an NFT collection? ›

NFT meaning and definition

Non-fungible means that something is unique and can't be replaced. By contrast, physical money and cryptocurrencies are fungible, which means they can be traded or exchanged for one another. Every NFT contains a digital signature which makes each one unique.

How many items should an NFT collection have? ›

Unwritten guidelines state that a project should contain 4,000– 10,000 NFTs. This varies widely,though,as some collections only have 50 or 250 NFTs. Of course,there is one-of-a-kind digital art on the other end of the range.

What does an NFT collection look like? ›

An NFT collection is an assortment of digital assets released by an artist (or group of artists) containing a limited number of individual NFTs. Typically, most NFT collections consist of numerous NFTs that all conform to the same artistic style, with slight variations across each individual token.

What makes an NFT collection good? ›

Think of ways you can add detail and thoughtfulness to your artwork. The more unique, the more collectors will likely be interested. Additional value can be created from showcasing your artist—NFT fans love to help emerging artists and love to contribute to their success.

How many pieces of art are in an NFT collection? ›

As the name implies, an NFT collection is basically a unique collection of NFTs. The unspoken convention is that most NFT collections span between 5,000 and 10,000 tokens, featuring variations of the same design that make some much rarer than others.

What does collection mean on OpenSea? ›

'Mintable' collections, like Rarible and Cargo, are collections where users are able to freely mint NFTs onto shared smart contracts. The minting doesn't happen on OpenSea - we just show the available items and allow users to list them for sale.

What is a good NFT collection size? ›

Usually, the dimensions for a pixel NFT image are 32 × 32px because the art just feels natural at this size. Also, it's the most commonly used pixel art size. However, NFT artists also create pixel art in other dimensions including 64 × 64px, 32 × 32px, 24 × 24px, 20 × 20px, and 16 × 16px.

How many traits do you need for a 5000 NFT collection? ›

If you have 50 different traits images designed with Photoshop or other tools then I can transform your 50 images into 5k NFTs. It is better if you choose 2.5K for 50 images because the rarity level will be good. For 5K NFT's 100 traits of images is perfect.

How do people make 10,000 NFT collections? ›

To make 10,000 NFTs, you need 10 layers with 4 variations each. Of course, it will be very difficult to combine 10,000 images manually. Therefore, you will need NFT-Generator to do so. The number that appears at the top right corner of each variation is the rarity percentage of the variation.

What is considered rare in an NFT collection? ›

An NFT's rarity plays a role in its perceived cultural and artistic significance. For example, an nonfungible token (NFT) that is the only one of its kind and possesses significant cultural or historical value may be considered a rare and must-have artifact.

What makes an NFT collection sell? ›

Rarity. Some non-fungible tokens have unique traits that will drive up their prices. An example, the popular Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT collection has less than 1% apes with the “laser eyes” trait. If your NFT has a very rare trait, go ahead and price it above the historical average.

How much does the average NFT collection sell? ›

The average NFT sale price was a more modest $372.38, according to CryptoSlam. The $780 million of sales seen last month is a fraction of the roughly $5 billion seen last January and $2.7 billion in May, before the market took a non-fungible nosedive along with much of the crypto world.

What should I look for in an NFT collection? ›

If you find a project where the creator has a good track record, a positive social status, and a team that seems to understand how to build a brand, then you are likely on the right path to finding the best long-term NFT for your collection.

What style of NFT sells best? ›

Art is the most popular form of NFT out there. Because of that, art is also the kind of NFT that sells the best.

Is it worth creating an NFT collection? ›

Making NFTs can be a profitable investment

Due to the costs, you need to prepare for the possibility that you could lose money on your NFT creation. The best way to avoid a loss is to make sure you sell an NFT that others will find valuable and set a minimum price that will more than offset any associated fees.

What is the average NFT artist? ›

An NFT artist average hourly rate in the United States as of August 16th, 2022, is $19.91, according to Zip Recruiter.

How many layers do you need for a 10000 NFT collection? ›

You need at least 4 traits with 10 different variations/layers to create 10,000 unique NFTs. You can create 10,000 NFTs with 1 trait, but then all 10,000 NFTs would look the same.

How many pieces of art should be in a collection? ›

Include Many Works In Your Collections

We have already mentioned that they should have at least eight to ten art pieces in your collection. But that is the minimum number, and you should have more of them. Surveys have revealed that with a higher number of works, chances of selling more art pieces go higher.

