Not too long ago, it felt like everyone was talking about NFTs—Non-Fungible Tokens. We saw digital artworks selling for thousands or even millions.

Social media was buzzing, artists were minting, and collectors were bidding. For a while, it looked like NFTs had completely changed the rules of the art world.

But now that the hype has cooled and prices have dropped, we're left asking: what did artists actually gain from all this?

The promise was huge

At first, NFTs felt like a dream come true for digital artists. Finally, we could sell our work as original pieces, just like painters or sculptors do. Platforms like OpenSea, Rarible, and Foundation offered easy ways to mint and list digital art. Artists hoped to earn income directly, without middlemen like galleries or agents.

Some even received royalties automatically whenever their work was resold—a feature that seemed like a long-overdue reward.

Some big wins—for a few

It's true that a small number of artists saw life-changing success. Beeple made headlines when one of his works sold for over $69 million. Other artists built loyal fanbases and earned enough to quit their day jobs. These stories were inspiring and exciting, showing us what was possible.

But they were also the exception, not the rule. As the market grew, so did the competition—and the risks.

The crash came fast

By late 2022 and into 2023, the NFT market slowed down. Prices dropped, collectors pulled back, and headlines shifted. Many artists who once sold pieces for hundreds now struggled to get a single bid. Some platforms shut down or changed their rules.

And the wave of new artists hoping to ride the NFT trend found that visibility was much harder to come by.

What artists really gained

Still, it wasn't all bad. Many of us learned new skills—how to promote our work, how to connect with a global audience, and how to think about digital ownership. Some artists built strong communities that stayed supportive even after the crash.

Others started combining NFTs with physical prints, real-life experiences, or creative collaborations that wouldn't have happened otherwise. So while the income may have dropped, the exposure and growth were real.

“The smart contracts and royalties offer an attractive proposition to artists all over the world,” says Seyi Awotunde. That gives artists the possibility of earning residual lifetime income from each piece of art they create, allowing full‑time artists to spend more time making art rather than working or freelancing to pay the bills.

We faced some hard lessons

The NFT boom also showed us how quickly hype can fade. Some artists paid high fees to mint their work, only to make no sales. Others got caught up in scams or copied work. Many learned the importance of doing research, understanding contracts, and protecting their digital rights.

As the market matured, we realized that success still takes time, effort, and a solid fanbase—it's not automatic just because something is on the blockchain.

Art still matters—NFT or not

The core truth hasn't changed: great art connects with people, no matter the format. NFTs gave us a new tool, not a shortcut. Some artists will keep using NFTs as part of their creative journey. Others may return to traditional methods. And many will mix both.

What matters most is not whether the file is minted or physical—but whether it speaks to someone, stirs a feeling, or tells a story.

Will NFTs make a comeback?

Some experts believe NFTs aren't gone, just evolving. According to art and tech analyst Amy Whitaker, the real long-term value may lie in how artists use blockchain for contracts, licensing, and rights management—not just flashy sales. In that sense, NFTs could become more useful, even if they're no longer a trending topic.

So, was it worth it?

If we gained skills, new fans, or even a better understanding of how digital art can work in a business model, then yes—it was worth something. But it also taught us to be cautious of hype and to focus on long-term growth rather than overnight success.

What was your NFT experience?

Did you try selling or collecting NFTs? Was it exciting, disappointing, or somewhere in between? We'd love to hear what you learned and whether you'd do it again. Whether NFTs rise again or fade into history, one thing's for sure—we're still here, still creating, and still finding new ways to share what we make.