Multidisciplinary perspectives on Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs): a comprehensive meta-analysis

Abstract Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are blockchain-based digital assets that provide verifiable proof of ownership and authenticity. Despite their rapid proliferation, NFT markets face ongoing challenges related to user trust, legal ambiguity, and sustainable technological integration. We offer a comprehensive hybrid review by combining bibliometric and systematic approaches of 190 peer-reviewed NFT-related articles published since 2022. Through structured keyword mining, abstract-level thematic classification, and co-occurrence network visualization, we trace the intellectual evolution of NFT research across disciplines and time. Our analysis spans 119 journals and identifies six major thematic clusters: User and Market Dynamics Legal and Ethical Considerations Blockchain and NFT Technology Applications and Use Cases Digital Transformation and Innovation and Challenges and Issues . Temporal keyword trends reveal a progression from foundational blockchain infrastructure to user adoption and experiential design, toward regulatory integration, metaverse ecosystems, and industry-specific deployments in the recent years. Network visualizations highlight converging interests in topics such as decentralized identity, interoperability, and sustainability. In addition to mapping existing knowledge, this review identifies critical research gaps in areas such as regulatory frameworks, long-term infrastructure design, socioeconomic inclusion, and trust verification mechanisms. These findings offer a forward-looking research agenda centered on standardization, interdisciplinary integration, and user-centric innovation, paving the way for a more resilient and inclusive NFT ecosystem.