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Spotted NFT profile pics on social media and wonder what they're all about? Make sure to read our guide to NFT PFPs to find out more.

What are NFT PFPs? Non-fungible token profile pictures, or NFT PFPs, are NFT artwork pieces that are designed as avatars or characters. This guide will include more information about why NFT profile pics are so popular, their communities, what makes them special, their integration into social media and their place in the future.

The popularity of NFT PFPs continued growing into the world of social media. People who are fans of certain NFT profile pic projects use avatars of their favorite NFT characters to show their community affiliation or their ownership of an NFT PFP collectible they’ve purchased. Celebrities have also joined in on the trend. Several well-known celebrities have created their own NFT PFPs to sell. The NFT project creators who use PFP designs typically have a community structured with its own values, culture or exclusive benefits. Due to their widespread growth, crypto PFPs have quickly become mainstream.

All humans are unique. Each person has different combinations of character traits, hobbies, looks and much more. NFT PFPs give people an opportunity to be represented with a unique identity because of advanced technologies and talented artists. One factor that all crypto PFP projects have in common is the strong focus on the concept of unique identity. NFT profile pic project creators can achieve unique identity goals by setting their projects or character choices apart from other crypto PFP projects, and by creating unique crypto profile pics with varying attributes or traits.

The creators of projects must be careful to keep their characters unique — or risk their future. For example, there’s a new popular NFT PFP project called the Okay Bears, featuring chilled-out bears with a positivity-focused community. A copycat project emerged, called the Not Okay Bears, and it featured similar bear characters that looked grumpy instead of chill. If the copycat project had proceeded, it would likely have been unsuccessful because of its lack of originality and unique identity.

Many NFT PFP projects’ creators use algorithms to generate a large number of unique characters with different combinations of traits. In this way, they offer people the value of having a unique or rare identity in the digital world. Also, people often gravitate toward projects that they relate to or like because of their character stories, communities, utilities, or for other reasons. Because the world of NFT PFPs is growing so rapidly, the value of unique identity is something that’s key to all successful projects.

In addition to the unique identity appeal that NFT PFPs offer, there are other reasons for their currency popularity. Following are some of the main factors that contribute to the popularity of NFT profile pics.

One good example of community popularity is BAYC. Members have access to an exclusive Discord channel, and a few notable NBA stars are members and hang out there. Also, there is a wall (quaintly titled “the bathroom”) where BAYC members can create their own artistic contributions or express themselves. These are just a few examples. Every project has its own unique community structure. The communities often attract people who are searching for places where they feel comfortable. Okay Bears created a community where people are encouraged to support each other, share positive content and even create positively-focused fan art. The benefit of being part of an NFT PFP community that not everyone can easily access has considerable appeal to both fans and investors.

Crypto PFP project creators choose a variety of attributes or characteristics for NFT profile pics. These traits potentially appeal to buyers for two main reasons. First, while investors may buy NFT profile pics based on rarity, fans will most likely buy them based on attributes they can relate to. Most tokens show a breakdown of characteristics or attributes and their rarity. For example, cyborg eyes are especially rare with BAYC characters, and a king's crown is also rare for a hat. However, bored eyes are common. Rarity can also be found in background color, clothing styles and other features of the avatar. With the new Okay Bears, backgrounds that are purple are the rarest. Buyers who feel connected to the community may choose crypto PFPs based on attributes that seem to represent themselves, their feelings and/or their own personal taste.

Road maps are every crypto PFP project's way to communicate what people can expect when they invest. The road maps show what the projects plan to launch, how many tokens there will be, what utilities members receive and what people can expect from community participation. Some of the most successful projects have used these road maps to help generate hype, working to build a frenzy even before their initial sales. Road maps also help show investors that the project is staying on track with goals. For example, a quick scan of the BAYC road map shows that it’s reached 100% of its goals.

What are NFT PFPs going to do next? With celebrities joining the crypto PFP trend, it’s no surprise that real-world fashion brands are also scouting opportunities. Some top fashion designers are looking to dress NFTs. 

Much as businesses strive to create competitive advantages or unique value propositions that their competitors cannot replicate, NFT profile pic crypto projects seek to create unique benefits for members that extend beyond community values or culture. Becoming a community member of an NFT PFP project means access to some benefits beyond exclusive member chats. People often choose communities based on these privileges or benefits. For instance, World of Women holders can attend an annual gala, and they receive access to exclusive raffles and enjoy special discounts. Okay Bears offers members access to real-world events, along with clothing and other exclusive collectibles.

The Meebits project offers a 3D model utility, which could be a powerful benefit in the future if the metaverse merges with The Meebits as social media and crypto PFPs continue to integrate. With CryptoPunks, there’s not a long list of utilities. However, the social capital gained from owning one of these pioneering characters is a coveted privilege. Think of them as the Rolls-Royce of NFT PFPs. Investors often look at the unique values and ongoing popularity potential of projects when they decide which ones to buy. CryptoPunks has shown that NFT profile pic projects can build popularity — and maintain it.

Curious about what NFT PFPs are when it comes to social media? Top social media platform leaders are well aware that crypto PFPs are advancing quickly, and that owners want to display them. Because social media platforms must keep up with trends in order to remain competitive, they’re working on ways to offer the legitimization of NFT profile pics for users who want to display them. Twitter led the innovation plans by offering crypto PFP holders the ability to turn their profile pictures into verified pictures.

Why is this important? Today, it’s easy for people to see a picture they like and save it, or simply take a screenshot of it to use on their own. Although there are reverse image search tools online to help NFT owners find people who may be using their valuable virtual property, nobody has the time to continually search for offenders. With a verified profile picture, a crypto PFP owner has a way to prove ownership and stand out from wannabes, imposters or thieves.

In early May, Instagram launched a test feature of something similar to what Twitter offers. The feature allows digital wallets to let users connect the NFTs they own and want to display. Meta may eventually offer something similar for Facebook. Instagram's original plans were to potentially allow users to mint their own NFTs on Instagram as well. That plan was met with mixed reactions, with many Twitter users pointing out that the NFT culture was born on Twitter and thrives there. NFT enthusiasts moving entirely to Instagram seems unlikely at this time.

While there is some skepticism about crypto PFP projects, it’s important not to underestimate the draw of a strong community, unique utilities, integrations and rarity. Experts point out that NFT profile pics are suffocating the crypto art market. Although there is some truth to that statement, many digital art NFTs simply do not come with the same attractive benefits that appeal to buyers of crypto PFPs. Investors know that, and make decisions based on hype and speculation. For many of them, the investments are worth it. Year-over-year, NFT trading volume grew 38,000% and reached a total of $10.7 billion in 2021. Trends appear to be continuing to pick up steam in 2022. One detail is important, and that is the need for originality in utilities for NFT profile pic projects that want to attract larger crowds.

NFT PFPs are growing and evolving every month. The creators of some NFT profile pics are seeing collections sell out within hours. With the recent addition of social media, metaverse and real-world integration, NFT PFPs have proven that they’re capable of much more than people assumed they were a few years ago.

NFT PFPs: The Rise of NFT Profile Pictures on Social Media

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