ERC-721
ERC-721 is a standard protocol on Ethereum for creating non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which represent unique digital assets that cannot be exchanged on a one-to-one basis. It defines a common interface for ownership, transfers, and metadata, enabling interoperability across marketplaces, games, and decentralized applications. The standard is widely used for digital collectibles, art, and other one-of-a-kind items.
ERC-721 is a standard protocol on Ethereum for creating non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which represent unique digital asset...
entity.trust_high
Sep 2026 · Punteggio di freschezza: 50%
What is ERC-721?
ERC-721 is a standard protocol on Ethereum for creating non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which represent unique digital assets that cannot be exchanged on a one-to-one basis. It defines a common interface for ownership, transfers, and metadata, enabling interoperability across marketplaces, games, and decentralized applications. The standard is widely used for digital collectibles, art, and other one-of-a-kind items.
- Category
- protocol
- Type
- Authority Node
- Sources
- 1
An ERC-721 contract gives each token a unique identifier and tracks which address owns it. The standard specifies functions for transferring tokens, checking balances, and approving operators, plus an optional metadata extension that links
ERC-721 created a shared language for digital ownership, enabling marketplaces, games, and profile-picture communities to interoperate. It demonstrated that blockchains can prove ownership of unique items, not just currency. Its limitations
Knowledge Graph
2 relationsClick a node to keep exploring
Overview
ERC-721 is an Ethereum standard for creating non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which represent unique digital assets that cannot be exchanged on a one-to-one basis. It defines a common interface for ownership, transfer, and metadata that any application can use, making NFTs interoperable across wallets and marketplaces. ERC-721 is the foundation of the NFT ecosystem.
How It Works
An ERC-721 contract gives each token a unique identifier and tracks which address owns it. The standard specifies functions for transferring tokens, checking balances, and approving operators, plus an optional metadata extension that links each token to its name and image. Unlike fungible tokens, where one unit equals another, every ERC-721 token is distinct, which is what makes collectibles and digital art ownable as individual items.
Why It Matters
ERC-721 created a shared language for digital ownership, enabling marketplaces, games, and profile-picture communities to interoperate. It demonstrated that blockchains can prove ownership of unique items, not just currency. Its limitations, such as metadata being stored off-chain and the standard's minimal design, have driven subsequent standards and discussions about NFTs.
Related Concepts
ERC-721 is the canonical NFT standard, related to ERC-20 for fungible tokens and to newer standards like ERC-1155 for semi-fungible items. It underpins identity-adjacent assets such as ENS names and Soulbound Tokens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ERC-721?
ERC-721 is a standard protocol on Ethereum for creating non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which represent unique digital assets that cannot be exchanged on a one-to-one basis. It defines a common interface for ownership, transfers, and metadata, enabling interoperability across marketplaces, games, and decentralized applications. The standard is widely used for digital collectibles, art, and other one-of-a-kind items.
How does ERC-721 work?
ERC-721 is an Ethereum standard for creating non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which represent unique digital assets that cannot be exchanged on a one-to-one basis. It defines a common interface for ownership, transfer, and metadata that any application can use, making NFTs interoperable across wallets an
Why does ERC-721 matter in Web3?
An ERC-721 contract gives each token a unique identifier and tracks which address owns it. The standard specifies functions for transferring tokens, checking balances, and approving operators, plus an optional metadata extension that links each token to its name and image. Unlike fungible tokens, wh