The NFT market is becoming increasingly vibrant with valuable digital artworks. Prominent works such as “The Merge” by Pak and “Ocean Front” by Beeple have not only attracted attention due to their financial value but also because of the profound messages they convey. Let’s explore the most valuable NFTs in this market.
1. “The Merge” by Pak – $91.8 million
Pak, a prominent NFT artist with over 20 years of experience in digital art creation, made a significant impact in the NFT world in 2021. His most famous work, “The Merge,” was sold for $91.8 million on Nifty Gateway on December 2, 2021. Created to mark the “Ethereum Merge” event, this NFT has a unique feature: the buyer owns a “volume unit,” and the artwork grows larger the more units they purchase. “The Merge” surpassed the previous record set by Jeff Koons’ “Rabbit,” which was sold for $91.1 million.
2. “Everydays: the First 5000 Days” by Beeple – $69.3 million
Mike Winkelmann, known as Beeple, is a prominent digital artist widely recognized for his “Everydays” series. This unique project involved Beeple creating and releasing a new artwork every day since May 2007. Each piece in this series bears his personal signature, reflecting the artist’s relentless creativity.
Notably, Beeple combined the first 5,000 works in the “Everydays” series into a digital collage titled “The First 5000 Days.” This piece was auctioned at Christie’s – one of the world’s most prestigious auction houses – and made headlines when it fetched a record price of $69.3 million
This event not only marked a significant milestone in the history of digital art but also elevated NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) to new heights. With this price, “The First 5000 Days” became the most expensive digital artwork ever sold. The piece was purchased by Vignesh Sundaresan, a Singapore-based programmer and cryptocurrency investor, who affirmed the powerful transformation of art in the digital age.
3. “Clock” by Pak – $52.7 million
Pak’s NFT “Clock,” sold for $52.7 million, is a dynamic artwork that evolves over time, reflecting the number of days Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has spent in prison. This artwork was purchased by AssangeDAO, a decentralized organization supporting Assange’s legal campaign, and all proceeds were donated to the Wau Holland Foundation to support his defense.
4. Beeple’s “Ocean Front” – $6 million
Beeple’s NFT “Ocean Front” delivers a powerful message about climate change, featuring a striking image of an oil spill disaster. This artwork was purchased by Justin Sun, the founder of TRON, for $6 million. The proceeds from the sale were donated to the Open Earth Foundation, an organization fighting against climate change.
5. CryptoPunk #5822 – $23.7 million
CryptoPunks, the first NFT collection from Larva Labs, launched in 2017, has become an icon in the digital art world. The collection consists of 10,000 unique pixelated avatars, each with varying rarity. CryptoPunk #5822, with its rare traits, was sold for $23.7 million in February 2022. The buyer was Deepak Thapliyal, CEO of the blockchain project Chain. CryptoPunks remain a status symbol within the NFT community.
6. XCOPY’s “Right-click and Save As guy” – $7.1 million
The artwork “Right-click and Save As guy” by artist XCOPY, valued at $7.1 million, sparked controversy by mocking critics of NFTs with the phrase “Why should I buy it when I can right-click and save as?” Nonetheless, the high price tag demonstrates the true value of NFTs within the digital collectibles community.
7. XCOPY’s “A Coin for the Ferryman” – $6 million
The NFT “A Coin for the Ferryman” by digital artist XCOPY was sold for $6 million on SuperRare. Initially, the artwork was sold for just $139 in 2018. It was repurchased in November 2021, one day before Ethereum reached its all-time high price.
8. Beeple’s “Crossroad” – $6.6 million
Beeple’s artwork “Crossroad,” depicting a bizarre image of former U.S. President Donald Trump, was sold for $6.6 million. Notably, this NFT was designed to change based on the outcome of Trump’s election.
9. “All Time High in the City” by XCOPY – $6.2 million
This NFT animation by XCOPY depicts a ferryman in the underground world transporting a soul across the River Styx. With its rough style, flashing elements, and glitches, the artwork was sold for $6.2 million in January 2022 to the collector rarecollector3000.
10. World Wide Web Source Code – $5.4 million
Ross Ulbricht’s debut NFT, titled “FreeRoss,” was sold for $6.12 million in December 2021. The proceeds from this auction were used for Ulbricht’s legal defense and to establish Art4Giving, a fund supporting incarcerated individuals and their families.
NFT artworks are not only a fusion of art and technology but also reflect important social issues and stories. With the rapid development of the market, we are sure to witness many more unique and valuable NFT works in the future.
