Everything related to blockchain has been creating ripples in the crypto universe since 2013, and NFTs are no exception. The monetary effects have been astounding, and the craze is real. NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, first came into the limelight back in 2017 with the launch of 'Crypto Punks', a unique digital art with little to no recognition.

Presently, NFTs range from video game assets to videos, music, and just about all types of digital collectibles. NFTs have become the talk of the town, and the strong NFT community is exploding, with recent reports claiming daily average ‘NFT trading volume’ surpassing 49 million dollars on Opensea.io. From the Nyan Cat meme that sold for $600,000, and the ‘Beeple” JPEG file that was auctioned off for a whopping 69 million dollars; sending shockwaves around the globe; the NFT world has been witnessing hype and growth.

But what actually is an NFT?

An NFT is a digital token or a collectible asset that holds value in form of cryptocurrency as digital art pieces. Think of it as a virtual treasure! However, unlike other cryptocurrencies, NFTs are purely unique, non-fungible, and cannot be exchanged like for like. In simple words, a single Etherum can be changed with another Etherum, and the value remains the same. On the other hand, NFTs are one of a kind and cannot be replicated.

A non-fungible token is proof of ownership for a digital asset with a unique signature on the blockchain. It can be anything, from a JPEG file to a tweet, text, or a whole song. There is virtually no limit to what can be listed as NFT, and with the hype, craze, and the number of people pouring in, NFT trading and minting are growing parabolic.

NFT Minting: What You Need to Know

Now you might wonder, what is NFT minting? It is the process of how your digital art or asset becomes part of the blockchain universe, an act of tokenizing your artwork. Once you mint your NFT and pay the gas fees, your digital asset becomes a unique public ledger that is authentic and unchangeable.

Once you decide to create your own NFT, the steps of selling it is simple. Most marketplace platforms like Opensea.io have infrastructure placed, which allows users to follow simple guidelines under a smart contract. Just connect your wallet to the platform, follow the steps (choose file, add info, upload), pay gas fees (usually 70 to 100 dollars on the Etherum blockchain), and mint your NFT.

Once your NFT is online, you can set its mint price after listing it on the platform. Other than minting, you can directly buy an NFT from different websites and platforms such as SuperRare, OpenSea, NFT Showroom, etc.

How do I get involved in a pre-sale?

The brutal reality is that NFTs are getting expensive day by day, and by the time you find one you like, you are likely to be unsure to invest a large chunk of your savings without a clue of what the outcome could be. That is where the concept of pre-sales come in: a time where you can earn rewards before an NFT even launches. But how do you get into these hyped projects when by the time you find about a pre-sale, you can no longer be a part of it?

The answer is pretty simple: socialize! Join groups that discuss upcoming events and pre-sales. Find exciting upcoming NFT launches via different platforms such as Raritytools and NFTcatcher. PlaytoEarn.net is another platform to look up for gaming NFTS. You can even find these communities on Twitter and Discord to get fresh updates.

These NFT projects give mint passes, and pre-sales on their accounts, so follow them closely. They usually provide a set of simple instructions in their Discord groups (invite people, post on social media, etc.). Just get in early, follow them, and be active in groups and who knows? You might get lucky!

How can a launchpad help me get involved in new NFTs before anyone else?

NFT Launchpads are similar to an IFO (Initial Farm Offering). Projects and investors can raise funds through their tokens, and the purchased NFTS are later minted to the users, and the tokens are transferred back. Mintology, Launchpad Luna, AirNFT are some of the launchpads you need to look for. Follow their communities, socials, and news, and get in before it gets hyped. Happy minting!

Now let us look at the upcoming NFT launches in the fourth quarter of 2021, which have massive potential for growth.

Noteworthy Upcoming NFT Launches Dec 2021

1) Highrise Creature Club

With over 10 million members, Highrise Creature Club is the mobile metaverse to look out for. As a citizen in the game, you can style avatars, create rooms, host experiences, and much more.

Website: Highrise Creature Club Official Website 

Twitter (35k): @highriseapp

Discord (33k): Highrise Creature Club Discord

Founders: PocketWorlds

Chain: Ethereum

Marketplace: SuperFarm

Mint: Public

Mint Date: Nov 29, 10:00 EST

Mint Price: 0.04 ETH

Game?: Yes

Metaverse?: Yes

Other Noteworthy Details: NFT collection of 11,111 entirely unique creatures designed with over 400 items that can be individually worn within the Highrise Metaverse.

