The Ultimate Guide to NFT Trading Cards (2025)

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about NFT trading cards — including how to get started trading them and an overview of the top NFT trading collections today! 

How do NFT trading cards work?

To understand NFT trading cards, think about the traditional trading card market — which includes sports collectibles, Pokemon cards, and trading card games like Magic: The Gathering. These cards have value due to factors like rarity, nostalgia, and their value in games! 

NFT trading cards use blockchain technology to bring traditional trading cards to the digital world. NFT trading cards combine elements of traditional card collecting with unique digital features like interactivity and access to digital communities. 

When you buy an NFT trading card, the blockchain verifies you as the owner of the digital asset. While another person can copy the image, the blockchain proves that you’re the true owner.

Many investors see NFT trading cards as an investment opportunity — believing some will increase in value over time just like their physical counterparts! 

Are NFT trading cards worth anything?

Today, there are dozens of NFT trading card collections with million dollar market caps! At the time of writing, Gary Vaynerchuck’s VeeFriends collection is worth more than $45 million!

The value of NFT trading cards is based on supply and demand — their value is based on what investors are willing to pay for it!

The demand of NFT trading cards is influenced by factors like artistic appeal, community engagement, and the role these cards play in digital games and communities. High-profile endorsements and rarity can also drive demand.

Benefits of NFT trading cards

Let’s walk through some of the benefits of NFT trading cards. 

• Digital Ownership: The blockchain records every transaction, verifying the authenticity and history of each card.
• Global Accessibility: NFTs can be bought, sold, and traded globally without the need for physical shipping.‍
• Interactivity and Engagement: Digital cards can include augmented reality, animations, access to online communities, and interactive features.
• Immune to damage: Unlike physical cards, digital cards can’t be lost to fires, flooding, and other forms of physical damage.

Physical vs. digital trading cards 

Let’s walk through the reasons for investing in physical and NFT trading cards. 

Should I invest in NFT trading cards?

Investing in NFT trading cards can be lucrative but comes with high risk. The market is volatile, and it’s important to remember that most new NFT collections fail to build a following.

Before you get started with NFT trading cards, do your research and remember to never invest more than you can afford to lose. 

What are the different types of NFT trading cards? 

Collectible/membership trading cards 

Collectible NFTs are often traded based on factors like aesthetic value and access to an online community. For example, NFT projects like Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) derive value from both the project’s unique artwork as well as exclusive events that can only be attended by BAYC holders. 

Gaming trading cards

Many NFT games use trading cards — just like physical trading card games like Magic: The Gathering or Yu-Gi-Oh. These NFT trading cards are used as items in gameplay and can be exchanged for other crypto-assets.

Sports trading cards 

Platforms like NBA Top Shot allow you to trade NFT sports cards. Just like physical sports cards, these NFT trading cards can go up and down in value based on the popularity of the depicted player. 

What are Trump NFT trading cards? 

Trump NFTs is a collection by Donald Trump, featuring the president in various poses and attire. Trump collects 10% of the royalties of each NFT sale. 

To date, President Trump has released 4 sets of his NFT collection. The release of each set led to a crash in value in the previously-released set. 

Trump NFTs are available on sites like OpenSea. The collection is notable for having limits on trading that most NFT collections do not. For example, Trump’s mugshot NFTs on the Bitcoin blockchain could not be traded by owners for a year after purchase. 

Trump NFTs have waned in popularity as investor attention has turned towards other offerings — such as $TRUMP, a memecoin launched a few days before President Trump’s 2025 inauguration.

How has the NFT trading card collection market shifted? 

It’s important to note that the most popular and valuable NFT trading card projects have changed over time. 

In 2021, NFT sports cards like NBA Top Shot were some of the most popular and valuable collections in the world. However, as time has passed, sports collections have declined while gaming collections have increased in value. 

Remember, NFTs are still in their early days. At this time, it’s difficult to tell what the most popular collections of the future will be. 

It’s reasonable to assume that the most valuable NFTs will leverage the unique use-cases of NFT trading cards — such as use in online games or access to digital communities.

Notable NFT trading card projects 

Let’s walk through 5 notable NFT trading card collections. 

Axie Infinity 

Axie Infinity is an NFT game that works similarly to Pokemon. In the game, users fight battles using NFT creatures called Axies. Axies can be bred and bought and sold in Axie Infinity’s in-game marketplace. 

Today, it’s estimated that Axie Infinity has more than 2 million active users. Currently, Axie Infinity is the most valuable NFT trading card collection by market cap. 

Parallel 

Parallel is an NFT game with a sci-fi setting that’s been compared to Magic: The Gathering. To play Parallel, players compete against each other using NFT trading cards that are used in the course of gameplay. 

Gods Unchained 

Gods Unchained is a NFT trading card game developed on the Ethereum blockchain. Similar to Parallel, players use NFT trading cards to compete in matches, earn rewards, and win more NFT trading cards! 

NBA Top Shot 

NBA Top Shot is a NFT sports card collection that works similarly to traditional sports trading card collections. However, unlike traditional trading cards, NBA Top Shot ‘moments’ are not static — they instead feature a dynamic highlight from each player. 

While NBA Top Shot was once one of the most popular NFT projects in the world, the project has since declined in popularity. For example, a Lebron James ‘moment’ that once sold for more than $230,000 currently has a highest offer of $1,500.

VeeFriends 

VeeFriends is a NFT trading card collection created by businessman and online influencer Gary Vaynerchuk. VeeFriends bills itself as an entertainment company that seeks to build a community around kindness and positivity. 

In the past, VeeFriends has offered benefits like access to VeeCon — an exclusive entrepreneurship conference — and access to virtual hangouts with Vaynerchuk.

