have an account?【sign in】what is erc 721:An In-Depth Explanation of ERC-721
hanssonauthorWhat is ERC-721? An In-Depth Explanation of the Ethereum Standard for NFTs
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have become a hot topic in the blockchain and cryptocurrency community in recent years. NFTs, also known as non- interchangeable tokens, are unique digital assets that cannot be replaced by their counterpart. They are often used in the art, gaming, and real estate sectors. The Ethereum Resource Contract (ERC) 721 is a standard that allows developers to create NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. This article will provide an in-depth explanation of ERC-721 and its importance in the NFT world.
What are NFTs?
NFTs are unique digital assets that can be used to represent a wide range of items, from artwork and collectibles to in-game items and real estate. They are typically stored on a blockchain, making them immutable and unchangeable. NFTs can be traded and transferred between users, similar to cryptocurrency transactions.
The Evolution of NFTs on Ethereum
Before the creation of the ERC-721 standard, there were only two options for creating NFTs on Ethereum: using the ERC-20 standard, which was designed for tokens that could be exchanged for one another, or using the ERC-1155 standard, which was designed for multi-token collection management. Both of these standards had limitations that made creating complex NFTs difficult or impossible.
In 2018, Ethereum developers created the ERC-721 standard to address these limitations. The ERC-721 standard allows developers to create NFTs that are unique and non-interchangeable, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. This standard has been widely adopted by the NFT community, and many popular NFT platforms, such as OpenSea and Rarible, have implemented it.
Features of the ERC-721 Standard
1. Unique ID: Each NFT created using the ERC-721 standard is assigned a unique identifier, which is stored in the blockchain. This unique ID enables users to track the ownership history of an NFT, ensuring its authenticity and preventing counterfeit items.
2. Minting: Developers can create new NFTs using the mint function in the ERC-721 standard. This function generates a new unique ID for the NFT, which is then added to the blockchain.
3. Transfer: Users can transfer NFTs between each other using the transfer function in the ERC-721 standard. This function verifies that the sender and recipient have the necessary permissions to perform the transfer, and updates the blockchain to reflect the new owner of the NFT.
4. Destruction: The ERC-721 standard also allows for the destruction of NFTs. This function deletes the NFT from the blockchain, effectively making it irrecoverable. This feature can be used to ensure the authenticity of an NFT by destroying counterfeit items or in cases where an NFT is no longer needed.
5. Metadata: The ERC-721 standard supports metadata, which are additional data attributes that can be associated with an NFT. This feature enables developers to add additional information about an NFT, such as its creator, description, or price.
The ERC-721 standard has revolutionized the NFT space by providing a reliable and versatile framework for creating unique and non-interchangeable digital assets on the Ethereum blockchain. Its features have made it the go-to standard for NFT developers, and its widespread adoption demonstrates its importance in the NFT ecosystem. As the NFT market continues to grow, the ERC-721 standard is likely to play an increasingly important role in the future of blockchain-based artwork, collectibles, and other unique items.