14 Most Expensive NFTs Sold [Until 2023]

By challenging traditional notions of art and value, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have become a hot topic due to their high prices and unique nature. They’re selling for big bucks worldwide, but what are the most expensive NFTs sold?

Whether you're a collector, investor, or simply interested in exploring the world of digital art, look no further! This article will give you a deeper insight into the most valuable digital assets ever created.

This article explores the 14 most expensive NFTs sold until 2023 and examines the factors that determine their value, such as rarity, demand, and creator's reputation.

What Determines NFT Price?

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are digital assets that have one-of-a-kind ownership. They can be pictures, collectibles, videos, or any other type of artwork, and they allow creators a more secure and transparent ownership and transfer.

Generally, NFTs are sold on various blockchain platforms, and their price is determined by their rarity, demand, historical and cultural significance, creators’ reputation, popularity, etc. NFT value can also fluctuate depending on the market trend and the interest of the collectors. For instance, an artist might create a single NFT and sell it for millions if it gets enough friction.

Lastly, the value of an NFT can increase over time. This is especially true if the said NFT holds any historical significance or if the creator becomes more popular. But at the end of the day, the overall average value of all NFTs will keep rising as they become more accessible.

14 Most Expensive NFTs Sold

NFTs have disrupted the art world, with some selling for millions of dollars. In the following section, we explore the 14 most expensive NFTs sold to date, which range from digital art to sports memorabilia.

#1. Everydays; The First 5000 Days

In March 2021, Vignesh Sundaresan made headlines by purchasing "Everydays: The First 5000 Days" by digital artist Beeple for a staggering $69 million, making it the most expensive NFT ever sold.

The artwork is a stunning compilation of 5,000 digital images, each representing a day in Beeple's daily digital art project spanning over 13 years. The striking imagery ranges from surreal landscapes to futuristic cityscapes, showcasing the artist's remarkable talent and creativity.

The sale of "Everydays: The First 5000 Days" affirms Beeple's status as a leading figure in the world of digital art. It also marks a great moment in the history of NFTs by highlighting the growing mainstream acceptance and recognition of this emerging art form.

#2. CryptoPunks

CryptoPunks, a collection of 10,000 distinct 8-bit pixel art characters created by Larva Labs, has been making waves in the world of digital art. Each punk has its unique look, from hairstyles to accessories, and some are rarer than others. The most expensive CryptoPunk ever sold was bought for around 23 million in February 2022, which makes it an incredibly valuable digital asset.

There were even cases where NFTs got destroyed due to negligence. In March 2023, an NFT collector accidentally sent his NFT worth around $130,000 at the time to a burn address! This confirms you should always be careful on the internet, especially with digital assets.

#3. Crossroads

In February 2021, Metakovan purchased another digital art piece by Beeple called "Crossroads" for $6.6 million. The artwork featured a controversial depiction of former President Trump lying in a field, surrounded by graffiti.

However you interpret it, you can’t deny that “Crossroads” has made a significant impact on the art world, especially the digital art universe. Some see it as a commentary on modern-day America and its politics, whereas others think it’s nothing but a provocation. Only so much time has passed, and it has already become a huge piece of cultural history.

#4. The First Tweet

"The First Tweet" is a valuable digital asset that represents the first message ever posted by Twitter's co-founder and CEO, Jack Dorsey.

The tweet, which reads "just setting up my Twitter," has become a significant moment in social media history.

In March 2021, the NFT of this tweet was sold for $2.9 million, underscoring the increasing demand for unique and rare digital assets. The NFT includes a digitally signed and verified certificate of authenticity that confirms its uniqueness.

The sale of “The First Tweet” is significant, as it showed the NFT’s potential to change how we see ownership of digital art in the modern age.

#5. The Complete MF Collection

In June 2021, digital artist Beeple made history in the world of digital art and NFTs by selling his collection of NFTs called "The Complete MF Collection" for just above $777.777, setting a new record in the art world. The interesting thing is that the buyer is still unknown—they decided to remain anonymous to this day.

When talking about this work of art, you must keep in mind that this isn’t your typical collection—Beeple was working on it for over 13 years and produced over 5,000 pieces of digital art.

#6. CryptoKitties

CryptoKitties is a collection of digital art that’s centered around, as you have guessed, cats! It’s made by Dapper Labs, a blockchain-based gaming company whose goal is to introduce as many gamers as they can to the blockchain via engaging experiences and NFT games.

The digital cats from CryptoKitties are all unique, and you can buy, sell, or trade them like any other NFTs.

In 2017, one CryptoKitty made headlines when it sold for 600 ETH, worth around $170,000 at the time. This sale sparked a frenzy among CryptoKitty enthusiasts and helped push the price of these digital cats even higher.

