10 Excellent NFT Blockchains You Must Know

PersonOutlineIconUPYO.comCalendarTodayIcon March 7, 2023AccessTimeIcon 13 Mins Read
PersonOutlineIconUPYO.comCalendarTodayIcon March 7, 2023AccessTimeIcon Mins Read
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Blockchains are the backbone of NFTs. In fact, the fame that non-fungible tokens enjoy today is all due to blockchain, which was launched in 2008 as part of Bitcoin. Today, blockchain stands tall as an innovative technology with various use cases that are bound to grow even more significant.

One of the significant use of this technology is to ease business transactions and processes. As per recent surveys, the use of blockchain will increase to 39.7 billion USD in 2025. This massive growth shows that there is and will be a huge demand for blockchain networks. 

You don’t want to miss blockchain networks if you are a crypto, NFT, or Web3 fan. This article will cover 10 popular blockchain networks that you must be aware of in 2023.

But before that, let us first cover the fundamentals to clearly understand blockchain networks.

What is blockchain?

Blockchain technology or software is a technology that stores digital transactions across communication networks. In other words, it operates as a distributed virtual ledger where each action gets recorded. One of the laudable features of this network is that the records are immutable. In short, the records cannot be changed, making them authentic for ownership verification. 

Features of blockchain:

  • Enhanced security and capacity
  • Immutability 
  • Decentralized network
  • Consensus

Types of blockchain:

There are four main types of blockchains:

  • Public blockchain
  • Private blockchain
  • Consortium blockchain
  • Hybrid blockchain

Fundamental components of the blockchain network

A blockchain network has 5 crucial components:

1. Distributed Ledger

2. Peer-to-peer network – P2P

3. Consensus Mechanism

4. Cryptography

5. Virtual Machine

10 leading blockchain networks:

There are numerous blockchain networks that developers can use to develop non-fungible tokens. Each of these blockchains has its own set of merits and demerits. Thus, one must understand what each of these networks is capable of before using them.  

This section will give an overview of the top blockchains that are leading today:

Ethereum:

This is one of the most popular networks that is a favorite among developers. It was launched in 2013 and has a native coin, ETH (Ether). The network was popular for its use of smart contracts to ease transactions. In fact, it was Ethereum that introduced smart contracts to the world. 

Furthermore, it was also the first Decentralized public blockchain which is still running the show since its inception. Ethereum is the base for the ERC-721 token, which is the common standard used to create non-fungible tokens. It also has ERC-1155, which is used for semi-fungible tokens. Apart from this, this network also has other token standards in its kitty. 

Ethereum NFT blockchain

The network also acts as a foundation for various ventures, such as USD Coin (USDC) and BAT (Basic Attention Token). Ethereum launched a proof-of-stake mechanism in 2022, replacing its previous proof-of-work architecture. The new mechanism is more secure, less energy-consuming, and is a better option for implementing new solutions for scaling. 

Some of the well-known NFT collections on the Ethereum blockchain include- the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), Crypto Punks, Otherdeed for Otherside, Clone X, Doodles, Goblin Town, and Moonbirds, among others.

Here are some of the notable features of this network:

  • It is extremely decentralized.
  • It provides all transactional services, eliminating the need for intermediaries.
  • It provides NFT liquidity.
  • It provides technical documentation to help developers build smart contracts.

Overall, one may consider this network as the best option to launch new ventures that offer non-fungible tokens tremendous exposure to the potential crypto space.

Solana:

This is another well-known blockchain network for various projects on non-fungible tokens, Web3, and DeFi. The network was launched in 2020 and is running successfully to date. Solana has its native cryptocurrency, Solana SOL which ranks 10th globally. The market cap of this network is around $12.04 billion at the time of writing this article. 

Solana NFT Blockchain

This open-source blockchain network is similar to Ethereum but uses a proof-of-history consensus mechanism instead of a proof-of-stake mechanism. Solana’s working mechanism simplifies timestamping transactions of non-fungible tokens and SOL coins. 

The building blocks of this chain are connectivity, low costs, and scalability. Furthermore, this chain is known as one of the fastest programmable blockchains in the symmetric encryption space. The chain can execute around 65,000 transactions per second as of now. However, developers opine that this count will increase in the future.

Some of the top Solana-based non-fungible tokens and projects include Okay Bears, GGSG, Degenerate Ape Academy, ABC (AbarakaDabra), Kikiverse, etc.,

Here are some of the notable features of this network:

  • One of the fastest network
  • Cheaper costs per transaction
  • One of the easy-to-program network
  • Fast expanding exosystem
  • Resilient and uses less bandwidth
  • A better option for the environment and people with ecology or environmental concerns 

Tezos:

This is another old blockchain network that is well-known for the various benefits it offers. It is again an open-source and public blockchain network with numerous improvements since its launch. The network boasts of having a Delegated Proof of Stake (XDPoS) consensus mechanism very early since its debut. 

Tezos NFT Blockchain

Some of its features that set it apart from other networks are – on-chain governance and self-amendment protocol. This decentralized network supports the execution of P2P transactions seamlessly. Furthermore, this chain facilitates the development of dApps. 

