Bank of England Launches NFT of the Pound Note?

A limited edition JPEG that promises to inflate faster than the real thing.

By Zara Khan – Satire & Markets Columnist

London’s Digital Money Plot Twist

In what can only be described as the most British way to cope with inflation, the Bank of England has reportedly “experimented” with releasing a series of NFTs featuring the classic £20 note. Forget the centuries of paper money tradition, forget polymer upgrades, now the Queen (and King) lives on the blockchain.

The first drop? A shiny JPEG of the £20 note, available to lucky bidders who think MetaMask is safer than a Barclays account. Early listings already suggest the NFT will appreciate faster than actual pounds sitting in your wallet. Which, let’s face it, isn’t hard in 2025.

From Central Banks to Central Memes

Analysts at the London School of Economics have already chimed in, claiming that the Bank’s NFT experiment is just another way to “engage with youth culture.” Translation: Gen Z is broke, but they still buy memes. Why not sell them state-backed ones?

One NFT holder told us outside Canary Wharf, “I always wanted to own a piece of British history. Now I have it as a PNG. And honestly, it feels more real than my bank balance.”

Fake or Real?

The headline has already gone viral on TikTok, where creators are running Fake or Real polls. A viral post read:

“If this is true, I’m framing my MetaMask QR code and calling it generational wealth.”

Another top comment countered:

“Nah mate, sounds like something the Daily Mash cooked up after too many pints.”

London’s meme pages are thriving on this debate. Whether fake or not, it speaks to a truth: faith in the pound is so fragile that even a JPEG seems like a safer bet.

NFTs and the British Identity Crisis

Of course, the NFT experiment has sparked bigger debates about Britain’s financial credibility. Can you really trust a nation’s currency if its central bank is minting memes? One Twitter user summed it up:

“Next step: Big Ben as an NFT clock that always lags by 2 minutes.”

Crypto bros, meanwhile, are celebrating. “At least it’s not another rug pull,” one trader posted. “Finally, a government-backed scam we can believe in.”

Top Comments from the Internet

• “Finally, a Bank of England product worth investing in. My £ in savings just bought me half a Pret sandwich last week.”
• “NFTs of pound notes? At this point, just give me Monopoly money; at least it comes with a board game.”
• “Imagine trying to pay your rent in JPEGs. Landlord says no, but at least you framed it above the fireplace.”

Meme Value Over Market Value

Economists argue over inflation targets, crypto analysts argue over tokenomics, but the people have spoken: memes hold more emotional value than fiat. If London’s central bankers want trust restored, maybe minting NFTs is the perfect distraction. After all, it’s easier to laugh at a JPEG than cry at your electricity bill.

Conclusion

Whether the Bank of England is actually launching NFTs or this is just another internet fever dream, one thing is clear: Britain’s economic satire writes itself. If a £20 JPEG sells out faster than Glastonbury tickets, then maybe the future of money isn’t serious at all, it’s a joke we’re all paying for.

So, Fake or Real? You decide. Just don’t check your wallet afterwards.

By Zara Khan – Satire & Markets Columnist
zara.khan@londonews.com