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One of the first stablecoins to come into existence, Dai was launched in 2017 and is maintained and regulated by MakerDAO. Using a series of smart contracts, Dai maintains a value of $1, or very close to it. Due to the coin’s soft peg to the US dollar, the Dai stablecoin not only provides a stable long-term store of value but also a strong medium of exchange. 

Let’s explore what Dai is and how it contributes to the crypto ecosystem. 

What Are Dai tokens?

Dai is an ERC-20-based stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. While more stablecoins hold the fiat currency to which they are pegged in reserves, the Dai stablecoin instead uses several cryptocurrencies to ensure it holds its peg. 

Supported cryptocurrencies include Ethereum (ETH), (BAT), USD Coin (USDC), Wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC), Compound (COMP), and many more. With a wide range of collateralized cryptocurrencies, user risk is decreased and Dai's price stability is increased.

Dai is issued and operated by the Maker Protocol and the MakerDAO (decentralized autonomous organization). Designed to provide a means of lending and borrowing crypto assets, the Dai stablecoin was at the forefront of the DeFi revolution. 

Holders of Dai can also earn interest. The platform also has another coin, MKR, which allows holders to set the Dai Savings Rate (DSR) and act as guarantors for Dai. This ensures that MKR tokens can be liquidated if the system fails. This structure motivates guarantors to ensure that the Dai system and its collateralized coins operate properly.

How do you generate Dai?

Users can generate Dai by paying collateral assets. Dai is created when users deposit ETH or any supported cryptocurrency as collateral. The equivalent amount of Dai is then issued and the user will receive Dai tokens.

If the Dai holders want the collateral assets back, the borrowed Dai can be paid back (plus a stability fee) and the collateral assets will be released. This Dai is then removed from circulation.

History of the Dai Stablecoin

The MakerDAO was first launched in 2015 by Rune Christensen and is the longest-running protocol on the Ethereum blockchain to date. It holds more than 2.3 million ETH in its protocol, approximately 2% of Ethereum’s total supply.

When first created, only Ether could be used as collateral, however, in 2019 more cryptocurrencies were added to this list. The Dai price has always been soft pegged to the US dollar.

How Does DAI Work?

The Dai cryptocurrency is an ERC-20 token that can be bought on both centralized and decentralized exchanges (DEXs). Users can also generate and borrow Dai by using MakerDAO's Oasis Borrow dashboard to establish a Maker collateral vault and put Ethereum-based assets in as collateral.

In its original use, the Maker protocol stored collateral in smart contracts known as maker collateral vaults. These smart contracts held collateral in escrow until the borrowed Dai was repaid, also known as collateralized debt positions (CDPs). The value of the security you send always exceeds the amount of DAI you receive otherwise the collateral will be liquidated. 

The Dai platform is one of the most integrated digital assets in the blockchain industry and can be utilized across decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and blockchain-based games, among other places.

The Advantages of DAI

No Minimum Amount Required

There is no minimum account balance required to use DAI, as there is with most other types of money. A lot of people around the world do not have the minimal amount of assets needed in order to qualify for a bank account, but there is no minimum balance requirement for utilizing DAI.

Price Stability

DAI can serve as a safe alternative store of money and access to financial inclusion for people who live in places where the economy is unstable.

Decentralized Financial Inclusion (smart contracts)

As DAI is a transparent and permissionless system, it allows users to have greater freedom over their money. Zimbabwe and Myanmar, for example, have been recognized as countries where people are limited in their ability to access fiat currency due to daily or monthly withdrawal restrictions on bank accounts imposed by the government.

Passive Income

Users can use DAI tokens to earn money through lockup and interest generation through the DAI Savings Rate system. Because DAI is based on the Ethereum blockchain, it doesn't have its own staking mechanism.

Owners of DAI tokens, on the other hand, may profit by putting DAI into a MakerDAO smart contract. This unique smart contract system protects the user's money and allows for immediate withdrawal.

Quick And Cost-Effective Transactions

In many cases, international wire transfer fees can be extremely high, and the time it takes to complete a transaction might be inconvenient. Global transactions between two users' wallets are made more transparent and efficient due to DAI's low transfer fees and quick processing times.

Operates 24/7

Traditional financial institutions operate only during "business" hours. As a result, transactions through such organizations may be delayed for days and will only finalize after banking institutions are open and transfers have been completed. Transactions can now be completed at any time of the year and on any day of the week using DAI and the Ethereum blockchain.

