Newsletter #233: NFTs Make Us Generous

Newsletter #233: NFTs Make Us Generous

This week’s featured collector is secretmsgcol

secretmsgcol is a handmade NFT collection on WAX. Check it out at lazy.com/secretmsgcol


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Last week’s poll asked whether the SEC should regulate NFTs as securities—and the verdict was clear: half of you said “never.” Another 30% opted for “sometimes,” suggesting a belief that not all tokens are created equal, while only 20% favored consistent oversight. No one said “I don’t know,” which may be the most telling result of all. The NFT community, it seems, knows exactly how it feels about government regulation. The takeaway? Even as courts and regulators struggle to define what NFTs are, creators and collectors have already made up their minds: digital art may live on the blockchain, but it doesn’t belong in a securities filing.


NFTs, Crypto, and the Psychology of Giving: How Digital Assets Are Reshaping Charity

When cryptocurrency first went mainstream, it promised to disrupt finance. Now, it’s quietly transforming something far more human: generosity. A new peer-reviewed study in Computers in Human Behavior explores how cryptocurrency and NFTs are influencing charitable behavior—and what it reveals about how we mentally account for digital value.

The study, led by Claudio Schapsis, Dorin Micu, and Nikki Wingate, applies Mental Accounting Theory—a behavioral economics framework developed by Nobel laureate Richard Thaler—to the blockchain era. Mental accounting describes how people categorize and track money in “mental ledgers.” We might have one mental account for groceries, another for entertainment, and a separate one for charitable giving.

But what happens when money itself becomes intangible, decentralized, and volatile?

According to the study, people often manage their cryptocurrencies and NFTs in the same mental account. That is, they perceive both as part of a single pool of digital value—even though one is fungible (Bitcoin, Ethereum) and the other is unique (NFTs representing digital art or collectibles). This finding matters because it changes how we understand the psychology of crypto donations.

Here’s where things get interesting: when nonprofits offer NFTs as incentives for cryptocurrency donations, people give more.

In experiments conducted by the researchers, participants were more likely to donate higher amounts of cryptocurrency when the charity offered an NFT in return—especially when the NFT was framed as a purchase rather than a thank-you gift. That framing shifted the donor’s mindset. Instead of thinking “I’m spending money,” they thought “I’m exchanging one asset for another.”

This subtle psychological shift—treating a donation as an exchange within the same mental account—reduces the perceived “cost” of giving. In other words, donors feel like they’re not losing value, they’re simply transferring it.

The result? NFT incentives drive higher crypto donations than physical rewards.

NFTs may cost little to create, but their perceived value is often much higher. That discrepancy—between production cost and perceived worth—makes them powerful tools for fundraising. Like limited-edition posters or event tickets, NFTs can serve as symbolic tokens of participation and belonging. But because they live on the blockchain, they also carry a sense of permanence, authenticity, and community identity.

In this sense, NFTs tap into both economic and emotional value. They’re not just rewards; they’re receipts of identity and proof of participation in something meaningful.

The study’s broader insight is that philanthropy in the digital era isn’t just about generosity—it’s about mental framing. When giving is framed as a trade within the same ecosystem of assets, people are more willing to part with their digital wealth. For nonprofits, that means understanding not only blockchain technology but also donor psychology.

By issuing NFTs as incentives, charities can appeal to both altruistic motives (“I’m helping a cause”) and investment-driven mindsets (“I’m gaining a digital asset”). That dual framing could help bridge the gap between financial speculation and social good.

The paper ultimately reframes NFTs not just as speculative assets but as psychological tools that reveal how humans adapt age-old behaviors to new technologies. Charitable giving has entered the blockchain era—and our mental accounting is following close behind.

Learn more here.


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Newsletter #232: Case Update

Newsletter #232: Case Update

This week’s featured collector is pjartbasel

Pjartbasel is an artist who uses their Lazy profile to showcase some of their creations. Check it out at lazy.com/pjartbasel


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Last week we asked: How should NFTs be safeguarded to last 100 years? The majority of respondents (60%) put their trust in on-chain provenance and metadata, signaling that the blockchain itself is seen as the strongest guarantor of long-term authenticity. Meanwhile, decentralized storage and artist-led preservation co-ops each drew 20%, showing recognition that off-chain solutions and community stewardship also matter. Notably, museums and institutional archives received no votes, underscoring a broader skepticism that traditional cultural institutions can—or will—take responsibility for the digital future. Together, the results highlight a clear belief that the durability of NFTs will depend on blockchain-native strategies, while also leaving space for hybrid models of care and preservation.


U.S. Judge Dismisses NFT Artists’ Challenge to SEC Oversight

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) headquarters in Washington

On September 30, 2025, a federal judge in New Orleans dismissed a lawsuit brought by two creators of musical NFTs who had sought to prevent the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from regulating their work. The decision underscores how unsettled the regulatory landscape for NFTs remains—and how uncertain artists and creators still feel about the future of this medium.

