What If NFTs Had Focused on 1/1 Art Instead of Generative Ape Collections?

The NFT boom of 2021 was largely shaped by generative NFT collections—mass-minted profile picture (PFP) projects like Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), CryptoPunks, and Azuki. These projects fueled mainstream adoption, but they also framed NFTs as speculative assets rather than a legitimate digital art movement.

But what if things had gone differently?

What if the NFT space had been built on the foundation of 1/1 NFT art, where each piece was unique and carried cultural value rather than rarity scores? Would NFTs be taken more seriously today? Would we have avoided the NFT market crash, overhyped bubbles, and reputation issues?

Let’s explore an alternate timeline where NFTs evolved as an art-first industry rather than a short-term trading frenzy—and what the best-case scenario would look like today if NFTs had taken a long-term approach instead of a speculative one.

Reputation: From "Overpriced JPEGs" to Fine Art

The biggest public criticism of NFTs has been that they’re cash grabs—digital collectibles with inflated prices and little artistic or historical value. A big part of that comes from how PFP NFT projects operated:

• Mass minting—thousands of NFTs created instantly, flooding the market.

• Manufactured scarcity—artificial supply caps and FOMO-driven NFT marketing.

• Whitelist and invite-only access—pyramid scheme-like recruitment where people had to grind in Discord for early access.

• Overpromised NFT utility—staking, play-to-earn mechanics, and Web3 metaverse roadmaps that never materialized.

Had 1/1 NFT collections been the dominant force, the narrative around NFTs as digital art could have been very different. Instead of NFT floor prices and sweeping collections, the focus could have been on provenance, artistic curation, and true digital ownership.

This shift could have benefited early pioneers who were actually creating groundbreaking NFT art. Take, for example:

• Asada’s "The Melwas" (view collection)—a hauntingly beautiful Thai dark art NFT collection that was both terrifying and original. Asada’s work carried an unsettling, surreal horror aesthetic with intricate linework, making each piece feel like a glimpse into something forbidden. Even more compelling, "The Melwas" showcased Asada’s artistic evolution over time, with later works becoming more refined and complex. Yet, despite its brilliance, this collection was drowned out by generative NFT hype cycles.

• Uiethma’s "1440" (view collection)—their masterpiece 1/1 NFT collection, demonstrating an insanely diverse range of artistic styles. Uiethma’s ability to create unique NFT art daily, while maintaining consistent quality and originality, set them apart. Each work in "1440" had its own identity, yet was unmistakably Uiethma. Despite its artistic depth, it never received the recognition it deserved because the NFT community was focused on rarity traits and artificial scarcity.

• TheDolls by Weanika (view collection) - Another underrated 1/1 collection that could have thrived in a different NFT landscape is TheDolls by Thai artist Weanika (view collection). TheDolls is a meticulously crafted horror-inspired collection where each NFT feels as if it carries a soul inside. Instead of following generative formulas, this series embraces a haunting, surreal atmosphere, making every piece feel uniquely unsettling.

  With a mix of human dolls, horror toys, dark dolls, and rare story-driven pieces, the collection blurs the line between dark fantasy and psychological horror, creating an experience that feels more like a cursed artifact than a digital asset. Had the NFT space developed into a long-term digital art ecosystem, TheDolls could have carved out a niche in horror NFT collecting, with collectors showcasing their cursed dolls in eerie digital galleries or using them in interactive Web3 horror projects.

  Instead, like many highly original 1/1 collections, TheDolls was overshadowed by speculative hype cycles, leaving its high artistic value underappreciated in the broader NFT market.

The Death of Meaningful NFT Communities

One of the biggest tragedies of the generative NFT era was the loss of real artist-driven communities.

Early NFT collectors and artists built tight-knit Discord communities, where art was discussed, collected, and appreciated. These were true Web3 communities, focused on curation and artistic value—not just flipping for profit.

A perfect example of a community that could have thrived in a different NFT ecosystem is iAMs (view collection). The iAMs collection was a handcrafted 1/1 NFT series of 500 unique 3D characters, each one representing everything a person can be or aspire to be. Unlike generative projects, iAMs were carefully created with individual attention to detail, giving each NFT a true sense of personality and meaning.

Had the NFT space been built on true digital self-expression, projects like iAMs could have led a movement in which collectors built deep, long-term relationships with their digital identities rather than just flipping assets for profit. Imagine a world where NFT owners proudly showcased their iAMs in immersive galleries or used them as representations of their evolving identities in the metaverse—a space where NFT ownership wasn’t about status but about storytelling and creativity.

Best-Case Scenario: What the NFT World Could Have Been

Let’s go one step further. Imagine if NFTs had developed into a stable digital art industry instead of a speculative trading game.

Here’s what Web3 could look like today:

• NFT curation would be celebrated. The best NFT curators would be recognized for their ability to assemble meaningful collections, highlight emerging artists, and contribute to the digital art revolution.

• NFT galleries would be the standard. Instead of NFT investors focusing on floor price speculation, they’d be showcasing their collections in Oncyber, Decentraland, and AR/VR spaces.

• NFTs would be integrated into fine art institutions. Sotheby’s and Christie’s wouldn’t just be experimenting with NFTs—they’d have permanent digital art departments.

• NFT artists would have sustainable careers. Instead of relying on hype cycles, digital artists could thrive with NFT collector support based on merit and artistic value.

• Web3 social media would be built around NFT art appreciation. Instead of grinding Discord servers for whitelist spots, NFT buyers would engage in real discussions about digital provenance and creativity.

• NFTs would be respected as a legitimate artistic medium. The stigma surrounding NFTs wouldn’t exist—they’d be embraced like photography, street art, or fine digital illustrations.

Instead, what happened? Short-term cash grabs, rug pulls, and speculative hype burned a massive amount of goodwill. Many of the most talented NFT artists left Web3, and the industry is still trying to recover.

The real tragedy of the NFT crash isn’t just financial losses—it’s the lost opportunity to build a lasting digital art revolution.

What Do You Think?

Would NFTs have a better reputation today if 1/1 art had led the movement? Let’s talk—hit us up on X (Twitter) @piratebootygal

PaperHands Media Network is fueled by a passion for culture, branding, and Web3 storytelling. If you enjoyed this article, you might appreciate the creative work behind MyriadMeaning, a collection of 1/1 NFTs on the eco-friendly Tezos blockchain. No pressure—just a peek into our artistic side