Gold is projected to surpass $3,000 per ounce in 2025, driven by strong macroeconomic and geopolitical factors.

At the heart of gold's potential surge is the current macroeconomic landscape that’s characterized by persistent inflation and anticipated monetary policy shifts. Inflation rates in the U.S. are expected to remain above the Federal Reserve's target of 2%, creating an environment in which gold is expected to serve as a crucial hedge against currency devaluation. When inflation erodes purchasing power, investors often turn to gold to preserve their wealth.

Moreover, the Federal Reserve has signaled a shift toward monetary easing, with market expectations indicating potential interest rate cuts in the coming months. Lower interest rates decrease the opportunity cost of holding gold, making it a more attractive investment as compared to interest-bearing assets, such as bonds and savings accounts. With real interest rates projected to remain low or even go negative, gold could experience renewed demand as a safe store of value.

Geopolitical tensions further bolster gold’s appeal. Ongoing conflicts, particularly the strained U.S.-China relationship and the Russia-Ukraine war, create an atmosphere of uncertainty that drives investors toward safe-haven assets. During times of geopolitical instability, gold has historically seen increased demand as investors seek to mitigate risks associated with market volatility.

As global tensions escalate, the demand for gold is likely to rise, reinforcing its status as a reliable hedge against financial instability. Investors tend to flock to gold during crises, viewing it as a secure asset that retains its intrinsic value, especially when other markets are under pressure.

Another significant factor contributing to the bullish outlook for gold is the unprecedented demand from central banks around the world. In 2024, central banks collectively purchased over 1,000 metric tons of gold, marking one of the highest levels of accumulation in recent history. This trend is expected to continue into 2025, particularly among countries like China and Russia that are actively reducing their reliance on U.S. dollar reserves as part of a broader de-dollarization strategy.

This central bank buying provides a strong structural support for gold prices, minimizing downside risks. As these institutions accumulate more gold, the resulting scarcity in the market could lead to higher prices. The growing demand from central banks underscores the renewed confidence in gold as a strategic reserve asset, especially amidst economic volatility and geopolitical tensions.

From a technical perspective, gold is currently in a robust uptrend, trading above key moving averages and nearing critical resistance levels. If gold successfully breaks through the psychological barrier of $3,000 per ounce, momentum could carry it toward higher price targets, potentially reaching $3,200 or even $3,500. 

, such as relative strength index (RSI) and moving average convergence divergence (MACD), suggest that gold remains in a bullish phase, indicating further upside potential.

As gold approaches these key resistance points, technical traders will closely monitor its price movements. A successful breach of the $3,000 level could trigger momentum buying, propelling prices higher as investor confidence grows.

Finally, rising investor sentiment plays a crucial role in gold’s potential price surge. Increased inflows into gold-backed 

 (ETFs), in addition to speculative positioning in futures markets, reflect strong confidence among both retail and institutional investors. As ETF holdings rise, it signals renewed interest in gold as a safe-haven investment.

This optimism is bolstered by a general shift in market sentiment as investors are increasingly turning to gold amid concerns over economic stability and inflation. The combination of robust technical indicators, macroeconomic pressures and favorable investor sentiment positions gold favorably for a significant price increase in 2025.

In summary, gold is well-positioned to reach $3,000 per ounce in 2025, driven by a combination of persistent inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, strong central bank demand and positive technical indicators. As investors seek refuge in safe-haven assets, gold’s intrinsic value and historical performance during times of crisis will make it an attractive option for preserving wealth. The confluence of these factors suggests that gold's upward trajectory could continue, making 2025 a pivotal year for this precious metal.

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Bybit Commodity Insight Report: Why Gold Is Poised to Reach $3,000 in 2025

Our weekly crypto derivatives analytics report delves into macro events, the current state of crypto and trading signals from spot trading volume, as well as futures, options and perpetual contracts.

Macro headwinds are impacting the crypto market, with a sell-off that began over the weekend deepening this week. BTC, ETH and most altcoins are declining alongside equities, gold and treasury yields, though derivatives markets are showing little bearish sentiment or increased volatility expectations. Among perpetuals, there are record consistent positive rates across most markets, indicating a reset in positioning. Meanwhile, ETH retains a volatility premium over BTC, but its term structure hasn’t inverted as sharply as in earlier sell-offs this month.

