The Top 10 Most Expensive NFTs Ever Sold

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have captured the interest of collectors, artists, and investors worldwide, transforming how we value digital assets. An NFT is essentially a unique cryptographic token that lives on a blockchain, proving ownership of a one-of-a-kind digital item—often art, music, or in-game collectibles. The craze started gaining ground in the mid-2010s with early blockchain-based artworks. When Ethereum enabled smart contracts, developers could create verifiably rare digital items with distinct metadata.

Why did NFTs become so popular? It boils down to combining art or media with the security of blockchain ownership. Collectors enjoy the novelty of owning an exclusive piece of internet history, while creators benefit from royalties on secondary sales (a feature baked into many NFT marketplaces). As big names like Beeple and Larva Labs scored headline-grabbing transactions, the NFT scene exploded into mainstream culture. Below, you’ll find the top NFT sales of all time and what made them so sought-after.

10. CryptoPunk #3100 – $7.58 Million

• Creator: Larva Labs
• Why It’s Special: This pixelated alien with a simple headband claims a spot among the most expensive CryptoPunks sold.

CryptoPunks are often hailed as the pioneers of the NFT world. They were initially offered for free back in 2017—just grab one if you had an Ethereum wallet. Fast-forward a few years, and these 24x24 pixel figures skyrocketed in value. CryptoPunk #3100 is part of the ultra-rare alien category, of which only nine exist. That scarcity, plus a surge in CryptoPunks’ cultural status, allowed #3100 to fetch $7.58 million in March 2021.Collectors place a premium on the “alien” punks, due to their extremely limited supply. The headband attribute might look minimal, but the NFT community views it as iconic. Each Punk’s rarity, combined with the brand recognition of Larva Labs, helps keep prices high.

9. CryptoPunk #5577 – $7.7 Million

• Creator: Larva Labs
• Why It’s Special: Another alien? Actually, no—this is an ape Punk wearing a cowboy hat, believed to have been purchased by Compound Finance founder Robert Leshner.

By early 2022, CryptoPunk collectors had become ever more competitive in bidding wars. Ape and alien Punks, along with those sporting distinctive traits like cowboy hats, are part of an inner circle of prized designs. Although this particular CryptoPunk doesn’t boast a mask or extra-rare trait, it remains highly sought after for its aesthetic and overall scarcity in the collection.Part of the charm lies in CryptoPunks’ early arrival in the NFT space, before most people even knew what a Non-Fungible Token was. For those with deep pockets, acquiring an ape Punk is both a status symbol and a nod to a crucial piece of blockchain art history.

8. CryptoPunk #4156 – $10.26 Million

• Creator: Larva Labs
• Why It’s Special: This piece stands out for its “ape” theme, which has become synonymous with high-end NFTs, particularly in the Bored Ape Yacht Club community that followed.

Sold in December 2021, CryptoPunk #4156 broke the eight-figure mark. The Punk in question features an ape face and a blue bandana, a combination that appeals to collectors who look for hints of rebellion or style in their digital collectibles. The synergy between crypto culture and social media hype had soared by the end of 2021, leading to million-dollar Punk purchases that would have been unimaginable just a year earlier.Many see Punks as the original blueprint for rare NFT collectibles. Their continued popularity ensures that top-tier examples fetch staggering sums, solidifying CryptoPunks’ place as a cornerstone of NFT history.

7. TPunk #3442 – $10.5 Million

• Creators: @mondiblo and @bastardber
• Why It’s Special: Dubbed “Joker Tpunk,” it was bought by Tron CEO Justin Sun for around 120 million TRX (roughly $10.5 million).

The Tron blockchain has its own NFT ecosystem, separate from Ethereum. TPunks are Tron’s spin on the pixel-art style that CryptoPunks popularized. With a distinct Joker-esque design, #3442 became the highest-priced NFT on Tron when Sun made his headline-grabbing purchase in August 2021.The sale illustrated that major players in crypto—like Justin Sun—have a keen interest in bridging multiple blockchains to showcase NFT growth. While Ethereum remains the dominant chain for big-ticket NFTs, the Tron community uses TPunks to stake its claim in the broader NFT value appreciation narrative.

6. CryptoPunk #7523 – $11.8 Million

• Creator: Larva Labs
• Why It’s Special: Nicknamed the “COVID Alien” for its medical mask attribute.

Sold in June 2021 at Sotheby’s, this Punk resonates with a moment in global history: a masked alien symbolizing the pandemic era. Its scarcity isn’t solely about the alien trait but also about how it captures a real-world event in a digital collectible. The sum of $11.8 million placed it among the record-breaking NFT sales at the time.Auctions at prestigious houses like Sotheby’s or Christie’s played a significant role in mainstreaming NFT art. Seeing a pixel-based character fetch millions under such a famed auction banner convinced many skeptics to revisit their assumptions about the NFT market.

