Metaplex

Metaplex is the foundational NFT standard and creation toolkit for Solana, defining how NFTs are structured, stored, and traded across the entire ecosystem. Nearly every NFT on Solana uses Metaplex's token metadata standard, making it one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure on the network. The Metaplex Token Metadata program defines the standard for attaching metadata (name, symbol, URI, creators, royalties) to SPL tokens, enabling wallets, marketplaces, and applications to understand and display NFT data consistently. The programmable NFT standard adds rule-based transfer restrictions, enabling creator royalty enforcement at the protocol level. Beyond standards, Metaplex provides a suite of tools for creating and managing NFT collections. Candy Machine is the go-to solution for NFT launches, handling mint mechanics, pricing, allow lists, and reveal logic. Sugar is a CLI companion that simplifies Candy Machine configuration and asset uploads. Bubblegum enables compressed NFTs (cNFTs), dramatically reducing the cost of minting large collections through state compression. Metaplex's infrastructure supports the entire NFT lifecycle — from creation and minting to trading and display. The protocol collects a small fee on NFT creation that funds ongoing development. While other chains have fragmented NFT standards, Solana's convergence on Metaplex has created a more unified and interoperable NFT ecosystem.