Decoding the 15 Most Expensive NFTs Ever Sold

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The world of digital art has undergone a revolutionary transformation with the rise of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Once considered niche digital experiments, NFTs have now become high-value collectibles, fetching millions—and even tens of millions—of dollars at auctions and private sales. These digital assets, secured on blockchain networks, represent ownership of unique items such as artwork, music, videos, and virtual real estate.

This article explores the 15 most expensive NFTs ever sold, highlighting their creators, cultural significance, and the reasons behind their staggering prices. From groundbreaking digital collages to politically charged artworks, these NFTs mark pivotal moments in the evolution of digital ownership and artistic expression.

The Merge by Pak – $91.8 Million

At the top of the list stands The Merge by the anonymous digital artist Pak. Sold for $91.8 million on December 2, 2021, via Nifty Gateway, this NFT holds the record for the highest-grossing digital artwork sale in history.

Unlike traditional NFTs owned by a single collector, The Merge was sold in units called “masses.” A total of 28,893 collectors purchased 312,686 masses, each priced at $575. The more masses a buyer acquired, the larger their portion of the evolving artwork became.

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This decentralized ownership model sparked debate: Is The Merge one artwork or thousands? Regardless, its innovative structure and mass participation redefined what an NFT could be—blending art, community, and technology.

Pak, known for creating Archillect—an AI-curated visual discovery engine—has remained anonymous, adding mystique to their influential role in the NFT space.

Everydays: The First 5000 Days by Beeple – $69 Million

Before The Merge, Beeple (real name Michael Winkelmann) held the crown with Everydays: The First 5000 Days. This monumental digital collage, auctioned by Christie’s in March 2021 for $69 million, consists of 5,000 individual digital artworks created daily since May 2007.

The sale was a watershed moment for NFTs, marking the first time a major auction house sold a digital-only artwork with verifiable blockchain ownership. The buyer, Vignesh Sundaresan (aka MetaKovan), paid using 42,329 ETH.

Beeple’s relentless creative discipline and satirical commentary on technology, politics, and pop culture made this piece a cultural landmark. It proved that digital art could command prices comparable to traditional masterpieces.

Clock by Pak & Julian Assange – $52.7 Million

A powerful fusion of art and activism, Clock was co-created by Pak and Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks. This dynamic NFT displays a real-time countdown of the days Assange has spent in imprisonment.

In February 2022, AssangeDAO—a decentralized autonomous organization of over 10,000 supporters—purchased the NFT for $52.7 million (16,593 ETH). The funds were directed toward Assange’s legal defense.

Clock transcends aesthetics; it’s a living protest piece, symbolizing digital freedom and the global reach of blockchain-based fundraising. Its sale demonstrated how NFTs can support social causes while becoming valuable collectibles.

HUMAN ONE by Beeple – $29 Million

Beeple continues to dominate the high-end NFT market with HUMAN ONE, a kinetic sculpture blending physical and digital realms. Sold at Christie’s in November 2021 for $29 million, this 7-foot-tall installation features a rotating astronaut-like figure surrounded by evolving digital landscapes.

What sets it apart? Beeple retains remote access to update the artwork continuously. The scenes change based on real-world time and unfolding narratives, making it a “living” piece of art.

This hybrid approach—where physical hardware hosts a dynamic digital display—blurs the line between virtual and tangible art forms.

CryptoPunk #5822 – $23 Million

As one of the earliest NFT projects, CryptoPunks laid the foundation for today’s NFT ecosystem. Created in 2017 by Larva Labs, this collection of 10,000 pixelated avatars was initially free to claim.

Among them, CryptoPunk #5822—a rare blue-skinned alien—is one of only nine alien punks. It sold for $23 million in 2023 to Deepak.eth, CEO of blockchain firm Chain.

Its value stems from scarcity, historical significance, and cultural clout within the crypto community. Alien punks are the most coveted due to their rarity (less than 1% of the collection).

CryptoPunk #7523 – $11.75 Million

Known as the “Covid Alien,” CryptoPunk #7523 features a medical mask, knitted cap, and earring—attributes that made it instantly iconic during the pandemic era. Sotheby’s auctioned it in June 2021 for $11.75 million, then the highest price for any CryptoPunk.

Its timely relevance and unique combination of rare traits cemented its status as a digital artifact of its time.

