International NFT Day
September 20
About International NFT Day
International NFT Day takes place on Sunday, 20 September 2026. It marks the anniversary of the ERC-721 standard, the technical framework that first defined the non-fungible token, and celebrates digital ownership, blockchain innovation, and the creators who have built around it. The day is observed worldwide by artists, collectors, developers, and the wider crypto community.
What is International NFT Day?
International NFT Day is an annual observance recognising the role of non-fungible tokens in establishing verifiable ownership of digital assets. It commemorates 20 September 2017, the date on which the term “non-fungible token” was first introduced through the ERC-721 standard. The day was established in 2022 by figures and organisations in the NFT community, including Dapper Labs, OpenSea, and Flow, to mark five years since that milestone. It is aimed at anyone interested in digital art, collectibles, blockchain technology, and the future of online ownership.
When is International NFT Day?
International NFT Day falls on Sunday, 20 September 2026. It is a fixed-date observance, held on 20 September every year to coincide with the anniversary of the ERC-721 publication. The date does not change from year to year.
Why International NFT Day Matters
Non-fungible tokens addressed a long-standing problem on the internet: how to prove that a digital file is genuinely owned by a particular person. By recording ownership on a blockchain, NFTs gave digital art, music, and collectibles a verifiable provenance for the first time. The ERC-721 standard formalised this concept and underpinned a digital collectibles ecosystem that, at its peak, was valued in the billions. The day encourages reflection on both the creative opportunities and the risks of this technology, from supporting independent artists to understanding the volatility and environmental questions that surround it.
How to Get Involved in International NFT Day
You can take part whether you are a seasoned collector or simply curious about the technology.
- Learn the basics – Read up on how blockchains and non-fungible tokens work so you understand what ownership of an NFT actually means and what it does not.
- Support a digital artist – Explore the work of creators who mint and sell their art as NFTs, and consider buying directly from an artist you admire.
- Visit a virtual gallery – Many platforms host online exhibitions where you can browse NFT collections without spending anything.
- Attend a community event – Look out for online talks, livestreams, and meet-ups organised around the day by NFT platforms and creator groups.
- Understand the risks – Read balanced coverage of market volatility, scams, and energy use so you can engage critically rather than chasing hype.
- Try minting something – Some platforms let you create a simple NFT for little or no cost, which is a hands-on way to learn how the process works.
- Share what you learn – Post an explainer or your own perspective online to help demystify NFTs for friends who are unsure what they are.
History of International NFT Day
The story begins on 20 September 2017, when Dieter Shirley, then chief technology officer at Dapper Labs, proposed the ERC-721 standard. This was the first time the phrase “non-fungible token” was used, and the standard set out the rules for creating unique, individually identifiable tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. The standard was a community-driven effort, later formally published with William Entriken as lead author alongside Shirley, Jacob Evans, and Nastassia Sachs, and was officially recognised as an Ethereum standard in 2018.
Dapper Labs went on to launch CryptoKitties, one of the first NFT projects to capture mainstream attention and demonstrate the potential of ERC-721. The concept of tokenised digital ownership actually predates 2017: in 2014, artist Kevin McCoy and entrepreneur Anil Dash created “Quantum”, a digital artwork registered on the Namecoin blockchain, widely regarded as an early forerunner of the NFT.
International NFT Day itself was established in 2022, five years after the ERC-721 publication, when community leaders chose to formalise 20 September as an annual celebration of digital ownership and innovation. Since then it has been marked with exhibitions, drops, talks, and community gatherings around the world. Those interested in the broader history of computing milestones might also enjoy National Barcode Day, which celebrates another technology that quietly reshaped everyday life.
Noteworthy Facts About International NFT Day
- The term “non-fungible token” was coined on 20 September 2017 in the ERC-721 proposal.
- International NFT Day was first established in 2022, marking the fifth anniversary of that proposal.
- Dieter Shirley of Dapper Labs is credited with proposing the standard and coining the term.
- The ERC-721 standard was formally published in 2018 with William Entriken as lead author.
- CryptoKitties, launched by Dapper Labs, was one of the first major projects to popularise NFTs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is International NFT Day?
International NFT Day is an annual observance celebrating non-fungible tokens and digital ownership. It marks the anniversary of the ERC-721 standard, which first defined the NFT on 20 September 2017.
When is International NFT Day in 2026?
It takes place on Sunday, 20 September 2026. The date is fixed and falls on 20 September every year.
Who started International NFT Day?
The day was established in 2022 by members of the NFT community, including the teams behind Dapper Labs, OpenSea, and Flow, to mark five years since the ERC-721 standard introduced the term “non-fungible token”.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing International NFT Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #InternationalNFTDay and #InternationalNFTDay2026 on social media. The more people who understand the technology behind digital ownership, the more informed the conversation around it becomes.
Related Awareness Days
- National Barcode Day – Celebrates another technology that transformed commerce and everyday transactions.
- National FreeBSD Day – Honours an influential open-source operating system and the spirit of collaborative technology.
- Color TV Day – Marks a landmark moment in the history of media and consumer technology.
Links
Featured image: Photo by Nenad Novaković on Unsplash.
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