What Is the Cost of Issuing Digital NFT Credentials on the Global Academic Blockchain?

Have you ever wondered how a single cryptocurrency can just split in two? Think about Bitcoin. It forked, creating a completely separate version called Bitcoin Cash. It sounds a little strange, right? Especially for a technology that’s built on a single, unchangeable ledger.

But this process is actually pretty common. It’s called a blockchain fork , and it simply means a split in the network. This is a critical part of how digital currencies grow and evolve.

So, what exactly is a fork? It’s just a change to the blockchain's basic rules, or its protocol. This change can create a permanent split in the chain, resulting in two separate, parallel paths moving forward. In this article, we’re going to break down the whole concept of blockchain forks for you.

We'll explain the key differences between the two main types. First, there's the community-driven "hard fork" , a radical change that isn't backward-compatible. Then there's the "soft fork" , a change that is backward-compatible. We'll also dig into why these forks are so important. They’re essential for rolling out critical upgrades and adding new features. Finally, we'll look at the real-world impact of some of the most famous forks in crypto history. You’ll see just how much they've changed the game.

📘 This post is part of our comprehensive guide to "eGAB:The Global Academic Blockchain Ecosystem for Digital Credentials". Explore it to find answers to all your questions ;)

How Does eGAB Offer Such Competitive Pricing?

When you hear "NFT" (a unique, one-of-a-kind digital certificate) and "blockchain" (a secure, unchangeable digital ledger), the word "expensive" probably comes to mind. And in many cases, you'd be right. This reality leads institutions to ask a critical question: how can universities issue affordable digital certificates without passing huge costs on to their students? But the eGAB global academic blockchain ecosystem (our complete, interconnected system) was built from day one with one clear goal: we're determined to make this game-changing technology accessible to every single educational institution by providing truly affordable NFT credentials . The result of that dedicated focus is a system that delivers incredible value, all without a shocking price tag.

So, how exactly do we pull this off? It’s not a secret. It's a deliberate strategy built on smart design and complete independence. Our core approach directly answers the main question on everyone's mind: Why are NFT credentials on public blockchains like Ethereum so expensive?

• We built our own private highway-the CREST Chain. Many platforms that issue NFT documents rely on public blockchains like Ethereum (a popular but often congested digital ledger). Think of that like trying to move your data on a crowded public highway during rush hour. Those traffic jams, known as network congestion , lead to expensive tolls called gas fees (charges for making a transaction). Believe it or not, these fees can jack up the cost of a single document to anywhere from $50 to over $150. We took a completely different path. We built our own proprietary eGAB CREST Chain , a private blockchain (a closed, invitation-only digital ledger) designed exclusively for academic credentials. The private blockchain vs public blockchain cost difference is staggering; our model completely eliminates the unpredictable and high costs of public networks. This smart design avoids all the digital traffic jams, which directly slashes the cost of issuing a secure document down to just cents.

• We have full control over our technology. What does this mean for you? It's simple: the entire eGAB system is our own in-house creation. We don’t pay hefty licensing fees (costs for using another company's tech) to third-party developers for our core operations, and we pass those huge savings directly on to you. We build it. We run it. You save.

• We’ve automated and optimized everything. We have carefully fine-tuned every single step of the process, from the moment a credential is created to the instant it's verified. We've engineered it all for maximum efficiency. This super-streamlined workflow keeps our own operational costs to a bare minimum, which is another big reason we can offer such a low final price to your institution. So, what are the benefits of using a private blockchain for academic records? Beyond the huge cost savings, it delivers tangible benefits like unmatched speed, enhanced data security , and total control over your entire credentialing environment.

What's Included in the All-Inclusive Price?

Let's be perfectly clear. When you partner with eGAB, you're not just buying a token on a blockchain. You're investing in a complete, all-in-one service that delivers lasting value and builds undeniable trust in your credentials. Our blockchain credentialing services are built to solve the critical problem of how to issue and manage secure, verifiable digital diplomas in today’s digital-first world.

So, what is included in the price of an NFT credential? Here’s exactly what’s packed into that single, transparent price:

• Rock-Solid Secure NFT Issuance. We mint (the official term for creating a unique digital token) all of your credentials on our own CREST Chain . There, we cryptographically seal them, locking them down with advanced encryption. We automate this secure digital certificate issuance using smart contracts -self-executing agreements that write the credential's rules directly onto the digital ledger . This whole process guarantees they are tamper-proof and will stay verifiable forever, which is why NFTs are essential for credential verification.

• A Stage with Global Visibility. We securely host every document on our platform, making it instantly accessible, trusted, and recognized by employers and institutions worldwide. This is a giant leap forward for blockchain in education , as it helps create the interoperable learning records (educational records that different systems and countries can easily share and understand) that leading standards bodies, like the W3C with its Verifiable Credentials (VCs) Data Model , have been working so hard to build.