Please check out the report’s highlights.

Funding Rates Largely Positive Amid Sell-Off

Despite risk-off sentiment across asset classes this weekend and early this past week, USDT-denominated perpetual contracts have shown their most consistently positive funding rates within the past month. While these rates haven't reached the bullish levels of early December 2024, most have returned to a neutral level of 0.01%, signaling a reset in positioning due to recent market movements.

Tuesday's intensified risk-off sell-off led to a significant spike in BTC put trade volume as traders hedged against further declines. Unlike ETH, which leans bullish on calls, BTC's open interest is balanced between upside and downside protection. The volatility term structure is flat again, typical during sharp market moves, but this reflects a decline in longer-dated options, rather than a rise in short-term expectations.

As the sell-off in risk-on assets deepened this past week, ETH outperformed BTC. ETH derivatives markets are showing stronger sentiment, with higher call trade volumes indicating greater demand for upside positioning as compared to puts. However, ETH's volatility term structure has inverted more sharply than BTC's, as seen in previous significant market moves since last November (2024), with front-end volatility levels 15 points above those of BTC options with a similar tenor.

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Bybit X Block Scholes Crypto Derivatives Analytics Report (Feb 26, 2025): Reset in Sentiment Brewing as Fund Rates Turn Positive

Explore four essential tips to help you accumulate more points, optimize your strategy and claim the best rewards in EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge.

With the rise of gamified crypto events, EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge stands out as one of the most exciting opportunities for users to earn rewards while engaging with both Bybit and Mantle Network. This limited-time event offers participants a shot at a 1,000,000 MNT prize pool when they complete on-chain and trading-related tasks. 

To help you maximize your rewards and ensure you get the most out of this event, in this guide we’ll break down four essential tips to help you accumulate more points, optimize your strategy and claim the best rewards in EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge.

EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge is a limited-time campaign that rewards participants with a share of a 1,000,000 MNT prize pool when they complete both Bybit and on-chain tasks. Players earn "wishes" that can be used to enter Lucky Draws or climb the leaderboard for greater rewards.

This campaign, hosted by Bybit in collaboration with Mantle, blends gamification with 

 engagement, offering users multiple ways to win. Participants can choose to rely on chance via the Lucky Draw or strategically allocate their wishes to compete on the leaderboard. The event runs from Mar 6, 2025 to Mar 27, 2025, making it a limited-time opportunity to accumulate rewards while exploring the Mantle ecosystem.

4 Tips to Maximize Your Wishes and Rewards in EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge

To make the most out of EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge, you need to strategize your wish allocation, complete as many tasks as possible and take advantage of all available earning mechanisms. Here are four essential tips to maximize your rewards:

One of the best ways to earn high-value rewards in EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge is by competing on the leaderboard. There are a total of five rounds, and the rewards are higher with each passing round. 

The more wishes you allocate toward leaderboard rankings, the higher your position and the larger your rewards. However, since the leaderboard is dynamic, your rank can change based on the activity of other participants.

Since leaderboard positions fluctuate, it’s recommended that you monitor your ranking regularly and adjust your strategy accordingly. Players who accumulate the most wishes by the end of each leaderboard round will receive the greatest rewards.

 that each round’s rewards and wishes are calculated independently, and any wishes spent in a round won’t carry over to the next round.

If you prefer an element of surprise, the Lucky Draw is your best bet. By spending wishes on Lucky Draw attempts, you earn the chance to win instant prizes. The Lucky Draw operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so the earlier you participate, the better your chances of securing top-tier rewards.

Since rewards are limited, it's advisable to use your wishes early before the top prizes run out.

An easy way to earn free points in this campaign is by holding Mantle (MNT) and/or Mantle Restaked ETH (cmETH) in your Bybit account. By simply keeping these assets in your wallet, you’ll receive additional wishes, increasing your chances of winning more rewards.

