1. What is an NFT?
An NFT is a specific kind of token/collectible digital asset. Unlike other tokens, an NFT is, as its name suggests, “non-fungible” or not fungible/replaceable. An NFT is, as rule, unique. An NFT is a digital asset that can be owned, sold, and traded. After initial purchase, the NFT can be sold on the marketplace.
TINTIN CASE
The first Tintin NFTs are linked to a singular creation - the first draft for The Blue Lotus cover created by Hergé. Two types of Tintin NFTs have been created in relation to this work:
- A First Tintin NFT called “The Blue Lotus NFT”, solely in digital form, will be sold as a limited digital edition of the full HD image from 0001 to 1,777.
- A Second Tintin NFT called “The Blue Lotus NFT certificate”, certificate for HF printing. HF paper print run of 777 physical copies will be numbered from 001 to 777. These prints will be irrevocably and definitively assigned to 777 NFT certificates in a paired or unpaired manner.
2. What is a crypto wallet?
To buy, hold and transfer an NFT, you need to open or create a wallet that supports the NFT format. Wallets also allow users to send, receive and spend cryptocurrency and (in many cases) your NFTs. A cryptocurrency wallet stores your private keys, ensuring its security and accessibility. Think of it as your address/ID on the blockchain. You can send and receive items from your wallet or keep them locked away safely.
TINTIN CASE
To get started and begin your NFT Tintin transactions, you must create a wallet and connect it to digital.tintin.com while creating an account (go to "connect my wallet").
3. What is a drop?
An NFT drop is the launch of a non-fungible token project. It includes the exact date, time, and usually the minting price of the NFT.
TINTIN CASE
The two Tintin NFTs will be dropped at a date wich will be scheduled by Tintinimaginatio during April.
4. What is the blockchain?
The blockchain is a kind of digital ledger of records, called blocks, that are linked together in a decentralised, secure and transparent way using cryptography. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp and transaction data.
TINTIN CASE
The two Tintin NFTs are stored on the blockchain. After the purchase of the Tintin NFTs, the location of the Tintin NFTs on the blockchain is granted via the smart contract. The entire image of The Blue Lotus NFT is however stored outside the blockchain (via an IPFS storage, see below). The Ethereum blockchain is used for the “The Blue Lotus NFT” and the Polygon Mainnet is used for “The Blue Lotus NFT certificate”.
5. What is Minting?
When someone “mints” an NFT, they create a file that lives on a blockchain that cannot be edited or deleted. They register, for example the digital work on the blockchain.
TINTIN CASE
- As for the “The Blue Lotus NFT” (solely in digital form), there are two payment/minting options: Either you pay and "mint" the Tintin NFT in cryptocurrency, or you pay with EUROS or FIAT with your credit card. The gas fees will be mentioned on top (in real time) by following the "minting" process indicated on the website.
- As for “The Blue Lotus NFT certificate” (related to the physical HF print), the selling price of this HF print includes the transaction fee and the NFT cost of striking/minting (simultaneously paying and “minting” the fees payable to the computers that maintain the network).
6. What is a smart contract?
The smart contract is by definition an automated programme or literally a “smart contract” i.e. a digital contract in which the terms of the agreement between the users are defined in computer codes. NFTs usually contain a so-called "smart contract", a computer code that automatically performs certain actions as soon as predefined conditions are met. Smart contracts consist of several key parts: the signatories, the purpose, the terms of the transaction and the specific conditions.
TINTIN CASE
- As for “The Blue Lotus NFT” (solely in digital form), the smart contract will provide for the specific terms detailed in a programming language compatible with the smart contract’s blockchain, and shall contain among other things the proof of ownership of The Blue Lotus NFT and permission or access levels to different Tintin content (unlockable content).
- As for “The Blue Lotus NFT certificate” (related to printing), the smart contract will provide for the specific terms detailed in a programming language compatible with the smart contract’s blockchain, and shall contain among others the NFT certificate attached to the HD printing (see above Tintin NFT).
7. What are treasuries & utilities?
Treasuries/utilities (benefits) are only made available and accessible only to those who hold a particular NFT. These could be anything from higher resolution versions of the NFT’s image, videos and related material, to access to secret communities/events, or even simple discount codes.
TINTIN CASE
The unlockable contents/Tintin treasuries are designed and access to them is granted only to the current owner and holder of The Blue Lotus NFT. Copying or sharing them with others will not make this NFT special anymore and could decrease its value.
8. What is an IPFS?
IPFS stands for “Interplanetary File System" which is a distributed storage network / solution. It works in a similar way to cloud storage. IPFS is an information or file storage network that is not centralised or controlled by a single party. Furthermore, it is a content-based system and not on the domain or location-based under a URL.
TINTIN CASE
In order to reduce the environmental impact, the HD image file of the first draft of The Blue Lotus cover created by Hergé (see above) is stored in an IPFS infrastructure and not stored as such on the blockchain. By purchasing and owning The Blue Lotus NFT (solely in digital form), you will have access to the HD image file of the first draft of The Blue Lotus cover. You will receive a link to your personal NFT on IPFS. Copying or sharing them with others will not make this NFT special anymore. You will also be able to download your HD image file related to “The Blue Lotus NFT” for your personal use or to display it on a marketplace or in your own virtual gallery.
9. What is NFT Reveal?
When you mint an NFT, the artwork won’t actually be created until the minting is complete. This means that you’re purchasing a ‘blind box’ and won’t know exactly what you get until it’s time to reveal it.
TINTIN CASE
When you mint (or buy) "The Blue Lotus NFT", what you’ll see first on OpenSea is a placeholder image. For "The Blue Lotus NFT" it is the dragon in black and white. After the mint ends (usually within 24 hours), the NFT image will be revealed and you can vizualize it on your Digital Tintin account and on marketplaces like OpenSea.