In recent years, NFTs or non-fungible tokens have taken the world by storm, with artists, musicians, and even sports leagues using them to monetize their digital assets. One of the main aspects that make an NFT remarkable is its artistic qualities, but the background of the file, including the creator and creation process, can also contribute to its value. In this way, NFT art is not so different from traditional art, where the artist’s personality and the stories surrounding their works can drive up their price.
As the NFT industry grows and evolves, there have been some outstanding and noteworthy projects that have made a significant impact on the industry. These Most Famous NFT Projects have garnered global attention and are changing the way we think about the ownership and value of digital assets.
Some of the most notable NFT projects include CryptoKitties, which introduced the world to the concept of NFTs and paved the way for the industry. Beeple’s “Everydays: The First 5000 Days,” which sold for a staggering $69 million, became the most expensive NFT ever sold at auction, further validating the concept of NFTs as a legitimate form of art.
Other notable NFT projects include NBA Top Shot, where fans can buy, sell, and trade officially licensed NBA collectibles in the form of NFTs, and The Bored Ape Yacht Club, a collection of unique NFTs that have become a status symbol in the NFT community.
As we continue to see new and innovative uses for NFTs, it’s clear that they’re here to stay. The Most Famous NFT Projects have shown us that the possibilities for this technology are endless, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for this rapidly evolving industry.
Most Famous NFT Projects Ever
NFTs have two significant characteristics that make them exceptional. The first is the artistic value of the image, video, or music, and the second is the file’s background, including the creator and the creation process. It’s worth noting that the most popular NFTs are famous because of their background.
In this sense, NFT art is similar to traditional art. While paintings by Vincent van Gogh are valuable, their exorbitant prices are mostly due to the artist’s personality and the stories surrounding his works.
Although the NFT phenomenon is relatively new, we already have several incredibly remarkable tokens that are expensive and famous. Some have even changed the entire NFT industry. Therefore, it’s essential to pay attention and appreciate these items. This article on the DMarket Blog lists some of the most notable ones.
1. Quantum by Kevin McCoy
Every significant breakthrough has a starting point, and in the case of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), the beginning was a bit chaotic. However, humans always strive to bring order and claim the title of being the first. Thus, NFT history began with a chaotic start, but after some time, the community came together and agreed that the first-ever token was Quantum, making it one of the most famous NFT projects.
Quantum is a vibrant animated image created by Kevin McCoy on the Namecoin blockchain. Although it is a stunning work of art, its fame and recognition come from being the first-ever NFT. The token’s background plays a significant role in its status, and it sold for a staggering $1 million at Sotheby’s in 2021.
The NFT market has continued to grow and evolve since the inception of Quantum. However, it remains a significant landmark in NFT culture and a reminder of the beginning of a new era in the digital world. As we continue to witness the rise of NFTs, it is essential to acknowledge the most famous NFT projects that have changed the landscape of digital art and ownership forever.
2. CryptoPunks
The NFT trend of Profile Pictures, or PFPs, has taken the digital world by storm. Even those unfamiliar with the NFT industry often associate it with these avatars. One of the pioneers of this sub-genre is the CryptoPunks project, which introduced the art of computer-generated images.
The creation of CryptoPunks was a collaboration between human artists Matt Hall and John Watkinson and AI. They designed various elements and allowed the AI to combine them to generate 10,000 unique avatars. The limited edition nature of these avatars has added value and boosted attention to the project.
The CryptoPunks collection is divided into series, some of which are more limited than others. For instance, the Zombie and Alien CryptoPunks are extremely rare and often appear on lists of top NFTs. One CryptoPunk, #5822, sold for 8000 ETH, which was equivalent to $23.7 million in February 2022. Other rare avatars from the project also rank among the most expensive NFTs ever sold.
3. Bored Ape Yacht Club
The Bored Ape Yacht Club is a unique NFT collection that stands out from other PFP projects like CryptoPunks. While they may share some similarities, the Bored Apes have significantly expanded the potential use of Non-Fungible Tokens, even creating a new “sub-genre”.
Created by Yuga Labs, the Bored Ape Yacht Club functions as a real club for its owners, requiring the purchase of one of the Apes for membership. The NFTs grant access to a range of activities within the exclusive community, making them more than just simple avatars.
The Apes themselves are generated randomly from preset elements, but some are more unique and valuable due to rare elements in their composition. This innovative approach to NFT Membership Passes has even inspired other similar projects.
Although similar to other avatar NFTs, the Bored Ape Yacht Club’s unique concept has garnered significant attention and high prices. Bored Ape #8585, for instance, was sold for a staggering 696.969 ETH in 2021, equivalent to $2.7 million at the time.
4. Right-click and Save As guy by XCOPY
Not everyone agrees that NFT is a unique art form with a place in human culture. Skeptics often dismiss the concept of owning a digital asset as they believe that it can be easily replicated by simply right-clicking and saving the image. However, one NFT challenges this opinion by reflecting how the digital artist XCOPY views the “Right-click and Save As guy”.
This particular NFT holds value as it represents the ongoing debate around the worth and significance of NFTs in the art world. While some embrace this new form of digital ownership, others criticize it for being meaningless and damaging to traditional art. Therefore, XCOPY’s “Right-click and Save As guy” NFT holds a special significance that goes beyond just being a digital image.