This passive method of earning wishes ensures that you accumulate extra points without actively completing tasks, making it one of the simplest ways to boost your rewards.

Another hidden gem for doubling your rewards in EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge is through Layer 3. Participants who complete specific Layer 3 quests will receive extra bonuses, including double rewards on certain tasks.

By leveraging Layer 3 bonuses, you can significantly boost your total wish count, increasing your chances of securing leaderboard positions or hitting big wins in the Lucky Draw.

If you’re looking for a fun and rewarding way to engage with the Mantle ecosystem, EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge is definitely an event worth joining. With 1,000,000 MNT up for grabs, both casual users and seasoned traders can benefit from this campaign.

The event's dual-reward system allows participants to tailor their strategy based on their preferences. Whether you enjoy the thrill of luck-based rewards or prefer the competitive edge of leaderboard climbing, this campaign offers something for everyone.

Additionally, holding MNT and cmETH provides passive earnings, while Layer 3 integration presents an opportunity for double rewards — making the experience even more lucrative for active participants.

EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge is a limited-time, gamified rewards campaign that blends trading, staking and on-chain interactions. By completing tasks, holding Mantle assets and strategically using your wishes, you can maximize your rewards and secure your share of the 1,000,000 MNT prize pool.

This event runs from Mar 6, 2025 to 27, 2025, so now is the best time to get started. Are you ready to explore the Mantle ecosystem and claim your rewards? Join EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge today!

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how to participate in ecogalaxy mantle surge

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Join Bybit’s AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle, vote for top AI projects and compete for a share of a $1M prize pool. Earn rewards while shaping the future of AI in crypto.

The Bybit AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle is an exciting and innovative trading and voting event that aims to identify and support high-potential AI projects within the cryptocurrency space.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize blockchain technology, this competition offers users a unique opportunity to engage with emerging AI-driven crypto projects while earning substantial rewards of up to $1 million.

 (AI) and cryptocurrency is reshaping blockchain and 

 — autonomous programs powered by machine learning — are revolutionizing the sector by automating trading strategies, optimizing portfolio management and executing on-chain decisions with minimal human input.

These intelligent agents analyze vast datasets, identify market trends and execute trades in real time, significantly enhancing efficiency and reducing risks in the volatile crypto market. Their role extends beyond trading, influencing DeFi protocols, NFT markets and blockchain governance.

Bybit is at the forefront of this AI-driven transformation, launching the 

 to spotlight high-potential AI projects. This event provides a launchpad for groundbreaking AI applications, connecting innovators with a global crypto audience.

What Is the Bybit AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle?

Bybit is launching a unique AI trading event designed to highlight the most promising AI-driven crypto projects.

AI is revolutionizing crypto markets, with automated trading bots now executing over 60% of all crypto transactions. The integration of AI and blockchain is unlocking new trading strategies, DeFi innovations and web3 applications, making the AI sector one of the most promising in crypto.

Bybit’s AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle bridges AI and blockchain, providing a global stage for emerging projects to gain exposure to a global audience. Participants play an active role in shaping the future of AI in crypto while earning rewards.

How to Participate in the AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle

Campaign Period: Feb 28, 2025, 10AM UTC – Mar 27, 2025, 10AM UTC

Bybit users can support AI projects and earn rewards by participating in this AI-powered trading competition. Here's a step-by-step guide to joining:

Projects earn voting points from the following ways:

By actively trading and voting, participants not only have a chance to earn from the $1 million prize pool, but will also play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI in the crypto industry.

Bybit's AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle offers an exciting $1 million prize pool, with multiple ways for participants to win rewards.

The breakdown of how votes are allocated for Bybit Spot is as follows:

The breakdown of how votes are allocated for Bybit Web3 is as follows:

The maximum number of daily votes that a user can receive is 100,400 (50,200 for Bybit Spot and Web3 respectively).

By trading, voting and engaging in the competition, participants not only support innovative AI projects but also receive a chance to maximize their earnings in this high-stakes trading battle.

Bybit's AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle offers a distinctive platform that connects cryptocurrency traders with AI innovators. Participants are invited to support leading AI projects, earn attractive rewards and contribute to shaping the future of AI within the crypto ecosystem. 

 and be part of the AI-driven revolution on Bybit!

