The Ethereum blockchain is by far the most widely used for minting NFTs and has provided a medium for millions of these digital assets to be bought and sold over the past few years. Most of the time, these NFTs are denominated in ETH, making it simple for investors to obtain the digital currency necessary to make a purchase.
With that in mind, this guide will discuss the best Ethereum NFT marketplace in detail, reviewing the top platforms with the best NFTs and showing you how to get set up with a leading marketplace right away – all in four easy steps.
The 5 Best Ethereum NFT Marketplaces
If you’re interested in finding the best Ethereum NFT marketplace, then listed below are our top five picks, derived through extensive research and testing:
- Crypto.com – Overall Best Ethereum NFT Marketplace
- Binance – Huge Ethereum NFT Platform with Low Fees
- OpenSea – Popular Ethereum NFT Marketplace with Huge Asset Selection
- Rarible – Best Ethereum NFT Marketplace for Easy Minting
- Axie Marketplace – Top Ethereum NFT Platform for Blockchain Gaming
The Top Ethereum NFT Marketplaces Reviewed
When researching how to buy an NFT, choosing a suitable platform should be your top priority. Thankfully, most of the leading NFT marketplaces will support Ethereum-based NFTs due to the blockchain’s ‘first mover’ status within the space.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in and explore the five best Ethereum NFT marketplaces available to investors right now:
1. Crypto.com – Overall Best Ethereum NFT Marketplace
Our pick for the best NFT marketplace for Ethereum-based assets is Crypto.com. Most investors will likely have heard of Crypto.com, as the platform has grown to become one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. On top of this, Crypto.com entered the NFT space in 2021 through the launch of the ‘Crypto.com NFT Marketplace’, which offers an easy way for investors to buy and sell NFTs.
Crypto.com offers NFTs in categories such as art, gaming, sport, music, and more. The marketplace also has a dedicated ‘Celebrities’ section containing NFTs minted by high-profile names. NFTs will either be listed for auction or a fixed price – and users can easily purchase these NFTs using a credit or debit card. Alternatively, Crypto.com also supports cryptocurrency payments through its ‘Crypto.com Pay’ gateway.
By using Crypto.com Pay, investors can buy NFTs using over 30 different cryptocurrencies, including BTC, LTC, ETH, and more. Notably, Crypto.com charges no fees to buy or sell NFTs, which contrasts with most other platforms that charge a fee to the seller. In terms of wallet connectivity, Crypto.com currently supports MetaMask and WalletConnect.
Finally, during February 2022, Crypto.com announced via a press release that the platform will now support NFTs that are minted and hosted on the Ethereum blockchain. This is excellent news for investors as there will be no extra listing fees when selling on Crypto.com and no GAS fees for trades occurring on the Crypto.com NFT marketplace!
Your capital is at risk.
2. Binance – Huge Ethereum NFT Platform with Low Fees
If you’re looking for an alternative to Crypto.com, we’d also highly recommend checking out Binance. Binance is commonly referred to as one of the best crypto exchanges globally, boasting over 500 tradeable crypto assets. Much like Crypto.com, Binance got involved in the NFT space during 2021 through the launch of the ‘Binance NFT Marketplace’, which connects seamlessly with the crypto exchange aspect of the platform.
This means that Binance users do not need to create a separate account and can easily access the NFT marketplace using their standard login credentials. The marketplace itself is easy to navigate and can even be accessed through the Binance mobile app. There are dedicated sections for popular NFT categories, such as art, gaming, and sports, along with clear representations of the top collections and creators over the past seven days.
In terms of fees, Binance only charges a 1% platform service fee when an NFT is bought or sold. However, there are no listing fees whatsoever, and Binance only charges a 0.000001 BNB fee when minting an NFT – which equates to only a fraction of a dollar.
