Discover What’s Worth the Hype

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Welcome to The Most Expensive NFTs Ever Sold – Top 10 List! I’m Zifa, a crypto enthusiast and digital art lover who’s been writing about the fascinating world of cryptocurrency for over two years now. As someone who’s deeply passionate about the artistic and technological aspects of the digital realm, I’m thrilled to guide you through some of the most jaw-dropping NFT sales in history. Together, we’ll explore the incredible value and cultural impact of these unique digital masterpieces, shedding light on the ever-growing significance of non-fungible tokens in today’s art world. So, buckle up and join me on this exciting journey as we dive into the top 10 most expensive NFTs sold!

Table of Contents

1

What Is an NFT?

Let’s imagine you have a favorite artist, and they create a one-of-a-kind digital painting. You love it so much that you want to own it, but how do you prove it’s truly yours in the digital world?

That’s where NFTs come in. NFT stands for “non-fungible token.” It’s a unique digital certificate that proves you own a specific digital item, like a piece of digital art, music, or even a virtual property. Think of it as a collector’s item, like a rare baseball card or a limited-edition toy, but in the digital realm.

Now, you might be wondering what “non-fungible” means. It just means that the item can’t be exchanged for something of equal value, like how you can’t swap a rare baseball card for any random card from the same collection. Each NFT is unique and has its own value.

When you buy an NFT, you’re not purchasing the digital file itself, like a JPEG or an MP3. Instead, you’re buying the digital certificate that says, “Hey, I’m the rightful owner of this specific digital creation!” It’s stored on a secure digital ledger called the blockchain, which ensures that your ownership is legitimate and can’t be tampered with.

Now, let’s talk about why NFTs can be considered digital art. Just like traditional art, digital art is created using various tools and techniques, but instead of a physical canvas, it exists in a digital format. With the rise of NFTs, artists can now create, sell, and collect digital art similarly to traditional art.

NFTs have made it possible for digital artists to gain recognition and earn money for their work. Since each NFT is unique and verifiable, collectors can be sure they’re buying an original piece of digital art, just like owning an original painting or sculpture. So, in a nutshell, NFTs provide a way for digital art to be valued, collected, and appreciated, just like traditional art.

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Top 10 Most Expensive NFTs Ever Sold

As digital art and technology continue to evolve, these remarkable sales exemplify the growing value and appreciation of non-fungible tokens. Join me as I explore the top 10 NFTs that have made their mark on the art world and commanded exceptional prices.

10. CryptoPunk #7804: $7.56 million (4,200 ETH)

Despite being part of the much larger NFT market, #7804 stands out due to its ‘alien’ appearance. As this rare collectible is one of only nine of its kind, it definitely carries value. It can even be considered a symbol of today’s digital world and how people are embracing digital assets more fully than ever before. It’s no wonder that this punk holds such high worth, given its unique character attributes and rarity. 

According to the online marketplace OpenSea, there have been no sales of this token after the 4,200 ETH transaction — though there have been several (very expensive) listings.

9. CryptoPunk #3100: $7.57 million (4,200 ETH)

The second CryptoPunk in this list, #3100, is an alien punk wearing little more than a headband. On March 11, 2021, just one day after #7804 was sold for $7 million, this CryptoPunk became even more expensive, fetching an impressive $7.67 million in total. This makes it the fifth most rare and expensive piece by CryptoPunk that exists.

What’s particularly interesting about #3100 is that it resembles a bit of a rarity on its own in some senses. It looks like no other CryptoPunk we’ve seen before — and the fact that the purchaser paid so much for it could suggest they view far greater potential in it compared to the rest. It wouldn’t be too illogical either because once you buy a CryptoPunk, you generally have full control over what you do with it or where you take it next.

Just like the previous token on this list, #3100 has not been sold since the aforementioned transaction took place.

8. CryptoPunk #5577: $7.7 million (2,501 ETH)

CryptoPunk #5577, a punk sporting a cowboy hat, has proven to be a great investment for collector Robert Leshner. It was sold in February 2022 for just shy of 2501 ETH, equivalent to nearly $7.7 million! As part of the 24-piece Ape Punk collection, this NFT is considered especially rare and sought after these days. What’s more, it is one of only 142 to feature the iconic cowboy hat style.