The Case

Singer-songwriter Jonathan Mann and law professor and conceptual artist Bryan Frye—both of whom have sold NFTs since 2018—filed suit against the SEC last year. Their argument was straightforward: the threat of having their NFT sales deemed “unregistered securities” posed a chilling risk to artists experimenting with digital assets as a creative medium.

They claimed the SEC’s approach endangered livelihoods, framing NFTs not just as speculative assets but as tools for artistic expression. Frye, who teaches intellectual property law at the University of Kentucky, positioned the issue as one of artistic freedom as much as regulation.

The Ruling

U.S. District Judge Greg Guidry dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the artists’ fears were hypothetical. “The SEC’s future regulation of NFTs is far from resolved,” Guidry wrote, noting the lack of clear guidance to date. Because the SEC had not taken direct action against Mann or Frye, the court ruled there was no case to decide.

The ruling echoed arguments the SEC made in urging dismissal: that its prior NFT-related enforcement actions imposed “no consequences or obligations” on the plaintiffs.

The Bigger Picture

The case follows earlier high-profile actions, such as the 2023 settlement with the creators of Stoner Cats, who paid a $1 million fine after the SEC said their NFT sales constituted an unregistered securities offering. That case, while unrelated to Mann and Frye, rattled many creators. Two SEC commissioners even urged the agency at the time to offer clearer guidelines for artists exploring NFTs.

The lack of regulatory clarity remains the key tension point. On one hand, the SEC has pursued “discrete” enforcement actions against certain NFT offerings. On the other, there is no established framework that spells out when NFTs are considered art versus when they cross into securities territory.

Why It Matters

For artists, the decision means the question of NFT regulation remains unresolved. The court’s dismissal doesn’t settle whether or how the SEC might act in the future—it only states that without a direct action against specific artists, the courts won’t intervene preemptively.

For the NFT market, the ruling reinforces a climate of uncertainty. Without clear rules, artists and collectors are left to navigate a gray zone where enforcement could hinge on interpretations that vary case by case. This ambiguity continues to weigh on the market, particularly as interest in NFTs has shifted from speculative frenzy to questions of permanence, value, and long-term integration into the broader art world.

Looking Ahead

Until clearer guidance emerges, artists working with NFTs will likely continue to operate under the shadow of regulatory risk. Whether future cases force the SEC to articulate firm rules—or whether Congress steps in with new legislation—remains to be seen.


Should the SEC regulate NFTs as securities?


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NFT Development Agencies: Building the Digital Art World

NFT Development Agencies: Building the Digital Art World

Why NFT Development Agencies are Changing Digital Business

An NFT development agency provides end-to-end services for creating, deploying, and managing non-fungible tokens. These specialized companies handle everything from smart contract development to marketplace creation, helping businesses integrate NFT technology without the complexity of building an in-house blockchain team.

Key services include:

  • Custom NFT marketplace development
  • Smart contract development and auditing
  • NFT minting and asset tokenization
  • Cross-chain blockchain integration
  • Post-launch support and maintenance

The NFT market has seen significant growth, demonstrating that these digital assets have entered mainstream adoption. However, successful launches require strategic planning and flawless technical execution.

For entrepreneurs, NFTs offer powerful opportunities to monetize digital assets, create exclusive membership programs, and build engaged communities. The technical complexity of blockchain, smart contracts, and security makes partnering with an experienced agency crucial for success.

This guide covers everything you need to know about working with NFT development agencies, from understanding their services to choosing the right partner.

Infographic showing NFT development process: Digital Asset Creation → Smart Contract Development → Blockchain Deployment → Marketplace Integration → Community Building - nft development agency infographic

The Core Services of an NFT Development Agency

Partnering with an NFT development agency provides more than just coding; it’s a collaboration with digital architects who understand both creative vision and complex blockchain technology. The best agencies offer end-to-end solutions, taking an idea to a fully functioning NFT project. Since every project is unique, customization is essential to fit specific business needs, whether for gaming assets or digital art.

Security is absolutely critical in the NFT space. Professional agencies place security at the forefront of their development process to prevent vulnerabilities.

Flowchart showing the NFT development lifecycle - nft development agency

Custom NFT Marketplace Development

Creating a custom NFT marketplace is one of the most popular services requested from an NFT development agency. This involves building a digital storefront for unique assets on the blockchain.

A successful marketplace must serve buyers, creators, and collectors. Essential features include an attractive storefront, effective search and filter tools, and seamless user wallet integration with options like MetaMask.

Businesses can choose between ready-to-launch solutions, which are pre-built templates that can be quickly customized, and fully custom platforms built from scratch for unique requirements. A custom solution offers complete control over every feature, though it requires a longer timeline and larger budget.

Smart Contract Development and Auditing

Every NFT is governed by a smart contract, the digital code that defines its behavior. These self-executing contracts manage ownership transfers and automated royalty payments without intermediaries. This allows creators to earn a percentage every time their NFT is resold.

