Most Expensive NFT Ever Sold

CryptoPunk #3100 is another rare and valuable NFT on this list. It’s an alien punk that stands out with just a simple headband. On March 11, 2021, one day after another punk (#7804) sold for $7 million, #3100 was sold for even more — a huge $7.67 million. That made it one of the top five most expensive and rare CryptoPunks ever.

What makes #3100 extra special is its unique look. It doesn’t really look like any other CryptoPunk, which might be why someone was willing to pay so much for it. The buyer may see it as having even more value or potential in the future. And since owning a CryptoPunk means you can do whatever you want with it, that kind of freedom might add to its worth.

3. CryptoPunk #4156: $10.2 million (2,500 ETH)

Tron founder Justin Sun recently bought a rare ‘Joker’ Tpunk for a huge $10.5 million (120 million TRX), showing just how passionate he is about the world of NFTs. He had originally tried to buy Beeple’s famous NFT collection, Everydays: The First 5,000 Days, but was outbid at the last minute by just $250,000.

Buying the ‘Joker’ Tpunk shows how valuable this NFT is and how serious Sun is about investing in digital art. Tpunk are becoming more popular, and they’re seen as one of the top NFT collections that are inspired by CryptoPunks. There are 10,000 unique Tpunk characters on the Tron blockchain, making the collection special in its own way—similar to CryptoPunks, but still original.

5. CryptoPunk #5822: $23.7 million (8,000 ETH)

CryptoPunk #5822 is a very rare NFT known for its “alien” look and blue bandana. In February 2022, it was bought by Deepak Thapliyal, the CEO of Chain, for an incredible $24 million (8,000 ETH). This made it the most expensive CryptoPunk ever sold and one of the biggest NFT sales in history.

What makes #5822 so valuable is its rarity—it’s one of only nine alien CryptoPunks, which are the rarest in the 10,000-character collection. The CryptoPunks project, launched in 2017 by Larva Labs, is one of the most famous in the NFT space. These simple, pixel-style characters have become very popular and valuable.

Notable NFT Sales That Stirred Controversy

1. CryptoPunk #9998: The $532 Million Sale

A similar event happened in October 2024 with CryptoPunk #1563. It was reported to have sold for $56.3 million, but many noticed signs of price manipulation. Just like in a past case, the buyer is believed to have used a flash loan to buy the NFT and then quickly paid it back—meaning no real money actually changed hands.

This sale looked a lot like the earlier CryptoPunk #9998 deal, which also raised questions. Many people think these kinds of sales might be done on purpose to grab attention or make an NFT seem more valuable than it really is. These events show how important it is to do your research before buying or investing in NFTs, especially since the market is changing so quickly.

Conclusion

The most expensive NFTs ever sold show how digital art and collectibles can reach incredible values, sometimes millions of dollars. These sales highlight the growing interest and trust in NFTs as valuable assets. While some prices may seem surprising, they prove that NFTs have become an important new way for artists and collectors to buy, sell, and invest in unique digital creations. As the market grows, we can expect more exciting and high-value NFT sales in the future.

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