Introduction

“To mint is a human right, and your right is your responsibility.”

Mint is an internet protocol enabling the creation and collection of digital artifacts on the Ethereum Virtual Machine.

It reimagines the relationship between creators, collectors, and the network itself, positioning Ethereum as both a virtual plane of existence and a new kind of public (art) institution.

Mint prices artifacts based on the network fees at the time of creation. The cost to store and secure the object on the network is mirrored as compensation to the artist, creating a direct link between network value and creator reward and a transparent pricing mechanism where the cost reflects the true expense of securing the artifact on the blockchain.

Mint recognizes that true scarcity lies in creativity and time, not artificial limits. It enforces scarcity through the moment of creation, not volume restrictions. This approach assumes that truly valuable artifacts will naturally rise to the top without artificial scarcity.

Mint challenges the notion of "adoption" as a primary goal. Instead, it focuses on creating a robust, self-sustaining ecosystem where value flows directly between the network and creators. By framing minting as both a right and a responsibility, it encourages thoughtful participation in the digital artifact economy.

This protocol isn't just about digital art; it's about forging a new relationship between humans, their creations, and the digital infrastructure that enables global, permissionless creativity. Mint paves the way for a future where digital artifacts are as significant and valuable as their physical counterparts, secured and valued by the very network that gives them life.