Finally, Binance makes it easy to find Ethereum-based NFTs as users can quickly filter the listed assets to only those denominated in ETH. The great thing is that Binance makes it easy to buy the ETH necessary to purchase these NFTs, as users can quickly switch to the exchange platform, buy ETH, and then instantly switch back and make their NFT purchase!
Your capital is at risk.
3. OpenSea – Popular Ethereum NFT Marketplace with Huge Asset Selection
Many people believe OpenSea to be the best Ethereum NFT marketplace, as it was the first platform to bring NFT trading into the mainstream. Launched in 2018, OpenSea has grown exponentially in the past few years and recently set a new record of $3.5bn in monthly trading volume. The vast majority of NFTs listed on OpenSea are denominated in ETH, although the platform also supports over 150 different cryptos for payment, including USDC, DAI, and more.
At present, OpenSea does not support credit/debit card payments and only allows NFT trades to be facilitated in crypto. There are no fees to buy NFTs, as the 2.5% transaction fee is only charged to the seller. In terms of security, OpenSea boasts a stellar reputation as the marketplace is entirely decentralised, meaning it doesn’t hold users’ funds and simply facilitates the trading process.
4. Rarible – Best Ethereum NFT Marketplace for Easy Minting
Rarible is another Ethereum-based NFT marketplace that was launched in 2020. The platform has been designed to appeal to NFT traders of all experience levels, featuring a user-friendly interface and a streamlined minting process. At present, Rarible offers NFTs from various categories, such as art, games, photography – and even memes.
Rarible operates at the higher end of the fee spectrum, as the platform charges a 2.5% fee to the buyer AND the seller when a transaction takes place. However, Rarible does provide the option for the buyer to take on the entire 5% fee if both parties agree to it. Finally, one of Rarible’s most appealing elements is that the marketplace has multi-chain support – with users able to purchase NFTs hosted on Ethereum, Flow, and Tezos, with more chains set to be integrated in the future.
5. Axie Marketplace – Top Ethereum NFT Platform for Blockchain Gaming
Rounding off our list of the best Ethereum NFT marketplaces is the Axie Marketplace. Although you’re unlikely to find an Ethereum NFT whale on this platform, the Axie Marketplace does offer an easy way for users of the Axie Infinity blockchain game to buy and sell in-game items. Users who buy Axie Infinity can use the token (or ETH) to purchase costumes, weapons, land, and ‘Axies’.
Axies are the in-game pets that users own and form the foundation of how the game works. The marketplace offers thousands of these Axies, many of which are available for less than $30, ensuring these NFTs are accessible to beginner traders. Finally, there are no buying fees when you purchase an NFT through the Axie Marketplace – although sellers do have to pay a 4.25% ’marketplace fee’ when their item sells.
How do Ethereum NFT Marketplaces Work?
The best Ethereum NFT marketplace offers a platform for NFT buyers and sellers to come together and make transactions. Like other online marketplaces (such as Amazon), Ethereum NFT marketplaces allow investors to browse a wide range of NFTs that have been listed on the platform and then make their purchase, either via auction or fixed-price. As the name suggests, Ethereum NFT marketplaces tend to denominate most (if not all) of their listed NFTs in ETH.
As such, most of these marketplaces will require users to buy Ethereum to facilitate their purchase. However, specific marketplaces (such as Crypto.com) allow users to buy NFTs using their credit or debit card – removing the need to hold crypto. Once an NFT is purchased and ownership is transferred, investors can send their new NFT to an external crypto wallet for safekeeping.
Ethereum NFTs vs Other NFTs
According to CoinMarketCap, Ethereum is currently the second-largest cryptocurrency globally – nearly 4X larger than third-placed Tether. As such, Ethereum’s user base is much higher than other blockchains that support NFT minting, such as Solana or the Binance Smart Chain. Ultimately, this means that most minted NFTs are hosted on Ethereum.
This gives rise to several benefits for Ethereum-based NFTs, such as:
- Most marketplaces, including the upcoming Ethereum Gamestop NFT marketplace, will support ETH-based NFTs – making them easily accessible for investors.
