This week’s featured collector is FrontRowMe
FrontRowMe collects Ethereum NFTs and has a wide collection. Check it out at lazy.com/frontrowme
What best describes the vibe of NFTs in 2025
Last week’s poll gauged public sentiment on the state of NFTs in 2025, revealing a mixed outlook. While 30% believe NFTs are fading into obscurity, another 30% see them as resilient but niche, indicating that while mainstream hype has diminished, a dedicated market remains. 20% think NFTs are secretly building real solutions, suggesting optimism for their long-term utility. Meanwhile, 10% view them as bolder and more grounded, reflecting a maturing space, while another 10% believe they are still riding the hype wave, indicating some lingering speculative excitement. Overall, the results suggest that while NFTs may no longer dominate headlines, they continue to evolve, with some seeing them as fading and others as finding a lasting role in digital culture.
From Victorian Masterpieces to NFTs: A Journey into Digital Art Collecting
When Matt Zhang first set out to build an art collection in his 20s, his acquisitions were firmly planted in the past: Victorian paintings by artists like John William Godward and Frank Dicksee. A chance encounter with Bitcoin in 2014 shifted his attention to the burgeoning world of blockchain and digital assets, eventually leading him to explore NFTs. That initial spark evolved into a full-fledged passion, culminating in his founding the Hivemind Digital Culture Fund—a curated collection championing NFTs, AI art, and generative art. In this excerpt from an interview with Art Basel, Zhang reflects on the lessons he learned in his journey as an NFT collector.
What advice would you give to a first-time collector of digital art?
There’s an unlimited quantity of digital collectibles on the internet, but only a small fraction can be called digital art, and an even more minuscule percentage of that will have a space in art history. Those who are curious about the space should see as much art as possible. Don’t go above your purchasing power. Choose work that you’ll always love as part of your collection. Later, if a piece you collected has significant value, you can sell that and buy more work. That’s great, but if that was your goal in the first place, most people will be disappointed.
What mistakes did you make when you started collecting that you think others could learn from?
I did a good job of following my heart. I always liked everything I collected, but I was buying too broadly. I bought a lot too quickly. If I could do it again, I would connect with more of the artists. Once you learn an artist’s motivation, you have a higher degree of confidence, which can change your perspective on an artwork. I would take my time, be more patient, see more art, and meet the artists first. I would also have bought fewer pieces. The best collectors own significant pieces from key artists rather than a scattered selection from several different names.
What is the best way to connect with NFT artists and discover new names?
They are active on X, Instagram, and Discord. They also host casual meetups in cities worldwide. Digital artists interact with the community more often than traditional artists. It’s fascinating. You can use social media to find new artists, and you’ll see they will typically be tweeting about other artists too. There are also a lot of offline art fairs.
How should you maintain your NFT collection?
If your digital artwoks, such as NFTs, are on-chain, you must store it securely. It’s best to have them in your cold storage wallet, which only you can access. Think of it like a high-value painting – you wouldn’t hang a Basquiat in a public hallway where anyone could take it. Similarly, digital art needs secure custody. Additionally, having a physical print of digital art is an amazing way to enjoy it. Sometimes they look very different. I think the best way to appreciate art is to be able to see it every day.
Read the full interview at Art Basel.
What comes next for NFTs?
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