During the past 12 months, thousands of NFTs were sold for thousands of dollars – sometimes, millions. NFT sales have grown from $41 million in 2018 to more than $22 billion in 2021 (as of the time of writing). To celebrate this outstanding achievement in the NFT space, we’re breaking down the top 10 most expensive NFTs of 2021.
Crossroad
Credit: Nifty Gateway
#10: Beeple’s Crossroad — $6.6M
Coming in at number 10 is Beeple with his animated, 10-second short “Crossroad”.
It’s a digital image that features a person that looks like former U.S President Donald Trump. The figure is laying down and has words such as “loser” and “poor boy” drawn on his body, while people are walking past him. The NFT was first sold on Nifty Gateway – but the $6.6 million sale took place via a secondary market.
Ringers #109
Source: Twitter
#9: Art Block’s Ringers #109 – $6.9 million
Art Block’s “Ringers #109” sold for $6.93 million in October. There’s a total of 99,000 Art Block NFTs in existence – but #109 is the most expensive one ever sold.
The colour red is only present in 0.3% of the Art Block pieces – making it a rare digital artwork.
Right-click and Save As guy
Source: OpenSea
#8: Xcopy’s Right-click and Save As guy – $7.09 million
In November, NFT artist Xcopy’s “Right-click and Save As guy” NFT sold for $7.09 million. Rapper Snoop Dogg bought this NFT, alongside another one of Xcopy’s NFTs – Some A******.
CryptoPunk 3100
Source: Larva Labs
#7: Larva Labs’ CryptoPunk 3100 – $7.51 million
“CryptoPunk 3100” was sold for $7.51 million in March 2021. However, it was spotted again at a listed price of $111.16 million a few months later. So far, one has bought it at this new price.
“CryptoPunk 3100” is special as it’s one of only 9 CryptoPunks within the alien category and wears a headband.
CryptoPunk 7804
Source: Larva Labs
#6: Larva Labs’ CryptoPunk 7804 – $7.56 million
7804 one-upped 3100 after selling for $7.56 million. This specific punk is very rare as it’s one of only 378 punks that use pipes and amongst only 254 punks that wear caps. Additionally, it’s part of the CryptoPunk “Alien Group”.
CryptoPunk 4156
Source: Larva Labs
#5: Larva Labs’ CryptoPunk 4156 – $10.35 million
“CryptoPunk 4156” was auctioned for $10.35 million. It’s also rare as it’s an ape-styled punk; only 24 ape-styled punks exist. That’s why they’re highly sought-after.
CryptoPunk 7523
Source: Sotheby’s
#4: Larva Labs’ CryptoPunk 7523 – $11.75 million
7523 is the most expensive CryptoPunk to date. This NFT fetched $11.75 million at a Sotheby’s auction. People in the NFT space know 7523 as the “Covid Alien” as it’s wearing a mask.
Human One
Source: Barron’s
#3: Beeple’s Human One – $28.9 million
The expected price for Beeple’s “Human One” was $15 million. However, it managed to exceed expectations when it was sold for $28.9 million at an auction held by Christie’s.
“Human One” features an artistic depiction of the first human in the metaverse. It’s a 7-feet high, 3D video sculpture of a person in a space helmet.
Everydays: The First 5,000 Days
Source: Wikipedia
#2: Beeple’s Everydays: The First 5,000 Days – $69 million
Digital artist Mike Winkelmann, also known as Beeple, appears again in the list of the 10 most expensive NFTs of 2021 – this time with “Everydays: The First 5,000 Days.” “Everydays” is a collage of 5000 digital images built over 13 years. With this sale, it became one of the most expensive works by a living artist.
Merge
Source: Gemini.com
And the most expensive NFT of 2021 is: Pak’s Merge – $91.8 million
Beeple’s work was – very nearly – going to become the most expensive NFT of 2021. However, a few weeks ago, NFT artist Pak sold “Merge” for $91.8 million via Nifty Gateway. What’s more – “Merge” also generated the highest sales value by a living artist for a single artwork in a public sale.