What is the maximum collection on OpenSea? ›

OpenSea Reveals new Mint Limit

OpenSea revealed that it had updated its collection storefront contract limits to only allow five collections per NFT wallet or user and a maximum of 50 items or NFT collectibles in each collection.

How much does it cost to list an NFT collection on OpenSea? ›

Typically, OpenSea receives a 2.5% fee on all secondary sales. Users and partners can create NFTs for free at any time. For a limited period of time, you can list on OpenSea with 0% fees through OpenSea Pro for the most popular collections.

How much should I spend on an NFT? ›

Typically, the cost to create an NFT will range from $1-$500. However, in some cases the cost to create an NFT could be over $1000. Looking for inexpensive blockchain solutions that support lazy minting or gasless minting will help your organization control costs.

What is the average spending on an NFT? ›

19. Half of NFT sales cost less than $200, one-third costing less than $100. NFTs may be selling for millions, but only a handful of artists are getting rich from them. According to the research of a Canadian artist, over one third of NFT sales go for under $100 while over half (53.6%) sell for sub $200.

How many traits for a 10k NFT collection? ›

Think around 200 or so overall traits for a decent set.

It's usually more like 15 or so properties with 20+ traits within each one -- or much more.

How much does it cost to create 10,000 NFT collection? ›

The cost to mint one NFT can range from about $1 to over $1,000. The cost of minting 10 000 NFTs could be as low as $5000 to as high as $1 million, depending on the blockchain. The costs to mint a single NFT can vary from $1 to over $1,000, so it's important to understand how much a particular blockchain costs.

How much does it cost to mint a 1000 NFT collection? ›

The cost to mint an NFT will vary depending on the marketplace you use and the blockchain you mint on. To mint on Ethereum, the most popular blockchain for NFTs, you'll usually have to pay gas fees, which can get costly. Along with listing fees and commissions, your costs could range anywhere from $0.01 to $1000.

What is the fastest NFT collection to sell out? ›

Anthony Hopkins: The Eternal Collection gets sold out in 7 minutes, setting the record for the fastest NFT sell-out in OpenSea History.

Can I make millions with NFT? ›

Making and Selling of Digital Art: Individual NFT artworks are the most expensive non-Fungible coins in existence. Artists like Beeple have recently earned a fortune by licensing their work for millions of dollars.

How to mint 10,000 NFTs at once? ›

To do so, click on the ”Deploy” tab just below ”Solidity Compiler”. Then, select ”Injected Web3”, the right contract, and click on ”Deploy”. Once deployed, you'll receive a contract address that you can utilize to view the NFTs on the testnet version of OpenSea. That's it for this tutorial on how to mint 10,000 NFTs!

What percentage of NFT collections fail? ›

On average, one in three NFT collections have essentially expired, with little or no trading activity, blockchain analytics firm Nansen found.

What are the most popular NFT categories? ›

10 NFT types to fit your brand business strategy
  • Artistic tokens as part of NFT types.
  • Collectibles- NFT types. Digital collectibles. Trading cards NFT. ...
  • Utility & Security tokens.
  • Virtual real estate NFT.
  • Gaming tokens as NFT types.
  • NFT Wearables in Virtual Fashion.
  • Memes tokens as NFT types.
  • Music and Media tokens.

How do you know if NFT is high value? ›

Non-replaceable and scarce: One way you can gauge the value of NFTs is to find out how scarce and difficult it is to own a specific NFT. For example, the first-of-its-kind artwork by a prominent creator in the digital arts business, or an NFT published by a celebrity, are both examples of rarity.

Do you make money every time an NFT is sold? ›

An NFT royalty is a percentage of the sale price of an NFT that is pre-defined and paid to the creator or original owner each time their work is resold. Essentially, this feature allows creators to continue profiting from their NFTs, even after the initial sale.

How much does it cost to create a successful NFT collection? ›

Estimated cost - $0.01 - $2.00 per NFT minted + gas fee

These elements will have profound effects on the cost to mint the collection. You can reduce these costs by using features like Lazy Minting, but all that does is push the cost to later in the pipeline when each NFT is sold.

How do owners of NFT collections make money? ›

The firm sold tokens tied to 55,000 distinct parcels of land at around $6500 each, generating roughly $300 million in revenue. Royalties from secondary sales: Royalties from NFT collections give the original owner or company a percentage of the sale price each time a specific NFT is sold on a marketplace.

Are over 50% of all NFT sales below $200? ›

General sales statistics in the NFT market

More than 50% of NFT sales do not reach $200. NFT's weekly sales volume has gone from 100 sales in 2017 to 15,000 or even 50,000 in 2022. This is an awesome increase. In one month in 2021, over 1.5 million NFT art sales were recorded.

