As a dedicated advocate of the XRPL blockchain, I’ve always admired its ability to natively support fast, cost-effective, and secure transactions at the Layer 1 level. XRPL stands out for its unique advantages, making it a top choice for NFT projects. My journey with XRPL includes creating and collecting NFTs on both XRPL and Xahau, a smart contract sidechain of XRPL.

However, my excitement turned to concern when I discovered that some of the content identifiers (CIDs) for my NFTs were no longer available on the IPFS network due to lost pinning. This was shocking because CIDs are more than just data—they are a part of blockchain history, a public good that must be preserved.

Additionally, the first minted NFT on XRPL and Xahau that points to IPFS is now secured long-term with NFT.Storage. It would be such a shame if this piece of history were to be lost!

Why Preserving CIDs Matters

CIDs are the backbone of NFT metadata, linking to images, videos, names, and descriptions stored off-chain. Losing these CIDs means losing access to the very essence of what these NFTs represent. While many NFTs might not hold significant market value today, they are still important to me personally. Ensuring their longevity isn’t just about value; it’s about preserving digital history.

Thankfully, NFT.Storage is dedicated to the long-term storage of NFT CIDs, backing them up in the Filecoin network. However, challenges remain, particularly the lack of a direct user interface for XRPL Mainnet and Xahau Mainnet to back up the NFT data.

Overcoming Challenges with API and Bithomp Explorer

Despite these challenges, I was able to back up XRPL and Xahau collections via the NFT.Storage API. I set up collections for XRPL Mainnet (xrpl:0) and Xahau Mainnet (xrpl:21337) and used Bithomp Explorer to retrieve all CIDs for the metadata and assets associated with my NFTs.

Bithomp Explorer, a marketplace-agnostic tool, lists all NFTs ever minted on XRPL and Xahau blockchains. I gathered the necessary data to create a CSV file, which I then uploaded to NFT.Storage. Using HTTPie, an open-source tool, made interacting with the HTTP API straightforward and effective.

Securing NFTs for the Long Term

After uploading the CIDs to NFT.Storage, many successfully received Filecoin deals, indicating their long-term storage. A green checkmark in the NFT.Storage UI now marks these CIDs as stored. Unfortunately, some CIDs were already lost due to previous lost pinning statuses.

The Need for Simplified Solutions

While I managed to back up my NFTs, I’m concerned that many NFT creators may not take the initiative to back up their CIDs, leaving the responsibility to buyers post-sale. This highlights the need for a simplified process that could automatically back up all NFT CIDs to NFT.Storage immediately after minting.

Such a solution would be especially appealing to non-technical users who would likely be willing to pay for storage if the process were easy and intuitive.

The Role of the XRP Ledger’s NFT Standard

The XRP Ledger’s NFT Standard offers crucial features like Layer 1 royalties and Layer 1 anti-spam. These ensure creators receive rightful compensation and protect users from unwanted NFTs. The XRPL community’s commitment to best metadata practices and decentralized storage solutions like IPFS strengthens the case for using XRPL for NFTs. With smart contracts via Xahau (xrpl:21337), the possibilities for NFTs / URITokens are even more exciting. 

The Path Forward

To back up NFTs on XRPL for the long term, it would be helpful if CIDs could be sent to NFT.Storage for archiving immediately after minting. Automatically backing up all off-chain data of NFTs minted on XRPL to NFT.Storage would be a significant step in preserving their place in digital history.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the upcoming NFT Token Checker, which will further enhance the security and verification of NFTs on XRPL and Xahau. This tool promises to provide users with an easy way to verify the status and security of their NFTs, ensuring that they remain intact and accessible for the long term.

In conclusion, while there are challenges in preserving NFTs on XRPL and Xahau, the tools and platforms now available offer a promising way forward. By simplifying the process and collaborating with key ecosystem players, we can aim to ensure that the off-chain data associated with NFTs are backed up for the long term, preserving their rich history and value.

‍