The surge of non-fungible tokens and its implications for digital ownership from an Internet governance perspective

This work explores the recent rise of non-fungible tokens --and blockchain technology in general-- which has brought into question traditional perceptions on property rights and decentralized organization in the digital age, with significant implications for the future of Internet Governance. To this end, the article starts with the story and evolution of non-fungible tokens within the context of blockchain technology. Particular attention is given to some of the events that happened in the year 2021 that triggered the surge of public interest in these tokens. Afterward, we touch upon current issues of digital ownership and non-fungible tokens, as well as the potential solution offered by distributed ledger technologies such as blockchain. Then, we comment on the main characteristics of blockchain regulation (primarily in Europe) and decentralized governance. Finally, we inquire into the current efforts and possible effects related to Internet Governance in terms of decentralization, taking into account all of the previous aspects.