2021 didn’t just see an incredible bull run for the crypto market. But also the rise of the Non-Fungible Token (NFT). Never before had the public seen or heard anything digital images sell for hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. As the world took to the hype, NFT sales skyrocketed.
Although the space took off in 2021, many believe the first NFT was minted in 2014. This is a digital art called “Quantum” by the artist Kevin McCoy. The piece went on sale in June 2021 for $1.47 million. But it’s not on the list of the most expensive NFTs sold.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the
Most expensive NFTs ever sold.
Ringing signals #109: This artwork sold for ETH 2,100 or $7.12 million and holds the record for the largest Art Blocks sales.
CryptoPunk #7804† CryptoPunks are among the most expensive and popular NFTs. Pipe smoking CryptoPunk #7804 sold for ETH 4,200 or $7.56 million. This piece was sold on March 10, 2021.
CryptoPunk #3100: This piece broke the previous record of #7804 and went on sale the following day, March 11, 2021. CryptoPunk #3100 went for 4,200 ETH or $7.58 million.
CryptoPunk #4156: This NFT piece brought in a cool 2,500 ETH when Ethereum was close to its peak. At the time, it was worth $10.2 million.
CryptoPunk #7523: This is the only CryptoPunk with a mask. That is why the value of this piece went up and was sold at Sotheby’s for $11.8 million. In addition, there are only nine CryptoPunk NFT aliens, and #7523 is one of them.
CryptoPunk #5822: This is the most expensive CryptoPunk ever sold. Chain CEO Deepak Thapliyal paid 8,000 ETH ($23.7 million) for this piece. Plus, this is the last Punk on the list.
Beeple’s “Human One”: Beeple is one of the most popular digital artists in the world. Not to mention, NFT pieces are among the most expensive. His piece “Human One” went on sale for $28.9 million. In addition, this is Beeple’s first physical structure. In addition, the work evolves over time. The image resembles a monolith with LCD screens on its side.
Top Three Most Expensive Non-Fungibles
Clock by Pak and Julian Assange: This piece is a clock counting down the days of whistleblower Julian Assange’s imprisonment. The goal was to raise money for Assange’s legal team, the Wau Holland Foundation. AssangeDAO bought the piece for 16593 ETH ($52.7 million).
“The First 5000 Days” by Beeple: This is one of the most popular NFT pieces, selling for a whopping $69.34 million. Furthermore, the piece contains 5000 works of art by Beeple.
“The Merge” by Pak: The Merge by digital artist Pak currently holds the record for the most expensive NFT ever. It was sold in December 2021 when 28,983 collectors raised $91.8 million to purchase the piece.
