As an NFT enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the rapid growth and evolution of the non-fungible token (NFT) market. This relatively new digital asset class has captured the hearts and minds of collectors, creators, and investors worldwide. And when it comes to jaw-dropping prices, the NFT market has produced some record-breaking sales that demonstrate its potential and value.
In this article, I’ll be taking you on a thrilling journey through the top 10 most expensive NFTs ever sold. Prepare to be amazed by these digital masterpieces and the staggering amounts they’ve fetched in the market. So, buckle up and let’s dive into the fascinating world of NFTs!
#10 CryptoPunk #7804 – $7.6 million
CryptoPunks, created by Larva Labs in 2017, are among the first NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. These pixelated, 8-bit characters have become highly sought-after collectibles, with a limited set of 10,000 unique punks.
CryptoPunk #7804 is a particularly rare specimen, featuring a pipe, sunglasses, and a forward cap. This rare combination of attributes, along with its position within the CryptoPunks collection, led to its staggering $7.6 million sale in March 2021.
#9 CryptoPunk #3100 – $7.6 million
Matching the previous entry in terms of price, CryptoPunk #3100 is another highly coveted piece in the CryptoPunks collection. This unique character sports a headband and is one of the 88 rare alien punks in the series.
CryptoPunk #3100 was initially purchased for 30 Ether (around $15,000 at the time) in 2018, but its value skyrocketed to an incredible $7.6 million when it was sold in March 2021, showcasing the immense potential for appreciation in the NFT market.
#8 CryptoPunk #5577 – $7.7 million
A punk donning a cowboy hat, has turned out to be an outstanding investment for collector Robert Leshner. In February 2022, it was sold for just under 2501 ETH, which equates to nearly $7.7 million! Belonging to the exclusive 24-piece Ape Punk collection, this NFT is deemed particularly rare and coveted in today’s market. Additionally, it is one of only 142 to showcase the iconic cowboy hat style.
#7 CryptoPunk #4156 – $10.2 million
CryptoPunk #4156 stands as an immensely valuable NFT, crafted by digital artists Matt Hall and John Watkinson from Larva Labs. As one of the twenty-four ultra-rare crypto monkeys, this punk is adorned with a blue bandana.
With an estimated worth of roughly $10 million, it ranks among the most expensive NFTs ever sold. CryptoPunk #4156 gained prominence when its price skyrocketed within a single month. In May 2021, its valuation leaped from $1.17 to $10.35 million, highlighting that investing in NFTs can yield incredibly lucrative returns—making them appealing investments for collectors worldwide. This CryptoPunk epitomizes the potency and value of non-fungible tokens when investing in the right asset.
#6 Tpunk #3442 – $10.5 million
The recent high-profile acquisition of the rare ‘Joker’ Tpunk for $10.5 million (or 120 million TRX) by Tron Founder Justin Sun demonstrates his passion and dedication to the NFT space. Sun initially aimed to own Beeple’s Everydays: The First 5,000 Days collection, but was outbid at the last moment by a mere $250,000. Justin Sun’s investment in this ‘Joker’ Tpunk further emphasizes its extraordinary value within the NFT community and confirms his commitment to the world of NFTs.
As derivative versions gain popularity, Tpunks hold a top-tier position among these products. Their 10,000 unique avatars on the Tron blockchain contribute a distinct touch to their already impressive existence, one that echoes but certainly doesn’t copy the renowned CryptoPunks collection. The popularity of such products is anticipated to continue growing, along with their value, as investors’ interest remains piqued due to the constant influx of innovative derivatives entering the market.
#5 CryptoPunk #7523 – $11.7 million
CryptoPunk #7523 stands as one of the rarest and most sought-after CryptoPunks in existence, boasting an impressive price tag to match. Creators Matt Hall and John Watkinson of Larva Labs combined their artistic talents to produce this one-of-a-kind piece. The allure of CryptoPunk #7523 stems from its unique blend of features; it is one of the nine ultra-rare alien punks and also sports a surgical mask, a poignant symbol of the global pandemic we are currently experiencing.
Not only does this make the punk symbolic, but it also adds to its rarity, which in turn supports its incredibly high market value. Currently estimated at over $11 million, it ranks among the most expensive CryptoPunks ever created.
#4 CrypotPunk #5822 – $23.7 million
CryptoPunk #5822 made headlines when it was purchased for a jaw-dropping $23.7 million, securing its position as the most expensive CryptoPunk ever sold. This alien-style punk donning a blue bandana is one of just nine aliens in the entire collection. Deepak Thapliyal, CEO of Chain, acquired this rare figure and shared an image of it on Twitter after his purchase, nearly setting the world record for the highest-selling NFT at the time.