Is it easy to sell an NFT collection? ›

Most people interested in creating and selling NFTs are digital creatives. So in short: Yes, it is hard to sell an NFT unless you already have an audience. As with anything, you need to find your buyers, and they don't come just because you uploaded something on a marketplace or website.

How much is 100 NFT worth? ›

$0.00003680

Can a photo be sold as an NFT? ›

Yes, definitely! As already stated, any type of digital art can be turned into an NFT. So, if you have a photo that you think is worth selling, you can create an NFT for it. NFTs can be purchased the same way as photographic prints in the traditional market.

How do I get passive income from NFT? ›

Top 5 Ways To Earn Passive Income From NFTs
  1. NFT Royalties. As mentioned earlier, NFTs can be programmed to pay the original creator a royalty fee every time they are sold on a secondary market. ...
  2. Staking. ...
  3. NFT Farming. ...
  4. Renting Out NFTs. ...
  5. NFT Index Funds.
Feb 28, 2023

Which is the highest NFT profit? ›

Sale details: The most famous NFT sale (and the most expensive NFT sale to date) was Beeple's Everydays: The First 5000 Days for $69.3 million.

What is the difference between NFT contract and collection? ›

The NFT Collection contract is suitable for when you want to have a collection of unique NFTs, but not "drop" or "release" them for your community to claim. Unlike the NFT Drop contract, the NFT Collection contract does not lazy mint your NFTs. Instead, NFTs are minted immediately when they are added to the collection.

What is needed to create an NFT collection? ›

How to create and mint an NFT
  1. Decide what type of NFT you want to create. NFTs are versatile—you have plenty of options for choosing which type you want to create. ...
  2. Choose an NFT marketplace. ...
  3. Set up a crypto wallet. ...
  4. Buy crypto through an exchange. ...
  5. Connect your wallet to the NFT platform and mint.
Nov 27, 2022

How do you generate an NFT collection? ›

  1. Step 1: Create Layers in Photoshop. The first step in creating an NFT collection is to create the different layers that make up the NFT. ...
  2. Step 2: Generate NFTs and Metadata Files with Rarity. ...
  3. Step 3: Upload NFTs to the IPFS. ...
  4. Step 4: Create a Smart Contract and Mint the First NFT. ...
  5. Step 5: Sell NFTs on an NFT Marketplace.
Jan 25, 2023

Can anyone make an NFT collection? ›

Anyone can create an NFT, but it requires work. Thanks to the magic of blockchain technology and its permanent digital ledger, creating (also called “minting”) an NFT allows creators to always receive historical credit for its creation. That allows any NFT creator to set a fee or royalty when someone sells that asset.

What is the value of an NFT collection? ›

The value of NFTs is determined by the community; the market decides what they're worth, based on factors including what their previous work sold for, their portfolio of previous work, how long they have been creating and who has collected their work.

Can you create an NFT without collection? ›

So, yes, you can create NFTs without coding by utilizing available marketplaces like OpenSea, Rarible, NBA Top Shots and Binance. These NFT marketplaces are decentralized, digital platforms for buying and selling NFTs, Forbes says. Some platforms allow you to mint your own NFTs too.

Does it cost money to start an NFT collection? ›

On average, the cost of creating NFT ranges from $0.05 to over $150. The cost of creating NFTs depends on various factors such as the cost of blockchain, gas fee, marketplace account fee, listing fee etc. Ethereum and Solana are the most expensive and cheapest blockchain, respectively.

How much does the average NFT collection make? ›

15. The Majority of NFTs Sell for Less Than $200. While a number of NFTs have sold for millions of dollars, the reality is that the average selling price is much less. According to research shared by NonFungible.com, the average price of NFTs was about $150 per NFT for Q3 2022.

Videos

1. Watch this video before launching your NFT collection (BEST GUIDE | Must watch)
(Carl Hustle)
2. Nike NFT Collection
(#BitCrypto )
3. NFT Explained In 5 Minutes | What Is NFT? - Non Fungible Token | NFT Crypto Explained | Simplilearn
(Simplilearn)
4. Inside the World's "Most Significant" NFT Collection
(Motherboard)
5. How to create an NFT collection - Ultimate guide
(HashLips NFT)
6. How To Create An ENTIRE NFT Collection (10,000+) & MINT In Under 1 Hour Without Coding Knowledge
(codeSTACKr)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated: 05/08/2023

Views: 5756

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.