It can be easy to write off young people. They generally are less mature, have less experience, and have a tendency to make bad decisions. But those are just stereotypes, and we no longer live in a world where young people are bound by their location or school. A job can be something you do online from home instead of a traditional in-person arrangement. Anything can be learned for free on the internet. Young people are taking advantage of the digital age, and this is no more apparent than in the crypto space. Many teenagers and twenty-somethings are utilizing crypto/NFTs to make it big with the blockchain.
15 year old artist Jaiden Stipp sold his first NFT for 20 Ethereum, which worked out to $30,000 at the time. His parents didn’t think the money was real, but that changed when they moved it into a bank account. He has since sold multiple NFTs and helped his parents pay off their house and cars. He also uses the profits to invest in other up-and-coming digital artists. Stipp is a perfect example of a young person making it via NFTs. He made his art, decided to sell it as an NFT, and reaped the profits of his work. Stipp shows that young people are not always like the stereotypes we have of them. He was smart enough to see the potential in NFTs and took a risk to get involved. That shows incredible initiative and foresight—more than most adults have. Many Gen Zers are seeing an opportunity their parents don’t, and they’re taking advantage of it.
Victor Langlois is another teenage NFT artist. He creates work that deals with his troubled upbringing and struggles with gender/identity. He started selling his work on SuperRare, then Nifty Gateway. Then he got the attention of Christie’s. They arranged an auction for a collection, and the sale netted him $2.16 million. Demand was so high that the Christie’s website crashed. He has made upwards of $18 million since getting into NFTs a year ago. Langlois is now an 18 year old multi-millionaire thanks to NFTs. His life will be forever changed because of the opportunities afforded by NFTs and crypto. Langlois has said that he sees NFTs as the future of art; if the current market is any indication, he is likely correct.
Blockchain Digital Collectibles
One of the biggest advantages for young people in NFTs is the lack of qualifications needed to start. If you are a painter and want to sell your paintings, you have to get them in an auction house or gallery. But auction houses and galleries are highly selective, especially when it comes to no-name teenage artists. Traditionally, their only other way to sell would be at local markets and fairs directly to fans. NFT marketplaces however don’t have a long list of onerous requirements. Anyone can mint and sell an NFT, no matter their financial status, age, name recognition, etc. This gives teenagers the opportunity to sell their art directly, cutting out the traditional art world, which also means they avoid the fees involved with traditional sales. They can sell their works right alongside famous artists like Beeple, giving them a chance to have their work seen, appreciated, and sold. This could help countless young artists make a name for themself and get the recognition they deserve. This also gives more opportunity to marginalized populations, as things like wealth, race, gender, orientation, financial status, and more are completely irrelevant. The opportunities for young people in the crypto space go beyond simply selling NFTs.
Another way young people are making it big is by playing blockchain games. These games give players cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and more for playing. While this may seem childish, it can actually be a great way to collect valuable assets which can be traded or sold. Many young people have already figured out how to make a living via these “play-to-earn” games. Larger game companies have yet to introduce the blockchain to their AAA titles, but it is bound to happen as NFTs continue to grow. Since young people are already taking advantage of what crypto games have to offer, they are positioned to profit the most when the concept goes mainstream. Again, Gen Zers and twenty-somethings are seeing the future before it happens and are using that foresight to their advantage.
Without a doubt, young people are making it big with the blockchain. Whether they’re selling NFTs, buying and trading digital cards, cryptos like Bitcoin, or earning crypto via play-to-earn games, they’re making money by being ahead of the curve. Many are making life-changing money—the kind of money that can buy a house, pay for college, or start a diversified investment portfolio. But these opportunities aren’t just available to young people. Anyone can (and should) research crypto/NFTs to learn what they have to offer.
