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The global number of NFT (Non-fungible Token) transactions will rise from 24 million in 2022 to 40 million by 2027, says a new study from Juniper Research

This is based on Juniper’s medium scenario for adoption, with brands leveraging the metaverse to boost digital growth. It cautioned that although NFTs present a new channel for growth, vendors must be cognisant to the risks of operating in an unregulated environment home to fraudulent activities and scams.

An NFT is a unique token that exists on the blockchain, which cannot be replicated. This unique token could represent real-world items like artworks or music, with the ability to be traded with a transparent transaction history.

Major concerns

The report stresses that vendors who partake in the NFT space may risk brand damage by association, due to the role NFTs have had in illegal activities, such as money laundering, scams and fraud.

Environmental issues were also raised as a major concern, with the current way transactions are facilitated on the blockchain creating massive energy usage.

It emphasised the need for regulators to work with industry bodies to standardise processes with reduced environmental impact and built-in consumer protections to enable vendors to utilise NFTs as a medium to further engage with consumers.

Metaverse to be a redeeming factor

The report predicts metaverse-linked NFTs will be the fastest-growing NFT segment over the next five years; increasing from 600,000 transactions in 2022 to 9.8 million by 2027. It highlights rising demand for immersive experiences as a driver of metaverse adoption.

To capitalise on this growth, the research urges consumer-facing businesses to create NFT based content to meet changing demands from a younger, tech-savvy demographic, who are more ready to purchase novel forms of online and digital content.