However, smart contracts are immutable once deployed to the blockchain, meaning errors cannot be easily patched. Therefore, security audits are essential. Professional agencies conduct rigorous testing and engage third-party security experts to vet the code for vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability prevention is a core part of the development process, requiring secure coding practices and deep knowledge of ERC standards to ensure NFTs function correctly across different platforms.

Comprehensive NFT Development and Minting

An NFT development agency handles both the creative and technical aspects of bringing digital assets to life. This includes asset design, such as 2D artwork or 3D models, and IP tokenization, which transforms intellectual property like music or videos into verifiable blockchain tokens.

User-friendly minting platforms allow creators to upload their work, set prices, and mint NFTs with a few clicks. For large collections, generative art systems can automatically create thousands of unique variations. Furthermore, cross-chain solutions ensure NFTs can be traded across multiple blockchains, like Ethereum and Polygon, for greater flexibility and lower fees.

User interface for an NFT minting platform - nft development agency

Integrating NFTs into Your Business

NFTs can transform existing business models through platform integration, connecting current systems with blockchain technology via custom API development.

Loyalty programs can be upgraded with tokenized memberships, where customers own unique digital tokens that open up exclusive benefits. In gaming, gaming assets can be truly owned and traded by players, creating real economic value. Real-world asset tokenization opens up new possibilities for verifying and trading ownership of physical items like property or luxury goods.

Seamless integration is key to making NFTs feel like a natural part of a business, and professional agencies have the expertise to achieve this.

Understanding the Technology: NFT Standards and Blockchains

When working with an NFT development agency, understanding the technical foundation is crucial for making smart project decisions. Your choice of technology impacts interoperability, transaction speeds, and gas fees, all of which shape your project’s success.

Key NFT Token Standards Explained

Different NFT token standards serve different purposes, much like file formats.

  • ERC-721: The original standard for completely unique tokens. Each token is one-of-a-kind, making it ideal for digital art and collectibles where uniqueness is paramount.

  • ERC-1155: A flexible standard that allows for both unique (non-fungible) and multiple-copy (semi-fungible) items within a single contract. It’s efficient for gaming items that require variety, like a unique sword and a stack of potions.

  • ERC-998: Enables composable NFTs, which are tokens that can own other tokens. This allows for creating digital bundles, such as an NFT character that owns its own NFT accessories.

  • Soulbound Tokens (SBTs): These are non-transferable NFTs permanently tied to a wallet. They are perfect for representing personal achievements, certifications, or digital identity credentials.

Choosing the Right Blockchain for Your Project

The blockchain you build on is the foundation for your digital assets. Each network has its own characteristics.

  • Ethereum: As the most established NFT ecosystem, Ethereum offers the best security and decentralization. Its prestige and large user base come at the cost of higher gas fees and slower transactions, making it suitable for high-value projects.

  • Solana: Known for its incredible speed and very low fees. This makes it a great choice for projects with high transaction volumes, such as games or large generative collections, where a smooth user experience is a priority.

  • Polygon: A Layer-2 solution for Ethereum that provides improved scalability and lower costs while retaining compatibility with the Ethereum ecosystem. It’s a smart choice for businesses wanting to balance performance with security.

  • Binance Smart Chain (BSC): Focuses on cost-effectiveness and speed. Its compatibility with Ethereum makes it easy for developers to adapt projects, and its low fees appeal to price-conscious users.

At Web3devs, we’ve worked across these platforms since 2015 and understand their nuances. The right choice depends on your project’s goals, audience, and budget. Often, a multi-chain strategy is the best approach for long-term growth.

How to Choose the Right NFT Development Agency

Choosing the right partner to build your NFT project is a critical decision. While a DIY approach or hiring freelancers may seem cost-effective, they often lead to security vulnerabilities and costly delays. A professional NFT development agency provides a complete ecosystem of expertise, with battle-tested processes that minimize risk and maximize your project’s potential.

Evaluating the Portfolio of an NFT development agency

An agency’s portfolio reveals its technical depth and problem-solving abilities. Look for evidence of blockchain mastery across multiple networks like Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon. At Web3devs, our team has been working with blockchain technology since 2015, giving us deep insights into how different platforms perform.

Smart contract proficiency is also crucial. Look for complex implementations that handle features like automated royalties or fractional ownership. Dive into their case studies to see how they’ve solved challenges similar to yours. Industry experience in sectors like gaming or real estate can be a significant advantage, as it brings specialized knowledge to your project. Finally, read client testimonials to gauge their communication, reliability, and partnership style.

Security, Scalability, and Support

These three pillars are essential for any successful NFT project.

  • Security: Protocols should be a priority from day one. A top agency will use multi-signature wallets, conduct penetration testing, and insist on third-party smart contract audits to identify vulnerabilities before launch. Security mistakes on the blockchain can be permanent and costly.

  • Scalability: Your platform’s architecture must be able to handle growth. Whether you experience a viral launch or steady user growth, the infrastructure should scale gracefully. This involves using efficient cloud services and Layer 2 solutions where appropriate.