• Built-In Trust and Verification. Think of this as a built-in digital notary for every single credential. The price includes the services of a Trusted Third Party (TTP) and a Certification Authority (CA)-that's a highly trusted organization that validates identities and issues digital certificates to prove them. This crucial two-in-one role guarantees the absolute authenticity of every document you issue.

• Worry-Free Technical Support. You don't need to be a blockchain expert to use our service. We handle all the technical heavy lifting for you, including managing crypto wallets (digital wallets for tokens), monitoring transactions, and fixing any network hiccups. This lets you focus on what you do best: education.

• Absolutely No Hidden Fees. The price we quote is the price you pay. Period. You won't find any surprise charges for blockchain transactions ( gas fees ), no software access costs, and zero annual subscriptions. This makes your budgeting predictable, simple, and totally transparent.

What Are the Specific Pricing Plans?

We believe in straightforward pricing that works for everyone, whether you're a small community college or a major research university. Our goal is to give you complete clarity on the NFT academic credentials cost so you can make the best decision for your institution. The digital credential pricing below shows our commitment to being accessible and transparent. Let's break down the eGAB platform pricing and the exact cost of issuing digital diplomas .

Many schools ask us: what is the difference between a PRO and a managed VIP plan for credentialing? The answer is all about how involved you want to be in the day-to-day process.

• PRO Plan: Starting at just $0.25 per document , this plan is perfect for institutions that want to be in the driver's seat. You get full access to our intuitive, user-friendly platform, empowering you to manage the entire issuance process yourself.

• VIP Plan: Starting at $0.50 per document , this is our premier white-glove service . This plan is the ideal choice if you'd rather not handle the operational details. As a complete VIP managed credential service , you just provide your recipient information and document templates, and our dedicated team handles everything else for you. We'll take care of the design, data entry, and the final, secure issuance.

We're so confident in our system that we have a special offer just for you. But first, you might be wondering, can I get free NFT credentials to test a platform? Yes, you absolutely can. We are currently giving new partners and large-scale educational institutions 100 free NFT credentials to help you get started. It’s a completely risk-free way for you to experience the future of digital academic credentials firsthand. This is a market that's growing incredibly fast; according to Market Research Future, it's on track to be worth over $11.7 billion by 2034 .

Quick Insight: When people ask, " How much does it cost to mint a digital diploma on the blockchain? " the answer depends entirely on the technology. On public blockchains, the cost can be hundreds of dollars. On our private CREST Chain, it’s just cents. This core difference is central to our mission. And for anyone worried about hidden costs, asking " Are there any hidden fees for issuing blockchain credentials? " is a very smart question. With eGAB, the answer is always a firm no. The university NFT certificate price you see is the price you pay, making it easy to calculate the ROI for your university.

Summary: Making World-Class Digital Credentials Accessible and Affordable

Simply put, eGAB is proving one simple thing: cutting-edge blockchain technology doesn't have to come with a high price. We've made a series of smart, strategic choices to make this happen. We solved the big problem of how to issue affordable digital certificates , and we did it without ever sacrificing security or trust.

The secret isn't magic-it's our proprietary eGAB CREST Chain . Think about it: other providers are stuck operating on congested public blockchains, dealing with volatile and expensive "gas fees." We simply built our own private highway just for academic records. This single decision solves the biggest problem and eliminates the main reason why NFT credentials on public blockchains are so expensive . It slashes the cost from over $100 per document down to just cents. We boost our cost-effectiveness even more with complete in-house control, managing the tech and using a highly automated workflow. And we pass all of those savings directly on to you.

But that incredibly low price is only half the story. The real value lies in the all-in-one blockchain credentialing services you receive.

For one single, transparent fee, you get so much more than just a token. And we guarantee there are absolutely no hidden fees . You get secure digital certificate issuance on our tamper-proof chain and global visibility for your credentials. You also get the built-in trust of a digital notary , because we're an established Trusted Third Party (TTP) and Certification Authority (CA). We expertly handle all the technical details so you don't have to.

We offer flexible options to ensure there’s a perfect fit for your institution. You can choose our self-service PRO Plan for just $0.25 per document, or opt for our fully managed VIP credential service , starting at only $0.50.

And to prove our commitment? We want you to experience the future of credentialing for yourself. Get started today with 100 free NFT credentials . We're making it easier than ever to give your graduates the secure, verifiable, and globally recognized qualifications they deserve.

➡️ Next up: Once you understand the costs, the conversation naturally turns to value and return. Learn how to calculate the ROI of NFT credentials and the payback period for universities.