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How to Participate in Bybit’s AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle

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Spotted NFT profile pics on social media and wonder what they're all about? Make sure to read our guide to NFT PFPs to find out more.

Non-fungible token profile pictures (PFP NFTs) have taken the art world by storm, offering unique and exciting opportunities for creators and collectors alike. The term PFP has been used widely in the NFT or crypto ecosystem recently in different contexts, especially as more investors or art lovers have begun to display their profile pictures or avatars in the form of NFT art. This begs the question — what exactly are PFP NFT collections?

In this guide, we’ll explore the popularity of NFT profile pics, their communities, what makes them special, their integration into social media — and their place in the future.

The term “PFP NFT” refers to a non-fungible token profile picture, most commonly used to display the ownership of an NFT in the form of an avatar or character within or beyond the crypto realm.

 gained substantial momentum in 2021, with Punks PFPs including characters that can be zombie, ape or alien. Later, 

 and several other popular projects emerged with PFP NFTs. BAYC includes various cartoon apes that truly look bored, the Meebits features algorithm-generated voxel characters, and 

 creates powerful, diverse cartoon women. 

The popularity of PFP NFTs has continued to grow in the world of social media. People who are fans of certain NFT profile pic projects use avatars of their favorite NFT characters to show their community affiliation or ownership of a PFP NFT collectible they’ve purchased. The NFT project creators who use PFP designs typically have a community structured with its own values, culture or exclusive benefits. Due to their widespread growth, crypto PFPs have quickly become mainstream.

PFP NFTs vs. Normal NFTs: The Differences

Collectors of PFP NFTs use them to express their creativity and personal identity in the digital realm. Demonstrating their interest in digital art with proof of ownership recorded on the blockchain guarantees the authenticity and rarity of the artwork that they own.

Compared to traditional profile pictures, PFP NFTs function like an NFT collection: they’re unlikely to be duplicated due to their exclusivity, and they can be neither forged nor duplicated for resale. Their proof of authenticity and ownership adds to their desirability and value. In addition, owning a PFP NFT often grants individuals access to exclusive communities, events and perks.

On the other hand, PFP NFTs help artists monetize their creativity in the emerging NFT space. The decentralized nature of NFT projects empowers artists with greater control over their innovations, and incentivizes them to keep the ecosystem flourishing.

All humans are unique. Each person has different combinations of character traits, hobbies, looks and much more. PFP NFTs allow people to represent themselves with unique identities because of the advanced technologies and talented artists behind them. One factor that all crypto PFP projects share is a strong focus on the concept of unique identity. NFT profile pic project creators can achieve unique identity goals by creating unique crypto profile pics with varying attributes or traits.

Creators of projects must be careful to keep their characters unique or risk their future. For example, there’s a popular new PFP NFT project called 

, featuring chilled-out bears with a positivity-focused NFT community. A copycat project emerged (called the “Not Okay Bears”), featuring similar bear characters that looked grumpy instead of chill. If the copycat project had proceeded, it would likely have been unsuccessful because of its lack of originality and unique identity.

Many PFP NFT creators use algorithms to generate unique characters with different combinations of traits. In this way, they offer people the value of having a unique or rare identity in the digital world. In addition, people often gravitate toward projects that they relate to or like because of their characters’ stories, communities or utilities. 

Because the world of PFP NFTs is growing so rapidly, the value of a unique identity is something that’s key to all successful projects.

In addition to the unique identity appeal that PFP NFTs offer, there are other reasons for their current popularity. Following are some of the main factors contributing to the popularity of NFT profile pics.

In June of 2021, anyone who didn’t follow PFP NFTs closely and only relied on mainstream news would have believed that the virtual tokens were nearly dead. However, their popularity skyrocketed later that summer — and left many people wondering why. One well-known investor who purchased a CryptoPunks PFP NFT for $2.7 million expressed immense confidence in the asset. 

 pointed out that people may have once thought paintings by now-famous artists were worthless investments, comparing his punk to a Jackson Pollock painting. Crypto PFP project creators offer exclusive community access to token holders, who can connect with other like-minded people.

