crypto 2026-04-25
NFT Investment Guide: After the Hype
A sober look at NFT investing in 2026: utility, royalties, and what survived.
The NFT market crashed roughly 95% from 2021-2022 highs. What remains is a smaller, more functional market with clearer use cases.
What Survived the Crash
- Established blue chips — CryptoPunks, Bored Apes still have liquidity
- Generative art — Art Blocks, fxhash continue
- Utility NFTs — game items, domain names (ENS), event tickets
- Music and creator royalties — niche but real
Royalties: The Broken Promise
The early NFT pitch included perpetual royalties to creators. By 2024-2025, most marketplaces made royalties optional or removed them.
What to Evaluate
- Floor price history (12+ months)
- Wash trading volume
- Holder distribution
- Real utility
- Team transparency
Use Cases That Make Sense
- Domain names (ENS)
- Game items
- Event tickets
- Membership passes
Valuation Reality
Most NFTs have no cash flow, no underlying asset, and no scarcity outside the issuing contract.
Sensible Allocation
Treat NFTs as a discretionary entertainment line item, not a portfolio allocation.
Educational only. Not financial advice. NFTs are highly illiquid and speculative.