Continuously Vetted

The MakerDAO system has been found to conduct thorough checks and studies in order to guarantee the platform's security. Developers formally validate all smart contracts and core protocol elements that make up the system's internal architecture through mathematical analysis. Always DYOR (Do Your Own Research) and fully understand any DeFi protocol before using it.

As we explore the world of crypto assets, we take a look at the different types of crypto assets on the market and at the wide range of diversity in the new-age industry. As more people enter the market and start exchanging digital assets, the industry grows and expands to allow new variations.

Below we explore the vast diversity in the industry, from crypto assets used as money to ones that reward users for viewing a website. Each business offers a unique solution, and to navigate this we offer you guidance below.

What Are Crypto Assets?

The terms "crypto asset" and "cryptocurrency" can be used interchangeably. They both refer to a digital asset built using blockchain that can be transferred in a direct peer-to-peer manner. The first crypto asset to launch is Bitcoin, which entered (and created) the scene in 2009. Since then thousands of crypto assets have been created, each one with its own unique use case.

The Different Types Of Crypto Assets

While crypto assets might fall into one or more categories, each has its own set of rules and use cases. 

Payment-Focused

These crypto assets can be used to pay for everyday goods and services or as a store of value (in some cases). These include the likes of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), etc.

Stablecoins

Stablecoins are crypto assets that have their value pegged to a fiat currency or commodity. These crypto assets are designed to bypass the volatility synonymous with the crypto market. These include the likes of Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC).

Privacy Coins

Privacy coins are digital assets that hide details of the transaction, such as the origin, destination and amount. These crypto assets offer untraceable monetary transfers. These include the likes of Monero (XMR) and ZCash (ZEC).

CBDCs

Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are crypto assets built and maintained by banks. Used as digital currencies alongside the traditional currency, CBDCs are designed to provide a digital version of the local fiat to which the value is pegged. 

Governance Tokens

Common among decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, governance tokens provide holders with a say in the platform and in future updates. 

Utility Tokens

Utility tokens will typically provide a service to the holder on the platform on which it was created. Commonly created using the ERC-20 token standard, utility tokens might represent a subscription on a platform or a use case specific to that ecosystem. 

Non-Fungible Tokens

Non-fungible tokens, also known as NFTs, are crypto assets that cannot be used interchangeably and instead hold unique and rare properties. Each NFT represents a singular function that cannot be changed.

How Are Crypto Assets Created And Distributed?

Before crypto assets are created the project's intentions are generally circulated through a white paper. In this white paper, the asset's tokenomics will be outlined which will cover how the asset is created and distributed.

Bitcoin, for example, uses a Proof of Work consensus which means that new coins are entered into circulation through miners solving complex mathematical problems. The network was designed to only ever have 21 million coins created, and new coins are slowly entered into the system each time a miner verifies and adds a new block to the blockchain. 

Ethereum on the other hand has no limit to the number of ETH that can be created. The platform is currently moving from a PoW to a Proof of Stake consensus, which alters the way in which transactions are verified, however, new coins still enter circulation through verifying transactions. 

XRP minted all its coins prelaunch and slowly release them into the system through a central authority while Tether creates USDT on demand. For each $1 sent, 1 USDT is created, which can later be removed from circulation should it be sold. 

The Future Of Crypto Assets

With the ICO Boom in 2017, the DeFi boom in 2020 and the more recent NFT Craze, crypto assets aren't going anywhere. With constant innovation and increasing adoption, crypto assets have become an integral part of the modern day financial landscape.

While mainstream adoption is on the rise, a few wrinkles still need to be ironed out. For one, regulatory bodies around the world are working toward creating legal frameworks in which these crypto assets can exist, while centralized banks are exploring whether CBDCs can co-exist with their physical counterparts. While the world seeks to figure these out, one this is for certain: crypto assets are here, and the industry is becoming bigger by the day. 

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Cryptocurrency forks play a significant role in the development and evolution of blockchain technology. Crypto forks occur when a blockchain network undergoes a split, resulting in the creation of two or more distinct chains, each with its own sets of rules and often its own cryptocurrencies. This division can happen through different types of cryptocurrency forks, namely hard and soft forks.