- Since ETH is a widely-used crypto, it’s also easy to obtain the currency and use it for purchases.
- Top wallet providers (such as MetaMask) have full support for Ethereum NFTs, making it easy to store digital assets safely.
However, although Ethereum NFTs are the most popular, they still have a few downsides to be aware of. The most pressing is that the Ethereum blockchain suffers from scalability issues, meaning that minting fees can be extremely high compared to other blockchains. This has prompted many top NFT creators to use alternative blockchains, such as Solana, which is taking some of the marketplace dominance away from Ethereum.
What are the Best Ethereum NFTs?
Now that you’ve got an idea of what the best Ethereum NFT marketplace is, let’s turn our attention to the top assets available to investors. Detailed below are five of the best NFTs to buy that are hosted on the Ethereum blockchain:
1. CryptoPunks
CryptoPunks is an NFT collection that was launched in June 2017. Ten thousand randomly generated NFTs were released, initially priced at less than $100. However, as the NFT craze has taken off, these ‘Punks’ have become a status symbol – with many selling for millions of dollars over the past year!
Your capital is at risk.
2. Bored Ape Yacht Club
Bored Ape Yacht Club is a collection of 10,000 NFTs that depict ‘bored apes’. The project was launched by Yuga Labs in April 2021 and immediately became one of the most talked-about projects within the NFT space. Owners of Bored Ape NFTs gain access to an exclusive club featuring a Discord channel with multiple celebrities.
Your capital is at risk.
3. Doodles
Doodles is a collection of 10,000 NFTs created by a trio of well-known digital artists. Two of the artists helped launch CryptoKitties, one of the first NFT projects. Much like CryptoPunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club, Doodles are characters created using random traits that make them unique and can be used as profile pictures or status symbols.
Your capital is at risk.
4. Axie Infinity
As noted earlier, Axie Infinity is a blockchain-based virtual world hosted on the Ethereum blockchain. As such, in-game items are structured as NFTs and can be traded on the Axie Marketplace. Much like the Parallel NFT Ethereum 50m Paradigm that was sold recently, some of these items are extremely rare and valuable – with one ‘Axie’ selling for over $1 million in 2021!
Your capital is at risk.
5. Galaktic Gang
Finally, Galaktic Gang is a collection of 5,555 NFTs designed by famous artist Chris Dryer. The NFTs depict psychedelic ‘aliens’ with unique traits and features. Owning a Galaktic Gang NFT brings with it a myriad of benefits, such as in-person events and educational classes scheduled for Q2 2022.
Your capital is at risk.
Best Ethereum Wallet for NFTs
Before you buy NFTs, you’ll have to choose one of the best crypto wallets to store your ETH before purchase. Thanks to the growth of the crypto market in general, there is now an abundance of wallets to choose from, each offering its own unique features.
However, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to store your ETH, we’d recommend opting for the eToro Money crypto wallet. As the name implies, this wallet is part of the eToro ecosystem and can be downloaded for free via the App Store or Google Play. You’ll need an eToro account to utilise the wallet, although the account creation process only takes a few minutes to complete.
The wallet features an unlosable private key and high-level standardisation protocols to safeguard your crypto holdings. It also has multi-signature facilities and DDoS protection, supporting over 100 different assets. Finally, you can even exchange one coin for another directly within the wallet’s interface – streamlining the trading process enormously.
Where to Buy Crypto to Use on Marketplaces
To facilitate your NFT purchase, you’ll first need to buy some cryptocurrency. As mentioned previously, most NFTs are denominated in ETH, although other blockchains such as Solana and the Binance Smart Chain are becoming increasingly popular. Due to this, it’s wise to partner with a crypto trading platform that offers a variety of tradeable cryptos – which is why we recommend eToro.
eToro is ideal if you’re looking to buy Bitcoin (or another crypto) as the platform offers tight spreads that start at only 0.75% for BTC trading. There are no hefty transaction fees to open a cryptocurrency trade, and eToro accepts positions from only $10. The great thing about eToro is that you can fund your trading balance in FIAT via credit/debit card, bank transfer, or e-wallet – with no deposit fees.
