The Non-Fungible Token (NFT) community was looking forward to the Proof of Conference, a three-day NFT event in Los Angeles from 11th to 13th May, that would be similar to the Bitcoin Conference. Unfortunately, the event failed to attract enough attention. Was the poor turnout a reflection on the NFT industry itself, or is there more to the story?
Expensive Event
According to the conference chair, “After several weeks of sales figures, conversations with potential sponsors, and conversations with members of the community, it is clear that there is significantly less interest in an event like this than expected.” The primary reason was the high cost of a ticket, which was 1.5 ETH (roughly $3,000) unless you owned a Moonbird NFT. Holders of these NFTs received a 50% discount on their ticket. The cheapest Moonbird is currently selling on OpenSea for 6.4 ETH, equivalent to approximately $13,000.
When you factor in airfare, accommodation, and other expenses, the costs for the Proof of Conference were astronomical. The same is true for the Bitcoin Conference in Miami, which is similarly priced but still sells out every year. So, let’s examine the NFT industry to see whether it is still popular or whether it has lost its charm.
Are NFTs Still Relevant?
The NFT industry saw a significant surge in popularity in 2021, which could easily be described as the year for Non-Fungible Tokens. The world took notice when a digital image was sold for $69.4 million, sparking a craze that lasted until the end of the year. Even a 13-year-old girl became a crypto millionaire by selling NFTs.
There was a point when NFTs were more popular than the search term “crypto.” However, according to the Google Trends chart, the level of interest has since waned, as it has for “Bitcoin” and “crypto.” Nevertheless, interest in these tokens has not decreased by a significant amount.
If we look at the current hype, there is very little positive news about NFTs. Sales volumes are also declining, as shown in the Statista charts. Does this mean that nobody is interested in these tokens anymore?
Ordinals
Ordinals are a new type of NFT that is now available on Bitcoin. The Ordinals team has made it possible to record small inscriptions on 1 SAT transactions, the smallest unit of Bitcoin. These inscriptions work similarly to NFTs on other blockchains and can contain an image, a document, or other data. While it created a buzz, it turned out to be a short-lived fad. More recently, Ordinals have been made available on Litecoin, but whether it will be successful remains to be seen.
Is Hype Only About Money?
The hype around NFTs, digital images, and other Non-Fungible Tokens seems to have waned in 2021. However, it may reemerge in the future. It’s a fantastic innovation, but the demand for it seems to have disappeared as quickly as it appeared, fueled primarily by the lure of fast money.
Conclusion The hype around NFTs has died down considerably in recent times, but that doesn’t mean they’re dead. It’s a great technology that has changed the way we see the value of digital art and other assets. However, the proof of concept is now complete, and it’s time to see whether NFTs can maintain their relevance in a world where hype quickly fades.
The cancellation of Proof of Conference may be disappointing to those who were looking forward to the event, but it’s important to note that the success or failure of a single conference does not determine the future of NFTs. While it’s true that interest in NFTs may have waned compared to the hype of 2021, they are still a relatively new and rapidly evolving technology. The cancellation of Proof of Conference may even be an opportunity for the industry to take a step back and re-evaluate its approach to educating and engaging with developers, artists, and enthusiasts. Ultimately, the future of NFTs will depend on their ability to evolve and adapt to meet the needs and interests of their users.
FAQ’s
What factors contributed to the cancellation of the Proof of Conference NFT event?
The primary factor cited for the event’s cancellation was a lack of interest and attendance. Despite the high cost of admission, which was 1.5 ETH (roughly $2,350) per ticket, organizers were unable to generate enough ticket sales or sponsor interest to justify holding the event. The steep price tag, combined with the cost of travel and accommodations, likely deterred many potential attendees. Additionally, the popularity of NFTs themselves may have waned in recent months, which could have contributed to a lack of interest in attending the conference.
Are NFTs still popular, or has the hype died down?
The popularity of NFTs experienced a surge in 2021, with the high-profile sale of digital art pieces for millions of dollars capturing headlines around the world. However, interest in NFTs may have peaked, and recent sales figures suggest that demand may be decreasing. While there are still collectors and enthusiasts who are active in the NFT market, the hype around the tokens has cooled off somewhat. It remains to be seen whether NFTs will continue to be a major force in the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency or if they will fade into obscurity over time.