Remember a few months ago when everyone was sharing those “RIP NFTs” memes? LOL!! So slather on your SPF-100 tanning lotion and break out the cutoffs, ladies and gentlemen. We’re going to be returning to the beach it seems! NFT Summer 2.0 could be loading...

Dead Cats Bounce? Not Quite

Okay, let's be real. The NFT market did take a beating. We observed Bored Apes trading for the price of a broken-down used Toyota Corolla. The crypto world is a phoenix, always reborn from the flames. Circle's IPO? That’s not just a spark—that’s a freakin’ flamethrower aimed directly at the NFT sector. Circle's IPO was 25x oversubscribed! That means even more serious money is poised to pour into crypto. And where does money go in crypto? It experiments!

Circle's IPO success, coupled with Bitcoin smashing $100,000 and Ethereum showing strength, signals a resurgence of investor confidence. That confidence trickles down. It lubricates the gears of speculation. That lubrication makes even the most skeptical investor glance sideways at the NFT market, wondering if they're missing out.

Beyond JPEG: Culture Awakens

Let's be clear: I'm not talking about flipping JPEGs of rocks for millions. That was the old NFT Summer. I’m not referring to the past new wave, but rather one inspired by authentic artistry and cultural importance. Don’t be fooled—the original vision of NFTs as a force to empower digital artists and creators isn’t dead by a long shot. It's just been hibernating.

NFTs have the power to change the world, and I’ve witnessed some incredibly incredible NFT projects recently. Now artists are leveraging NFTs to create dynamic, interactive works of art. At the same time, musicians drop unique tracks as NFTs, and communities erupt on discord servers around unique digital collectibles. Rarely is this the case when it comes to flipping JPEGs, this is more about the ownership of culture. It’s not just about supporting artists directly, it’s about being a part of a digital renaissance.

  • Digital Art: Artists are pushing the boundaries of visual expression.
  • Music: Musicians are experimenting with new ways to connect with fans.
  • Community: NFTs are fostering vibrant online communities.
  • Gaming: NFTs are creating new possibilities for in-game assets and ownership.

My fellow Gen Z cousins? They understand digital ownership in a way that some older investors simply can’t. We must consider that they have grown up in a world where digital assets are just as real as physical assets. They know the appeal of having an exclusive piece of this new, game-changing creation called the internet. They are the vanguard.

Memes Fuel Revolution, Always

Memes are the revolution’s mother tongue. We need Doge-inspired NFT collections, Wojak-themed galleries, and absurdist memes brought to life with smart contracts and minting algorithms. If you aren’t laughing, you aren’t in the right space.

  • Doge: The original meme coin, still going strong.
  • Wojak: The embodiment of internet angst.
  • Pepe: Controversial, but undeniably iconic.

I’m not advocating that every NFT be a meme, but some levity can be the best medicine. It makes that space not only more accessible, but more engaging and more fun. Memes are made to be shared, and sharing is the name of the game when it comes to building adoption.

The data backs it up too. In a time where CEX spot trading volume was down, DEX trading volume increased significantly. PancakeSwap saw insane growth. People are moving to decentralized platforms. They want control. They want ownership. They feel the call to be part of something much bigger than a new or improved centralized exchange. And Bitcoin dominance? That's just the old guard flexing. That’s where all the innovation is happening on Ethereum.

So, is this the NFT Summer we’ve all been waiting for? I can't say for sure. What I can tell you is that the state of play is extremely ripe. The market is coming back, investors are in a good mood, artists are making really great work. But above all else, we should not forget that decentralization puts more creative power in the hands of creators themselves. Forget gatekeepers, forget middlemen. The future is in the hands of the artists and the collectors, to be sure.

Here’s to making this NFT Summer one for the history books. WAGMI! (We're All Gonna Make It!)

  • Explore the NFT space.
  • Support digital artists.
  • Join the conversation.
  • Buy some jorts (you'll need them).

Let's make this NFT Summer one for the history books. WAGMI! (We're All Gonna Make It!)