The artwork gained significant attention in 2021, when it was purchased by the well-known rapper Snoop Dogg for 1600 ETH, which was equivalent to $7 million at the time. This sale demonstrates the growing interest in NFTs and how they are gaining traction in the art world, even among those who were initially skeptical of their value.
5. Everydays: The First 5000 Days by Beeple
This NFT marks a significant milestone in the artistic value of Non-Fungible Tokens, despite its unique origin story. “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” is a digital artwork consisting of 5,000 individual pieces created by Beeple over 5,000 days. The sheer dedication required to produce such a complex collage is awe-inspiring, and the resulting image is a colorful mess of shapes and forms.
But the value of this NFT goes beyond its artistic merit. It represents a historic moment in the NFT world, as it was sold at a record-breaking price of 38,525 ETH ($69.3M at the time) by the prestigious art auction house, Christie’s. The sale of this NFT further cements the growing importance of digital art in the wider art world.
Despite the skeptics who question the value of owning a digital asset, the success of “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” demonstrates that NFTs have a place in the art world and in our culture as a whole.
6. CryptoKitties
The ability to create unique NFTs is a fascinating opportunity offered to players by this game. While the digital image always depicts a cat, the color patterns and traits of each cat are distinct, leading to a collection of diverse NFTs.
CryptoKitties has been a significant project in the NFT industry, attracting a new wave of enthusiasts. To participate, players must purchase their own kitties and breed new ones by combining them with other cats. The process involves a random mix of traits, resulting in unpredictable outcomes. Will your kitty possess rare characteristics, making it exceptionally valuable?
The gaming mechanics of CryptoKitties are what make this project stand out. The straightforward creation process and unique concept have made it one of the most popular NFT projects to date.
7. Nyan Cat by Chris Torres
Consider the idea of owning a popular meme as an NFT! This concept has captured the attention of the NFT community, leading to the success of memes as unique digital assets.
Numerous memes exist in the vast expanse of the internet, and many of them have been immortalized on the blockchain. Some of the most famous ones include Pepe the Frog (with Rare Pepes as a collection of NFT cards), Disaster Girl, and Bad Luck Brian. However, one of the most iconic animated images around the world is Nyan Cat, which has been selected for this list of famous NFTs.
Nyan Cat represents the perfect intersection between modern popular culture and the innovative tradition of NFTs. This meme was transformed into an NFT to celebrate its 10th anniversary. In 2021, the token was sold for $590,000.
8. Forever Rose by Kevin Abosch
Photography is one of the various types of art that are present on NFT marketplaces. Essentially, any digital photo can be added to a blockchain as an NFT. Kevin Abosch, a pioneer in this area, was among the first to recognize this opportunity and attract many photographers to the NFT world.
When people think of NFTs, they often associate them with profile pictures, digital paintings, game cards, and even memes. However, “Forever Rose” by Kevin Abosch is a stunning photograph of a red rose that highlights a new dimension for NFT creators and traders.
“Forever Rose” was sold for $1 million on Valentine’s Day in 2018, and there were 10 buyers, each of whom received a 1/10 share of the token.
9. The First Twitter Tweet by Jack Dorsey
Believe it or not, the first ever tweet is now a valuable NFT. Despite the fact that many of us have been using Twitter for years, the uniqueness and historic significance of the first tweet make it a highly valuable asset. Twitter founder, Jack Dorsey, recognized this and turned the tweet into a Non-Fungible Token.
This is a prime example of a historic NFT, proving that anything can be an NFT, even a tweet. The First Twitter Tweet NFT is one-of-a-kind and highly sought after.
In 2021, it was sold for the equivalent of $2.9 million.
10. Decentraland
Ari Meilich and Esteban Ordano’s project, Decentraland, transcends the boundaries of traditional NFT art, offering a whole virtual world based on decentralized technology. By acquiring a plot of land, which functions as an NFT, players become citizens of Decentraland, where they can add various other NFTs to their property, such as buildings and objects.
In Decentraland, players have the opportunity to purchase NFT paintings or fashion-forward NFT clothes for their avatars, and creators have a new way to sell their NFT works to other players. While not a single NFT, Decentraland is a remarkable example of NFT culture that expands the industry’s boundaries.
For newcomers to the NFT industry, Decentraland is a great way to get started. Check out our guide on how to invest in NFTs for more information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world of Non-Fungible Tokens has revolutionized the way we think about digital ownership and the value of digital assets. The projects listed above represent some of the most famous NFT projects that have captured the attention of the world and made headlines for their impressive sales and innovative use of blockchain technology.
From CryptoKitties to Beeple’s Everydays, these most famous NFT projects have pushed the boundaries of what is possible with NFTs, and have opened up new opportunities for artists, gamers, and investors alike. While some may argue that the hype around NFTs will eventually fade away, it is clear that the impact of these projects will be felt for years to come.
As more and more people enter the world of NFTs, we can expect to see new and exciting projects emerge, each one building on the success of those that came before it. Whether it is virtual real estate in Decentraland or a historic tweet converted into an NFT, the possibilities for NFT projects are truly endless.
As the NFT market continues to evolve, it is important for investors and enthusiasts to stay informed about the most famous NFT projects and the latest trends in the industry. By doing so, we can better understand the potential of NFTs and how they can be used to create value in the digital world.
In the end, the most famous NFT projects are not just about digital ownership or financial gain, but about the creativity and innovation that can emerge when we embrace new technologies and push the boundaries of what is possible. With that in mind, we can look forward to seeing what the future holds for NFTs and the impact they will have on our world.
