
Journal of Consumer Behaviour, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown
Опубликована: Март 18, 2025
ABSTRACT While non‐fungible tokens (NFTs) have emerged as a significant blockchain application, research has largely focused on market dynamics rather than consumer behavior. Through in‐depth interviews with 21 NFT consumers and netnographic analysis of Discord interactions (109,517 words), this study develops comprehensive framework explaining the evolution from initial purchase to sustained or discontinued interest in NFTs. The findings reveal that while profit expectations drive purchases, strong community bonds social identity formation are crucial for maintaining engagement. Specifically, active participation, both before after creates self‐reinforcing cycle where engagement directly influences valuation. However, unfulfilled perceived abandonment by project leaders often lead disillusionment. extends Need‐to‐Belong Social Identity Theory digital asset context, demonstrating how communities serve platforms expression emotional support, transcending purely financial motivations. For practitioners, suggest sustainable projects should prioritize building transparent leadership over short‐term speculation. This provides first longitudinal behavior, offering insights into assets can create enduring value through merely speculative trading.
Язык: Английский