Bitaigen Research In this exclusive interview we invited WhaleShark, a globally‑leading NFT “whale” by collection size, to share his hands‑on experience from entry‑level learning to full‑blown asset management. Through his perspective, readers can quickly grasp the foundational knowledge newcomers need, the community resources worth tapping, and the key security safeguards, thereby establishing a solid framework for future investment decisions.
Are you thinking about buying a few NFTs just for fun? Or perhaps you’re already weighing an NFT investment? Maybe you’re intrigued by a single digital image that sold for USD 69 million yet you remain open‑minded? Before you step into this emerging arena, you’ll want a seasoned guide.
WhaleShark advises beginners to first learn the basics of NFTs, follow industry accounts, join communities, carefully evaluate project teams and quality, and use a cold wallet for security.
About WhaleShark
WhaleShark is a pseudonym. He is 38 years old, originally from the United Kingdom and now residing in Hong Kong. He owns roughly 210,000 NFTs, and the total value of his collection could rank him among the top five holders worldwide. Nonfungible.com has independently audited his holdings.
WhaleShark enjoys helping newcomers. He assisted Paris Hilton and her fiancé Carter Reum in entering the NFT space, guiding them swiftly through the basics and getting them involved.
Even if you’re not a celebrity, an ordinary person can benefit. WhaleShark founded a dedicated NFT community called WHALE, which now has over 10,000 members on Discord, and launched a $WHALE social token with a market cap of USD 265 million. The token’s value is backed by the Whale treasury and is intended to let investors participate in NFTs without needing multi‑million‑dollar capital.
“I’ve always wanted to be an art collector, but the traditional art world has high entry barriers, low transparency, and is riddled with snobbery.” — WhaleShark
A few weeks ago I spoke with WhaleShark for the first time to learn his overall view of the NFT sector. Today, an ever‑growing pool of curious potential investors is seeking direction, and below are his core recommendations.
Good News and Bad News
- Bad news: Approximately 99.99 % of NFT projects ultimately fail, and mindlessly swiping a credit card to buy pixel art carries huge risk.
- Good news: It’s still “not too late” to get into NFTs. Newcomers can still capture abundant investment opportunities if they follow pragmatic steps.
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Jeff: If someone wants to start investing in NFTs, what’s the first step?
WhaleShark: Begin by understanding the concept of NFTs and how they reshape digital‑asset ownership. I recommend watching introductory videos on YouTube that cover topics such as the definition of NFTs, how to use MetaMask, and the minting‑and‑buying workflow.
Jeff: After mastering the basics, what comes next?
WhaleShark: Make sure you’re on Twitter. The primary source of real‑time information for the NFT ecosystem lives there, and you need to follow major collectors, well‑known creators, and headline projects.
Jeff: Which accounts should I be watching?
WhaleShark: They can be grouped into three categories:
- Information sources: nonfungible.com, L'Atelier, DCL Blogger, Andrew Steinwold.
- Project accounts (pick according to your interests): Gods Unchained, MakersPlace, Known Origin, Super Rare, Nifty Gateway, The Sandbox, Crypto Voxels, Decentraland.
- People: artists Trevor Jones, Pak, Xcopy; collectors MoCa, Pranksy, Gary Vee, Jamie Burke.
Consistently monitoring these accounts will help you integrate into the NFT community quickly.
Jeff: After following them, what other learning resources are useful?
WhaleShark: Listen to NFT‑focused podcasts, such as Andersen Steinwold’s “Zima Red”, the NonFunGerbils show of the same name, “The Matthew and Rizzle Show”, DCL Blogger’s podcast and YouTube channel, “The First Mint” (which concentrates on NBA Top Shot), and Jamie Burke’s “Outlier Ventures.”
Jeff: Do Discord groups add value?
WhaleShark: Absolutely. Two core NFT Discord communities are worth joining:
- Whale (founded by WhaleShark) – roughly 10,700 members
- TokenSmart
Jeff: If I fully understand NFTs and want to invest without losing money, how should I proceed?
WhaleShark: Remember that 99.99 % of projects lack commercial viability. Before you put any capital in, clarify your own objective:
- Collector: Driven by passion, only acquire works you truly love.
- Investor: Beyond passion, aim for long‑term appreciation.
The core mantra is “If you don’t love it, don’t buy it.”
Jeff: As an investor, what’s your usual framework for evaluating an NFT project?
WhaleShark: I first check whether the project can create a parallel between traditional collectibles and digital collectibles—in other words, does it have the potential to develop historical depth and value‑upgrading pathways?
Example:
- Digital sneakers (e.g., RTFKT) mirror the craze for physical sneaker collecting.
- Digital sports cards (e.g., NBA Top Shot) can be held long‑term and appreciate over time.
Jeff: What’s the second evaluation criterion?
WhaleShark: The team. A strong team can elevate an ordinary idea into a successful project. Look at the founders’ professional backgrounds, past achievements, and execution capability.
Jeff: The third point?
WhaleShark: The quality of the NFT itself. Steer clear of projects that merely put a 2D image on the blockchain. Favor works that fully exploit the digital canvas and deliver high‑quality interactive experiences.
Jeff: Which projects stand out on the digital canvas?
WhaleShark: The most iconic example is NBA Top Shot, whose team tokenized short video moments and supplied comprehensive metadata and interactive features.
Jeff: Any other factors to watch?
WhaleShark: Financial backing. Projects with strong investor endorsement and ample capital are more likely to survive bear markets and accelerate during bull runs.
Jeff: Which NFT categories do you consider the most promising?
WhaleShark:
- Crypto art: The first wave that exploded; expect dedicated exhibition platforms to emerge.
- Metaverse showcase spaces: e.g., Cryptovoxels, which offers virtual galleries for concentrated art displays.
- Music NFTs: The next high‑growth segment after crypto art; for instance, 3LAU’s debut NFT album set a historic record of USD 3.5 million.
Jeff: How do you estimate the investment return horizon?
WhaleShark: I lean toward holding assets that can preserve and grow value for a lifetime, similar to paper‑based sports cards from the 20th century—if you keep them long enough, their worth naturally rises.
Jeff: Any security recommendations?
WhaleShark: Security comes first.
- Store NFTs in a cold wallet; avoid hot wallets or custodial platforms that carry additional risk.
- Keep the cold‑wallet private key offline and distribute it across multiple safety deposit boxes worldwide.
- Back up the paper‑written private key in several cut‑up pieces, storing each fragment separately to mitigate single‑point failure.
Jeff: Many fear they’ve missed the bull market. How do you view that concern?
WhaleShark: I don’t think anyone has missed the boat. Two reasons:
- New projects continue to launch, and diligent monitoring of Twitter helps spot potential breakout stars.
- Established auction houses (Sotheby’s, Christie’s) have affirmed the long‑term value of digital art; targeting artists who may eventually appear in these auctions remains a viable strategy.
Jeff: Finally, you own 210,000 NFTs—how do you explain that scale?
WhaleShark (laughing): “My understanding of any given project usually only reaches 0.1 % or 0.01 %, so I dig deeper.”
Currently those 210,000 NFTs are spread across roughly 15–20 different projects. When I identify a project with a stellar team, innovative concept, and solid funding, I allocate resources comprehensively within that ecosystem.
That concludes WhaleShark’s NFT investment mindset shared in this interview. For more practical guides, stay tuned to Bitaigen’s upcoming coverage.
Related Reading
- NFT Guide for Influencers: WhaleShark's Tips to Leverage WHALE Platform
- NFT Concept: Definition, Uses & Leading Coin MATIC
- Step‑by‑Step Guide to Mint NFTs on Flow with IPFS
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