Most Expensive NFTs: The Top 5 Record-Breaking Sales

NFTs have redefined digital ownership, turning virtual art into multimillion-dollar assets. Some of these digital collectibles have sold for prices rivaling traditional fine art, capturing the attention of investors, artists, and collectors worldwide. Here’s a look at the five most expensive NFTs ever sold.

1. The Merge – $91.8 Million

In December 2021, digital artist Pak set a new NFT sales record with “The Merge”, selling for $91.8 million on Nifty Gateway. Unlike most NFTs, this was a fractionalized artwork, meaning it was sold in pieces to multiple buyers—28,983 collectors, to be exact.

Each buyer received a mass token, which grew in size when combined with other tokens from the same collection. This innovative approach made “The Merge” not just a single NFT but a dynamic piece that evolves based on ownership.

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

Beeple, one of the most well-known digital artists, shook the art world when his piece “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” sold for $69.3 million at Christie’s in March 2021. This NFT is a collage of 5,000 digital artworks that Beeple created daily over 13 years, showcasing his artistic evolution.

The sale marked a major turning point for NFTs, proving that blockchain-based art could compete with traditional masterpieces at elite auction houses. It was also the first purely digital artwork ever sold by Christie’s, a historic moment that caught the attention of collectors beyond the crypto space.

3. Clock – $52.7 Million

“Clock” is an NFT with a political message, created by Pak and Julian Assange to raise funds for Assange’s legal defense. This piece displays a real-time counter, showing how many days the WikiLeaks founder has been imprisoned.

In February 2022, the NFT was bought for $52.7 million by AssangeDAO, a decentralized group formed to support his cause. Unlike many other high-value NFTs driven by art or rarity, “Clock” stands out as an example of NFTs being used for activism and fundraising, demonstrating how blockchain technology can drive social movements.

4. Human One – $28.9 Million

Beeple appears on the list again with “Human One”, a hybrid NFT that combines a digital NFT with a physical sculpture. This futuristic artwork features a rotating screen displaying a walking astronaut in an ever-changing environment, which Beeple continues to update remotely.

Sold for $28.9 million at Christie’s in November 2021, “Human One” blurs the line between traditional and digital art, proving that NFTs don’t have to exist purely in the virtual world. The piece is a living artwork, constantly evolving, making it one of the most unique NFTs ever created.

5. CryptoPunk #5822 – $23.7 Million

CryptoPunks have been among the most recognizable and valuable NFT collections since their launch in 2017. Among them, CryptoPunk #5822, one of only nine Alien Punks, set a record with a sale price of $23.7 million in February 2022.

The buyer, Deepak Thapliyal, CEO of Chain, secured this ultra-rare punk, reinforcing CryptoPunks’ status as one of the most prestigious NFT collections. Unlike newer NFT projects, CryptoPunks hold a historical significance, being one of the earliest major NFT series, which adds to their value.

The Lasting Impact of These NFT Sales

These high-priced NFT transactions have shaped the digital art world, pushing blockchain technology into the mainstream and challenging traditional art markets. Whether driven by scarcity, artistic reputation, or cultural significance, these NFTs have cemented their place in history, proving that digital collectibles can command prices once thought impossible.

Beyond the financial aspect, these sales highlight the growing shift toward digital ownership and decentralized assets. Unlike physical art, NFTs live on the blockchain, ensuring authenticity, transparency, and provenance. This shift has also inspired a new generation of artists and collectors to explore the world of crypto art, leading to more innovation in the space.

As the NFT market continues to evolve, we may see even higher-priced sales and new use cases emerge. From metaverse integrations to NFT-based memberships and gaming assets, the possibilities are expanding. While some critics argue that the NFT market is speculative, these record-breaking sales prove that digital art and collectibles are not just a passing trend but a significant part of the future of art and investment.