This NFT Day calls for a restructured digital America

Every September 20th marks an important day for the world of cryptocurrencies. 

It means International NFT Day is coming up—a celebration of digital ownership and monetary innovation. 

But hold on, do not get too excited. What once was intended as a niche festivity has slowly become a powerful reminder about America’s harmful position in a modern economic era.

A government’s perspective

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, have long served as unique digital assets that establish verifiable ownership of everything from digital art and music to game items and real-world novelties. Their gradual rise in America has been nothing but historic, with its market estimated to be valued at over $680 million.

Still, although NFTs hold their weight, U.S. policymakers question whether they are viable forms of currency. Many view them as speculative novelties, disrupting the traditional financial system and ultimately performing as unstable components of money.

Given the reluctance amongst leadership, America lags behind in leading cryptocurrency with a forward-looking approach.

A chance to lead

As crypto expert Igor Volovich believes, leaders in Washington cannot afford to hold back.

“International NFT Day is more than a celebration of digital collectibles—it’s a reminder for American policymakers that innovation won’t wait. As the world moves toward decentralized ownership models, the U.S. must lead—not follow—in shaping the legal, economic, and technological frameworks that govern these assets,” Volovich explains, Executive Director of Strategy at America First Technology Infrastructure & Innovation Institute (America First Tech), a nonpartisan forum committed to strengthening American’s digital economy.

This year, what Volovich wants to make known is that NFT Day is much more than a time to recognize the power of these digitized dollars. Beyond that, it’s about understanding them with great intention, and controlling them with ambition and strategy.

Otherwise, if not governed correctly, American citizens might fall under an economic trap, and one that disrupts basic human rights. Much more, the U.S. risks ceding its digital leadership to countries moving in the system much faster.

“This isn’t just about art or speculation; it’s about ensuring that American values like individual property rights and free enterprise are hard-coded into the global digital economy. If we get the rules right now—on NFTs, stablecoins, and beyond—we don’t just protect innovation, we get to shape the infrastructure of global economic freedom and digital sovereignty,” Volovich added.

By proactively crafting laws that protect citizenship, U.S. legislators and policymakers can ensure American values remain true. But if the U.S. continues to delay this work, American innovators may be forced to follow countries overseas, forfeiting to foreign regulations.

The risk of falling behind

For example, China today stands at a particularly competitive spotlight. The country has heavily invested in blockchain-backed infrastructure, and it has started aggressively piloting the digital yuan that aims to replicate and replace the role of traditional cash. In contrast, the U.S. still lacks a cohesive strategy for NFTs and other forms of digital tokens.

The result? If countries like China actively progress in the world of digital cash, the U.S. loses not only its digital financial control, but also the jobs, revenue, and influence that comes with it.

Time for change

For a country like the U.S., which is rooted in liberty and justice, NFTs and digital assets represent a chance to take innovation to an entire new level. Just like we treat the U.S. dollar, America can—and should—define the frameworks of digital ownership with novelties that are created with purpose and thoughtfulness.

International NFT Day should not be dismissed as a one-day event. Yes, it recognizes NFTs, which is the first part of this debate. But ultimately, the day is a matter of rewriting the rules in regard to American standards.

This September 20th, as the world observes NFTs, the real responsibility lies in the hands of the U.S. government. Is America willing to take charge, or will its digital economic future be written out for them?