Understanding blockchain forks is an essential element for those interested in understanding and/or trading cryptocurrencies. They represent pivotal moments in the blockchain's journey, where decisions are made, new features are introduced, and disagreements are resolved. By comprehending the concept of cryptocurrency forks, investors, users, and developers can navigate the landscape of digital currencies more effectively.

Crypto forks not only provide opportunities for innovation and technological advancements but also hold implications for the broader community. They can spark debates, divide communities, and even impact the market dynamics of cryptocurrencies. 

What is a soft fork?

A soft fork is a type of cryptocurrency fork that generally introduces backward-compatible changes to the blockchain protocol. Unlike hard forks, soft forks do not require all participants to upgrade their software to continue using the network. This means that users can choose whether or not to adopt the new features or rules implemented by the soft crypto fork.

For example, a soft fork that increases transaction speed doesn’t require everyone to upgrade their software. If you don’t upgrade your software, however, you will not be able to take part in any future transactions using the new feature (ie: faster transaction speeds). 

These types of forks are a great way for new changes to be implemented without creating an entirely new cryptocurrency. Below we review two notable soft forks.

The SegWit fork

In 2017, the Bitcoin blockchain underwent a soft cryptocurrency fork known as the Segregated Witness (SegWit) Bitcoin protocol update. It aimed to address the scalability issue of the Bitcoin network by separating transactional data from signature data, allowing for more transactions to be included in each block

Before the SegWit upgrade, Bitcoin's protocol was both more expensive and slower, with transactions costing about $30 each and taking around an hour to complete. The inventors of the SegWit change recognized that signature data accounts for 65% of a transactional block. As a result, SegWit proposed moving the effective block size from 1MB to 4MB.

The motivation for this increase was to separate or delete the signer data from the transactional data on every blockchain block, allowing for greater transaction throughput per block.

With the new fork, the old Bitcoin blockchain was able to accept both new 4MB and 1MB blocks at the same time. The soft fork enabled the existing nodes to validate the new blocks via a clever engineering approach that formatted new rules without breaking existing ones.

The Byzantium and Constantinople soft forks

These were two consecutive soft forks on the Ethereum blockchain, implemented in 2017 and 2019, respectively. These forks introduced new features to the blockchain's protocol, such as improved security and privacy, as well as changes to the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).

Soft forks have a relatively lower impact on the blockchain and crypto community compared to hard forks. Since they are backward-compatible, users who don't upgrade their software can still participate in the network, although they may not be able to take advantage of the new rules and features introduced by the soft fork. 

Soft forks generally aim to improve the efficiency, security, or functionality of the blockchain without causing a complete split in the network.

What is a hard fork?

Hard forks are more disruptive and result in the creation of two separate blockchains, each with its own set of rules and cryptocurrencies. A hard fork occurs when there’s a fundamental change to the blockchain, such as upgrading one of its core technical components (ie: blocksize). 

This requires everyone who uses that blockchain to upgrade their software or else they will no longer be able to participate on the network. Users can also opt to be a part of both networks that result from the blockchain split. For example, Bitcoin Gold is a hard fork of Bitcoin that aims to decentralize the mining process offering two very different use cases.

Hard forks are a common occurrence in the cryptocurrency industry, with many big cryptocurrencies being the product of a successful hard fork. Below we explore two notable hard forks. 

The Bitcoin Cash fork

The Bitcoin Cash fork is a prime example of a hard fork. In 2017, following a disagreement within the Bitcoin community about the future of the original cryptocurrency, a group of developers and miners got together to form a new and improved version of the cryptocurrency's network known as Bitcoin Cash. The Bitcoin Cash hard fork was implemented with the upgraded blockchain utilizing a new version of the underlying code, and a new cryptocurrency labeled BCH.

The most significant change to the Bitcoin Cash network was the block size increase to 8MB, allowing for faster transaction speeds, more transactions to get verified at once, and lower transaction fees. The new version of the network also increased the difficulty to ensure the security of the network would not be compromised. In March 2022, the block size limit was increased to 32MB.

There have been many Bitcoin forks over the years, with Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin being the two most well-known.

The Ethereum Classic fork

Ethereum Classic originated from a hard fork of the Ethereum blockchain in 2016. The fork occurred due to a disagreement over how to handle a security breach in the DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization). Ethereum Classic maintained the original blockchain, while Ethereum (ETH) continued on the new forked chain.

