Welcome back to the fourth episode of Inside Aleph Zero where we aim to bring you closer to the people and projects in the Aleph Zero ecosystem!
This time, we would like to introduce you to a project, that will definitely become a key pillar and important infrastructure piece for the whole ecosystem. Yes, we are speaking with ArtZero, the leading NFT marketplace for the future of ink! Smart Contracts.
AZERO Domains: For the start, please give us a description of what ArtZero does!
ArtZero: ArtZero is the first and at the moment the only non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace built on the Aleph Zero network. We aim to provide a secure, decentralized, and user-friendly platform for creators and collectors to engage in the growing world of NFTs.
We have been working on this project for a year now, after working on quite a few projects in other networks including Ethereum, TRON, Solana, and Near. Once we got to know Aleph Zero, its high transaction speeds, low fees, but high level of security and decentralization, we decided to stay and build our own product, as our home, and help grow its ecosystem just like growing our neighborhood.
AZERO Domains: What makes your product special?
ArtZero: Like many other NFT marketplaces, ArtZero is designed to provide creators and collectors with a decentralized platform to buy, sell, and trade NFTs.
For creators, the platform also has built-in features that allow artists to easily launch their project within some clicks; to set royalty fees, enabling them to earn a percentage of the resale value of their artwork; and in a side-project called Inkwhale, creators can also add utilities to their collection by create staking function & reward pools.
For collectors and the community, we will be launching our native NFT Collection called Praying Mantis Predators (PMP) NFT collection, which is closely attached to the platform operation. Owning and staking PMPs, collectors can benefit from trade discounts up to 90%, get shared rewards from ArtZero validator node, and especially get a shared revenue from the platform sales operation. With this native collection, our marketplace serves the community and is quite attached to them.
AZERO Domains: Why will every user in crypto want to use ArtZero in the future?
ArtZero: While it’s difficult to predict the future with certainty, there are several reasons why many users in the crypto space may want to use the ArtZero NFT marketplace in the future.
First, ArtZero is built on the Aleph Zero blockchain, which is designed to be fast, secure, and scalable. This means that transactions on the platform can be processed quickly and with low fees, making it an attractive option for users who are looking for a more efficient and cost-effective way to buy, sell, and trade NFTs. We truly believe in the future of Aleph Zero, this is why we have been keen on building here.
Second, ArtZero is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to a wide range of users, from artists and collectors to casual enthusiasts. The platform is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, with built-in features that allow users to easily buy, sell, and trade NFTs.
Third, and again, with our native PMP Collection, as mentioned above, ArtZero is a community-growth model and truly serves the community. Everyone has a share in it and will be willing to support and grow it.
Fourth, in the near future, we will be supporting multi-chain to cater to the preferences of a wider range of users. As a matter of fact, we have recently brought ArtZero to Astar network in their testnet. This would offer more options and greater flexibility, attract more artists, collectors, and enthusiasts, which could help increase the liquidity and value of the NFTs traded on the platform.
We believe those reasons would help ArtZero stay competitive in the rapidly evolving world of NFTs.
AZERO Domains: What was the reason to choose Aleph Zero as the underlying Blockchain?
ArtZero: First, Aleph Zero is designed to be fast, scalable, and secure, which makes it well-suited for handling the complex and rapidly evolving world of NFTs. The Aleph Zero protocol uses a unique consensus mechanism called AlephBFT, which is a peer-reviewed consensus protocol that was presented at the Advances in Financial Technologies (AFT) 2019 conference in Zurich. Not many consensus protocols in Web3 space have been peer-reviewed and it is one of the key trust factors.
Second, Aleph Zero is a decentralized blockchain platform that is governed by its community of users. This means that the platform is transparent, open, and free from the control of any central authority or organization, which aligns with the ethos of the NFT community.
Third, the Aleph Zero blockchain is designed to be interoperable with other blockchain networks. This means that it can support cross-chain transactions and facilitate the exchange of value across different blockchain ecosystems, which could be useful in the context of an NFT marketplace that is looking to support multiple blockchain networks.
Fourth, the team behind Aleph Zero has a strong technical background and a track record of developing high-quality blockchain solutions. During our 1-year building here, we have been supported greatly by a wonderful team, which has given us more confidence that we have been working with a reliable and capable technology partner that could help us build a robust and scalable NFT marketplace.
In all, Aleph Zero has been our great choice as the underlying blockchain for our NFT marketplace. As the Smart Contracts are coming near to be launched in the Mainnet, we have never felt so strong about our choice as ever before.
AZERO Domains: Let us come back to ArtZero, do you have any plans to decentralize the governance of the project at some point in time?
ArtZero: In terms of technical development, our code on github is open for public access and we welcome anyone who is interested in the project to join and help us to improve the platform. We are planning to create a governance contract for the public to vote for any changes in the platform parameters. But the process will be hybrid, not full decentralized governance as we are doing our best to protect the community from bad actors. This involves many internal checking procedures and also we have to make sure the platform meets legal requirements.
AZERO Domains: How do you see the Future of NFTs?
ArtZero: The NFT market has exploded in popularity over the past few years, with a growing number of artists, musicians, and other creators turning to NFTs as a way to monetize their digital content. In the near future, it seems likely that this trend will continue, as more and more creators and collectors become interested in the potential of NFTs.
One potential direction for NFTs is the creation of more sophisticated and interactive digital assets. This could include NFTs that are integrated with other blockchain-based technologies such as smart contracts or decentralized storage networks. These new forms of NFTs could allow for more complex and dynamic interactions between creators, collectors, and other stakeholders. This would create growth in not only gaming industry but also in traditional finance and investment markets.
We think the future of NFTs is likely to be shaped by a combination of technological innovation, changing user demands, and broader macroeconomic trends. While the specifics are uncertain, it seems likely that NFTs will continue to play an important role in the digital economy and the broader blockchain ecosystem in the years to come.
AZERO Domains: What does the roadmap of the project look like for 2023?
ArtZero: While the first half of the year we will be staying focused in preparing for the great launch of ArtZero in the Mainnet in Aleph Zero network, and also start our multi-chain journey by launching ArtZero in Astar network, the later half of 2023 will be spent for improving the environment of game to welcome more creators, collectors and enthusiasts. The tasks will be to provide a comprehensive Inkwhale NFT staking platform, create funds to support NFT projects. But we will not forget that only by adding more functions (as PSP37 and RMRK) and improving user-experience can our platform be recognized by the wild community. So, we keep on not only building new functions but also improving current ones.
AZERO Domains: What are the biggest challenges for you right now?
ArtZero: As with any new platform, ArtZero NFT marketplace faces a number of challenges as Building a strong user base to attract and retain users; Ensuring NFT authenticity and provenance to build trust and credibility among collectors which soon we will be deploying a duplication check system into the platform; and Competition from other NFT marketplaces, to work to differentiate ourselves and provide a compelling value proposition in order to compete with other marketplaces and attract users. With the right strategy and execution, however, we believe ArtZero NFT marketplace has the potential to establish itself as a leading player in the NFT market.
AZERO Domains: How can our readers join the ArtZero community?
ArtZero: You can meet us anywhere on Twitter, Telegram or Discord channels here: https://linktr.ee/artzero
AZERO Domains: Thanks a lot! We can’t wait to start trading NFTs on ArtZero 👀
The ‘Inside Aleph Zero’ interview series aims to introduce you to key individuals and projects in the Aleph Zero ecosystem. All participants in this format have their domains officially reserved for the mainnet launch according to our methodology.
Keep posted and follow this series to get to know exciting projects and individuals in the Aleph Zero ecosystem!
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