In this article, we discuss the 5 most expensive NFTs in the world. If you want to read our detailed analysis of these NFTs, go directly to the 10 Most Expensive NFTs in the World.
5. CryptoPunk #5822
Sold For: $23 million
CryptoPunk #5822 is the most expensive CryptoPunk character sold so far. It was bought by Deepak Thapliyal, the CEO of Chain, for around 8000 Ethereum in February 2022. The trading volume around the CryptoPunk has been more than $9 billion since they were first launched, making them the most expensive NFT series.
CryptoPunk #5822 features a blue alien sporting a bandana. The original owner of the artwork had paid less than 1 Ethereum for the piece. Reports suggest that Thapliyal had used his Compound Finance for the purchase.
4. HUMAN ONE
Sold For: $28.9 million
HUMAN ONE is another artwork sold by Beeple for a record price. It fetched a price tag of close to $30 million in November 2021. The artwork was sold during the 21st Century Evening Sale of auction house Christie’s. The auction house described the piece as a “generative work of art which the artist intends to seamlessly add and evolve creatively over the course of his lifetime”.
In an interview with the auction house, Beeple talked about HUMAN ONE and NFTs, outlining that Pak, another digital artist, had introduced him to NFTs. Beeple also said that NFTs were transforming his work and adding originality to his content.
3. Clock
Sold For: $52.7 million
Clock is an NFT created by Pak and Julian Assange. The NFT counts down the days since Assange, of Wikileaks fame, has been imprisoned. Pak created the NFT to fund the legal defense of Assange. The NFT was purchased by AssangeDAO, a group of people who pooled their money together to buy the NFT and fund the legal expenses of Assange.
Clock was sold in February 2022 and is the second most-expensive NFT with multiple owners. AssangeDao used the Juicebox platform to raise proceeds for the Justice token that ultimately raked in over 16,000 Ethereum for the purchase of the NFT.
2. The First 5000 Days
Sold For: $69.3 million
The First 5000 Days is another Beeple NFT. It is the most expensive NFT that has just one owner. The NFT is a collage of the pieces of art that Beeple has worked on since 2007. Back in that year, Beeple had pledged to work on one piece of art everyday. The NFT combined his efforts worth around 5,000 days.
The First 5000 Days was sold in March 2021. Back then, Beeple had not made waves through his art. The NFT changed that and made him the third most valuable living artist across the globe. Auction house Christie’s facilitated the sale.
1. The Merge
Sold For: $91.8 million
The Merge is an NFT created by digital artist Pak. Beeple calls Pak his mentor to the NFT marketplace. The Merge is the most expensive NFT with multiple owners. Nearly 30,000 collectors pooled their money to buy the NFT in December 2021. The NFT was sold on the Nifty Gateway platform.
The Merge has the ability to expand over time. The Merge is also described as “Code on art”, a reference to the complex programming behind the NFT that has given it unique capabilities that collectors seem to appreciate.
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