A hard fork can have significant implications for the blockchain and its community. They often result from divided opinions or visions within the community, leading to the creation of new cryptocurrencies. A hard fork can bring about new features, address scalability concerns, or resolve contentious issues, but it can also cause community divisions and introduce volatility into the market.

Market effects and price volatility

Crypto forks can have a significant impact on the cryptocurrency market, often leading to price volatility and market reactions. The effects are driven by a combination of factors, including investor sentiment, community support, and the perceived value of the newly forked cryptocurrencies.

1. Forks can impact cryptocurrency prices by creating uncertainty and divergent market expectations. Prior to a fork, investors may exhibit cautious behavior, leading to increased selling pressure as they seek to secure their holdings or reallocate their assets. This uncertainty stems from concerns about the viability and market reception of the forked cryptocurrencies.
2. Market reactions to major forks have been observed in various instances. For example, during the Bitcoin Cash crypto fork in 2017, the anticipation and subsequent launch of the new cryptocurrency caused a surge in trading volumes and price volatility. Similarly, when Bitcoin Cash itself underwent a contentious hard fork in 2018, resulting in the creation of Bitcoin SV, the market witnessed significant price fluctuations and increased trading activity.

These reactions reflect the market's response to the perceived value and potential utility of the forked cryptocurrencies. Investors and traders assess factors such as community support, technological enhancements, and the ability to solve existing challenges. Depending on the market's reception, prices can experience both short-term spikes and long-term shifts as market participants adjust their positions and reassess their expectations.

It's important to note that the impact of crypto forks on prices and market dynamics can vary. While some forks generate significant market buzz and trading activity, others may have a more muted effect. Factors such as the size and influence of the community, the level of support from industry players, and broader market conditions all contribute to the overall impact of a fork on cryptocurrency prices.

Navigating the market effects of crypto forks requires vigilance and a deep understanding of the underlying factors at play. Investors and traders should carefully assess the potential risks and rewards associated with forked cryptocurrencies, keeping in mind the volatility and market reactions that can accompany these transformative events.

What to do when a fork is announced

When a cryptocurrency announces an upcoming fork, a rule of thumb in the crypto space is to wait for the dust to settle before making any big decisions. Keep in mind that sometimes forks can be contentious and not everyone will agree on the path forward, meaning that there may be a lot of confusion and volatility in the coming days as people react.

 In conclusion

A hard fork is when a blockchain network is split into two resulting in two unique blockchains with their own cryptocurrencies. A soft fork is when a blockchain simply upgrades or incorporates new features and allows users to decide whether they would like to continue using the old version or upgrade their software protocol to make use of the new features.

Either way, cryptocurrency forks are a common occurrence in the blockchain space and have been the start of many different networks. The most iconic hard forks include the likes of Litecoin, a hard fork from the Bitcoin network, Ethereum Classic, a hard fork from the Ethereum network, and Bitcoin Cash, a hard fork of the Bitcoin network.

Both soft and hard forks allow innovation within the blockchain space to evolve, making space for new features, more efficient means of executing an action, and other chain improvements. A hard fork in particular can shed light on new innovations without creating a blockchain network from scratch.

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The Sandbox is a pioneer in the movement to incorporate blockchain technology into the gaming sector. Created in 2011, The Sandbox is an play-to-earn game that allows users to be both creators and players, with the ability to monetize their in-game assets and earn SAND tokens.

Powered by the SAND token, the Sandbox’s native token serves as the foundation for all transactions and interactions. SAND tokens can be obtained by playing games, selling digital assets on the Sandbox Marketplace, participating in competitions, or buying it through a reliable exchange. 

What is the Sandbox platform?

The Sandbox is an Ethereum-based play-to-earn gaming ecosystem and metaverse that allows players to create, share, and monetize in-world assets and gaming experiences. The platform combines the powers of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO), DeFi and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

The Sandbox metaverse offers players a space to interact with one another and the games they have created.

The Sandbox is made up of three main components: 

1. VoxEdit, which allows users to create and animate 3D objects in the metaverse (i.e. animals, people, tools, etc). These are known as ASSETS and utilize the ERC-1155 token standard which allows both fungible and non-fungible (NFTs) to be minted at the same time. 
2. The Sandbox Game Maker, where users can create 3D games for free.
3. The Sandbox Marketplace, where users can sell their ASSETS for SAND tokens. 