One good example of community popularity is BAYC. Members have access to an exclusive Discord channel, and a few notable NBA stars are members and hang out there. Also, there’s a wall (quaintly titled “the bathroom”) where BAYC members can create their own artistic contributions or express themselves. 

These are just a few examples. Every project has its own unique community structure. The communities often attract people who are searching for places where they feel comfortable. For instance, Okay Bears created a community in which people are encouraged to support each other, share positive content and even create positively-focused fan art.

Crypto PFP project creators choose a variety of attributes or characteristics for NFT profile pics. These traits potentially appeal to buyers for two main reasons. First, while investors may buy NFT profile pics based on rarity, fans most likely buy them based on attributes they can relate to. Most tokens show a breakdown of characteristics or attributes and their rarity. For example, cyborg eyes are especially rare with BAYC characters, and a king's crown (hat) is also rare.

However, bored eyes are common. Rarity can also be found in background color, clothing styles and other avatar features. With the Okay Bears, backgrounds that are purple are the rarest. Buyers who feel connected to the community may choose crypto PFPs based on attributes that seem to represent themselves, their feelings and/or their own personal taste.

A road map gives an indication of what a project plans to launch, how many tokens there will be, what utility members will receive and what people can expect from community participation. Some of the most successful projects have used road maps to help generate hype, working to build a frenzy even before their initial sales. Road maps also demonstrate to investors that the project is staying on track with its goals. For example, a quick scan of the BAYC road map indicates that it’s reached 100% of its goals.

 profile pics sold out in three minutes. Why? Simply because the creators decided to spread the word about the project on social media before launching. By creating a rebellious skateboarder vibe with cool anime characters, the project's four anonymous co-founders built a lot of interest. Moreover, they partnered with a conceptual artist who designs exclusive merchandise and more. The project hopes to have such a large presence that it may eventually include exclusive games, a miniseries and more. Azuki's road map is called the Mindmap. It demonstrates the creators' mission and values, metaverse information, future plans, community resources and real-world benefits for members.

 succeeded in building hype with its road map (which it called a blueprint). The crypto PFP project's 10,000 NFTs sold out in a day, bringing in a daily record $18 million in sales volume. Before the launch, the creators built hype on Twitter by offering spots for their closed Discord channel, along with ways for people to earn a WL (whitelist) spot if they spread the word on social media by changing their profile picture and sharing key hashtags.

With celebrities joining the crypto PFP trend, it’s no surprise that real-world fashion brands are also scouting opportunities. Some top fashion designers are looking to dress NFTs. 

One example is MIRL, the first decentralized metaverse fashion brand. Currently, more than 4,500 MIRL personas 

, which is the metaverse safe haven for the fashionable characters that are unbound from society. The project appeals to people who don’t see themselves or society the same way many others might. MIRL invites them to create bold versions of themselves with the exclusive fashion brand. 

While people may feel attracted to projects that match the values or characters with which they identify, MIRL gives them the opportunity for even more customization.

Much as businesses strive to create competitive advantages or unique value propositions that their competitors cannot replicate, NFT profile pic crypto projects seek to create unique benefits for members that extend beyond community values or culture. Becoming a community member of an PFP NFT project means access to some benefits beyond exclusive member chats. People often choose communities based on these privileges or benefits. For instance, World of Women holders can attend an annual gala, receiving access to exclusive raffles and enjoy special discounts, and Okay Bears offers its members access to real-world events, along with clothing and other exclusive collectibles.

The Meebits project offers a 3D model utility, which could be a powerful benefit in the future if the metaverse merges with the Meebits as social media and crypto PFPs continue to integrate. With CryptoPunks, there’s not a long list of utilities. However, the social capital gained from owning one of these pioneering characters is a coveted privilege. Think of them as the Rolls-Royce of PFP NFTs. Investors often look at the unique values and ongoing popularity potential of projects when they decide which ones to buy. CryptoPunks has proven that NFT profile pic projects can build and maintain popularity.

Following is a general guide on how to use PFP NFTs.

