Are all NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain?

Understanding the Ethereum Dominance in the NFT Space

The Ethereum blockchain has played a foundational role in the development and popularization of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Most early NFT projects, including high-profile ones like CryptoPunks, Bored Ape Yacht Club, and Art Blocks, were launched on Ethereum. This dominance stems from Ethereum’s support for smart contracts, which allow developers to create tokens with unique metadata and ownership records. The ERC-721 and ERC-1155 token standards, both native to Ethereum, became the blueprints for how NFTs are structured, verified, and transferred. Because of this, many people associate NFTs exclusively with Ethereum.

However, the perception that all NFTs are on Ethereum is a misconception. While Ethereum remains a major hub, it is not the only blockchain supporting NFTs. The infrastructure and community built around Ethereum made it the default choice during the NFT boom of 2020–2021, but alternative blockchains have since emerged with competitive offerings. These alternatives often aim to solve Ethereum’s limitations, such as high gas fees and network congestion, by offering faster transactions and lower costs.

Alternative Blockchains Hosting NFTs

Several blockchains now support NFT creation and trading, each with distinct technical and economic models. Solana, for example, has gained traction due to its low transaction fees and high throughput. Platforms like Magic Eden and Metaplex have established Solana as a strong contender in the NFT space. Solana uses a unique consensus mechanism combining Proof of History (PoH) with Proof of Stake (PoS), enabling rapid confirmation of NFT transactions.

Polygon is another significant player. As a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, Polygon maintains compatibility with Ethereum’s tools and standards while drastically reducing gas costs. NFTs minted on Polygon follow the same ERC-721 and ERC-1155 standards, allowing seamless integration with Ethereum-based wallets and marketplaces like OpenSea. This interoperability makes Polygon an attractive option for creators seeking cost efficiency without sacrificing accessibility.

Other chains like Tezos, Flow, and Cardano also host NFT ecosystems. Flow, developed by Dapper Labs, powers NFT projects such as NBA Top Shot and emphasizes user-friendly onboarding and energy efficiency. Tezos promotes on-chain royalties and formal verification for smart contracts, appealing to artists concerned with long-term ownership rights. Each of these platforms offers different trade-offs in terms of speed, cost, decentralization, and developer support.

Minting an NFT on a Non-Ethereum Blockchain: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating an NFT on a blockchain other than Ethereum involves specific steps tailored to the platform. Below is a detailed walkthrough for minting an NFT on Solana using Metaplex:

• Install the Solana Command Line Tools (CLI) by visiting the official Solana documentation and following the setup instructions for your operating system
• Generate a wallet keypair using the command solana-keygen new --outfile ~/.config/solana/devnet.json
• Switch to the Devnet environment with solana config set --url devnet to test without spending real SOL
• Fund your wallet using a Solana Devnet faucet to receive test tokens
• Upload your digital asset (image, video, etc.) to a decentralized storage service like Arweave or IPFS
• Use the Metaplex CLI to create your metadata JSON file, specifying name, symbol, description, and asset URI
• Run the metaplex upload command to deploy your metadata and asset to the blockchain
• Execute metaplex verify to confirm your NFT has been successfully minted

This process highlights how NFT creation varies across chains. Unlike Ethereum, where tools like Remix IDE or OpenSea’s lazy minting dominate, Solana relies more on command-line interfaces and decentralized storage integration.

Cross-Chain NFTs and Interoperability Solutions

The existence of NFTs across multiple blockchains raises the challenge of interoperability. Users may want to move an NFT from Ethereum to Polygon or display a Solana-based collectible in an Ethereum wallet. To address this, cross-chain bridges and interoperability protocols have emerged. Projects like Wormhole and LayerZero enable NFTs to be locked on one chain and represented as wrapped tokens on another.

For example, a user can lock a Solana NFT in a Wormhole-controlled account and receive a corresponding ERC-721 token on Ethereum. This wrapped NFT behaves like a standard Ethereum NFT but reflects the state of the original asset. While powerful, these systems introduce security considerations, as bridges have been targeted by hackers in the past. Users must verify the legitimacy of the bridge and understand the custody model before transferring assets.

Another approach is multi-chain NFT deployment, where creators mint the same NFT collection on multiple blockchains simultaneously. This strategy increases accessibility but can dilute scarcity if not carefully managed. Metadata must be consistently hosted, and marketplaces need to support multi-chain listings to ensure visibility.

Wallet and Marketplace Support for Multi-Chain NFTs

Modern digital wallets and NFT marketplaces have adapted to the multi-chain reality. Phantom, primarily a Solana wallet, supports SPL tokens and Solana-based NFTs. Rainbow Wallet and MetaMask allow users to connect to multiple networks, including Ethereum, Polygon, and Avalanche, enabling NFT management across chains.

Marketplaces like OpenSea now list NFTs from Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, and Klaytn. When browsing, users can filter by blockchain to locate assets on a specific network. Blur, focused on professional traders, supports Ethereum-only NFTs but offers advanced analytics. Meanwhile, Tensor specializes in Solana NFTs, providing auction-style listings and real-time floor price tracking.

To view a non-Ethereum NFT in MetaMask, users must manually add the network. For Polygon, this involves entering the RPC URL, chain ID (137), and currency symbol (MATIC). Once added, NFTs on that network appear in the wallet’s collectibles tab, provided they are properly indexed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an NFT exist on more than one blockchain at the same time?An NFT cannot natively exist on multiple blockchains simultaneously. Each NFT is tied to the blockchain it was minted on. However, clones or representations can be created on other chains through multi-chain minting or cross-chain bridging, but these are considered separate assets unless linked through a formal interoperability protocol.

How do I know which blockchain my NFT is on?Check the marketplace where the NFT was purchased or minted. The platform typically displays the blockchain (e.g., Ethereum, Solana). In wallets like MetaMask, NFTs are grouped by network. Transaction history on a block explorer like Etherscan or Solana Explorer will also show the originating chain.

Are NFTs on other blockchains less valuable than those on Ethereum?Value is determined by market demand, not the underlying blockchain. While Ethereum-based NFTs often command higher prices due to brand recognition and liquidity, successful projects on Solana or Polygon can achieve significant valuations. Scarcity, community, and utility play larger roles than the chain itself.

Do all NFT marketplaces support every blockchain?No. Marketplaces have varying levels of blockchain support. OpenSea supports multiple chains, while others like Magic Eden focus on Solana, and LooksRare operates exclusively on Ethereum. Always verify a platform’s supported networks before listing or purchasing.