  • Post-launch support: A project’s launch is just the beginning. The best partners offer comprehensive support, including maintenance, security updates, and feature improvements to ensure your platform remains secure and competitive.

Understanding the NFT Development Process and Costs

A structured development process sets clear expectations. A typical project follows these steps:

  1. Project Findy: Defining the vision, audience, and technical requirements.
  2. Prototyping: Creating wireframes and mockups for early visualization.
  3. MVP Development: Building core functionalities to test the concept with real users.
  4. Quality Assurance: Conducting comprehensive testing for security and functionality.
  5. Launch and Support: Deploying the project and providing ongoing maintenance.

The cost and timeline for NFT development depend on project complexity:

Project ComplexityTypical TimelineEstimated Cost RangeKey Characteristics
Basic4-8 weeks$10,000 – $30,000Simple NFT collection, basic minting site, standard smart contracts.
Moderate8-16 weeks$30,000 – $80,000Custom marketplace, advanced features, multi-chain support.
Complex16+ weeks$80,000 – $200,000+Enterprise platform, custom tokenomics, advanced security protocols.

These are general estimates. An agency should provide transparent pricing based on your specific requirements.

The Core Services of an NFT Development Agency

An NFT development agency offers a full spectrum of services to bring a digital asset vision to life. This involves providing end-to-end solutions, from initial concept to launch and beyond. Our focus is on customization to ensure the final product aligns with unique business goals, all while prioritizing robust security.

Custom NFT Marketplace Development

One of the most sought-after services is the creation of custom NFT marketplaces. These are digital storefronts where users can mint, buy, sell, and showcase non-fungible tokens.

A well-designed marketplace includes essential features:

  • Storefront: An attractive, user-friendly interface to display NFTs.
  • Search and filters: Tools for users to easily find specific NFTs.
  • User wallets: Secure integration with cryptocurrency wallets like MetaMask for seamless transactions.
  • Listing status: Clear indicators for auctions, fixed-price listings, and sales history.
  • Easy minting: A straightforward process for creators to issue NFTs.
  • Trading functionalities: Robust mechanisms for buying, selling, and bidding.

Whether you need a ready-to-launch solution or a completely custom platform built from the ground up, an NFT development agency can tailor the experience to your needs.

Smart Contract Development and Auditing

At the heart of every NFT is a smart contract. These self-executing contracts on a blockchain define the rules for an NFT’s ownership and transfer. They automate processes like royalty payments to the original creator whenever an NFT is resold.

Security is paramount, as a flaw in a smart contract can lead to significant financial vulnerabilities. This is why smart contract auditing is indispensable. An NFT development agency conducts rigorous audits, often with third-party security firms, to identify and fix weaknesses before deployment. We prioritize secure development practices, code reviews, and penetration testing to protect against risks. These contracts adhere to standards like ERC-721 and ERC-1155 to ensure interoperability.

Comprehensive NFT Development and Minting

Beyond marketplaces, an NFT development agency specializes in the creation and minting of NFTs. Our services in this area include:

  • NFT asset design: Crafting unique 2D and 3D digital art and collectibles.
  • IP tokenization: Changing intellectual property like music or videos into verifiable blockchain tokens.
  • Minting platforms: Developing user-friendly interfaces for creators to issue NFTs.
  • Generative art: Creating systems that automatically generate unique NFT collections.
  • Cross-chain solutions: Ensuring NFTs can be traded across different blockchain networks.

Integrating NFTs into Your Business

NFTs offer immense potential to improve existing business models. An NFT development agency can help integrate NFT functionality into current platforms or create new NFT-powered solutions.

Consider enhancing customer loyalty with tokenized memberships that grant exclusive access, or in gaming, creating in-game assets that players can truly own and trade. We can integrate NFTs into your existing platforms through robust API development. Real-world asset tokenization is another exciting frontier, allowing for transparent records and fractional ownership of physical assets like real estate.

Understanding the Technology: NFT Standards and Blockchains

The technology behind NFTs is what makes true digital ownership possible. Understanding these technical foundations helps you make informed decisions about your project. Your choices regarding token standards and blockchain networks will impact transaction speed, user fees, and platform compatibility.

Key NFT Token Standards Explained

Different projects require different token standards, each designed for specific use cases.

  • ERC-721: The original standard for creating a digital certificate of authenticity. Each token is completely unique, making it perfect for digital art and rare collectibles.

  • ERC-1155: A flexible standard for creating both unique assets and fungible items in one contract. It’s highly efficient for gaming, where a mix of rare and common items is needed.

  • ERC-998: Enables composable NFTs, where one NFT can own other NFTs. This is useful for complex digital assets, like a game character that owns its own set of equipment.

  • EIP-2309: An efficient standard for minting a large number of NFTs at once, ideal for large avatar collections.

  • Soulbound Tokens (SBTs): Non-transferable tokens that act as permanent digital credentials. They are perfect for verifying achievements, qualifications, or reputation.

Choosing the Right Blockchain for Your Project

Picking the right blockchain is like choosing a location for a business. Each has its own costs, community, and characteristics.

