How to build a NFT marketplace?

Building an NFT Marketplace requires integrating blockchain technology, smart contracts, and a web-based user interface. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you build an NFT marketplace from scratch.

1. Define Requirements

Before you start coding, you need to define:

Blockchain: Choose Ethereum, Solana, Binance Smart Chain, or another blockchain.
Token Standard: ERC-721, ERC-1155 (Ethereum), or Solana’s Metaplex.
Features:
- Minting NFTs
- Buying & selling NFTs
- Auction system (optional)
- Royalties for creators
- Wallet integration (MetaMask, Phantom, etc.)

2. Choose Tech Stack

Frontend: React.js, Next.js
Backend: NestJS, Ruby on Rails, or Express.js
Database: MongoDB, PostgreSQL (for metadata, user data)
Blockchain Interaction: Solidity (Ethereum), Rust (Solana)
Storage: IPFS or Arweave for decentralized NFT metadata

3. Smart Contract Development

You need a smart contract to handle NFT minting, buying, and selling.

Ethereum (Solidity Example)

Use OpenZeppelin’s ERC-721 or ERC-1155 contracts.

solidity
// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.0;

import "@openzeppelin/contracts/token/ERC721/extensions/ERC721URIStorage.sol";
import "@openzeppelin/contracts/access/Ownable.sol";

contract NFTMarketplace is ERC721URIStorage, Ownable {
    uint256 public tokenCounter;

    constructor() ERC721("NFT Marketplace", "NFTM") {
        tokenCounter = 0;
    }

    function mintNFT(string memory _tokenURI) public {
        _safeMint(msg.sender, tokenCounter);
        _setTokenURI(tokenCounter, _tokenURI);
        tokenCounter++;
    }
}

Deploy using Hardhat or Remix.

4. Backend API (NestJS + MongoDB)

Your backend will handle user authentication, storing NFT metadata, and querying blockchain transactions.

Example NestJS API

typescript
import { Controller, Get, Post, Body } from '@nestjs/common';
import { CreateNFTDto } from './dto/create-nft.dto';

@Controller('nft')
export class NftController {
  @Post('mint')
  async mintNFT(@Body() createNFTDto: CreateNFTDto) {
    // Call blockchain smart contract to mint NFT
    return { message: 'NFT Minted Successfully', tokenId: 1 };
  }

  @Get('list')
  async getNFTs() {
    return [{ id: 1, name: 'NFT Example', price: '0.5 ETH' }];
  }
}

5. Frontend Development

Use React.js + Wagmi + RainbowKit for Web3 interactions.

Install Dependencies

bash
yarn add ethers wagmi @rainbow-me/rainbowkit

Wallet Connection Example

tsx
import { WagmiConfig, createClient } from 'wagmi';
import { RainbowKitProvider } from '@rainbow-me/rainbowkit';

const client = createClient();
function App() {
  return (
    <WagmiConfig client={client}>
      <RainbowKitProvider>
        <h1>My NFT Marketplace</h1>
      </RainbowKitProvider>
    </WagmiConfig>
  );
}

export default App;

6. NFT Storage (IPFS)

Use Pinata or NFT.storage to store metadata.

Uploading NFT to IPFS

javascript
const pinataSDK = require('@pinata/sdk');
const pinata = pinataSDK('your_api_key', 'your_secret_api_key');

async function uploadNFT() {
    const result = await pinata.pinJSONToIPFS({
        name: "My NFT",
        description: "NFT Description",
        image: "ipfs://QmImageHash"
    });
    console.log('NFT URI:', result.IpfsHash);
}
uploadNFT();

7. Testing

Smart Contract: Use Hardhat, Truffle, or Foundry.
Backend API: Postman, Jest.
Frontend: Cypress, React Testing Library.

8. Deployment

Smart Contract: Deploy to Ethereum, Solana, or BSC.
Frontend: Vercel, Netlify.
Backend: AWS, DigitalOcean.

9. Future Enhancements

Add auction & bidding features.
Implement royalty system using EIP-2981.
Use Layer 2 scaling like Polygon or Arbitrum to reduce gas fees.

Please view more on my github account: https://github.com/nguyenvanhuan243 🚀

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