Non Fungible Tokens: Red Flags to Look Out For When Buying

When it comes to non-fungible tokens, it’s important to be vigilant and do your research before investing. Unfortunately, there are a lot of scams in the NFT space, and it can be difficult to tell which projects are worth your time and money. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss some red flags to look out for when buying NFTs. By being aware of these red flags, you’ll be able to avoid scam projects and make smarter investment decisions.

• What are non-fungible tokens and why are they important?
• How do you identify a non-fungible token sale/ICO that is worth investing in?
• What are the red flags to look out for when investing in an NFT sale/ICO project?
• How can you protect yourself from scams and fraudulent projects in the NFT space?”
• What steps should you take to research an NFT project before investing?”

What are non-fungible tokens and why are they important?

Non-fungible tokens are digital assets that can be bought and sold on the blockchain. They are non-fungible because each one has a unique ( one of a kind ) set of characteristics, which means they cannot be exchanged for another non-fungible token (NFT) with similar characteristics.

Nft is created through a process called “tokenization”. This is when a unique asset, such as artwork or real estate, is divided into small pieces and represented by individual tokens ( smart contracts). These tokens can then be traded on decentralized exchanges or used to represent ownership of the underlying asset.

Non-fungible tokens are important because they provide a way for people to own and trade digital assets that have unique characteristics. This could include things like artwork, collectibles, real estate, and more.

A transaction that takes place on a blockchain is irreversible and permanent; hence, it cannot be deleted or undone. Because transactions on a blockchain are transparent, anybody can see an NFT and its underlying information, including the current owner’s blockchain address and the addresses of each prior owner since creation.

How do you identify a non-fungible token sale/ICO that is worth investing in?

When it comes to non-fungible tokens, there are a few things you should look out for before investing. Here are some tips:

• Look for projects that have a working product or alpha version.
• Make sure the team has experience in blockchain development and/or cryptocurrency
• Check to see if the project has a roadmap or white paper.
• Look for non-fungible tokens that are backed by real estate, artwork, collectibles, etc.
• Avoid projects that are pre-sale or have a low cap.
• Make sure non-fungible tokens are legally compliant. This will help ensure that they’re not considered securities by regulators, which could result in fines or jail time for those involved with the project.

What are the red flags to look out for when investing in an NFT sale/ICO project?

When it comes to non-fungible tokens, many red flags can indicate an NFT project isn’t worth your time or money.

Undoxxed team

doxxing refers to the act of publishing non-public, identifying information about someone without their consent. It often includes details such as name, address, social media profile, and so on. When a team willingly declares their personal information, it creates a sense of trust regardless of skill set and background.

When a non-fungible token project is trying to collaborate, it’s very unlikely they will be able to attract any investors or partners if the team members are hiding behind aliases. People want assurance that they’re dealing with real people who have identifiable backgrounds, not just some random person on the internet.”

Fake Social Media Accounts and Community

With many platforms selling social media likes and followers, it has become relatively easy for threat actors to set up a fake community to hype up their project.

Impersonators and Clones

When non-fungible token projects are created, a lot of scammers try to take advantage by creating fake social media accounts and pretending to be part of the team. They often create fraudulent telegram groups and websites, which can make it difficult for potential investors to determine what’s real and what’s not.

Artificial Inflation

One of the most common ways non-fungible token projects pump their prices is by creating an artificial scarcity with a fixed supply. They can do this by burning tokens or limiting the maximum supply.

Buying non-fungible token projects with a fixed supply create an illusion of scarcity that drives up demand and prices, but if there isn’t enough liquidity in the market to support those prices then it will eventually collapse on itself.”

Repetitive meta/roadmap

Repetitive meta/roadmap that brings little innovation to the non-fungible token space. Too many non-fungible tokens have similar meta/roadmaps, which makes it hard to differentiate one from another. It’s important for an nft project to bring innovation and value in order to stand out from all others on the market.

Failure to address legality concerns over securities and insurance of tokens.

Non-fungible tokens are complicated. The legality of non-fungible tokens is still being decided by regulators around the world, and there’s a risk that non-fungible token projects could be subject to penalties if they’re found guilty of violating any laws or regulations.

No proper tokenomics for sustainability/longevity:

Non-fungible token projects have a high risk of failure due to poor planning. A non-fungible token project must have sustainable plans that will allow the non-fungible token to remain relevant, even after its initial launch.”

Team Experience and history:

A non-fungible token project’s team should be able to show that they have experience in non-fungible tokens and blockchain technology. The non-fungible token industry is highly competitive, so a non-fungible token project with no experience may not fare well against competitors who do know how non-fungible tokens work.