  • Ethereum: The most established network, offering best security and the largest community. However, its popularity leads to high gas fees, making it best for high-value projects. You can learn more at the official Ethereum website.

  • Solana: Known for high speeds and low costs, making it ideal for gaming NFTs and projects requiring frequent, small transactions.

  • Polygon: A popular solution that offers faster transactions and lower fees while remaining connected to the Ethereum ecosystem, providing a balance of scalability and security.

  • Binance Smart Chain (BSC): A practical choice offering low costs and fast processing. Its compatibility with Ethereum makes it easy for developers to migrate projects.

We also work with specialized blockchains like Flow, Cardano, Avalanche, and Tezos. An experienced NFT development agency like Web3devs can help you choose the perfect technological foundation for your vision.

How to Choose the Right NFT Development Agency

Finding the right partner to build your NFT vision is crucial. While DIY or freelance routes might seem cost-effective, they often lead to delays and security vulnerabilities. A professional NFT development agency provides a streamlined process, minimizing risks with the latest tools and frameworks.

Evaluating the Portfolio of an NFT development agency

An agency’s portfolio is a window into its capabilities. We recommend a deep dive into their previous work.

  • Blockchain mastery: Look for proficiency across various platforms like Ethereum, Solana, and BSC. At Web3devs, our team has worked with blockchain since 2015, giving us deep knowledge in strategic consulting.

  • Smart contract proficiency: Can they showcase complex contracts that handle features like automated royalties or fractional ownership?

  • Past projects and case studies: Review their work for projects similar to yours. Case studies reveal how they solve problems and achieve results.

  • Industry experience: Has the agency worked in your sector, such as gaming, real estate, or art? This specialized knowledge is invaluable.

  • Client testimonials: See what past clients say about their communication, professionalism, and support.

Security, Scalability, and Support

These three pillars are non-negotiable for successful NFT development.

  • Security protocols: Security must be a priority from day one. This includes multi-signature wallets, penetration testing, and mandatory smart contract audits by third-party firms to fix vulnerabilities before launch.

  • Scalable architecture: The platform must be built to handle growth. This involves designing for high transaction volumes and using cloud services and Layer 2 solutions to ensure the platform remains fast and responsive.

  • Post-launch support: A reputable agency offers ongoing support, including maintenance, bug fixes, and security updates. This ensures your platform stays competitive and secure.

Understanding the NFT Development Process and Costs

A structured development process ensures quality results. The typical process includes:

  1. Project Findy: Defining the project scope and technical requirements.
  2. Prototyping: Creating wireframes and mockups to visualize the platform.
  3. MVP Development: Building core functionalities to test the concept and gather feedback.
  4. QA Testing: Rigorous testing to ensure a bug-free and secure platform.
  5. Launch and Support: Deploying the project and providing ongoing maintenance.

The cost and timeline vary by project complexity:

Project ComplexityTypical TimelineEstimated Cost Range
Basic NFT Project2-3 months$5,000 – $30,000
Moderate NFT Project4-6 months$30,000 – $100,000
Complex NFT Marketplace6-12 months$100,000+

These are general estimates. We provide clear pricing structures custom to your budget and vision.

Frequently Asked Questions about NFT Development

Question marks made of code - nft development agency

Diving into the NFT world can feel overwhelming. Here are answers to the most common questions we hear from entrepreneurs exploring this space.

Why should a business use NFTs?

NFTs offer multiple benefits for modern businesses, including:

  • New Revenue Streams: Create exclusive digital collectibles, limited-edition items with built-in royalties, or membership NFTs that provide recurring income.
  • Brand Engagement: Reward loyal customers with NFTs that open up exclusive events, premium content, or voting rights. This transforms customers into community members.
  • Proof of Ownership: NFTs provide transparent, tamper-proof records of ownership for digital and physical assets, creating a sense of exclusivity and value.

How do NFT development agencies ensure project security?

Security is integrated into every stage of development. A professional NFT development agency employs a multi-layered security approach:

  • Rigorous Code Reviews: Developers carefully examine all code for potential flaws.
  • Third-Party Smart Contract Audits: Independent security firms are hired to conduct comprehensive audits before launch to find and fix vulnerabilities.
  • Penetration Testing: We proactively attempt to hack our own systems to identify weaknesses before malicious actors can.
  • Decentralized Storage: Using systems like IPFS prevents single points of failure and ensures assets are tamper-proof.
  • Secure Development Practices: We follow established industry standards, including multi-signature wallets and secure authentication protocols.

How much does it cost to build an NFT marketplace?

The cost of an NFT marketplace depends on its complexity and features, similar to building a house.

  • Basic Marketplaces: With core features like minting and trading, these typically range from $5,000 to $30,000.

  • Moderate Marketplaces: Adding advanced filters, auctions, and multi-chain support can bring the cost to $30,000 to $100,000.

  • Complex Marketplaces: With sophisticated features like fractional ownership, gamification, or AR/VR integration, costs start at $100,000 and can go much higher.

