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An NFT is a distinct digital token recorded on a blockchain. The two pictures below show the key ideas: unlike interchangeable units, each NFT has its own identity; and the token record is separate from the image, item, or rights it may refer to.

Picture 1: How is an NFT different from a regular token?

Interchangeable units compared with a uniquely identified tokenThree identical fungible units are shown beside one individually numbered token.Fungible unitsSame kind and same unitNon-fungible token#042Individually identified token
Identical fungible units are interchangeable one-for-one; an NFT is distinguished by its token identity. That distinction alone does not guarantee scarcity, authenticity of a referenced work, or market value.

“Non-fungible” means not interchangeable with another unit as though the two were identical. Ethereum.org uses USDC as an example of fungible units and contrasts them with individually unique NFTs. A token’s distinct identity is a property of its record—not proof that the referenced artwork is original or that the token will be valuable.

Picture 2: What is on the blockchain, and what does the NFT point to?

NFT record, metadata, and referenced contentA blockchain token record contains a contract address, token ID, and owner address. An arrow points to separate metadata, which points to an image or item.Blockchain recordContract addressToken IDOwner addressMetadataDescription or pointerImage, media, or itemReferenced content
Simplified illustration: a token record can point to metadata and content stored separately. Implementations differ, and some data may be stored on-chain.

On Ethereum, a smart contract can create tokens and track which blockchain address holds each one. For ERC-721, a token is identified by its contract address and token ID; together, that pair identifies a particular asset on an Ethereum chain. The standard is one Ethereum NFT format, not a universal design for every blockchain or NFT.

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Ethereum.org explains that “Ownership of an NFT is stored on the blockchain for anyone to verify publicly.” This describes what the blockchain records: token ownership associated with an address. Metadata may describe what the token represents, while the media itself can be stored or referenced separately. Storage choices vary, so the token record does not necessarily contain the image or other content.

Does owning an NFT mean owning the artwork?

No—not automatically. The token, the content it references, and the rights a holder receives are separate matters. The Congressional Research Service notes that NFT ownership does not necessarily correspond to legal ownership of the underlying item. Buying a token therefore does not, by itself, establish that you own the artwork’s copyright, have the right to reproduce it, or possess a physical object.

The relevant terms for a particular NFT determine what rights, if any, accompany the token. Read those terms rather than inferring rights from the word “ownership” or from the fact that the blockchain lists your address as the holder.

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What can NFTs be used for?

NFTs can be designed as collectibles or to support practical functions. The SEC’s educational material gives examples of digital tools that can serve as memberships, tickets, credentials, title instruments, or identity badges. These are possible designs, not features every NFT has: the token label alone does not establish access, benefits, transferability, or legal status.

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The SEC’s 2026 educational material distinguishes practical digital tools from digital securities without declaring all NFTs to belong to one category. Legal classification depends on the specific asset and circumstances; a token’s format by itself does not settle the question.

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