What is Quantum NFT?

Quantum is a digital artwork created in 2014 by Kevin McCoy, and it is widely recognized as the first NFT (Non-Fungible Token) in history.

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📌 Key Facts

Name: Quantum

Artist: Kevin McCoy

Year: 2014

Blockchain: Originally minted on Namecoin

Medium: Generative digital art — an animated, cyclical shape

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🧠 Notable Features

Historical Significance: Quantum was created before the term “NFT” even existed. Back then, McCoy referred to it as “monetized graphics.”

Technological Difference: Unlike today’s NFTs on Ethereum, this piece was inscribed on the Namecoin blockchain.

Purpose: To establish and prove ownership of a digital artwork via blockchain.

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💰 Auction & Sale

Auction date: June 2021

Auction house: Sotheby’s

Price: Around $1.47 million USD

👉 However, the sale sparked legal controversy:

Someone else had claimed ownership of the Namecoin entry linked to Quantum, raising the question — who truly owned the piece?

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Legal Dispute

The issue: Namecoin domains need to be renewed; otherwise, they can be taken by others.

Another individual re-registered the original domain tied to Quantum and claimed ownership.

This led to debates about how blockchain records, renewals, and NFT ownership rights should be interpreted in law.

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🔍 Fun Fact (Nice-to-Know)

Quantum’s code is based on generative art logic.

It continuously redraws itself in an infinite loop, producing a meditative, ever-changing digital form.

What is Quantum NFT?

Quantum is a digital artwork created in 2014 by Kevin McCoy, and it is widely recognized as the first NFT (Non-Fungible Token) in history.

---

📌 Key Facts

Name: Quantum

Artist: Kevin McCoy

Year: 2014

Blockchain: Originally minted on Namecoin

Medium: Generative digital art — an animated, cyclical shape

---

🧠 Notable Features

Historical Significance: Quantum was created before the term “NFT” even existed. Back then, McCoy referred to it as “monetized graphics.”

Technological Difference: Unlike today’s NFTs on Ethereum, this piece was inscribed on the Namecoin blockchain.

Purpose: To establish and prove ownership of a digital artwork via blockchain.

---

💰 Auction & Sale

Auction date: June 2021

Auction house: Sotheby’s

Price: Around $1.47 million USD

👉 However, the sale sparked legal controversy:

Someone else had claimed ownership of the Namecoin entry linked to Quantum, raising the question — who truly owned the piece?

---

Legal Dispute

The issue: Namecoin domains need to be renewed; otherwise, they can be taken by others.

Another individual re-registered the original domain tied to Quantum and claimed ownership.

This led to debates about how blockchain records, renewals, and NFT ownership rights should be interpreted in law.

---

🔍 Fun Fact (Nice-to-Know)

Quantum’s code is based on generative art logic.

It continuously redraws itself in an infinite loop, producing a meditative, ever-changing digital form.