How to Trade NFT Trading Cards

Let’s walk through a 5-step process to help you get started with trading/investing in NFT trading cards. 

Step 1: Choosing an NFT Marketplace

The first step to getting started with NFT trading cards is finding a NFT marketplace. Popular options include Blur and OpenSea — which are both known for their wide selection of assets and user-friendly interfaces. 

If you’re more interested in NFT games that feature trading cards, you may want to check out the game’s built-in marketplace. 

Step 2: Navigating the Marketplace

Once your wallet is connected, take some time to browse the marketplace. Use the platform's navigation tools such as filters, search bars, and categories to sift through NFT trading cards. When you find a NFT trading card you’re interested in, do research to make sure the project has a good reputation! 

Step 3: Wallet Integration

Link your digital cryptocurrency wallet with the marketplace of your choice. You can use a wallet like MetaMask to buy, sell, and store NFTs! 

Step 4: Make your transaction 

If you find an NFT trading card that interests you, you can make an offer, bid, or buy it outright with cryptocurrency. Some marketplaces also offer the option to trade cards directly with other users, adding another layer of excitement to the process.

Step 5: Own your new trading card! 

Once you’ve completed the transaction, you’ll own your NFT trading card. Once you have ownership, you can manage your new NFT in any way you wish — whether you wish to display it or list it for sale!

How to make NFT trading cards 

Let’s walk through a step-by-step guide to creating your own NFT trading cards. 

Step 1: Plan your collection: Make a plan for your NFT trading collection. Figure out the theme, look, and what they're all about. Will they be part of a game, an art series, or something totally different?

Step 2: Design your NFTs: Make some eye-catching designs using your favorite graphic design tools — like PhotoShop or Canva — or team up with talented artists. Make sure each card stands out with its own style, name, stats, or other special attributes. Remember, great artwork can help you attract collectors!

Step 3: Pick a blockchain: Decide which blockchain you’d like to mint your trading card collection on. You should pick a blockchain with low fees and a vibrant NFT community. While Ethereum is the most popular blockchain for NFTs, Solana is a great option for faster transactions and lower fees.

Step 4: Get a wallet: To get started minting NFTs, you’ll need a digital wallet like MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet. If you don’t have a wallet already, creating one is completely free and only takes a few minutes!

Step 5: Start the minting process: Head over to an NFT platform (such as OpenSea, MagicEden, or Blur) that supports your blockchain of choice. Connect your wallet, then follow the platform's minting guide to turn your art into NFTs.

Step 6: Account for fees: Minting isn't free, so you'll need to pay blockchain fees to create your NFTs. Remember, fees vary for different platforms and different blockchains.

Step 7: Double-check your collection before minting: Before you mint your NFTs, double check the information to make sure your details, metadata, and attributes are correct. Hit confirm, and voilà, you've minted your very own NFT trading card collection! 

Step 8: Hit the market: Decide on your prices or auction terms. Once your collection is live, consider your marketing strategy. Ideally, you should find a way to get buzz for your collection on platforms like X and Discord!

How to display NFT trading cards 

Want to display your NFT trading cards to the world? Let’s walk through a few tips to help you get started. 

Share on social media

Platforms like X and Discord offer tools to verify your NFT and showcase your collection. Sharing your cards on social media platforms can be a great way to spark conversations and engage in relevant communities. 

Set up your website 

Some NFT traders choose to set up their own website to display their NFTs. Your website can serve as your personal gallery in the digital world, offering a direct line to potential buyers who are interested in your collection. 

Step into the physical world 

NFTs can be displayed in the real world! NFT Display tools like Tokenframe allow you to showcase your NFT trading card in your home or in a physical gallery. 

What is the environmental impact of NFT trading cards? 

In the past, NFT trading cards were criticized due to their environmental impact. The criticism was especially heavy prior to 2022, when Ethereum was a Proof of Work (PoW) blockchain. Proof of Work requires miners to solve complex math problems with computer hardware and is considered energy-intensive. 

Since then, Ethereum has transitioned to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) network — which reduced Ethereum’s environmental impact by more than 99%. 

Today, blockchains like Ethereum and Cardano have become increasingly popular options for NFTs, as they are considered more energy-efficient than Ethereum!

How do I keep my NFT trading cards safe? 

Unfortunately, some NFT investors have reported losing their assets to hackers. Let’s walk through a few strategies to keep your NFT trading cards safe and secure. 

• Avoid suspicious links: Be cautious whenever you click on a link. In the past, hackers have used suspicious links and phishing techniques to steal NFTs and cryptocurrency. 
• Research your project: Before you invest in an NFT trading card collection, do your research. Generally, you should avoid projects with undoxxed teams and bad reputations in the NFT community. 
• Use a cold storage wallet: Cold wallets like Ledger can be used to hold NFT trading cards. Because your private keys are stored offline, cold wallets are considered the best way to protect against potential hacks. 

How are NFT trading cards taxed? 

NFTs are taxed similarly to other crypto-assets. 

Buying NFT with crypto: Buying an NFT with cryptocurrency is considered a taxable disposal. You’ll incur a capital gain or loss depending on how the price of your crypto changed since you originally received it.

Selling NFT: Selling an NFT is considered a taxable disposal. You’ll incur a capital gain or loss depending on how the price of your NFT has changed since you originally received it. 

‍Creating NFT: If you create an NFT, your income from primary and secondary sales will be taxed as ordinary income.

Conclusion

NFT trading cards offer advantages over traditional trading cards — like access to digital communities and immunity from physical damage. Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to the scene, the world of NFT trading cards is filled with opportunity.