To understand this, let me take you through my experiences, from comic book collecting to the fascinating world of digital gaming and NFTs.

In my youth, the digital world was yet to bloom. We collected physical items like comic books and Garbage Pail Kids trading cards as kids. These special and unique items gave us a tangible sense of ownership. As I grew older, my interest in the individual and collectible drew me to the digital game Magic: The Gathering Online. The digital cards of this game were intriguingly akin to NFTs—unique digital assets with tangible value. Much like the comics of my childhood, these digital cards could be owned, traded, and even exchanged for physical cards—a truly groundbreaking concept!

CryptoKitties

As time passed, I encountered CryptoKitties in 2019—a whimsical yet revolutionary digital platform that offers unique digital cats, each represented as an NFT. The fascinating twist? You could breed two NFTs to create a brand-new, unique one. This playful exploration of digital assets sparked a realization of how transformative and creative the world of NFTs could be.

In understanding the timeline of NFTs, we must recognize the significant role of CryptoKitties. Launched in 2017, CryptoKitties was one of the first blockchain-based games. It introduced a broader audience to unique digital assets or NFTs. It turned digital cats into collectible, breedable, and sellable assets.

But the genesis of NFTs predates CryptoKitties. Colored coins and CryptoPunks laid the groundwork for NFTs. Colored coins, appearing around 2012-2013, were small denominations of a Bitcoin that were "colored" or marked to represent real-world assets. However, CryptoPunks, launched in 2017, months before CryptoKitties, deserves special mention. Comprising 10,000 uniquely generated characters, CryptoPunks became one of the first NFT projects on the Ethereum blockchain.

CryptoPunk

Investment in NFTs took a significant turn with the advent of CryptoPunks. Owning a CryptoPunk became akin to holding a digital status symbol. It was a tangible representation of being part of a groundbreaking movement—a digital Picasso. This is what led me to my acquisition of a CryptoPunk.

But why would someone buy a CryptoPunk or any NFT? The reasons vary as much as the owners themselves. Some see them as a digital investment, others as a novel artistic expression. And then there are those like me, who find in them a symbol of a new digital era—ownership and authenticity validated by technology, like holding a rare comic book or a unique trading card, owning an NFT like a CryptoPunk gives one a sense of special possession and participation in the digital world's unfolding history. It's a thrilling journey, and we're only just getting started!

Now, what exactly is an NFT? In simple terms, NFTs are unique digital assets that signify ownership of a specific item or content on the blockchain. The blockchain is a digital ledger that meticulously records transactions, providing an unalterable history. Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which are interchangeable or "fungible," each NFT carries unique information, making it distinct and non-interchangeable.

The beauty of this technology lies in its power to verify authenticity and ownership. In a world where duplication is rife, NFTs offer a way to ascertain the provenance of digital assets indisputably. This verification opens up the limitless potential for what we can do as a society, providing a new layer of trust and security in the digital world.

Changing the game

NFTs are not just changing the game for artists and creators by providing a new platform to sell their unique digital assets but also revolutionizing how we perceive value and ownership. From digital art and music to virtual real estate in digital worlds, NFTs are unlocking a universe of opportunities.

It's fascinating to see the parallels between my early fascination with unique collectibles and the rise of NFTs. My evolution from a collector of comics to a participant in the digital frontier of NFTs represents a microcosm of our societal shift towards the digital.

As an F-16 pilot, embracing new technologies and charting unfamiliar territories are part of my DNA. I see the same potential and exhilaration in the realm of NFTs. As we stand on the brink of this exciting digital frontier, please join me in this exploration. With curiosity as our guide, let's navigate the vast expanse of the digital universe together!

What do you think of NFTs? Let us know at The Portugal News!

Author

Chris Lehto, ex-F-16 pilot, and YouTuber, combines aviation expertise and passion for the unexplained to investigate UAPs. He founded the UAP Society, funding decentralised research into alien existence using NFTs.

Chris Lehto