8 Most Expensive NFT ever sold 2024

The market for NFTs started to pick up steam in early 2021, breaking through into the mainstream and disrupting the art world and industries beyond it. Trading in NFTs hit $17.6 billion last year, increasing by a whopping 21,000% from 2020′s total of $82 million. As we grow to understand and treasure NFTs more, their future looks brighter and more thrilling than ever, marking them as an innovative bunch in the digital asset world. In the NFT ticketing system, NFTs from a unique collection, created specifically for an upcoming …

List of highest prices paid

It is owned collectively by about 30,000 people, who pooled money together to buy the NFT in December 2021. One of the pioneers in the NFT realm, Larva Labs created a series of 10,000 Cryptopunks, simple 8-bit faces, each one unique with their own accessories, headgear, skin colour combination. This very unique piece portrait gif created by NFT artist XCOPY. A huge name in the NFT world, XCOPY is an NFT enthusiast and regularly interacts with their fans via their dedicated channels. Clock depicts a simple counter that shows how many days Assange has been put in prison. It caused ripples among crypto enthusiasts, many of whom fervently embraced its exorbitant price, exceeding the mark of fifty million dollars.

“Human One” by Beeple – $28.9 million

Join me as I explore the top 10 NFTs that have made their mark on the art world and commanded exceptional prices. 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.

« CryptoPunk #4156 » Создатель: CryptoPunks, Стоимость: $10,26 млн.

• The video shows a person walking through multiple different backgrounds.
• With its combination of rarity and artistic appeal, it’s no wonder that Cryptopunk #4156 commanded such a remarkable price.
• These developments indicate a dynamic future for NFTs, where technological integration and market adaptability will likely dictate the trajectory of their evolution and acceptance.
• You could earn potentially endless royalties from all battles that will take place once the game’s battle arena is out.
• Following the success of « The Merge », Pak’s « The Fungible Collection » also saw significant success, selling for $16.8 million at auctions held at Sotheby’s and Nifty Gateway in early 2022.

Deepak.eth, the CEO of blockchain-based technology company Chain, bought this rare NFT for around $23 million in February this year. Instead of being a single piece, it is a collection of “masses” that buyers could purchase. The more masses someone bought, the larger their piece of “The Merge” became.

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

He uses motion, glitching, or flickering effects to explore “death, dystopia and apathy through distorted visual loops.” His animated NFTs are highly sought after by serious collectors. In case you haven’t already heard, they stand for non-fungible tokens, which are the original copy of the product and the only one of its kind. Most of them are sold on blockchains, mainly Ethereum and their value is tied to whatever token they represent.

How to price your NFT?

If he gets his asking price, or indeed anything close to it, then this list will need updating. The above may have commanded the highest prices so far, but with the exception of Beeple’s collage and Jack Dorsey’s tweet, they haven’t attracted much publicity. Some other NFT projects have though and could well start to displace some of those pixelated punks before long.

• CryptoPunk #5217 is yet another top sale from the famous collection, and a stagerring price for an item that was handed out for free when the project began back in 2017.
• CryptoPunks is an NFT collection released by Larva Labs in June of 2017, when NFTs were barely on anyone’s radar.
• Clock was reportedly created to raise funds for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s legal defence against potential extradition to the US.
• The artwork features an astronaut walking through various landscapes.
• Today, owning a CryptoPunk is a thing of status-crypto enthusiasts pay millions of dollars to have a 24×24 pixelated human smoking a pipe.

Human One – The second most expensive NFT by Beeple

Currently, even the least expensive Ringer will cost you about $88,000. A Pipe in itself is a rare attribute, as only 317 Punks have it. Similarly, CryptoPunk #7804 features a Cap Forward, which only 254 punks have. Thus, with all these features, #7804 is an incredibly valuable NFT to hold.

Beeple’s Ocean Front — $6m

If the NFT sector was hotting up in early 2021, then on 11th March it went thermonuclear. Collectables and gaming are being revolutionised by the ability to own unique digitised assets in much the same way as one can own one-of-a-kind items offline. Those football cards we touched on earlier as an example are now traded and collected in digital versions, each represented by its own NFT. The Most Expensive NFTs Ever Sold But this isn’t to say that NFTs are no more than a big old scam. They do have the potential to be a force for good, allowing artists to profit from their work without the intervention of middlemen like dealers and galleries. Because NFTs are built using smart contracts, they can be coded to ensure that, if sold on, the creator can automatically be granted a proportion of the profits.

Top 10 most expensive NFTs ever sold

However, the difference lies upon the fact that this NFT was not bought by one, but rather 29,983 people, so “the Merge” sold out being split into 312,686 coins distributed to buyers. The sale price of ‘Human One’ in November, and Beeple’s second entry on our ranking, was the creator’s second high profile NFT and was the first foray into ‘physical’ NFTs. When we evaluate the selling prices of the highest-selling NFT from earlier years to the current one, we can see how much wealth is generated in a short period using NFTs. For example, XCOPY’s NFT “A Coin for the Ferryman” sold for $6 million in November, even though it was only $139, or in crypto 0.5 ETH, when it was released in 2018. This NFT changed hands a lot after minting; it’s one of the most tradeable tokens.