7. CryptoPunk #4156: $10.2 million (2,500 ETH)

CryptoPunk #4156 is an incredibly valuable NFT created by digital artists Matt Hall and John Watkinson of Larva Labs. It is one of twenty four extremely rare crypto monkeys, and the punk sports a blue bandana. This unique crypto collectible has an estimated value of approximately $10 million, making it one of the most expensive NFTs ever sold.

CryptoPunk #4156 garnered attention when its price jumped dramatically in just a one-month period. In May 2021, its value rose from $1.17 to $10.35 million, demonstrating that when it comes to NFTs, potential returns can be incredibly lucrative — making them attractive investments for many collectors worldwide. This CryptoPunk symbolizes just how powerful and valuable non-fungible tokens can be if you invest in the right asset.

6. Tpunk #3442: $10.5 million (120 million TRX)

The recent high-profile purchase of the rare ‘Joker’ Tpunk for $10.5 million (or 120 million TRX) by Tron Founder Justin Sun shows his deep involvement and enthusiasm for the NFT space. Sun originally desired to own Beeple’s Everydays: The First 5,000 Days collection, but he was outbid at the last minute with a difference of $250,000.

Justin Sun’s investment into this ‘Joker’ Tpunk further highlights its immense value within the NFT community and proves his commitment to the world of NFTs. As derivative versions increase in popularity, Tpunks stands at the top tier of these products. Their 10,000 unique avatars on the Tron blockchain also add a unique flavor to their already noteworthy existence, one which imitates but certainly doesn’t plagiarize the well-known collection CryptoPunks. The popularity of such products is expected to continue its growth just as well as their value — after all, investors’ interest remains peaked due to increasingly innovative derivatives launched onto the market almost daily.

5. CryptoPunk #7523: $11.7 million (4,700 ETH)

The CryptoPunk #7523 is one of the rarest and most sought-after CryptoPunks of all time, with an impressive price tag to match. It was crafted by Larva Labs’s directors Matt Hall and John Watkinson, who combined their artistry to create a truly unique piece.

The appeal of CryptoPunk #7523 lies in its unusual combination of features; this particular punk is one of the nine super rare aliens, and it also dons a surgical mask, which has become a powerful symbol of the global pandemic that we are currently living through. Not only does this make it symbolic, but it also contributes to its rarity, which, in turn, helps it maintain an incredibly high market value — at a current estimate of over $11 million — making it one of the most expensive CryptoPunks ever created.

5. CryptoPunk #5822: $23.7 million (8,000 ETH)

CryptoPunk #5822, a rare “alien” punk featuring a blue bandana, made headlines when it was purchased by Deepak Thapliyal, CEO of Chain, for an astounding $24 million (8,000 ETH) in February 2022. Having set the record as the most expensive CryptoPunk ever sold, it remains one of the largest NFT purchases in history. Thapliyal acquired it during the peak of the NFT boom, leveraging DeFi protocols like Compound Finance to secure the purchase while maintaining his Ethereum holdings.

What makes CryptoPunk #5822 so valuable is its rarity—it’s one of only nine alien CryptoPunks, the rarest type in the 10,000-strong NFT collection. The CryptoPunks project, launched in 2017 by Larva Labs, is iconic in the NFT world: these pixelated characters have rightly become highly coveted digital assets. The market at the time was extremely bullish, with the cheapest CryptoPunks selling for over $200,000.

However, the value of NFTs—including CryptoPunks—has declined significantly since the boom. When Thapliyal sold CryptoPunk #5822 in August 2024, both the buying and the selling price were kept undisclosed, but speculation suggests it may have been sold at a considerable loss due to the declining floor prices of NFTs. By mid-2024, the average price of CryptoPunks had fallen to around $59,000, a sharp contrast to the millions they commanded just two years earlier​.

The sale marks the end of an era for CryptoPunk #5822, symbolizing both the highs of the NFT market frenzy and the ongoing volatility in the digital collectibles space.

4. Beeple, Human One: $28.9 million (4,700 ETH)

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, auctioned off by Christie’s as part of their continued effort to legitimize NFTs as art. This one-of-a-kind digital masterpiece is comprised of both an NFT and an electronic sculpture combined into a singular lot making it a truly unique offering from the acclaimed artist.