Mining a non-fungible token on this network just costs a fraction of an XTZ token, which is low compared to other notable blockchain networks. Tezos is gaining good traction, and The highly influential Art Basel Miami Beach Show recently announced that it would be displaying NFT digital art on the Tezos blockchain.

The network offers excellent safety and code correctness for digital assets. One can find good use cases for Tezos around racing firms and platforms. Some of the top Tezos-based non-fungible tokens and projects include Red Bull Racing, Ubisoft Quartz, McLaren, Ziggurats, The GAP, DOGAMÍ, Kia and Robo Dog, Cleveland Cavaliers, Papa Johns Pizza, etc.,

Here are some of the notable features of this network:

  • Low energy consumption
  • Uses baking to verify transactions (instead of staking)
  • Forkless upgrades
  • Self-amendment 
  • On-chain governance
  • Usage of smart contracts
  • Low cost per transaction

BNB chain:

Released in 2020 as the Binance Smart Chain (now BNB), this network is the latest entrant to the blockchain network that is getting popular among businesses. The network has a set of its own token standards (BEP-721 and BEP-1155), which can be employed to create non-fungible tokens. BNB is based on the proof-of-staked-authority (PoSA) consensus method.

BNB NFT chain

This network is affordable and fast to build non-fungible tokens. Furthermore, the token standards related to this network go well with EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine). Thus, it is easier to import projects from the blockchain, which helps in developing dApps and other related tools. One of its significant features is that it provides cross-chain compatibility. 

The gaming and marketplace sectors, requiring high transaction rates with low fees, are the most expected non-fungible token ventures on this network chain. Some of the well-known non-fungible token game projects include – PancakeSwap, BakerySwap, Battle Pets, Alien Worlds, Tiny World, CyBall, X World Games, Era7: Game of Truth, and others.

Here are some of the notable features of this network:

  • Supports EVM-compatible smart contracts, protocols, and tooling
  • Faster block times and lower costs
  • Thriving community
  • Provides incentives for developers
  • Simple and easy-to-use platform
  • Provides discounts on transaction charges

Cosmos:

Launched in 2016, the Interchain Foundation manages the Cosmos network. It has a native coin named ATOM. one can say that this network is an ecosystem of numerous blockchains. The market cap of this blockchain network stands at approximately $4.09B at the time of writing this article.

Cosmos NFT Blockchain

This chain network’s major objective is to solve three main problems of blockchains, namely – scalability, sovereignty, and sustainability. The network employs the Tendermint consensus algorithm and the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol. These protocols are used to ensure secure communication between the blockchains. 

The Cosmos blockchain has three layers: The Layer of Consensus in the Cosmos, the Cosmos Networking Layer, and The Application Layer of the Cosmos. Each of these layers has a specific role to perform. Some of the well-known non-fungible token projects include Strangeclan (NFT game), Stargaze (marketplace), Cosmverse, Agoric, Umee, Celestia, Axelar, Tgrade, Evmos, and others.

Here are some of the notable features of this network:

  • Faster communication among blockchains
  • Provides horizontal and vertical scalability
  • Helps maintain sovereignty 
  • Quicker transaction process

EOS (Electro-Optical System):

This open-source, public blockchain network was launched in 2018 and is considered one of the leading blockchain networks as of 2023. The network has a market cap of approximately $1,170,818,320 and has a native coin named EOS. One of the goals of this network is to create secure and scalable dApps. 

One of the prominent features of this network is it removes user fees by making use of XDPoS (Delegated Proof of Stake) algorithms and multithreading. The EOS network is known for its improved scalability and faster transaction process. Thus, this network makes an excellent choice for bigger projects. 

EOS blockchain

Moreover, it offers solutions for the decentralized storage of enterprises in order to solve scalability issues. The network has the ability to host, handle, and also develop decentralized apps. One of the notable features of this network is the asynchronous mode of communication methodology and parallel execution used to aid commercial-scale dApps, making its performance excellent without any hitch.

Some of the well-known non-fungible tokens based on EOS include Tasty tale, AtomicMarket, Upland, Crypto Dynasty, and Blockchain Cuties. Here are some of the notable features of this network:

  • Very secure developer-focused blockchain network 
  • High transaction speed and lower cost
  • Highly configurable making is best for creating and managing programmable architectures

Stellar:

Launched in 2014, Stellar is a public blockchain that predominantly centers around financial transactions. People can employ this network for various tasks, such as sending, creating, receiving, trading bitcoins, and virtual representing dollars, pesos, and other currencies. 

This network is something one must keep an eye on in 2023 as it has the potential to alter the fintech sector. All fintech firms can benefit from this network and provide a secure and transparent service to their customers. 

Stellar NFT Blockchain

This network’s prominent aspects are its responsiveness and transaction speed. The network has the fastest confirmation time (3 to 5 seconds) and can easily handle millions of transactions. Furthermore, this blockchain network has 1% fixed annual inflation.

