NFT marketplace: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know
When you hear NFT marketplace, a digital platform where unique non-fungible tokens are bought, sold, or traded on a blockchain. Also known as NFT trading platform, it’s not just a store—it’s a live auction floor, a gallery, and a wallet all rolled into one, running on code, not clerks. Unlike eBay or Amazon, there’s no central company holding your items. Your NFT lives on the blockchain, and the marketplace just shows you what’s for sale and handles the transaction. That’s why some NFT marketplaces crash when the network gets busy, and others thrive because they’re built for speed, not just looks.
Not all NFT marketplaces are the same. Some, like OpenSea, let anyone list anything—art, memes, virtual land, even digital sneakers. Others, like SuperRare or Foundation, are invite-only and focus on high-value digital art. Then there are niche ones tied to games or communities, like those built for Axie Infinity or CryptoPunks. The key difference? digital collectibles, unique, verifiable assets on the blockchain that represent ownership of something digital aren’t just pictures. They’re proof of ownership, often tied to royalties, access, or future utility. And that’s where things get messy. Many NFT marketplaces today are filled with junk—tokens with no team, no roadmap, and no buyers. But the ones that survive? They’re the ones that solve real problems: making it easy to mint, lowering gas fees, or letting creators earn every time their NFT flips.
What you’ll find in these posts isn’t hype. It’s the truth behind the noise. You’ll see how blockchain marketplaces, decentralized platforms that enable peer-to-peer trading of NFTs without intermediaries handle scams, how fees eat into profits, and why some platforms vanish overnight. You’ll learn how airdrops like the Midnight NIGHT token or DSG rewards from Dinosaureggs tied into NFT drops, and how platforms like ApeSwap or SynFutures use NFTs as part of their ecosystem. You’ll also see how regulations are starting to catch up—Thailand and Australia are already tightening rules around digital asset sales, and that’s changing how marketplaces operate. This isn’t about guessing which NFT will go up. It’s about understanding the infrastructure underneath the glitter. If you’ve ever wondered why one NFT sells for $10,000 and another for $10, this collection shows you the real reasons—no fluff, no buzzwords, just what’s actually happening on the chain.
- By Eva van den Bergh
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- 10 Nov 2025
Optional vs Mandatory NFT Royalties: What Creators Need to Know
NFT royalties can give creators ongoing income, but whether they're paid depends on the marketplace. Learn how optional vs mandatory royalties impact earnings, trading, and creator rights in today's NFT market.