The world eagerly awaited the results of this auction because the success of Beeple’s Everydays shows what the latest NTF artworks could fetch. As investors and artists alike have started to see possibilities beyond just cryptocurrencies, this sale helped further thrust interest in NFTs into mainstream culture. Although no one could have predicted such a large sum, it’s clear that HUMN ONE has earned its place at the top and solidified Beeple’s status as an iconic digital artist.

3. Julian Assange and Pak, Clock: $52.7 million (16,593 ETH)

This NFT Clock is updated daily to illustrate how long Julian Assange has been imprisoned.

The Clock, a dynamic NFT artwork created by Pak and Julian Assange, was sold for $52.7 million. It serves as a clock, counting the days of Assange’s imprisonment and drawing attention to his sentence while advocating for freedom of information through its physical auction on the blockchain network.

AssangeDAO, a group of more than 10,000 people, purchased the NFT as part of an initiative to raise funds for Julian Assange’s legal defense. The NFT is a digital artwork that serves as an activist intervention and political statement. Its unique approach to raising awareness on the subject is considered a significant milestone in the history of crypto art.

2. Beeple, Everydays: The First 5000 Days – $69.3 million (38,525 ETH)

Beeple’s Everydays: The First 5000 Days is easily the most famous NFT sold to date. The massive price tag of $69.3 million has earned Beeple a place in NFT history, making it the major force that catapulted the term “NFT” from niche collectors circles into mainstream awareness. Before Christie’s Online Auction took the chance on Beeple and listed his work, many outsiders saw owning an individual tokenized work of art as nothing but a hobby. The astounding sum was proof enough to even SNL watchers that crypto-fungible works could be lucrative investments too.

The purchase sparked a huge wave of interest in NFTs, with prominent sports personalities taking part in the craze and even traditional leaders such as Sotheby’s auction house joining forces with other cryptocurrency businesses to embrace blockchain-driven artwork and collectibles.

This NFT piece is a compilation of 5,000 individual pieces, each made individually by Beeple every day over a span of 13 years. The artwork gives an insight into Beeple’s creative process, showcasing his evolving style as well as giving him an impressive portfolio for people to appreciate. Everydays is also an ambitious undertaking for a single artist, showing how the limits can be pushed when harnessing advanced computer technology and algorithms. This deal highlights how impactful digital art can be in today’s interconnected world and sets a new precedent for aspiring digital artists and eager NFT collectors alike.

1. The Highest-Selling NFT: Pak’s ‘The Merge’ — $91.8m

The Merge by Pak is considered the most expensive NFT ever sold.

The Merge is an ambitious project that explores the convergence of the physical and digital worlds while challenging the traditional concept of art ownership. Pak, a pseudonymous famous artist known for their innovative digital art pieces, has created this NFT as a commentary on the growing relationship between technology and our daily lives. The artwork invites viewers to ponder the fusion of reality and virtuality and how these interactions are shaping our perceptions and experiences.

The Merge was sold through a highly anticipated auction on the NFT marketplace Nifty Gateway between December 2 and 4, 2021. Bidding for the piece was fierce, with collectors and enthusiasts from around the world vying for the chance to own this groundbreaking work. Eventually, the NFT was sold for a staggering $91.8 million, becoming the most expensive NFT ever sold. The piece was divided into 312,686 coins, making it accessible to 29,983 people around the world who could buy not only one but multiple units. This new approach to art democratized purchases and gave access to a broader public that would not have been able to participate in such an event if it had been centralized on just one buyer.

The sale of The Merge has had a profound impact on both the art world and the NFT landscape. It has bolstered the status of generative NFT art as a legitimate and valuable form of artistic expression and demonstrated the power of NFTs as a tool for artists to reach new audiences and markets.

This expensive artwork stands out among other NFTs as it is more than just a digital asset. Many users perceive this piece by not only its size or visual appeal; instead, there is an emotional bond between its creator and the buyers. The concept of decentralizing the purchase of such important artworks gives small-scale artists increased value and opens new paths for those willing to make their efforts recognized within an increasingly digital environment. With The Merge becoming the most expensive NFT ever sold, these parties achieved a historical landmark. 