Key cost factors include the feature set, choice of blockchain, and level of customization. At Web3devs, we provide a detailed, transparent quote custom to your vision and budget after an initial findy phase.

Conclusion: Partnering for Success in the Web3 Era

Team collaborating on a blockchain project - nft development agency

The NFT revolution is reshaping how we think about ownership and business in the digital age. What began as a niche technology has become a mainstream force, with billions in trading volume. However, a great idea is no longer enough. The market now demands professional-grade platforms with robust security and seamless user experiences.

This is where partnering with an experienced NFT development agency is essential. While a solo approach might seem cheaper initially, it often leads to costly mistakes and delays. In the fast-moving Web3 space, such setbacks can mean missing key market opportunities.

A strategic investment in professional development provides access to specialized expertise and proven processes that minimize risk. It allows you to focus on your core business while experts handle the complex technical implementation.

The future of digital assets is bright, with innovations like dynamic NFTs, cross-chain interoperability, and real-world asset tokenization. Businesses that establish a presence now will have a significant advantage as these technologies mature.

Your Next Step with a Professional NFT development agency

Ready to turn your NFT vision into reality? Navigating the complexity of blockchain technology and smart contract development requires deep experience. At Web3devs, we’ve been helping businesses harness the power of blockchain since 2015.

Our Web3devs expertise covers everything from simple minting platforms to complex multi-chain marketplaces. We craft custom solutions custom to your specific goals and business model.

Whether you’re a startup or an established business, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process. Don’t let technical barriers hold back your innovative ideas.

Learn more about our blockchain development services.

Newsletter #231: Endurance

Newsletter #231: Endurance

This week’s featured collector is Krampusco

Krampusco has an NFT collection ranging from the well-known to the creative spoof. Check it out at lazy.com/krampusco


Lazy.com is the easiest way to create a gallery of your NFT collection. Show some love for NFTs by sharing this newsletter with your friends!

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Last week’s poll asked why digital art and NFTs keep viewers engaged longer than traditional art. The majority pointed to interactive or moving elements (40%), followed by immersive visuals and sound (30%), while smaller groups highlighted younger audiences’ preferences (20%) and the novelty of the medium (10%). Interestingly, no one credited museums’ presentation. This suggests that digital art’s power lies less in how it’s framed and more in the medium itself—its ability to move, react, and surround viewers. Unlike static works, digital art offers a dynamic encounter that unfolds over time, and that durational quality may be the very thing that secures its place in the future of art.


Data, Durability, and the Future of NFTs

Part of what gives art its mystique—and its value—is its endurance. Compared with the brevity of human lives, art often outlives us, standing as an anchor of cultural memory. Ownership of a painting implies this promise of longevity: you might sell it, gift it, or leave it behind, but you assume the work itself will persist.

But what happens when art does not endure? What if, instead of centuries, a piece is doomed to fade, glitch, or rot in a matter of years? This fragility has haunted new media art from the start. The screens, code, and hardware that bring these works to life are also the things that risk consigning them to obsolescence.

A Radical Experiment in Preservation

Kelani Nichole, a pioneering dealer in new media art, is trying to solve this dilemma. At an event during this year’s Armory Show, she launched the Transfer Data Trust, a cooperative designed to make digital art “last 100 years.”

Nichole’s path here has been deliberate. Since founding Transfer Art Gallery in 2013, she has championed artists such as Rosa Menkman, Lorna Mills, and Carla Gannis. But as her interests shifted toward decentralization—both as a political stance and a technical toolkit—she transformed her gallery into a cooperative. The Transfer Data Trust replaces the fragile LLC with a member-run system built around long-term preservation.

Her skepticism toward NFTs shaped this move. During the NFT boom, Nichole called them “glorified receipts,” skeptical that they solved the central problem of digital art: permanence. “What it means for a painting to last through time is different from, say, a video game,” she explained at the launch. “The permanence of mutable objects is possible if we make sure we can preserve the intent of the artist.”

Beyond Storage: Preserving Intent

For new media works, survival is not just about backing up files. It’s about preserving the experience the artist intended, even as technologies change. Imagine a century from now when “screens” themselves may be obsolete. Simply migrating files forward won’t ensure that the art retains its essence. That requires extensive documentation of how the work was meant to function and be seen—and safeguards to ensure that documentation endures.

The Data Trust builds these safeguards into its structure. It combines decentralized storage systems like IPFS and Filecoin with traditional networked drives, wrapped in a browser interface where artists, dealers, and conservators can track inventory, market activity, and conservation status. Proceeds from sales flow back into the cooperative, which collectively decides how to allocate funds—including conservation of fragile works.

Art, Data, and Unsouping the Future

What makes the Data Trust fascinating is its insistence that art is not just “data in disguise,” but a form of data worthy of care, distinction, and stewardship. During the NFT frenzy, digital artifacts were often valued without clarity about why they mattered. Their shock value—much like Duchamp’s urinal or Warhol’s soup cans—was that they forced us to accept inexplicable value where none seemed to belong.