Who created The Sandbox?

Initially developed as a mobile gaming platform by Pixowl in 2011, The Sandbox was intended to be a competitor to Minecraft. It quickly grew very popular and soon had more than 40 million downloads worldwide. However, in 2018, the co-founders Arthur Madrid and Sebastien Borget decided to explore the potential of creating a 3D metaverse on the blockchain.

The new and improved platform allows users to truly own their creations, in the form of NFTs, and earn rewards while participating in the ecosystem. The Sandbox team introduced the new Sandbox project in 2020 and it became one of the fastest-growing games in the cryptocurrency world, alongside Axie Infinity and Decentraland. 

The following year the platform raised $93 million and attracted over 50 reputable partnerships, including CryptoKitties, Snoop Dogg and The Walking Dead. 

How does The Sandbox work?

The Sandbox is a dynamic virtual world filled with user-generated content. Players can create and develop their own NFTs, including avatars, virtual goods, and even games, using the platform's VoxEdit and Game Maker. They can also interact with other players as well as monetize these NFTs by selling them on the Sandbox Marketplace, fueled by the SAND token.

The Sandbox's VoxEdit

VoxEdit offers artists and players user-friendly software to create, rig, and animate NFTs. The NFTs are in voxel format, square 3D pixels that look like lego blocks, which can quickly be edited to create different shapes. Users can design and create everything from animals and game tools to avatar-oriented weapons and clothing to any goods that you can use in The Sandbox. 

All these virtual goods can then be exported and traded as NFTs on the Sandbox Marketplace for SAND token.

The Sandbox's Game Maker

The Game Maker is designed to allow users to test their 3D game creations within the metaverse. With no prior coding experience needed, the program allows users to design and organize various objects and elements in a space called LAND (including the VoxEdit NFTs).

The Game Maker allows users to curate quests, place buildings, and characters, edit terrains, etc. Users can then share their designs with the greater community or sell them on the Sandbox Marketplace.

The Sandbox Marketplace

The Sandbox ecosystem has its very own NFT marketplace was launched in April 2021 and creates a space where users can trade ASSETS (in-game assets) with the native token, the SAND token.

The ASSETS (NFTs) can be anything from wearables to buildings to entities, and can then be used within the platform in the Sandbox game and incorporated into LAND to create unique games using the Game Maker. The Sandbox's marketplace is accessible to all users on the platform.

What are SAND tokens?

Sandbox, referred to as SAND, is an ERC-20 token with a supply of 3 billion. The token functions as a utility token, governance token, and can be used for staking.

SAND as a utility token facilitates all interactions and transactions within the Sandbox ecosystem. In order to take part in the activities available on the platform, from playing the games to buying LAND, trading ASSETS or customizing avatars, users will need to own SAND. The LAND tokens are ERC-721 tokens while ASSETS are user-generated NFTs.

The native token also functions as a governance token within the Sandbox ecosystem, allowing SAND token holders to vote on changes made on the platform through the Sandbox DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) structure. 

Lastly, the token can be staked on the platform, allowing holders to earn rewards and a share in the revenue from all SAND transactions. Staking offers the bonus advantage of allowing users to increase their chances of finding valuable game resources designed to boost ASSETS' rarity, known as GEMs and CATALYSTs. These are valuable when looking to create assets and play games.

There are two ways to acquire SAND: either through playing games and contests in The Sandbox, or by purchasing it on a cryptocurrency platform like Tap.

How can I buy the SAND token?

For those looking to incorporate The Sandbox into their crypto portfolios, or simply enter the metaverse gaming sector, we have great news. The Tap app has recently added SAND to the list of supported currencies, allowing anyone with a Tap account to easily and conveniently access The Sandbox market. 

Users can buy SAND by using balances in either their crypto or fiat wallets or with your debit card, you can also buy the cryptocurrency with traditional payment options like bank transfers. Through the integrated wallets on the platform, users can also store and manage their SAND holdings easily and conveniently. 

Aave, c’est quoi ?

Aave est l’un des protocoles DeFi (finance décentralisée) les plus populaires du marché. Il permet aux utilisateurs d’emprunter et de prêter facilement plus de 20 cryptomonnaies différentes. En reprenant le principe classique du prêt/emprunt, Aave offre une alternative moderne, entièrement décentralisée, pour gérer ses actifs numériques.