Moreover, the concept behind The Merge has sparked a broader conversation about the role of technology in our lives and how it is reshaping the way we interact with the world around us. Pak’s vision of a blended reality invites us to reflect on the ever-growing influence of the digital realm and the implications of this convergence on our future.

Notable NFT Sales That Stirred Controversy

CryptoPunk #9998: The $532 Million Sale

In October 2021, CryptoPunk #9998, part of the renowned CryptoPunks collection, was reported to have sold for an eye-watering $532 million.

CryptoPunk #9998, the highest selling NFT art (technically).

This transaction immediately raised suspicions due to the use of flash loans—short-term, uncollateralized loans that enable rapid borrowing and repayment within a single transaction. In this instance, the buyer allegedly utilized a flash loan to purchase the NFT, subsequently repaying the loan and retaining the asset, all while incurring minimal transaction fees.

Such maneuvers are often employed to artificially inflate asset prices, leading many to question the authenticity of this sale. The creators of CryptoPunks, Larva Labs, also expressed skepticism, suggesting the transaction was not a bona fide sale.

CryptoPunk #1563: The $56.3 Million Transaction

A similar scenario unfolded in October 2024 with CryptoPunk #1563. Reports indicated that this NFT sold for $56.3 million; however, the transaction bore hallmarks of price manipulation. The buyer purportedly used a flash loan to facilitate the purchase, followed by an immediate repayment, effectively meaning no substantial funds were exchanged.

This pattern mirrored the earlier CryptoPunk #9998 sale, reinforcing doubts about the legitimacy of such transactions. Observers speculated that these sales might be orchestrated to generate publicity or artificially elevate the perceived value of certain NFTs.

These incidents highlight the imperative of due diligence in the rapidly evolving NFT market. Prospective buyers and sellers should meticulously verify transaction details and remain vigilant against potential market manipulation tactics to safeguard the integrity of their investments.

Why Are NFTs So Valuable?

NFTs (non-fungible tokens) have gained value because they offer a unique way to verify ownership and authenticity of digital assets via blockchain technology. This digital proof ensures intellectual property rights, making NFTs attractive in the crypto art world. Unlike traditional art, NFT value is complex and influenced by factors like ownership history, scarcity, and market demand. Their price can fluctuate widely, with no set formula to predict these changes, but past ownership by prominent collectors can give a tremendous boost to their value.

The uniqueness and rarity of NFTs are key drivers of their market appeal. For example, NFTs tied to iconic moments, such as the first tweet sold for $3 million, demonstrate how scarcity can lead to high valuations. Limited-edition NFTs, like those from the CryptoKitties collection, become more valuable due to the restricted number of available pieces. This combination of limited supply and growing demand from investors and collectors looking for historical significance has solidified NFTs as valuable assets in both the digital and art worlds.

Most Expensive NFT Collections

From innovative digital art to rare virtual collectibles, these collections have left the biggest impact in the NFT space and host some of the most expensive non-fungible tokens.

CryptoPunks

Possibly the most famous NFTs in the world — CryptoPunks.

CryptoPunks is a revolutionary collection of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) that sparked an industry-wide craze. Believed to be the first-ever digital assets created and traded on the Ethereum blockchain, these digital collectibles are highly sought after by investors, collectors, and art enthusiasts. CryptoPunks are unique. Each of them features pixelated images of people displaying punk hairstyles, complemented by neon backgrounds. From top knot mohawks to faded blue undercut fades, there are only 10,000 CryptoPunks in existence, making every single one of them of value — be it visual or monetary.

The association with the ERC-721 standard made CryptoPunks, or as some refer to them, Cryptopunk NFT, an instant hit among those who seek novelties or just want to mine for profit. These digital pieces have become status symbols in the NFT world, often fetching a hefty price in the market. The inherent rarity and tech-savviness required to obtain them turn them into attractive options for buyers and traders who don’t mind diving into cryptocurrency technology research. Moreover, some renowned online galleries are already exhibiting these NFTs as part of their virtual collections, proving their remarkable cultural standing across different disciplines and art forms. Their design and ethos also resonate with the cyberpunk movement, further cementing their place in the digital art realm.

Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC)

The Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs have made quite a splash in the world of crypto collectibles. There is only one series, with a total of 10,000 NFTs that feature their very own unique expressions, colors, and even clothing! Furthermore, some of these collectible tokens were sold for over $1 million each, making them some of the most sought-after digital assets.