Top Ten of the Most Expensive NFTs in 2023

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are changing the perception of art as a great treasure and its perspective as an emerging financial discourse. In the last few years, NFTs have gained prominence in the world of cryptocurrency, such that it is amassing huge investments from both crypto and art enthusiasts. The CryptoPunk 7804 is one of the most expensive NFTs sold because it contains a combination of the rarest attributes created by Larva Labs. Being one of the 9 alien CryptoPunks, it contains a front-facing cap, a pair of smoky shades, and a pipe with smoke emanating from it. The price of this CryptoPunk is around US$ 7.57 million as of the date when this article is being written.

Best No KYC Crypto Exchanges for 2024

If you really want to get how massive this market is, taking a closer look at the most expensive NFTs sold globally is a must. Well, it’s all about their role in shaking up the digital world. An NFT, or non-fungible token, is a big deal because it’s a unique digital item you can’t swap like-for-like, and it’s proven genuine by blockchain tech. This has breathed new life into digital stuff, making it valuable because it’s rare, one-of-a-kind, and pretty much impossible to fake.

#7. CryptoPunk #4156 – $10.35 million

The anonymous artist sold his “Right-click and Save As Guy” NFT artwork for a staggering $7 million. The NFT was purchased by none other than Cozomo de’ Medici, one of the most acclaimed collectors in the NFT space. Acclaimed anonymous NFT artist, Pak’s ‘The Merge’ takes the crown as the highest sold NFT. On December 2, 2021, Pak created history by selling his artwork for a whopping $91.8 million. Actually, unlike most of the highest value NFTs, The Merge is not owned by a single collector. As a matter of fact, 28,893 collectors bought 312,686 masses (or units) of the Merge artwork.

This groundbreaking NFT sale paved the way for new possibilities in the digital art market, sparking discussions on the value of virtual creations. Another NFT work of art by Michael Winkelmann that combines physical and digital technology into a sculpture with four panels that display a video of a spaceman walking around changing environments. The art was sold by Christie’s auction house to one sold owner just three minutes after starting the auction.

This price was a record for an artwork sold publicly by a living artist. We’d like to wrap things up with an honorable mention on this list – Axie infinity tokens and other play-to-earn properties. The NFT trend is headed in many directions and one of them is through the metaverse. Developers claim that it’s only the beginning of the revolution.

#1 Everydays: The First 5000 Days – $69 Million

Beeple is known for making outstanding NFT creations and Human One, with a present price of US$ 28.9 million Beeple “Human One NFT is one among the most expensive NFT sales in 2024. Based on different features and attributes, different NFTs of one collection fetch different bids. There are some tools that can help users determine the rarity of an NFT.

“Everydays: the First 5000 Days” by Beeple – $69.3 million

It’s one of the most popular collections to emerge from Art Blocks. It’s CryptoPunk #8857, which comes from the famous CryptoPunks collection created by Larva Labs. Created by graphic designer and motion artist Mike Winkelman, better known as Beeple, “Crossroad” sold for 4,400 ETH (about $6.6 million at the time of purchase). “Clock” was an actual clock that depicted the number of days Assange had been in prison. Its purpose was to raise funds for the Wikileaks founder’s legal defense fund. It was bought by AssangeDAO, an organization made up of more than 10,000 individuals whose primary goal is to fight for Assange’s freedom.

Artist Beeple holds the top spot in our list, but he has not hit the NFT world just once. He invented Human One, a sculpture that has digital screens on all sides and depicts a person in a spacesuit walking through a changing environment. This piece of NFT had to feature in the list of what is the most expensive NFT.

• The collection included some of the rarest and most sought-after CryptoPunks, including #7804 and #3100.
• 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.
• The top 10 most expensive NFTs are the highest-valued digital assets that have been sold in the market.
• Actually, that was the first time this particular Punk was listed for sale since it was minted in 2017.
• Each NFT is generally one of a kind and has a unique identification code.
• The physical sculpture accompanying Beeple’s Human One consists of four video screens and built-in computers that display a video in a constant loop that changes over time.
• The entire collection has been highly-priced, with each NFT bringing in hundreds and thousands of dollars.

The physical sculpture for HUMAN ONE is an always-on kinetic 16K video sculpture that changes over 24 hours according to the time of day. It features a 16K resolution display encased in polished aluminum with a mahogany wood frame. The over 7-foot-high sculpture features a person clad in silver garb and what looks like a space helmet.

However, based on rarity, some of this collection’s NFTs have attracted much higher bids. CryptoPunk #5822 currently ranks the most expensive CryptoPunk and was sold for around $24 million earlier this year. These digital treasures offer rock-solid proof of ownership, a crystal-clear history of where they’ve been, and they can be programmed in ways that make them stand out. Plus, when you mix art with tech, you spark a whole new level of creativity in what can be made and owned online. Because these are always skeptics, who are mocked in certain NFTs like XCOPY’s “Right-Click, Save As guy”, the industry began to progress, diversify, and structure. Despite still being subject to strict pandemic controls, the art market returned last year, with higher sales and auctions that set new records.