But as theorist Lisa Nakamura once wrote, digital images were long treated as “an undifferentiated soup of bits and bytes,” impossible to analyze through traditional art-historical frameworks. What efforts like the Data Trust reveal is a process of unsouping—differentiating data, preserving it, and investing it with the same weight once reserved for canvas and bronze.

Why It Matters

A recent Project Liberty Institute report on data cooperatives observed that fine art is one of the few markets outside finance capable of assigning value to data—especially time-based media artworks. Nichole’s project poses a radical question: can we take back the value of data from Big Tech, establishing systems where people transact in data on their own terms, rather than watching corporations scrape it and sell it? If data is valuable, then art—an especially charged form of data—may offer the template for doing so.

The challenge, of course, is permanence. Stewardship across generations is painstaking, as anyone who has tried to recover photos from a dead hard drive knows. Our parents’ photo albums survive in closets; our own digital archives risk being lost in forgotten cloud accounts. For art to endure, it requires dedicated care, expertise, and systems built for the long haul.

Toward the Deep Future

Nichole’s Transfer Data Trust represents a shift: from short-term speculation toward the long-term labor of preserving NFTs. Not every work of art, nor every NFT, will be carried into the deep future, but those that are will be the ones entrusted to systems of care and collective responsibility. In this sense, the Data Trust reframes digital art as not just another speculative asset class but as cultural memory worth safeguarding.

Learn more at ArtNews.


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Newsletter #230: Why Museums Like NFTs

Newsletter #230: Why Museums Like NFTs

This week’s featured collector is MonkeyCatcher

MonkeyCatcher has a wildly creative collection. Check it out at lazy.com/monkeycatcher


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What’s your take on Christie’s shuttering its dedicated digital-art department?

Last week’s poll asked: What’s your take on Christie’s shuttering its dedicated digital-art department? The results were telling. Nearly half of respondents (45%) saw the move as bad news for NFTs, suggesting concern that the closure signals retreat by one of the most visible traditional institutions in the space. Yet 27% believed it could be good news, perhaps reading it as a sign the NFT market is maturing beyond needing its own silo. Another 18% felt it would have no impact, while 9% admitted they weren’t sure. Taken together, the responses highlight a divided sentiment: some see Christie’s move as a warning sign, while others interpret it as part of a natural evolution where digital art integrates more fully into the broader art market. The debate reflects the uncertainty—and potential—still shaping the future of NFTs.


The Surprising Reason Why Museums Like NFTs

Digital art has traveled a remarkable path over the past half-century. What began in the late 1960s with Harold Cohen’s robotic painting systems and Vera Molnár’s code-based experiments has now become central to how we think about creativity, technology, and markets. For decades, artists pushed at the edges—David Hockney with his iPad landscapes, countless others experimenting with software, code, and machines—but the tipping point came in 2021 when Beeple’s NFT Everydays: The First 5000 Days sold for $69 million at Christie’s. That single sale not only catapulted NFTs into mainstream consciousness but also forced institutions and auction houses to rethink the future of art.

Yet what many collectors and market-watchers may not realize is that museums are already measuring digital art’s impact in ways that go far beyond headline sales. As Nicole Sales Giles, Director of Digital Art at Christie’s, explained, museums track how long visitors stand in front of a work. Traditional paintings might hold attention for mere seconds, but digital art—immersive installations, generative works, AI-driven experiments—often keeps audiences engaged far longer. MoMA’s exhibition of Rafik Anadol’s Machine Hallucinations not only drew record crowds but also inspired visitors to linger, often transfixed by the moving images and soundscapes. That kind of engagement is a curator’s dream: it doesn’t just validate the medium, it ensures that digital art has staying power in institutional collections. For NFT collectors accustomed to focusing on scarcity, provenance, or price, this simple but powerful metric—time spent—offers an entirely new lens on value.

The implications are profound. Museums from Paris to Miami are now adding digital works to their permanent collections. Banks are issuing loans backed by NFTs from established artists like Beeple and Anadol. Christie’s has launched its own on-chain auction platform, Christie’s 3.0, and continues to integrate digital pieces alongside canonical works by Rothko, Warhol, and Basquiat. Even as the speculative frenzy of 2021 cooled and many collectible-based NFTs collapsed in value, digital art itself has matured into a legitimate category, judged by the same criteria as any other medium: the artist’s place in history, their collector base, and the strength of their community.

At the same time, AI-driven creativity is reshaping what digital art can be. Artists like Sasha Stiles, who trained her own language model on her writing, and Holly Herndon and Matt Dryhurst, whose multimedia AI installations have graced the Whitney Biennial, are demonstrating that artificial intelligence is not a shortcut but a collaborator. For artists willing to experiment, AI expands the boundaries of what is possible, pushing creativity into entirely new dimensions.