 Select an NFT marketplace or platform on which PFP NFTs are available for purchase. Popular platforms include Bybit NFT Marketplace, OpenSea, Rarible and Foundation.

 Set up a digital wallet compatible with the platform you've chosen. Common wallets include MetaMask, Trust Wallet and Coinbase Wallet.

: Add cryptocurrency funds (typically ETH) to your wallet to purchase NFTs.

: Explore marketplaces for PFP NFTs that align with your preferences. When you find one you like, follow the purchasing instructions on the platform. The process usually involves placing a bid or directly buying the NFT.

: Connect your digital wallet to social media platforms that support the display of a PFP NFT, such as Twitter or Discord.

: Access your wallet and select the PFP NFT you want to use. Most wallets can set the chosen NFT as your profile picture.

: Depending upon the platform, you may have options to crop, resize or adjust the PFP NFT to fit the platform's profile picture requirements. Once customized, your PFP NFT will be visible on your profile.

: Participate in communities or platforms dedicated to PFP NFT owners. Engage in discussions, share insights and connect with fellow NFT holders, collectors and enthusiasts.

: Some platforms offer verification features to authenticate and verify the ownership of PFP NFTs. Explore these options to enhance credibility and showcase the legitimacy of your PFP NFTs.

: If you decide to trade or sell your PFP NFT, you can list it on compatible marketplaces. Follow the marketplace's instructions for listing and pricing, and for completing transactions.

Remember that the specifics of using PFP NFTs can vary based on the platform and wallet you choose. It's essential to familiarize yourself with the features and guidelines of each platform to make the most of your PFP NFT ownership.

Curious about how PFP NFTs work when it comes to social media? 

Top social media platform leaders are well aware that crypto PFPs are advancing quickly, and that owners want to display them. Because social media platforms must keep up with current trends in order to remain competitive, they’re working on ways to offer the legitimization of NFT profile pics for users who want to display them. Twitter led the innovation plans by offering crypto PFP holders the ability to turn their profile pictures into verified pictures.

Why is this important? Today, it’s easy for people to see a picture they like and save it or simply take a screenshot of it to use on their own. Although there are reverse image search tools online to help NFT owners find people who may be using their valuable virtual property, nobody has the time to continually search for offenders. With a verified profile picture, a crypto PFP owner can prove ownership and stand out from wannabes, imposters or thieves.

In early May 2022, Instagram launched the test of a feature similar to what Twitter offers. It allows digital wallets to let users connect the NFTs they own and want to display. Meta may eventually offer something similar for Facebook. 

Instagram's original plans were to potentially allow users to mint their own NFTs as well. However, that plan received mixed reactions, with many Twitter users pointing out that the NFT culture was born on Twitter and thrived there. Therefore, it seems unlikely that NFT enthusiasts will be thronging to Instagram anytime soon.

NFT profile pic projects have grown immensely. While there have been a few that didn’t deliver on promises, such as 

, many have succeeded in reaching their goals. Some projects, such as Okay Bears, also strongly encourage ongoing brand awareness and brand equity projects from owners. Clever strategies like these help fuel future interest in communities and the utilities offered by NFT profile pics.

While there is some skepticism about crypto PFP projects, it’s important not to underestimate the draw of a strong community, unique utilities, integrations and rarity. Experts point out that NFT profile pics are suffocating the crypto art market. Although there is some truth to that assertion, many digital art NFTs simply don’t have the same attractive benefits that appeal to buyers of crypto PFPs. Investors know that and make decisions based on hype and speculation.

For many, the investments are worth it. Year-over-year, NFT market trading volume grew 38,000% and reached a total of $10.7 billion in 2021. Trends appear to be continuing to pick up steam in 2022. One consistently important detail is the need for originality in utilities for NFT profile pic projects that want to attract larger crowds.

PFP NFTs are growing and evolving every month. The creators of some NFT profile pics are seeing collections sell out within hours. With the recent addition of social media, metaverse and real-world integration, PFP NFTs have proven that they’re capable of much more than people assumed they were a few years ago.

NFT PFPs: The Rise of NFT Profile Pictures on Social Media

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