At Ilunafriq we believe the future of NFTs lies in cross-chain NFT marketing and management. Our platform is built for artists who long for a single showcase portal for their multi-chain NFT portfolio. Beeple, also known as Mike Winklemann, began his journey before NFTs were a thing, creating a piece of art daily for 13 years straight. An icon within the NFT space, Beeple’s story represents the perseverance and grit needed by artists. Record NFT sales draw massive attention to their project of origin.

This remarkable piece of digital art, known as TPunk #3442, captivated collectors and investors alike. With its unique blend of vibrant colors and intricate design, it represents the fusion of technology and art. The staggering price tag attached to this NFT reflects the growing recognition and acceptance of digital art as a valuable asset. NFTevening is an award-nominated media outlet that covers NFTs and the cryptocurrency industry. Before making any high-risk investments in cryptocurrency or digital assets, investors should conduct thorough research. Please be aware that any transfers and transactions are done at your own risk, and any losses incurred are entirely your responsibility.

The entire collection shows only 378 pipe smokers, and 254 are wearing caps. What is the story behind « The Merge, » the most expensive NFT ever sold? « The Merge » is an NFT project by Pak (Murat Pak), whose identity remains unknown. The NFT was divided into parts called « mass, » and during the sale, 295,417 units were sold to around 28,893 collectors. « The Merge » has a built-in scarcity mechanism that increases its value over time as the token supply decreases. What sets Cryptopunk #4156 apart from other high-priced Cryptopunks is its individuality.

Conversely, the NFT lending sector achieved a quarterly high of $2.13 billion in early 2024, marking a 43.6% growth from the previous quarter. NFT lending platforms, which allow users to secure loans against their digital collectibles, represent a growing use case that underscores the tangible utility of NFTs beyond mere collectibility. These developments indicate a dynamic future for NFTs, where technological integration and market adaptability will likely dictate the trajectory of their evolution and acceptance. CryptoPunk #3100 is part of the 9 Alien Punks series, and it is the most expensive Alien Punk ever sold, trailing only CryptoPunk #7804. The second-highest CryptoPunks ape sale happened in February 2022, when 2,501 ETH ($7.7 million) was paid for CryptoPunk #5577.

A non-fungible token is a non-transferable unit of data that may be sold and traded and is held on a blockchain, a type of digital ledger. Digital media such as photographs, videos, and audio may be connected with several types of NFT data units. The Merge, rather than making and promoting a stationary work of art, was a compendium of masses that anybody could purchase. All of these masses stand grouped together under the same invention.

We’re not too clear on the frequency of the token generation, but he intends for each to represent a change in the world. Below is the list of the ten most expensive NFTs ever sold on the market. Looking ahead, the NFT sector is poised for substantial growth with promising developments on the horizon. Key advancements expected to shape the future include deeper integration with the metaverse and improved interoperability across different blockchain platforms. These technological enhancements are anticipated to not only broaden the scope of how NFTs are used and interacted with but also potentially boost their intrinsic value and appeal to a wider audience.

Socios is offering fan of other sports a way to interact with their favourite teams via NFTs through its partnership with blockchain platform Chiliz. These Fan Tokens will give holders the chance to vote on issues affecting their teams as well as get access to matchday experiences and merchandise. Almost identical to the second most expensive NFT ever sold, but still worth $6.4 million less. One can only imagine the owner is crying themselves to sleep on top of a big pile of money somewhere. Dorsey’s tweet is being sold on the NFT auction site Valuables, with the proceeds to be instantly converted into BTC and given to charity. According to the site’s FAQs, the winner of the auction will get a ‘digital certificate of the tweet’, with the original to remain viewable on the internet as before.

The crypto world has significantly impacted the NFT market by providing the technological infrastructure and platforms for trading, selling, and buying non-fungible tokens. Yes, there is a comprehensive list available that showcases the NFTs sold at record-breaking prices up until the present date. The 10 most expensive NFTs ever sold refer to the highest-priced non-fungible tokens in history.

It was purchased at a Sotheby’s auction by Deepak Thapliyal, the CEO of blockchain-based technology company Chain, for 8,000 ETH, equivalent to $23.7 million. It was sold at the famous auction house Christie’s on March 11, 2021, and drew bids from over 350 aspiring buyers before being purchased by an anonymous buyer. NFTs come in all forms, but the current craze surrounds digital artwork. The sense of abstract expression has reached millions of enthusiasts and garnered even more in sales.

“Blue chip” investments are regarded as safe and reliable, which might not be the first words that come to mind when most people think of NFTs. When the crypto markets came crashing down in 2022, the value of many NFT collections took a big hit, but this hasn’t stopped the most committed collectors from buying more NFTs. It’s hard not to agree at times, especially when you see collections of pixels changing hands for millions of dollars. These big-ticket buys may suggest that the world has finally lost its mind, but look beyond them and a different story emerges. Another eye-opening NFT story concerns rapper Azealia Banks selling her audio sex tape as an NFT for $17,000 to artist Rulton Fyder – who has since relisted it for sale at $260 million.