The staggering amount paid for this punk underscores its value, considering how incredibly limited these alien punks are compared to the rest of the CryptoPunks collection. Additionally, there’s an undeniable appeal to owning a unique character created with such exceptional detail and artistry. The blockchain-based nature of these punks ensures their immunity to counterfeiting or hacking, further enhancing their worth.
These factors have collectively fueled a tremendous demand for these digital assets, driving prices upward as more people attempt to acquire them to showcase their collections and profit from trading them on open markets.
#3 Beeple, Human One – $28.9 million
Beeple’s HUMAN ONE, the third most expensive NFT sold, made history when it was purchased for $28.9 million at the 21st Century Evening Sale. Christie’s auction house facilitated the sale as part of their ongoing efforts to recognize NFTs as legitimate art forms. This extraordinary digital masterpiece consists of both an NFT and an electronic sculpture, combined into a single lot, making it a truly unique offering from the renowned artist.
The world eagerly anticipated the outcome of this auction, as the success of Beeple’s Everydays demonstrated the potential value of cutting-edge NFT artworks. As investors and artists alike began to explore opportunities beyond traditional cryptocurrencies, this sale played a pivotal role in propelling NFTs into mainstream culture.
#3 Julian Assange and Pak, Clock – $52.7 million
The NFT Clock, a compelling piece of dynamic NFT artwork created by Pak and Julian Assange, is updated daily to depict the duration of Assange’s incarceration. Sold for a staggering $52.7 million, this NFT not only functions as a clock tallying the days of Assange’s imprisonment but also draws attention to his sentence and advocates for freedom of information through its existence on the blockchain network.
A group called AssangeDAO, consisting of over 10,000 individuals, purchased the NFT as part of an initiative to raise funds for Julian Assange’s legal defense. This digital artwork serves as both an activist intervention and a powerful political statement.
#2 Beeple, Everydays: The First 5000 Days – $69.3 million
Beeple’s Everydays: The First 5000 Days is undoubtedly the most renowned NFT sold to date, with its jaw-dropping price tag of $69.3 million cementing Beeple’s place in NFT history. This monumental sale played a significant role in catapulting the term “NFT” from niche collectors’ circles to mainstream consciousness.
Before Christie’s Online Auction took a chance on Beeple and listed his work, many people viewed owning an individual tokenized piece of art as merely a hobby. The staggering sum, however, demonstrated to even SNL viewers that non-fungible tokens could be lucrative investments. This purchase ignited a massive wave of interest in NFTs, attracting well-known sports personalities to participate in the craze and prompting traditional auction leaders like Sotheby’s to collaborate with cryptocurrency businesses to embrace blockchain-driven artwork and collectibles.
Everydays is a compilation of 5,000 individual pieces, each created by Beeple every day over a 13-year period. The artwork offers insight into Beeple’s creative process, highlighting his evolving style while presenting an impressive portfolio for people to admire. Everydays also represents an ambitious undertaking for a single artist, demonstrating how boundaries can be pushed when harnessing advanced computer technology and algorithms.
#1 Pak’s “The Merge” – $91.8 million
The Merge, an ambitious project by the pseudonymous artist Pak, explores the convergence of the physical and digital worlds while challenging traditional notions of art ownership. This groundbreaking NFT serves as a commentary on the growing relationship between technology and our daily lives, inviting viewers to reflect on the fusion of reality and virtuality and its impact on our perceptions and experiences.
The highly anticipated auction for The Merge on a prominent NFT marketplace attracted fierce bidding from collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Eventually, it was sold for an astounding $91.8 million, making it the most expensive NFT ever sold. The piece was divided into 312,686 coins, enabling 29,983 people worldwide to buy one or multiple units. This innovative approach democratizes art ownership, granting broader public access that would be impossible if the sale had been centralized around a single buyer.
The Merge’s sale has had a profound effect on the art world and the NFT landscape, bolstering the status of generative NFT art as a legitimate and valuable form of artistic expression while showcasing the power of NFTs in connecting artists with new audiences and markets. More than just a digital asset, this artwork fosters an emotional bond between its creator and buyers, and the concept of decentralizing such important artwork purchases elevates small-scale artists’ value, opening new avenues for recognition in an increasingly digital environment.
With The Merge becoming the most expensive NFT ever sold, a historical landmark has been achieved. Furthermore, the concept behind The Merge has sparked broader discussions about technology’s role in our lives and how it is reshaping our interactions with the world around us.