TPunk #3442 – $10.5 Million

Tron CEO Justin Sun made headlines when he purchased TPunk #3442—dubbed “The Joker”—for $10.5 million in August 2021. TPunks are a derivative collection inspired by CryptoPunks but built on the Tron blockchain.

While originally minted for under $150 each, Sun’s high-profile acquisition boosted the entire project’s visibility and value. This case illustrates how celebrity involvement can dramatically influence NFT market dynamics.

CryptoPunk #4156 – $10.26 Million

Another elite entry: CryptoPunk #4156, an ape-type punk with only one attribute—a rare trait shared by just 2% of all punks. It also wears a bandana (5% rarity). It sold for **$10.26 million** in December 2023 after previously selling for $1.25 million just ten months earlier.

This rapid appreciation reflects growing demand for ultra-rare traits within foundational NFT collections.

CryptoPunk #5577 – $7.7 Million

Sold in February 2022 for $7.7 million, CryptoPunk #5577 is another single-attribute ape punk. It wears a cowboy hat—a trait found in only 1% of punks—adding to its exclusivity.

Rumored to be owned by Robert Leshner (founder of Compound), this purchase signaled institutional confidence in NFTs as long-term assets.

CryptoPunk #3100 & #7804 – $7.67M & $7.57M

Both alien punks, #3100 and #7804 sold within days of each other in early 2022 for $7.67 million** and **$7.57 million, respectively.

Their proximity in price underscores consistent market valuation for top-tier alien punks.

Right Click and Save As Guy by XCOPY – $7 Million

Artist XCOPY delivered a meta-commentary on NFT skepticism with Right Click and Save As Guy, sold for $7 million to collector Cozomo de’ Medici.

The piece mocks critics who argue that NFTs are worthless because digital files can be copied. Ironically, this artwork—named after that very criticism—became one of the most valuable in the genre.

Created in 2018 and initially sold for just 1 ETH (~$90), its appreciation highlights how early adoption and cultural relevance drive value.

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Ringers #109 by Dmitri Cherniak – $6.93 Million

From the generative art platform Art Blocks, Ringers #109 is the most expensive piece ever sold on the platform. Created by Canadian coder-artist Dmitri Cherniak, it features algorithmically generated strings wrapped around pegs.

Each Ringers NFT is unique due to its code-based creation process. With over 1,000 editions, #109 stands out for its symmetry and visual balance—factors that contributed to its $6.93 million sale.

Generative art like this represents a new frontier where code becomes canvas.

CryptoPunk #8857 – $6.63 Million

One of only 88 zombie punks, #8857 stands out with wild hair and 3D glasses. It sold on OpenSea for $6.63 million, reflecting sustained demand across all rare CryptoPunk categories—even beyond aliens and apes.

Zombie punks occupy a niche but passionate collector base, proving that diversity within scarcity drives value.

Crossroad by Beeple – $6.6 Million

Before his record-breaking Christie’s sale, Beeple made waves with Crossroad, a 10-second video that changed based on the outcome of the 2020 U.S. election.

If Trump won: triumphant imagery.
If Trump lost: a naked, defeated figure covered in graffiti insults.

Since Biden won, the latter version was revealed—and sold for $6.6 million on Nifty Gateway before the results were known. This speculative purchase highlighted early investor confidence in Beeple’s vision.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most expensive NFT ever sold?
The most expensive NFT is The Merge by Pak, which sold for $91.8 million through a decentralized mass purchase model involving over 28,000 collectors.

Which NFT collection has generated the most sales?
Axie Infinity leads with over $4.27 billion in total sales volume, followed closely by Bored Ape Yacht Club at $3.16 billion.

Why are some CryptoPunks so valuable?
Scarcity drives value. Only 9 alien punks exist out of 10,000 total CryptoPunks. Combined with historical significance as one of the first NFT projects, this makes them extremely desirable.

Can you still profit from NFTs?
Yes, but selectively. High-value returns typically come from rare pieces by established artists or historically significant collections. Market volatility requires careful research and timing.

What makes an NFT worth millions?
Factors include artist reputation, rarity, provenance, cultural relevance, utility, and community engagement. Artistic innovation and storytelling also play crucial roles.

Is generative art a good investment?
Top-tier generative projects like Art Blocks' Ringers have shown strong appreciation. However, success depends on artist credibility, platform trustworthiness, and aesthetic uniqueness.

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The landscape of digital ownership continues to evolve rapidly. While market trends shift, these 15 record-breaking NFTs stand as milestones—proof that creativity, technology, and community can converge into assets of extraordinary value.