This collection is now one of the representatives of the NFT market, especially after it was widely advertised by different celebrities. In addition to selling the tokens themselves, the Bored Ape Yacht Club also hosts various real-life events for NFT owners and even launched its own token, ApeCoin.

Axie Infinity

Axie Infinity is a company that was founded in 2018 and has since then become one of the largest and most successful digital platforms. The game originally started as a digital pet, but through its expansions, it has now become an incredibly popular decentralized gaming space. At the moment, Axie Infinity’s daily trading volume is unprecedentedly high, amounting to over $222 million at the time of writing. This number easily smashes past any other NFT game, proving just how influential and popular Axie Infinity has grown to be.

Axie Infinity is a revolutionary platform that allows players to create, assemble, and manage their own teams of fantasy creatures recognized by their non-fungible token (NFT) identity credentials. Currently, the game features five different types of physical objects called ‘Axies,’ based on various animals such as cats, dogs, and frogs — all with unique abilities of their own! Not only does this create an exciting prospect for gamers looking for novel ways to engage in gaming experiences, but it also offers investors opportunities to make real money from selling Axies on the market. All in all, the company truly lives up to its name — Axie Infinity introduces infinite possibilities to curate your very own battle teams.

CryptoKitties

CryptoKitties is an Ethereum-based blockchain game developed by Dapper Labs, a Canadian design studio. Players are able to buy, sell, and breed digital cats that exist completely within the Ethereum blockchain. CryptoKitties owners can even trade their kitties with each other! CryptoKitties offer holders an interesting new way to invest in digital assets with real value.

The first generation of CryptoKitties, Gen 0, is capped at 50,000. Although this may seem like a large number, not all of them have yet been released. This scarcity adds to their value as they cannot be bred and hence become much more valuable than the Virtual Kitties released afterwards. CryptoKitties are remarkable because they allow their owners to feel ownership over these virtual pets like never before.

FAQ

Who made the most money on NFTs?

Beeple made history with his $69.3 million sale of “Everydays: The First 5000 Days”, while artists like Pak and creators of CryptoPunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club also earned millions from their NFTs. Investors like Pranksy and Whale Shark profited by flipping early NFT purchases for huge gains.

What is the rarest NFT?

The rarest NFTs are often those with limited supply or unique traits within major collections.

Final Thoughts: Do NFTs Still Have Value?

It’s no secret that the NFT market has taken a massive downturn since its peak in 2021. The most expensive NFT sales, like Beeple’s “Everydays” or CryptoPunk #5822, happened years ago, and we’ve seen a drastic drop in demand. In fact, a 2023 report by dappGambl found that 95% of NFTs are now worthless, leaving over 23 million people holding assets with no real market value​. This raises the question: Are NFTs just a bubble that burst, or do they still hold any real value?

In my opinion, the market hasn’t just matured—it has collapsed for most. The data is clear: only 21% of NFT collections are fully sold, and the remaining 79% are waiting for buyers​. In the meantime, they are gathering dust. Even in top-tier collections, 18% have a floor price of zero, meaning they’re essentially valueless​.

The promises of revolutionizing digital art and ownership may still be true for a few, but for the vast majority of NFT holders, it’s been a high-risk gamble with little to show for it.

It’s unlikely that we’ll see another round of multimillion-dollar sales anytime soon, and maybe that’s the reality we need to accept. While NFTs might still be useful in niche applications like blockchain games, most of the market’s initial excitement was driven by speculative bubbles rather than sustainable value​. Rather than waiting for a rebound that may never come, the focus should shift to understanding the long-term utility, if any, that these digital assets might offer.

In short, while some may still hold onto hope for the future of NFTs, the market has shown us that the hype is long gone. The challenge now is determining whether NFTs can find any real, lasting purpose beyond their brief moment of speculative glory.

Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this article are not financial or investing advice. The information provided in this article is the author’s opinion only and should not be considered as offering trading or investing recommendations. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information. The cryptocurrency market suffers from high volatility and occasional arbitrary movements. Any investor, trader, or regular crypto users should research multiple viewpoints and be familiar with all local regulations before committing to an investment.

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