The NFT market is entering a new phase focused on utility, transparency, and sustainable creator income. At TOKEN2049 in Singapore, a panel featuring Max Crown (TON Foundation), Yat Siu (Animoca Brands), Andrey Rogozov (TOP), and Farokh Sarmad (Myriad Markets) explored what “NFT 2.0” means for creators, platforms, and users.
The discussion covered royalties, innovation, and the role of Telegram and TON in expanding mainstream NFT adoption. Speakers agreed that distribution at scale and real user value will define the next growth cycle.
Speakers noted that royalties were initially built into smart contracts as a lifelong revenue stream for creators. According to Max Crown, when major marketplaces like OpenSea, Magic Eden, and Blur removed mandatory royalties, creator motivation dropped sharply.
Yat Siu described royalties as a “tax” that only works when there is clear value for both holders and creators, or when legally or contractually enforced.
As an example of aligning incentives, participants mentioned models where part of trading fees is used to buy back NFTs at floor price – such as in the Punk Strategy project.
Telegram as a Hub for NFT Growth
Panelists highlighted that Telegram and TON together offer a seamless user experience: wallets, purchases, and digital asset displays all within a familiar app. Telegram is already developing its own on-chain asset formats – from usernames and anonymous numbers to Telegram Gifts and stickers.
Speakers said this foundation could power NFT 2.0: tokens that grant access to functions, utilities, or features, naturally embedded in everyday communication.
The Market Beyond the Hype
At the start of the panel, moderator Gareth Jenkinson asked the audience about the current floor price of Bored Ape Yacht Club, citing 90 ETH as a benchmark. Participants agreed that the speculative era has passed and attention is shifting to projects with clear value and active communities.
Examples included CryptoPunks as a symbolic bet on Ethereum’s ecosystem, and newer formats like Punk Strategy and Hyper, which have driven strong trading volumes within short timeframes.
What Will Drive NFT 2.0
According to Yat Siu, gaming will remain the leading growth driver.
“Ownership of skins and in-game items is a form of digital flex that creates its own demand,” he said.
Farokh Sarmad added that media and communities are reviving NFT interest through accessible formats such as stickers and utility-based collections rather than rare luxury drops.
Andrey Rogozov emphasized the importance of a unified, user-friendly environment:
“It’s essential that NFTs display correctly across platforms, retain their attributes, and are easy to resell. Only then will royalty and service models start working again,” he said.
The Takeaway
Panelists agreed that NFT 2.0 represents the next stage of evolution for the industry – one where the core mechanics of value and interaction change. The focus now is on utility-linked royalties, integration with Telegram and TON, and NFTs as functional tools within games and digital services.
On this foundation, creators can earn predictable income, brands gain a clear channel to audiences, and users own digital assets that live naturally within everyday online experiences.
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This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advertising or investment advice. Please do your own research before making any decisions.