'Soulbound' NFTs: Vitalik Buterin inspired from World of Warcraft
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently published a blog wherein he talked about making NFTs 'soulbound' just like in the game World of Warcraft, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Buterin also mentioned a few drawbacks of NFTs, which come with their transferability and commercial viability.
'Soulbound' NFTs?
In the World of Warcraft, a soulbound "item, once picked up, cannot be transferred or sold to another player," noted Buterin. As per Buterin, the NFTs have a social signaling value, and people who own them can flaunt them in their social circles. On the other hand, Buterin also noted Twitter's integration of NFTs in profile pictures.Buterin said that the biggest question in obtaining an NFT is the relative difficulty in finding out if the person obtained the NFT by completing a task or has bought it off a secondary market. As a result, WOW's 'soulbound' feature, if tested on NFTs, would represent how the person actually got the NFT by making it non-tradeable.
The purpose is to prevent other higher-ranked players from passing down NFTs in games to the low-ranked players, speeding up their growth in the game. Buterin said that this transferability feature "makes governance power flow away from the meek who are most likely to provide valuable input to governance and toward the power-hungry who are most likely to cause problems."
POAP
Buterin spoke highly of POAP or proof of attendance protocol. POAPs are those NFT collections that represent the idea that the recipient of the NFT participated in some event. This makes it a good example of a 'soulbound' NFT. Buterin further added:"While transferable NFTs have their place and can be really valuable on their own for supporting artists and charities, there is also a large and underexplored design space of what non-transferable NFTs could become."
Continue reading by joining Cryptonary Pro
$1,548 $1,197/year
Get everything you need to actively manage your portfolio and stay ahead. Ideal for investors seeking regular guidance and access to tools that help make informed decisions.
For your security, all orders are processed on a secured server.
As a Cryptonary Pro subscriber, you also get:
3X Value Guarantee - If cumulative documented upside does not reach 300% during your 12-month membership, you can request a full refund. Terms
24/7 access to experts with 50+ years’ experience
All of our top token picks for 2025
On hand technical analysis on any token of your choice
Weekly livestreams & ask us anything with the team
Daily insights on Macro, Mechanics, and On-chain
Curated list of top upcoming airdrops (free money)
3X Value Guarantee
If cumulative documented upside does not reach 300% during your 12-month membership, you can request a full refund.
Our track record speaks for itself
With over 2.4M tokens and widespread misinformation in crypto, we cut through the noise and consistently find winning assets.
Our track record speaks for itself
With over 2.4M tokens and widespread misinformation in crypto, we cut
through the noise and consistently find winning assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trust Cryptonary's calls?
Yes. We've consistently identified winners across multiple cycles. Bitcoin under $1,000, Ethereum under $70, Solana under $10, WIF from $0.003 to $5, PopCat from $0.004 to $2, SPX blasting past $1.70, and our latest pick has already 200X'd since June 2025. Everything is timestamped and public record.
Do I need to be an experienced trader or investor to benefit?
No. When we founded Cryptonary in 2017 the market was new to everyone. We intentionally created content that was easy to understand and actionable. That foundational principle is the crux of Cryptonary. Taking complex ideas and opportunities and presenting them in a way a 10 year old could understand.
What makes Cryptonary different from free crypto content on YouTube or Twitter?
Signal vs noise. We filter out 99.9% of garbage projects, provide data backed analysis, and have a proven track record of finding winners. Not to mention since Cryptonary's inception in 2017 we have never taken investment, sponsorship or partnership. Compare this to pretty much everyone else, no track record, and a long list of partnerships that cloud judgements.
Why is there no trial or refund policy?
We share highly sensitive, time-critical research. Once it's out, it can't be "returned." That's why membership is annual only. Crypto success takes time and commitment. If someone is not willing to invest 12 months into their future, there is no place for them at Cryptonary.
Do I get direct access to the Cryptonary team?
Yes. You will have 24/7 to the team that bought you BTC at $1,000, ETH at $70, and SOL at $10. Through our community chats, live Q&As, and member only channels, you can ask questions and interact directly with the team. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience which you can tap into every single day.
How often is content updated?
Daily. We provide real-time updates, weekly reports, emergency alerts, and live Q&As when the markets move fast. In crypto, the market moves fast, in Cryptonary, we move faster.
How does the 3X Value Guarantee work?
We stand behind the value of our research. If the documented upside from our published research during your 12-month membership does not exceed three times (3X) the annual subscription cost, you can request a full refund. Historical context: In every completed market cycle since 2017, cumulative documented upside has exceeded 10X this threshold.
TermsRecommended from Cryptonary