5. CryptoPunk #5822 – $23.7 Million

• Creator: Larva Labs
• Why It’s Special: One of only nine alien Punks, sporting a blue bandana.

At this price point, we’re clearly entering the stratosphere of highest-priced NFTs in history. Punk #5822 earned $23.7 million in February 2022, underscoring the alien series’ iconic status. The buyer was Deepak Thapliyal, CEO of a blockchain-focused firm, signaling that corporate leaders in crypto see serious value in marquee NFTs.During the NFT market’s peak, alien Punks were viewed as the crown jewels: inherently scarce with distinctive appearances. It’s not just about the pixel art, but also about brand prestige, community recognition, and the bragging rights that come with owning a top-tier Punk.

4. HUMAN ONE – $28.9 Million

• Creator: Beeple (Mike Winkelmann)
• Why It’s Special: A dynamic fusion of physical and digital art, with Beeple able to update the on-screen visuals over time.

Beeple rose to prominence in early 2021 when his piece “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” sold for millions at Christie’s. HUMAN ONE is another boundary-pushing creation: a rotating box made of LED screens depicting an astronaut exploring ever-changing landscapes. Beeple has remote access to modify the imagery, so this NFT never stays static.That perpetual evolution intrigues collectors who crave more than just a single snapshot of digital art. HUMAN ONE shows NFTs aren’t limited to 2D pictures, highlighting how artists can blend physical installations with blockchain ownership.

3. Clock – $52.7 Million

• Creators: Pak and Julian Assange
• Why It’s Special: This NFT is a political statement, functioning as a timer counting the days Julian Assange has been imprisoned.

“Clock” is no typical piece of digital art. It serves as a protest tool and a fundraising initiative. Purchased by AssangeDAO, a decentralized collective supporting Assange’s legal defense, it underscores how NFTs can be used to spread social awareness. The final sale raised $52.7 million, showing that the blockchain space isn’t just about art speculation but can also champion activism and free-speech causes.Pak’s minimalist yet conceptual approach meshes with Assange’s fight for transparency. The synergy created a high-profile NFT that not only commanded a giant price tag but also illustrated the power of decentralized fundraising.

2. Everydays: The First 5000 Days – $69.3 Million

• Creator: Beeple (Mike Winkelmann)
• Why It’s Special: A collage of 5,000 pieces of daily artwork, auctioned by Christie’s, making history as one of the top-selling digital art NFTs.

Beeple worked day by day on digital sketches for 13 years, culminating in an enormous mosaic that attracted attention even from outside crypto circles. When Christie’s facilitated the sale in March 2021, many saw it as a turning point, validating digital collectibles as legitimate art investments.The piece’s staggering final price signaled to the world that NFTs had arrived, igniting debates on art, ownership, and the shifting nature of creative economies. Collectors and galleries alike took notice, with some calling Beeple the Andy Warhol of the NFT era.

1. The Merge – $91.8 Million

• Creator: Pak
• Why It’s Special: Collectors each bought “mass units” that merged over time to form unique NFTs, culminating in a total sale price of $91.8 million.

“The Merge” holds the crown among the most expensive NFTs ever sold. Executed in December 2021, it took a different approach than a single item being won at auction. Instead, nearly 30,000 people purchased individual “mass units,” which then fused into separate tokens based on how many units each buyer owned. This inventive strategy fueled intense demand, eventually raising the collective sale to a record-breaking figure.Pak is known for conceptual, community-driven projects, and “The Merge” exemplifies how creativity and hype can combine. Rather than a single bidder claiming a solitary piece, Pak invited thousands to participate, rewarding them with a dynamic and evolving collectible.

The NFT Landscape Going Forward

These high-profile transactions represent just a fraction of the Biggest NFT transactions ever. Over the past few years, we’ve watched the market shift from niche crypto communities to mainstream auction houses and corporate press releases. Companies, celebrities, and brands have begun entering the NFT ecosystem, testing how digital scarcity can transform brand loyalty or fan engagement.

A key question is whether these values will hold as the NFT market matures. Some argue the hype might fade, while others see these landmark sales as proof that blockchain-based collectibles have become a permanent pillar in digital culture. Platforms and blockchains continue evolving, and the sustained arrival of new participants suggests that the appetite for NFT investment records remains strong.

Artists benefit from the chance to bypass traditional gatekeepers, setting up direct sales channels that reward creativity and hustle. Collectors, on the other hand, hope that these digital tokens will appreciate. With the NFT market trends 2025 uncertain yet brimming with potential, the excitement shows no immediate sign of stopping.

For anyone looking to get involved, understanding the technology, verifying authenticity, and grasping the community aspect are vital. The mania might feel overwhelming at times, but the stories behind these most valuable NFTs 2025 reveal that real innovation is happening—and it’s changing the way we perceive ownership of art, media, and beyond.