Le token AAVE permet non seulement de bénéficier d'avantages sur les frais, mais également de participer à la gouvernance du protocole. Chaque détenteur d’AAVE peut voter sur les décisions clés et les futures évolutions de la plateforme, proportionnellement à ses avoirs.

Origine et histoire d’Aave

Créé pour répondre à la demande croissante de marchés monétaires décentralisés, Aave s’est rapidement imposé parmi les plus gros protocoles DeFi. Basé sur la blockchain Ethereum, il permet aux utilisateurs de prêter et d’emprunter des cryptos variées, allant des altcoins aux stablecoins.

À l’origine, le projet s’appelait ETHLend, lancé en 2018 avec le token LEND. Mais après avoir perdu en visibilité lors du marché baissier, le projet a été entièrement repensé et relancé sous le nom Aave (qui signifie fantôme en finnois), avec une vision élargie du marché.

Qui a créé Aave ?

Le protocole Aave a été fondé par Stani Kulechov, développeur autodidacte et précurseur dans l’univers blockchain. Déçu par le manque de solutions de prêts sur Ethereum, il a décidé, avec une équipe de développeurs, de créer un espace pour prêter et emprunter des cryptomonnaies — bien avant que le terme DeFi ne soit populaire.

Après une ICO réussie en 2017, Kulechov a choisi de transformer ETHLend en Aave pour offrir un service plus large, capable de toucher tout l’écosystème crypto.

Comment fonctionne Aave pour les utilisateurs ?

Contrairement aux plateformes traditionnelles qui mettent en relation prêteurs et emprunteurs, Aave utilise des algorithmes automatisés qui gèrent les emprunts à partir de pools de liquidité.

• Les prêteurs déposent leurs cryptomonnaies dans un pool et reçoivent des intérêts. Plus le pool est utilisé, plus les taux d’intérêt sont élevés.
• Les emprunteurs doivent déposer une garantie (collatéral) dont la valeur est supérieure au montant emprunté.

Si la valeur du collatéral chute en dessous d’un certain seuil, Aave déclenche une liquidation automatique. À noter : le protocole propose aussi des flash loans, des prêts sans garantie à condition qu’ils soient remboursés dans la même transaction (en un seul bloc).

À quoi sert le token AAVE ?

Le token AAVE repose sur la norme ERC-20. Il joue deux rôles essentiels au sein du protocole :

1. Sécurité du système
   Le "Safety Module" permet d’assurer le protocole en cas de manque de liquidités. Si nécessaire, des AAVE déposés dans ce module peuvent être vendus pour combler un déficit. En échange, les utilisateurs reçoivent un rendement en AAVE pour leur dépôt.
2. Gouvernance
   Les détenteurs d’AAVE peuvent voter sur des propositions de modification du protocole : ajustement des paramètres du marché, gestion des fonds de réserve, etc. 1 AAVE = 1 droit de vote.

Aave utilise aussi une partie des frais générés sur la plateforme pour racheter et brûler des tokens AAVE, réduisant ainsi l’offre en circulation. Environ 80 % des frais servent à ces rachats, tandis que les 20 % restants servent à récompenser les prêteurs.

L’offre totale est limitée à 16 millions d’AAVE.

Comment acheter des tokens AAVE ?

Bonne nouvelle : il est désormais très facile d’ajouter AAVE à votre portefeuille. Vous pouvez acheter, vendre et stocker des tokens AAVE directement depuis l’app Tap.

• Achetez AAVE avec votre solde en crypto ou en monnaie fiat.
• Utilisez un virement bancaire ou carte bancaire pour un achat rapide.
• Gérez et sécurisez vos tokens depuis les portefeuilles intégrés à l’app.

Avec Tap, l’accès à Aave et au monde de la finance décentralisée est à portée de clic.

Bienvenue dans l’univers fascinant des NFT. Les Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) sont des actifs numériques uniques qui ont bouleversé le web. Contrairement aux cryptomonnaies classiques, les NFT représentent des objets uniques — d’œuvres d’art numériques à des terrains virtuels — dont la propriété et l’authenticité sont vérifiables grâce à la blockchain.