Today, CryptoKitties remain a popular collectible among blockchain and crypto enthusiasts, and new cats are regularly added to the collection.

#7. The Pixel

"The Pixel" by Pak is a unique 1x1 pixel NFT sold for $1.36 million in March 2021. It has captured the attention of many, and the majority of the art world thinks it’s groundbreaking because of its small size.

Nonetheless, it mixes art, technology, economics, etc., which makes it a complex piece of digital art.

The sale of "The Pixel" has sparked a debate about the value of digital art and NFTs. Some question whether it is a speculative bubble or a new frontier in the art market. Regardless of the controversy, "The Pixel" has made a lasting mark in the world of art.

#8. Genesis

One of the most popular NFT projects nowadays is “Genesis,” a project by Larva Labs, an influential creator. “Genesis” is a unique art illustration collection that consists of more than 20,000 pieces, which cover various topics and themes.

The project was launched on the Ethereum blockchain and has something for everyone. In 2021, a piece from this collection sold for $1.5 million, making it one of the most expensive NFTs sold.

#9. The Fungible Collection

"The Fungible Collection" by Mad Dog Jones is a set of 12 digital paintings that explore the concept of fungibility. The collection sold for around $16 million between the 12th and 14th of April 2021, which confirmed the growing demand for digital art.

Fungibility, the concept explored in the collection, is still a fascinating topic in the world of economics. It refers to the interchangeable nature of assets. In other words, if two assets are fungible, one can be replaced with the other without any change in value or function.

The digital medium also allowed Jones to experiment with new techniques and styles, resulting in a unique and thought-provoking collection.

#10. Right Place & Right Time

"Right Place & Right Time" is a generative digital artwork created by Matt Kane. It was sold as an NFT for $101,593.37 in April 2021, highlighting the growing popularity of NFTs, especially during 2021.

The artwork features an abstract pattern that continuously evolves. It is made up of intricate, interconnected lines with vibrant colors, showcasing the potential of generative algorithms in creating unique digital art pieces.

Kane's work with generative algorithms is a pioneering example of the potential of digital art to transform the art world with unique, constantly evolving creations.

#11. Death of The Old

Canadian musician Grimes sold $6 million worth of digital art in just 20 minutes through non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on Nifty Gateway, a platform for buying and selling NFTs. Namely, she sold ten pieces of art that depicted a "war nymph."

To create her collection, Grimes used a blend of anime and comic book styles. It has bold colors and clean lines, which makes it hard to look away if you’re a fan of these two types of animation.

Her character, the "war nymph," is another blend of various mythological and fantasy elements. It wields a sword, has horns, and she’s surrounded by flames.

#12. Quantum

"Quantum" is a digital artwork that consists of a series of digital images encoded in DNA. The use of DNA for storage makes sure that the art piece is preserved for a long period of time and is why it has such a high price.

Namely, in 2021, the “Quantum” NFT was sold as the first of its kind for a staggering $1.47 million. But, things aren’t as pretty as they might seem—the author faced a lawsuit over its ownership at one point.

#13. The Complete OpenSea Collection

"The Complete OpenSea Collection" is a highly sought-after compilation of 20,000 digital items that represent the rich and storied history of OpenSea on the Polygon network. This extensive collection displays the innovation and progress within the blockchain and digital art communities.

It includes a variety of unique pieces that capture the essence of OpenSea's evolution over the years. From early works that reflect the platform's humble beginnings to recent pieces that showcase its growth and success, this collection is a true treasure trove of digital art.

This remarkable collection sold for $1.5 million in July 2021. The sale marked a milestone for OpenSea and its community, setting a new standard for the value of digital art and the potential for blockchain-based art collections.

#14. Mars House

Mars House is a three-dimensional virtual home created by Krista Kim. It features sleek white walls and floors with furniture made of translucent materials, which gives it a futuristic look and minimalist feel.

The NFT was sold for $512,000 in March 2021, sparking a debate about its value and whether it should be considered a legitimate form of art. Some argue that the sale of digital art is a speculative bubble, while others see it as a transformative force that is changing the way we think about art and ownership in the digital age.

The sale of "Mars House" highlights the growing market for digital art and collectibles and the potential for innovation in this emerging field. It raises questions about what constitutes art and how we wave it today.

Key Takeaways

With their ever-increasing popularity, NFTs have gained quite a bit of friction in the media and online community. Their high prices and unique nature only add fuel to the fire. Essentially, we’re at the point in time where the way we perceive art and ownership is changing by the day.

The value of NFTs mostly depends on the artwork’s rarity, demand, cultural and historical significance, and, lastly, the creator’s significance. As they will only become more popular as the days go by, we can expect to see even more ridiculously expensive NFT prices in the future.

The bottom line is—NFTs are here to stay, and they’re here to transform the world of art in a way that we could have never imagined!