Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique cryptographic assets representing the ownership of digital media. NFTs have soared in popularity and trading prices. However, there exists a large gap in the literature regarding NFTs, especially regarding the stakeholders and online communities that have formed around NFT projects. Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) is one of the most influential NFT projects. Through an observational study of online BAYC communities across social media platforms and semi-structured interviews with four participants who owned BAYC NFTs, we explored the experiences of NFT collectors within the online NFT community. Positive community experiences, i.e., personal expression and identity, mutual support among BAYC holders, and exclusive access to online and offline events, were expressed. Encountered challenges included scams and "cash grab" NFT projects as well as trolling. The results of this study point towards the welcoming, positive nature of the NFT community, which is a possible causation factor of the initial rise in popularity of NFTs. Demotivators, on the other hand, countered the established trustworthiness of NFT technology among its consumers.

翻译：非同质化代币（NFTs）是代表数字媒体所有权的独特加密资产。NFT的流行度与交易价格急剧攀升。然而，现有文献在NFT领域尤其是围绕NFT项目形成的利益相关者及在线社群方面存在显著空白。无聊猿游艇俱乐部（BAYC）是最具影响力的NFT项目之一。通过跨社交媒体平台对BAYC在线社群的观察研究，以及对四位BAYC NFT持有者的半结构化访谈，我们探究了NFT收藏者在在线NFT社群中的体验。积极社群体验表现为：个人表达与身份认同、BAYC持有者间的相互支持、以及独家参与线上线下活动的权利。遇到的挑战包括诈骗、"套现"类NFT项目及网络挑衅行为。研究结果表明，NFT社群具有开放友善的特质，这可能是NFT初期流行升温的因素之一，而消极因素则削弱了消费者对NFT技术既有的信任度。