Most Expensive NFT Sold
The NFT market moves quickly, and the leaderboard of record-breaking sales changes often. We revisit this list regularly to keep it accurate, and these are the top NFT sales as of 2025.
Top 10 Most Expensive NFTs
| Rank | NFT | Artist | Sold for | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Merge | Pak | $98.1 million | December 2021 |
| 2 | Everydays: The First 5000 Days | Beeple | $69.3 million | March 2021 |
| 3 | Clock | Pak & Julian Assange | $52.8 million | February 2022 |
| 4 | HUMAN ONE | Beeple | $28.9 million | November 2021 |
| 5 | CryptoPunk #5822 | Larva Labs | $23.7 million | February 2022 |
| 6 | CryptoPunk #7523 | Larva Labs | $11.75 million | June 2021 |
| 7 | CryptoPunk #3100 | Larva Labs | $7.67 million | March 2021 |
| 8 | CryptoPunk #7804 | Larva Labs | $7.57 million | March 2021 |
| 9 | Ringers #109 | Dmitri Cherniak (Art Blocks) | $7.1 million | October 2021 |
| 10 | Crossroad | Beeple | $6.6 million | February 2021 |
The most expensive NFT ever fetched a staggering 91.8 million US dollars in late 2021. The rest of this list sits in the millions too, setting records that blow minds to this day. Let's take a look at the top 10 NFT art sales to date:
1. The Merge $91.8 million
Artist: Pak
Date: December 2021
Pak’s The Merge remains the most expensive NFT sale ever recorded. Nearly 30,000 collectors purchased 'mass units' that combined into unique NFTs. The total value reached 91.8 million dollars, and no sale has topped it since.
2. Everydays: The First 5000 Days $69.3 million
Artist: Beeple
Date: March 2021
Beeple compiled 5,000 individual artworks created over 13 years into a single digital mosaic. Christie’s auctioned the piece in March 2021 for 69.3 million dollars, establishing NFTs as a serious category in the art world.
3. Clock $52.8 million
Artists: Pak and Julian Assange
Date: February 2022
Clock counts the days since Julian Assange’s imprisonment. It was purchased by AssangeDAO for 52.8 million dollars as both a work of art and a political statement.
4. HUMAN ONE $28.9 million
Artist: Beeple
Date: November 2021
Beeple’s HUMAN ONE is a physical sculpture combined with an evolving digital display. The work sold for 28.9 million dollars and remains one of the most ambitious hybrid NFT projects.
5. CryptoPunk #5822 $23.7 million
Date: February 2022
CryptoPunk #5822 is one of only nine Alien punks. It sold for 8,000 ETH, worth 23.7 million dollars at the time, making it the most valuable CryptoPunk.
6. CryptoPunk #7523 $11.75 million
Date: June 2021
Known as the “COVID Alien” because of its mask attribute, CryptoPunk #7523 sold for 11.75 million dollars at Sotheby’s during 2021.
Read next: Where to Find Upcoming NFT Drops
7. CryptoPunk #3100 $7.67 million
Date: March 2021
CryptoPunk #3100 is another Alien punk, distinguished by a headband. It sold for 7.67 million dollars in 2021.
8. CryptoPunk #7804 $7.57 million
Date: March 2021
CryptoPunk #7804 is often described as one of the coolest punks in the collection, complete with pipe and sunglasses. It sold for 7.57 million dollars.
9. Ringers #109 $7.1 million
Artist: Dmitri Cherniak (Art Blocks)
Date: October 2021
Ringers #109 is part of Dmitri Cherniak’s generative art series on Art Blocks. It sold for 2100 ETH, about 7.1 million dollars, and highlighted the rising importance of algorithmic art in NFTs.
Read next: How to use worthless NFTs to slash your crypto tax bill
10. Crossroad $6.6 million
Artist: Beeple
Date: February 2021
Beeple’s Crossroad is a short video NFT that changed depending on the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. It sold for 6.6 million dollars, proving that time-sensitive art could capture collector interest.
Read next: OpenSea NFTs Guide
Why do NFTs sell for so much?
NFTs sell for so much because they are considered art. Traditional art sells for millions of dollars because they are unique, scarce, and often considered a financial asset; NFTs are the same. On top of buying a unique piece of artwork, you also have your name tied to the NFT on the blockchain, which acts as authenticity and concrete proof you are the owner.
Where is the NFT art market now?
The sales on this list mostly come from the peak years of 2021 and early 2022, when hype and demand pushed NFT prices to unprecedented levels. Since then, the aftermarket has cooled, with fewer record-breaking sales and a more cautious collector base.
Have NFTs peaked?
In terms of headline-grabbing dollar figures, perhaps for now. Yet the technology and cultural impact continue to evolve. While the days of nine-figure NFT sales may be behind us, the long-term value of NFTs may lie less in speculative flips and more in steady adoption across art, gaming, and digital ownership.
FAQs
What is the most expensive NFT today?
The most expensive NFT of all time was 'The Merge' by Pak, which sold for $91.8 million. However, its ownership is split among 29,000 collectors. So, if you classify the most expensive NFT as that owned by 1 individual, it would be 'Everydays: The First 5000 Days' by Beeple. This artwork sold for $69.3 million.
What is the most famous NFT?
The most famous NFT known for its sale price is 'The Merge' by Pak, which sold for $91.8 million.
The most famous NFT collection recognised inside and outside the crypto community is likely the Bored Ape Yacht Club. Bored Apes brought NFTs into the mainstream and garnered large celebrity endorsements, with people like Justin Bieber and Serena Williams purchasing apes, as well as a section on Jimmy Fallon's The Tonight Show.
What is the most expensive NFT collection?
The most expensive collection in terms of Profile Picture NFTs is the CryptoPunks collection by Larva Labs, with four CryptoPunks featuring in the top 10 most expensive NFTs list and individual sales of up to $23.7 million dollars.
