Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have become one of the most talked-about trends in the crypto space. While many NFT marketplaces focus on gaming, music, or collectibles, KnownOrigin takes a different path — it’s a platform built by and for digital artists.
In today’s lesson, we’ll dive into what makes KnownOrigin special, how it works, and why it might be the perfect place for digital creators looking to showcase and sell their art.
What Is KnownOrigin?
KnownOrigin is one of the earliest NFT marketplaces, launched in 2018 by James Morgan, Andy Gray, and David Moore. It’s built entirely on the Ethereum blockchain and focuses exclusively on digital art. Unlike platforms like OpenSea, which support all types of NFTs, KnownOrigin is all about art — no music, no in-game assets, just pure digital creativity.
But what truly sets KnownOrigin apart is its commitment to quality. Every artist who wants to join must apply, submit a portfolio, and explain how their work will bring value to the platform. This creates a highly curated community where both collectors and creators take the art seriously.
How Does KnownOrigin Work?
KnownOrigin supports various media formats: illustrations, animations, videos, and even audio files. All NFTs on the platform are based on the ERC-721 token standard, which is commonly used for unique digital assets on Ethereum.
Both primary (first-time sales) and secondary (resales) markets are available. Artists pay a 15% fee on primary sales and a 2.5% fee on secondary ones. Importantly, creators receive 12.5% royalties from all future resales of their work — a major plus for anyone looking to earn passive income.
Core Features of KnownOrigin
Minting-on-demand
Artists can choose how many tokens they want to create in an edition and mint them only when needed. This helps save on gas fees and gives more control over the artwork’s release schedule.
Metadata
Every NFT includes metadata such as title, description, rarity, file type, and artist details. These are stored both on-chain and via IPFS (a decentralized file storage system), ensuring long-term access and transparency.
Subgraph
This feature helps users and developers search and explore data about NFTs on the platform, such as artist info, edition size, or collector activity.
Auction and Sales Types
KnownOrigin offers several sales formats:
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Buy Now – fixed price purchases
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24-Hour Auctions – time-limited bids
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Standard Auctions – sold to the highest bidder
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Stepped Sales – each sale in a series increases the price, rewarding early buyers
This flexibility lets artists choose how they want to present and sell their work.
How to Become a KnownOrigin Artist
If you want to join, you’ll need to apply directly on the platform. You’ll be asked to share your portfolio and explain how you’ll contribute to the community. New artists are onboarded on a rolling basis after careful review by the KnownOrigin team.
How to Buy on KnownOrigin
Purchasing an NFT works like on most Ethereum-based platforms. You’ll need a crypto wallet and some ETH (Ethereum) to complete the transaction. What’s unique here is that KnownOrigin also allows purchases using credit or debit cards — a convenient feature for beginners.
Key Advantages of KnownOrigin
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User-friendly tools – Artists don’t need coding knowledge to mint or sell NFTs. The platform simplifies the entire process.
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Royalty sharing – Creators can share royalties with up to five collaborators, making it perfect for team projects.
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Flexible sales formats – Auctions, direct sales, and stepped pricing allow for smart pricing strategies.
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Long-term growth tools – The platform provides artists with engagement tools to grow a loyal collector base over time.
Summary
KnownOrigin may not be as well-known as OpenSea, but for serious digital artists, it’s one of the most promising platforms out there. It offers a curated community, low fees, powerful tools, and real support for building a sustainable creative career.
If you’re a creator looking to get into NFTs, KnownOrigin might just be the perfect place to start.