Here are some of the well-known projects based on Stellar – Moneygram, Circle, Coinme, 6SR, Abra, and many more. 

Notable features of the Stellar blockchain network:

  • Quick transactions and low transaction cost
  • Highly secure network
  • Outstanding scalability
  • Decentralized and open-source database
  • Multi-currency transactions

Klaytn:

This blockchain was launched in 2019 and is again a new entrant into the group of public blockchain networks. With its modular network architecture, this network is a perfect platform for business operations. This is because the architecture helps in creating service-oriented blockchains, which are nothing but sub-networks.

Klaytn NFT Blockchain

Experts opine that this network has real-world applications in various sectors, such as real estate, gaming, music, domain names, etc., The network has the capacity to manage 4000 transactions per second at a low price. 

Here are some of the well-known use cases of Klaytn:

  • DeFi NFTs
  • Fashion and Wearables
  • Certification & Academic Credentials
  • Concerts and Ticketing
  • Sports NFTs
  • Supply Chain

Notable features of the Klaytn blockchain network:

  • Helps develop blockchain applications at a low cost
  • Low latency and high scalability
  • Decentralized data & control 
  • Distributed governance

Elrond:

This public blockchain was launched in the year 2020 and has been in the news for all good reasons. The blockchain-primarily focuses on improving dApps scalability. Apart from that, it also improves security and decentralization. Another worthy feature of this blockchain is that it serves business uses at an inexpensive price and offers high output or productivity.

Erlond NFT Blockchain

This blockchain provides lightning-fast transaction speeds (because of sharding). Moreover, the latest technologies, namely, the Internet of Things (IoT), Web 3.0, and DeFi extensively use this network. According to reports, its network can handle 15000 transactions per second at a transaction cost of 0.001 USD and a latency of six seconds.

Some of the dApps and other projects based on Elrond include Black Hat Network, Aerotek Aviation, and decentralized exchanges such as Maiar DEX.

Notable features of the Elrond blockchain network:

  • High scalability 
  • Low-cost transactions
  • Very safe
  • Developer friendly

Hyperledger Fabric:

This consortium blockchain offers a modular framework (architecture) that helps create plug-and-play applications. It helps form a network fabric (network of networks) which is useful for industrial use cases. 

This enterprise-level permission blockchain network launched in 2015 is a confidential and private framework handled by the Linux Foundation. Since it is a private network, the speed of transactions is top-notch, which results in excellent performance.

Hyperledger Fabric blockchain

This type of private network is accessible to authenticated users only, so one can be guaranteed to have good privacy. Furthermore, this type of network is great for banking, insurance, and other related entities. 

Apart from these popular blockchains, you can consider Cardano, WAX, Polygon, TRON, Algorand, Avalanche, Flow, and many others. 

Critical factors to consider while choosing a blockchain 

You must consider a few aspects before selecting a blockchain, such as given below:

Transaction speed:

This is one of the essential factors to consider when choosing a blockchain. Everyone wants to accomplish transactions at a certain speed to achieve their objectives, so consider how fast you need to process the transactions. The speed mainly depends on the type of non-fungible tokens you wish to create.

For instance, if you want to create videos or images of high resolution, the blockchain you select must handle large files. However, if you want a blockchain to create a game or a digital environment, the blockchain must have the capacity to manage high-volume transactions. Please research your requirements before making a choice.

The functionality of smart contracts:

It is known that smart contracts are an integral part of non-fungible tokens that assist in their transfer. Thus, when selecting a blockchain, you will have to consider the below factors related to smart contracts:

  • Choose a blockchain that supports the use or execution of smart contracts.
  • Check the language used in the smart contracts, as some networks use proprietary language, and others employ standard language, such as Solidity.
  • One more essential factor is to consider gas fees when choosing the blockchain, as gas fees vary from one network to another.

Cost of transaction:

Another crucial factor is the transaction cost. You must consider how much will create and minting non-fungible tokens on the selected blockchain will cost. Please remember that costs will include ongoing plus upfront costs. 

Security:

You must ensure that the blockchain must be secure enough to store your non-fungible tokens. This is crucial since non-functional tokens stored on a virtual ledger are susceptible to hacks and thefts. 

Forking:

This is the method by which developers can take established blockchain code and develop a new, different version of the blockchain with its own set of guidelines. There are two types of forking – hard and soft.

A hard fork is a complete change of the blockchain’s underlying code that is incompatible with the older one. You must establish a brand-new wallet if you wish to utilize the new blockchain and cannot use your old one. Hard forks are frequently used to implement significant changes or updates to a blockchain.

On the other hand, a soft fork is a modification to the blockchain that is still compatible with the previous version. With the new blockchain, you can continue to use your old wallet. Soft forks are frequently used to introduce minor changes or updates to a blockchain.

Conclusion 

Blockchain technology can be viewed as a boon for its innovation and growth in terms of ownership and authenticity verification. Today, there are numerous blockchains that serve distinct purposes. One can select a network that works for them and benefit immensely. This article introduces you to some of the leading blockchain networks that you can look into.

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