The sign-up process is entirely digital and can be completed in minutes through your laptop, smartphone, or tablet. You can then opt to trade on eToro’s web-based platform or the mobile app – which is one of the best crypto apps for trading on the go. Finally, since eToro is regulated in many jurisdictions by reputable organisations such as the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FinCEN, and FINRA, most users are offered a solid level of investor protection when using the platform.
How to Buy Crypto for NFTs on eToro
Now that you have all the information you’ll need regarding the best Ethereum NFT marketplaces, let’s turn our attention to the investment process. The first thing you’ll have to do is purchase some crypto so that you can buy an NFT.
To help you with this process, the four quick steps below will show you how to buy cryptocurrency with eToro – all in a matter of minutes.
Step 1 – Open an eToro Account
Go to eToro’s homepage and click ‘Join Now’. Enter your email address and choose a username and a password. Alternatively, you can also download the eToro mobile app and complete the sign-up process that way.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
Step 2 – Verify your Account
Click ‘Complete Profile’ and enter the personal details that eToro requires for KYC checks. Following this, upload proof of ID (e.g. passport) and proof of address (e.g. utility bill) to verify your identity.
Step 3 – Make a Deposit
Deposit at least $10 into your trading balance using one of the following payment methods:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Bank transfer
- PayPal
- Skrill
- Neteller
Step 4 – Buy Crypto
Type the name or ticker symbol of the crypto you’d like to trade (e.g. ETH) into the search bar and click ‘Trade’. Enter your position size (minimum $10) in the order box that appears and click ‘Open Trade’.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
How to Buy NFTs on an Ethereum Marketplace
Finally, now that you’ve purchased some cryptocurrency, you’re all set to buy an NFT. By looking at our NFT calendar, you can keep tabs on the best upcoming NFT drops to ensure you’re primed and ready to invest when they go live.
With that in mind, the four quick steps below will walk you through how to buy NFTs with our recommended Ethereum marketplace, Crypto.com.
Step 1 – Create a Crypto.com NFT Account
Go to the Crypto.com NFT marketplace homepage and click ‘Sign Up’. Enter your name and email address, then choose a username and a password for your account.
Your capital is at risk.
Step 2 – Verify Account
You will then need to verify your NFT account. You can do this in one of two ways:
- Crypto.com Member – Head to your settings menu and click ‘Connect to App’. Enter the code that you will be sent via email to connect your NFT account to your Crypto.com account.
- Not a Crypto.com Member – Provide your mobile number in the settings menu, after which Crypto.com will send you a security code. Enter this code on the settings menu to verify your account.
Step 3 – Browse NFTs
You can now browse the listed NFTs and look for one that appeals to you. You can filter the NFTs only to show those hosted on the Ethereum blockchain to make the process easier.
Step 4 – Buy NFT
Once you’ve found a desirable NFT, click on it to be taken to the listing page. NFTs will either be listed for auction or a fixed price – with the latter meaning you’re able to buy the NFTs instantly.
Assuming you place the winning bid or purchase the NFT for a fixed price, you will now have full ownership of that NFT. The NFT will be located in the ‘Collectibles’ section of your account, where you can view it or send it to an external crypto wallet.
Your capital is at risk.
Best Ethereum NFT Marketplace – Conclusion
To summarise, this guide has discussed the best Ethereum NFT marketplace in detail, reviewing the top platforms and showing you how to begin trading NFTs right away.
As noted earlier, we recommend using eToro to buy the ETH necessary for purchasing NFTs. eToro users can buy Ethereum with tight spreads and from only $10 per position. Furthermore, since eToro is regulated by top-tier entities such as the FCA, FinCEN, and FINRA, the entire investment process is as safe as possible.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.