2) IMX Utopian Unicorns

Utopian Unicorns is the first 3,500 randomly generated NFT project with cross-project gaming. Utopian Unicorns aims to change the very definition of NFT gaming by connecting the communities surrounding top NFT collections within an addictive play-to-earn game called 'Mutant Brawl'.

Website: Utopian Unicorns Official Website

Twitter (6k): @utopianunicorns

Discord (13k): Utopian Unicorns Discord

Founders: Joshua Bold; Makarios; Gip; Mantial.com; Lloyd; Senpainick

Chain: Ethereum

Marketplace: OpenSea

Mint: Public

Mint Date: Nov 29, 04:00 UTC

Mint Price: 0.05 ETH

Game: Yes

Metaverse: Yes

Other Noteworthy Details: Zero gas fees

3) Pixlr Genesis

Pixlr Genesis is an NFT-based movement that will be comprised of 2,000 art pieces sold in each phase over five phases. This is to ensure the galleries are refreshed with new curations every time. Your art piece will represent your choice on what to display within the museum, how to invest secondary royalty funds, participate in fractional bids and where to focus the community's attention.

Website: Pixlr Genesis Official Website 

Twitter (4k): @pixlrgenesis

Discord (16k): Pixlr Genesis Discord

Founders: Pixlr

Marketplace: OpenSea

Mint: Public

Mint Date: Dec 1, 12:00 EST | Dec 2, 00:00 UTC

Mint Price: 0.3 ETH

Game: No

Metaverse: Yes

Other Noteworthy Details: Every single piece of Pixlr Genesis is unique and manually signed with a secret attribute. In addition, 25% of all Pixlr Genesis NFT secondary royalties in perpetuity will be reinvested in acquiring new art and building platforms to support new artists to grow the Pixlr Genesis Collection.

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4) Tezuka Osamu's Digital Art NFT

Tezuka Osamu is a Japanese manga artist and animator, known as "the Father of Manga" and "the God of Manga" for many great works including 'Astro Boy' and 'Kimba the White Lion'. Throughout his career, he drew 150,000 sheets of manuscripts for 700 manga titles. Such his works are still appealing to a lot of his fans. Now, “From the Fragments of Tezuka Osamu”, the digital NFT art project based on numerous manga manuscripts by Tezuka Osamu, has finally been revealed as the official NFT works authorized by Tezuka Productions.

Website: Tezuka Osamu Official Website

Twitter: NA

Discord: NA

Founders: Tezuka Productions

Marketplace: From the Fragments of Tezuka Osamu 

Mint: Public

Mint Date: See details below

Mint Price: See details below

Game: No

Metaverse: No

The following are details of the pieces to be sold:

Mosaic Art NFT "Astro Boy" (For Auction)

Mint Date: December 3rd, 3 AM - December 6th, 3 AM (UTC)

Details: Over 4,000 sheets of black and white manuscripts were selected from the manga, 'Astro Boy', cut into more than 40,000 fragments, with over 6,000 placed as mosaic materials.

Generative Art NFT (Drop)

Mint Date: December 1st, 3 AM - December 8th, 3 AM (UTC) 10PM EST

Price: 0.08 ETH

Details: Randomly generated artwork based on the image materials used in Mosaic Art NFT. 1,050 in total, 1,000 of them for the sale, 50 for marketing purposes. Pieces not purchased during the sales period will not be sold again.

5) Slotie NFT

Sloties are your ticket into the largest and fastest growing online casino network on the blockchain. Sloties grant holders access to the new world of Defi Gambling and each one will be one of a kind, with varying degrees of rarity. The rarity of your Slotie will determine your revenue share from our Casino Partners. The rarer your Slotie, the more passive income it will generate.

Website: Slotie Official Website

Twitter (13.5k): @arkangelsnft 

Discord (61k): Slotie Discord

Founders: Elia Software

Chain: Ethereum

Marketplace: OpenSea

Mint: Public

Mint Date: Dec 7, 19:00 UTC

Mint Price: 0.08 ETH (Pre-Sale Price), 0.16 ETH (Public Sale Price)

Game: No

Metaverse: No

Other Noteworthy Details: Only 10,000 VIP members to be minted

6) ARK//ANGELS

ARK//ANGELS is another upcoming NFT project featuring customisable robots that are up for collection. A total of 11,111 ARK//ANGELS with over 300 traits will be sold to interested individuals.

