Why NFTs will make a Comeback

A New Era for NFTs 

The 2021 crypto bull run will be remembered for many things, but above all, it marked peak NFT mania. People were spending millions on digital art simply because it belonged to an on-chain collection and was expected to appreciate. Most of those 2021-era projects have since collapsed, with their assets falling to zero. Bored Apes now trade at a fraction of their peak prices—down nearly 90% from all-time highs. And yet, despite all of this, I’m going to make the case for why NFTs are poised for a massive comeback this crypto cycle.

What is an NFT? 

NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token. Fungibility means that two assets can be exchanged for equal value—like swapping one $5 bill for another. Dollars are fungible because each unit holds the same value as any other. Now imagine swapping shoes. Even if they’re the same brand and model, one pair might be more worn or a more desirable size. These subtle differences make shoes non-fungible… Their value depends on the specific item, not just the category it belongs to.

NFTs work the same way in the digital world. Each token is a unique digital asset that can’t be directly swapped one-to-one with another. Their value is determined by rarity, demand, and market perception. In practice, NFTs provide verifiable proof of digital ownership and unlock powerful use cases across art, gaming, identity, and more.

Memberships 

One of the most practical and valuable NFT use cases today is exclusive membership access. In these communities, your NFT acts as a digital membership card. To join and interact with other members, you must verify ownership of the NFT. As the community grows stronger and the perks improve, the value of membership rises—making the club more desirable and more exclusive over time. These groups can exist entirely online or offer a mix of virtual and in-person experiences.

Most of the NFTs I own fall into this category. I recently bought a Pudgy Penguin, which gives me access to an incredible community of Web3 enthusiasts. I’ve made many friends there, and I genuinely believe it’s the strongest community in crypto. They host events all over the world—both online and in person. I also own a Neo Tokyo Citizen because it is widely regarded as one of the best communities for networking in the crypto gaming space.

Arguably my favorite membership is Abasho—a tight-knit group of crypto traders working daily to outperform the market. I also like Chubbicorns. They focus on longer-term trades and are excellent at spotting early trends. Bottom line: whatever kind of community you’re looking for, there’s likely an NFT that gives you access to it. As more people enter Web3, the cost of admission to these exclusive circles will only continue to rise.

Digital Ownership 

Digital assets can hold real value—they can be rare, useful, and highly prized. The most reliable way to prove ownership of these assets is through NFTs on the blockchain. Increasingly, NFTs are being tied to physical items, adding a new layer of utility.

For example, I recently bought a full box of Legend of the Lils boosters, a trading card game from Pudgy Penguins. Each pack comes with an NFT. If you're just looking to flip the cards, you don’t even need them shipped to your house—you can simply sell the NFT, and the buyer can redeem it for the physical product. This model makes trading collectibles smoother, safer, and more transparent. Long term, all physical collectibles should be NFTs. It just makes sense.

The Future of NFTs

NFTs make transferring ownership simple and efficient, and they unlock new financial tools(like borrowing against your assets with on-chain collateral). As crypto gaming continues to grow, most in-game items will eventually become NFTs, allowing players to truly own, trade, and monetize their digital goods.

Looking ahead, even real-world assets like real estate will be tokenized. One day, the deed to your house could be an NFT. Selling it would be as easy as placing it in a smart contract and exchanging it for crypto—no paperwork, no middlemen, just a seamless transfer of ownership.

Never Underestimate the Flex 

It’s an uncomfortable truth of human nature—we all like to show off. Nearly every aspect of our lives has been “flexified.” Luxury watches, foreign cars, designer shoes—all status symbols designed to signal wealth, taste, or exclusivity. The one area that hasn’t fully caught up is our digital presence, profile pictures and online footprint.

NFTs change that. Expect celebrities to return to using six-figure NFTs as their profile pictures, signaling status in the digital world just as they do in real life. People will collect millions of dollars in NFT art, not just as investments, but as digital identity markers. In the not-so-distant future, families will proudly display their most valuable NFTs on screens in their homes, similar to fine art today.

Final Thoughts 

I firmly believe NFTs are going to make a major comeback. Most of the market will be caught offside and forced to buy back in at much higher prices. And here’s my final (possibly controversial) take: CryptoPunks are going to hit $1,000,000 each.