If you follow crypto closely, you must have heard about the Cardano and Solana Summer. This is a period of increased activity and growth in NFTs in both crypto blockchains. There was a similar boom in the crypto space in the summer of 2020, when interest in decentralized finance increased. There was a boom on Ethereum-based networks, new projects were launched, and the market valuation of locked-in DeFi protocols soared from 1 billion to 16 billion. This points to the possibility that Cardano (ADA) and Solana (SOL) are on the path to another boom in the market.
What Is Cardano Solana Summer?
Cardano Solana summer refers to the “hot” season that both these crypto blockchain ecosystems are about to experience. There has been surging interest in the NFT space and activity in the market, with new creators and innovative products entering the market.
Major reasons for this energy shift are that creators are searching for cheaper, sustainable, and easy alternatives to Ethereum, and because these platforms are supporting cross-chain NFT trading. Communities and the discussions on social media platforms play a major role, and ADA and SOL have managed to build a strong following on social media platforms.
Cardano NFT Ecosystem
Cardano NFTs, aka CNFTs, are different from others; these native tokens on the Cardano blockchain do not require smart contracts. Unlike the Ethereum blockchain, this is more sustainable and scalable, providing high-volume transactions with lower fees. Minting NFTs has been made easier here by introducing tools like NMKR, which allows both coders and non-coders to create NFTs. Cardano has built a strong community on which the blockchain will thrive.
Popular Cardano NFT Marketplaces
- JPG Store
JPG Store claims to be the largest Cardano NFT marketplace. It has a sleek and modern interface that is easy to use and helps users mint, browse, and trade NFTs with ease. The royalty support feature is loved by artists using the platform, and users also mention how smooth its wallet integration is.
- Magic Eden
Though this started as a Solana powerhouse, the expansion to Cardano has helped in bridging the gap and promoting cross-chain functionality. It connects both ecosystems and thus allows users to trade NFTs across both chains seamlessly. It has a launch pad for new NFT projects and built-in tools for creators.
- Cardahub
Cardahub is great for all those smaller artists and other indie NFT projects. It’s a community-driven Cardano marketplace that provides easy-to-use tools for creators along with transparent royalties. Simpler minting processes and lower transactional costs have attracted many small creators to this marketplace.
- NMKR Minting
NMKR, formerly known as NFT-MAKER, has been around for a while, and many well-known Cardano projects were launched through it. They offer bulk NFT minting and a complete management solution from creation to selling for NFT creators and brands.
Solana NFT Ecosystem
Solana has made its own user base by offering higher speed and lower costs when it comes to transactions. The gas fee is so low that it can be negligible, and transactions are so fast that they’re measured in seconds. It offers a proper decentralized platform for creators to get rewarded through royalties or auctions through a fully on-chain experience.
Popular Solana NFT Marketplaces
- Magic Eden
Magic Eden is a well-known NFT marketplace in the crypto world. It offers a user-friendly interface, and the popularity brings in liquidity. It attracts many users daily by providing frequent NFT drops. It has also gone multi-chain, supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Cardano.
- Tensor
Tensor is a platform built with advanced traders in mind. It offers deep analytics, real-time floor tracking, bulk listings, and automated bidding tools. It also features AI-assisted pricing tools and an advanced trading dashboard. Basically, it ups the NFT trading game in the Solana marketplace.
- SolSea
SolSea is among the first NFT marketplaces on Solana. This platform provides an easy entry for beginners in NFT minting. There are built-in licensing options for artists and creators, and an integrated wallet and other management tools. They are focused on helping users create NFTs without much technical hassle.
Final Thoughts
Crypto has changed the digital space, and for people who missed the last great DeFi Summer, this is the chance to make up for it. A chance to discover new art at lower costs, a chance to mint new NFTs more cheaply, and reach a broader audience. If you have watched Ready Player One by Steven Spielberg, you would understand digital assets in the future; NFTs represent the same. These Non-Fungible Tokens are one of a kind and cannot be exchanged for another.
The ownership will be clearly recorded on the blockchain. It could be anything from pictures, music files, to digital real estate on the web3. This Cardano Solana Summer is also representing a major shift in the industry, where NFTs can be traded across different blockchains and at cheaper prices. The next best day to plant a tree is today, so if you are curious, learn about NFTs and act now.