Application of blockchain technologies for preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage through NFT

Abstract

Non-fungible tokens (NFT) represent one of the most important technologies in the space of Web3. Thanks to NFTs, digital or physical assets can be tokenized to represent their ownership through the use of smart contracts and blockchains. The first generation of this technology, called NFT 1.0, considers static tokens described by a set of metadata that cannot be changed after token creation. The static nature prevents their wide spread as they do not support any meaningful user interaction. For this reason, its evolution, called NFT 2.0, has been proposed to make tokens interactive and dynamic and enhance user experience, opening the possibility to use NFTs in more ways and scenarios. Cultural heritage assets are in danger of extinction or damage due to lack of publicity and financial problems. Technological advances can play a role in their preservation and promotion.The preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage is a serious challenge, especially in the age of digital technologies. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) offer a promising solution for managing and authenticating digital assets. Using blockchain technology, NFTs can help preserve and promote the visibility of these important cultural artifacts. This research aims to create a blockchain-based cultural heritage protection system. Cultural assets are transformed into unique digital items using NFT technology. An autonomous working system is provided by smart contracts. Supporters of the project make donations to receive their share of the rights to protect and maintain cultural heritage sites.The use of NFT in this field raises important issues of preservation, digitization, and promotion of Ukrainian culture. The purpose of the article is to analyze the blockchain technology used for NFT, developing a unique collection of digital assets and publication it on the marketplace.