Cardano NFTs are unique digital assets on the Cardano blockchain that can be created using smart contracts and traded on NFT markets.
The implementation of smart contracts on Cardano has enabled the creation of NFT marketplaces, including CNFT.IO and Jpg.store.
These marketplaces facilitate NFT projects on Cardano in a convenient and scalable way, attracting many enthusiasts looking for a user-friendly platform for creators and traders with low transaction fees
How to mint NFTs on the Cardano blockchain: all the steps
Minting and creating collections is no longer an intimidating hurdle for non-technical NFT enthusiasts, as minting on Cardano is similar to doing it on Ethereum or Solana. The platform offers much help with guidelines to guide creators through the process.
It is worth noting that an original NFT can be anything from a single work of art to a collection of unique items, such as the famous Bored Ape Yacht Club and CryptoPunks collectibles created on the Ethereum blockchain.
Once the artwork has been created, it is minted into an NFT. Hence, all that remains is to find the right platform to mint the NFT and the appropriate marketplace to sell it. To create NFTs on the Cardano blockchain, all you need to do is follow a few simple steps.
First, it is necessary to create your own wallet and protect your seed phrase. Then, it is necessary to deposit some ADA into the wallet to cover minting and transaction fees
In order to mint a Cardano NFT, it is necessary to choose a user-friendly NFT creation platform that is compatible, such as the NFT-maker.io platform. Once the “Mint NFT” button is selected, the user will be asked to upload an image.
Then, the user will have to choose the music or image file they wish to upload. On the next page, it is possible to add metadata such as title, author, etc. In addition, it is possible to use InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) for a better and safer storage capacity.
Then, you need to send some ADA to the payment address given on the next page. The NFT should now be on its way and arrive at the wallet you’ve indicated.
Markets: how to buy NFTs on the Cardano blockchain?
There are several ways and places to purchase Cardano NFTs. Users can trade NFTs on specific markets, but they can also mint them during the launches and drops of the NFT collection or receive them as rewards.
All that is required to buy and sell Cardano NFTs is a native wallet compatible with NFT marketplaces and websites.
Minting nowadays provides simple tools to facilitate the process. Minting simply means creating the NFT by turning an image or music file into a non-fungible token on the Cardano blockchain.
Users must be aware of the policyID that each Cardano NFT collection item must display to verify its identity and authenticity. This protects people from malicious activities and scams that populate the cryptographic space.
Because Cardano is a fast-growing platform for creating and trading NFTs, new markets emerge regularly. Here are some popular and long-standing platforms for buying and selling Cardano NFTs.
Jpg.store, Cardahub, Cardano Cube, and CNFT.io
Jpg.store is an intuitive, smart contract-enabled NFT marketplace that allows users to create, buy and sell NFTs.
It is an easy-to-use marketplace where buyers can access a list of the best collections and select NFTs based on price and unique properties.
Jpg.store also provides royalties for creators and rarity charts for each asset page.
Cardahub is also a major Cardano NFT marketplace where users can buy, sell, and mint NFTs.
The marketplace offers a wide range of NFT tools for creators, digital asset collectors, and investors. It also hosts top collections such as Clay Nation, which includes more than 10,000 NFTs.
Rather than a marketplace, Cardano Cube is an aggregator for NFT infrastructures with a list of more than 1,000 Cardano-based decentralized applications and projects (dApps).
Cardano Cube is a user reference information platform for everything related to the Cardano ecosystem.
Finally, CNFT.io was the first Cardano NFT marketplace, established in July 2021.
Since its inception, the marketplace has launched thousands of unique NFTs and hundreds of art and music projects, putting it in direct competition with other traditional marketplaces such as OpenSea and Foundation.
CNFT supports Cardano NFT wallets such as Nami, Gero Wallet, Eternl, and Flint Wallet and provides interesting help tools such as the CNFT Calendar, the first event calendar for the Cardano NFT industry, covering NFT drops and events.
CNFT Jungle is the most comprehensive automated Cardano NFT rarity database and CNFT market analysis platform. Like Cardano Cube, CNFT Jungle is a market aggregator that lists Cardano projects; however, CNFT Jungle prioritizes rarity.
Cardano NFT wallets for decentralized blockchain-based applications
Cardano wallets allows participants to use the ADA ecosystem by sending, receiving, storing and staking fungible and non-fungible ADA and Cardano tokens. Cardano NFT wallets allow users to access decentralized blockchain-based applications (dApps) such as decentralized exchanges (DEX), DeFi apps, and NFT marketplaces.
Before choosing the right wallet, it is best to investigate its security and reputation to avoid risks. The Nami wallet is a browser extension wallet that can be used on browsers such as Brave, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge.
Its simple interface makes it an easy-to-use wallet to manage all Cardano tokens, including Cardano NFTs, and create multiple accounts without much hassle. The wallet can connect to all Cardano dApps and NFT markets and is compatible with major hardware wallets such as Trezor and Ledger.
Users can stake ADA with the Nami wallet, but can only delegate to the developer’s stake pool, the Berry Pool.
Daedalus, on the other hand, is an open source desktop cryptocurrency wallet developed by blockchain infrastructure research and engineering company IOG (formerly IOHK).
It is considered a highly secure wallet compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, with simple backup and restore capabilities. Users can manage all Cardano blockchain tokens, including native assets and Cardano NFTs.
Unlike the Nami wallet, Daedalus allows users to point and delegate their ADA to multiple pools. It is compatible with all major hardware wallets, including Ledger and Trezor.
Finally, Flint Wallet is a browser extension wallet native to Cardano.
Like most Cardano wallets, users can connect to dApps such as Cardano DEXs and NFT marketplaces. It is also compatible with Ledger, Trezor, and popular hardware wallets.