Website: ARK//ANGELS Official Website

Twitter (14k): @ARKANGELSNFT

Discord (14k): ARK//ANGELS Discord

Founders: Oxerix, Arkrnk, Misty

Chain: Ethereum

Marketplace: TBA

Mint: Public

Mint Date: Dec 9, 13:00 EST

Mint Price: 0.075 ETH (Pre-Sale Price), 0.09 ETH (Public Sale Price)

Game: Yes

Metaverse: Yes

Other Noteworthy Details: You need to invite 5 people to the Discord or be part of the EARLY//ANGELS (early supporters of the project).

7) Santaverse

Santaverse is a unique NFT collection with a limited supply of 3,333 Santas up for grabs. Its utility token, SVR, will be released in January and can be earned just by holding your Santas.

Website: Santaverse Official Website

Twitter (760): @santaverse

Discord (13k): Santaverse Discord

Founders: Oxerix, Arkrnk, Misty

Chain: Ethereum

Marketplace: TBA

Mint: Public

Mint Date: Dec 17

Mint Price: 0.05 (Pre-Sale Price), 0.077 ETH (Public Sale Price)

Game: Yes

Metaverse: No

Other Noteworthy Details: Every user that joins the Discord group from the 3th December to 4th December will automatically be whitelisted. Additionally, Santaverse promises to donate to charities, namely UNICEF and the Save the Children Foundation.

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8) Paper Bag Boys

This NFT project rewards holders for their loyalty with a DAO (Decentralized Anonymous Organization). If you mint a Paper Bag Boy he rewards you after some time with a brand new NFT. A total supply of only 4,444 Paper Bag Boys with over 100 unique traits are to be put up for sale.

Website: Paper Bag Boys Official Website 

Twitter (2.8k): @PaperBagBoysNFT

Discord (7.5k): Paper Bag Boys Discord

Founders: Ellen, Zagnire, Mac Hullote

Chain: Ethereum

Marketplace: OpenSea

Mint: Public

Mint Date: Dec 16, 18:00 UTC

Mint Price: 0.04 ETH

Game: No

Metaverse: No

Other Noteworthy Details: The team is creating a community wallet called 'THE BAG'

9) Project 3333

Project 3333 is a NFT project of 3,333 ERC721 unique artworks as a celebration of Japanese culture and art. The artist has picked various different references from Japanese history and has created a collection for everyone to enjoy and savour. The art pieces make references to classic artworks including the works of Miyazaki and Kurosawa.

Website: Project 3333 Official Website 

Twitter (5k): @purojekuto3333 

Discord (45k): Project 3333 Discord

Founders: Hisoka Gaka

Chain: Ethereum

Marketplace: Rarible

Mint: Public

Mint Date: Dec 3, 16:30 EST

Mint Price: 0.15 ETH (Pre-Sale Price), 0.25 ETH (Public Sale Price)

Game: No

Metaverse: No

Other Noteworthy Details: There will only be 1,333 people allowed in the whitelist sale

10) We Are The Walrus

WATW is another unique NFT collection with a limited supply of 8,989 Walruses. While on pre-mint, WATW will give away 500 Walruses and reward community members with gifts through their Walrus Maniac Program.

Website: We Are The Walrus Official Website 

Twitter (9k): @WATwalrus

Discord (17k): We Are The Walrus Discord

Founders: Wilfred Brimley (+), Odobenus Rosmarus, Tuskarr, Rigby, Lady Madona, Jude

Chain: Solana

Marketplace: Magic Eden

Mint: Public

Mint Date: Dec 4, 18:00 UTC

Mint Price: 0.89 SOL

Game: Yes

Metaverse: No

Other Noteworthy Details: 1,601 whitelisters will be given access to an exclusive 3-hour window to mint before public sale

12) No Brainers

No Brainers NFT is a limited collection of 5,100 humanoids that underwent a brain enlargement surgery on the Ethereum blockchain — designed and rendered by MetaMind Labs. Each No Brainer is equipped with a unique combination of characteristics, chosen from a pool of 250+ distinct 3D traits that makes each NFT 100% distinguishable from the rest of the series.

Website: No Brainers Official Website

Twitter (8k): @nobrainersnft 

Discord (31k): No Brainers Discord

Founders: MetaMind Labs

Chain: Ethereum

Marketplace: TBA

Mint: Public

Mint Date: Dec 4, 17:00 EST

Mint Price: 0.89 SOL

Game: No

Metaverse: No

Other Noteworthy Details: They will be donating up to 30 ETH from their primary sales + 10% of royalties to a mental health charity of their holders’ choice. Furthermore, each No Brainer NFT holder gets access to free monthly mental health webinars hosted by a certified mental health coach.

13) BONUS: Psychedelics Anonymous (Launch TBD)

Twitter (47k): Psychedelic_NFT