Acteurs majeurs du mouvement Web3, les NFT redéfinissent la manière dont on valorise, achète et échange des créations numériques. Dans cet article, on décrypte ce que sont les NFT, comment les acheter, où les trouver et quels avantages ou inconvénients ils présentent.

Que sont les NFT ?

Les NFT sont des actifs numériques uniques basés sur la blockchain. Contrairement aux cryptos comme le Bitcoin ou l’Ethereum qui sont interchangeables, chaque NFT possède ses propres caractéristiques et ne peut être échangé à égalité avec un autre.

C’est justement cette unicité qui leur donne de la valeur. Que ce soit pour de l’art numérique, des objets de collection ou même des biens immobiliers virtuels, les NFT ont ouvert la voie à de nouveaux modèles de propriété numérique. Certaines œuvres se sont vendues à des prix records — comme « Merge » de l’artiste Pak, adjugée à plus de 91 millions de dollars fin 2021.

Les NFT permettent aux créateurs, artistes et gamers de prouver qu’ils sont les propriétaires originels de leurs créations, ce qui change profondément la manière dont on perçoit la valeur et la rareté dans le monde numérique.

Comment fonctionnent les NFT ?

Un NFT est un fichier numérique inscrit sur une blockchain (comme Ethereum). Une fois “minté” (créé), son historique de propriété est enregistré de manière permanente et immuable sur le réseau.

Les smart contracts — des programmes autonomes stockés sur la blockchain — assurent la création, la propriété et la revente des NFT. Ils permettent, par exemple, à un artiste de toucher des royalties à chaque revente de son œuvre.

Les NFT suivent des standards spécifiques, comme ERC-721 (le plus courant) ou ERC-1155, qui permettent une meilleure efficacité et des transferts groupés. Ces standards ont permis la croissance rapide des marketplaces NFT et ouvert la voie à de nouveaux usages.

Comment acheter un NFT et utiliser les marketplaces ?

Pour acheter un NFT, il te faut d’abord un portefeuille numérique compatible avec la blockchain du NFT — Metamask est une des options les plus populaires.

Ensuite, direction une marketplace comme OpenSea ou Rarible. Tu pourras y découvrir des collections, choisir un NFT et procéder à l’achat en connectant ton portefeuille. Une fois la transaction validée, le NFT est envoyé dans ton portefeuille, avec la preuve de propriété inscrite sur la blockchain.

Tu veux vendre un NFT ? Il te suffit de le mettre en ligne sur une plateforme en suivant leur processus, et en définissant les conditions de vente.

À quoi servent les NFT ?

Les NFT ont des applications dans de nombreux secteurs. En voici quelques exemples concrets :

• Art : les artistes peuvent vendre leurs œuvres numériques de manière directe, authentifiée et traçable.
• Gaming : les joueurs peuvent posséder des objets rares, échanger des skins ou acheter des parcelles dans des mondes virtuels.
• Musique & divertissement : albums, billets de concert, accès exclusifs… les NFT créent de nouveaux ponts entre artistes et fans.
• Immobilier : certains projets utilisent les NFT pour faciliter la propriété fractionnée ou simplifier les transferts de titres de propriété.

Les avantages des NFT

• Preuve de propriété : chaque NFT est unique et traçable, offrant une transparence totale sur son historique.
• Autonomie des créateurs : les artistes peuvent vendre sans intermédiaires, toucher des royalties à chaque revente et garder le contrôle sur leur œuvre.
• Expériences interactives : dans le gaming ou les métavers, les NFT offrent des expériences immersives où les objets ont une valeur réelle.

Les inconvénients à connaître

• Impact environnemental : certaines blockchains consomment beaucoup d’énergie, soulevant des questions écologiques.
• Volatilité : les prix peuvent fortement varier, ce qui rend les investissements risqués.
• Arnaques et droits d’auteur : certains NFT sont associés à des fraudes ou à des œuvres utilisées sans autorisation, ce qui crée des zones grises juridiques.

En conclusion

Les NFT ont changé la donne dans l’univers numérique. Grâce à la blockchain, ils permettent de certifier la propriété d’objets virtuels, de valoriser la création artistique et d’explorer de nouveaux usages interactifs.

Comme toute innovation, les NFT présentent à la fois de grandes opportunités et des défis à relever. En comprenant leur fonctionnement et en restant vigilant, on peut s’immerger dans cet univers de manière responsable et éclairée.

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