Looking ahead, digital art is poised to remain one of the fastest-growing categories in the art world. It attracts younger collectors than any other Christie’s category, consistently brings in new clients, and resonates with generations raised in a digital-first world. As Nicole notes, digital art won’t replace Rothko, but it will grow as a permanent part of serious collections. The combination of blockchain-enabled provenance, institutional adoption, and AI-driven creativity suggests that this is only the beginning.

The story of digital art is still being written, and its trajectory will likely shape not only how art is made and sold, but how it is experienced. For a deeper dive into this fascinating conversation—including behind-the-scenes insights from Christie’s historic NFT sales and perspectives on the artists to watch—you can listen to the full podcast interview with Nicole Sales Giles on All Options Considered.


Why do you think digital art, and NFTs, keeps viewers engaged longer than traditional art?


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Newsletter #229: Christie’s Reshuffle

Newsletter #229: Christie’s Reshuffle

This week’s featured collector is Jojo89

Jojo89 has a small and nice collection of Ethereum pfps. Take a look at lazy.com/jojo89


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Are you feeling optimistic about the NFT market?

In last week’s community poll, a strong wave of confidence swept through our collector base: a solid 70 percent of respondents told us they’re feeling optimistic about the NFT market’s trajectory, while 30 percent expressed some caution. This upbeat majority signals that—even amid fluctuating floor prices and shifting headlines—most of you see long-term value in NFTs and the growing mainstream embrace of digital ownership.


NFTs After the Christie’s Reshuffle: A Milestone, Not a Misstep

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 21: An exterior view of Christie's during Christie's announcement that they will offer Andy Warhol’s Shot Sage Blue Marilyn painting of Marilyn Monroe on March 21, 2022 in New York City.  Andy Warhol’s silkscreen portraits of the late Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe will be auctioned this spring with an asking price of $200 million. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Christie’s, the 258-year-old auction house that shocked the world with Beeple’s $69.3 million NFT sale in 2021, has quietly shuttered the dedicated digital-art department it launched at the height of that boom, opting instead to fold NFTs and other blockchain-native works into its mainstream twentieth- and twenty-first-century art categories; although the Christie’s 3.0 on-chain sales platform remains live, the restructuring has prompted staff departures and cast uncertainty over signature programs such as the annual Art+Tech Summit.

Christie’s decision to fold its standalone digital-art hub into the broader contemporary framework reads, at first glance, like a retreat from NFTs. For collectors accustomed to the fanfare of dedicated online auctions and splashy headlines, the closure may even feel like a eulogy. Yet the move is better understood as a milestone in digital art’s maturation. By shelving the specialized podium it erected in 2022, Christie’s signals that blockchain-native works no longer require a separate stage; they have earned a place beside painting, sculpture, and photography. Parity, not abandonment, is the underlying message.

The timing makes sense. The speculative surge that crowned Beeple’s Everydays at $69.3 million has long cooled, and Ethereum’s price oscillations are no longer strong enough to mask thin curatorial depth. Christie’s own 3.0 platform has averaged a modest seventeen lots per sale, with totals rarely crossing the $400,000 mark—figures that look small next to evening auctions of Giacometti bronzes or Warhol silkscreens. In a sober market, collectors who remain are the ones building for the long term, weighing provenance and artistic significance rather than chasing instant flips. A cooler climate can be painful, but it flushes out froth and foregrounds quality.

Integration confers real benefits on both artists and buyers. When a generative piece by Tyler Hobbs or a data sculpture by Refik Anadol shares catalog space with a Kusama infinity print or a Richter abstraction, it enters the same art-historical conversation and draws the same cross-category bidder attention. Price discovery becomes easier, because estimates and final hammer prices for digital works can now be compared directly with analogous media. Institutional memory strengthens too: future scholars will chart the ascent of on-chain practice without rummaging through segregated sale archives.

This shift dovetails with broader changes across the ecosystem. Sotheby’s trimmed its Metaverse team yet continues to stage NFT auctions; independent venues such as Bright Moments, Feral File, and Verse flourish with fully on-chain drops; and museums from MoMA to LACMA have begun acquiring key digital editions. Robert Alice, whose Portraits of a Mind inaugurated Christie’s blockchain sales, calls the auction house “pioneering,” yet also notes that Web3 now builds its own institutions—DAOs, decentralized galleries, token-gated fairs—that operate quite happily without legacy gatekeepers.

For collectors, the practical takeaway is straightforward. Reassess holdings with an eye to cultural weight rather than floor-price theatrics; follow integrated sales for richer comparables; and continue minting directly from artists whose practices push code, AI, and interactivity in new directions. The hardware for display—whether Infinite Objects, Lago frames, or metaverse galleries—will only improve as mainstream acceptance grows.

Christie’s reshuffle, then, is not a funeral for NFTs but a graduation ceremony. Digital art has moved from the experimental annex into the main showroom, where it will be judged by the same critical standards—and rewarded with the same staying power—as every other contemporary medium. For those collecting beyond the hype cycle, that is very good news indeed..


What’s your take on Christie’s shuttering its dedicated digital-art department?


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