I noticed an interesting trend when I delve into the history of crypto art: the prices for the most expensive NFTs in history are simply insane. I'll start with the most outrageous example — The Merge by Pak. This piece sold for $91.8 million in December 2021, and it remains an all-time record. But here’s the funny part: it’s not just one NFT, but an entire system. 28,893 collectors bought 312,686 units at $575 each. Pak’s genius lies in creating a completely different sales mechanic — the more you buy, the bigger your share in the artwork.

Then there’s Beeple with his Everydays: The First 5000 Days — $69 million at Christie's in March 2021. Can you imagine? The starting price was only $100. It’s a collage of 5,000 works he created daily over 13 years. The value of high-end NFTs like this depends on the story behind their creation, rarity, and the creator’s reputation.

Clock — now that’s impressive, $52.7 million for an NFT in collaboration between Pak and Julian Assange. It’s not just art; it’s a political manifesto. The timer counts down the days of his imprisonment and updates daily. AssangeDAO (more than 100,000 supporters) bought this piece to support his legal defense. That’s a powerful example of using technology for social causes.

Beeple is back with Human One — $29 million for a physical kinetic sculpture with a 16K display. It’s a living piece that constantly evolves because Beeple can update it remotely. Imagine buying art that will continue to evolve over time.

Now, about CryptoPunks — the classic. CryptoPunk #5822 (blue alien) sold for $23 million. It’s one of nine Alien Punks in a collection of 10,000. When the project launched in 2017, they were free. The price skyrocketed over a few years. #7523 (инопланетянин в медицинской маске) - 11,75 миллиона на Sotheby's. #4156(Monkey with a bandana) — $10.26 million. Overall, CryptoPunks dominate the top of the most expensive NFT collections.

Justin Sun (CEO of Tron) bought TPunk #3442 for $10.5 million — often called the “Joker” because of its resemblance to the character. Initially, these TPunks cost 1000 TRX (about $123), but when Sun made the purchase, the entire market surged.

A few more hits: XCOPY sold Right-click and Save As Guy for $7 million — (a joke about how people think NFTs can be downloaded with a right-click). Ringers #109 by Dmitry Chernyak sold for $6.93 million on Art Blocks. Even the cheapest Ringers now cost around $88,000.

By the way, in total volume, Axie Infinity leads with $4.27 billion in sales, while BAYC (Bored Ape Yacht Club) has $3.16 billion. This shows that expensive NFTs are not just individual purchases; they are entire ecosystems.

What’s interesting? The NFT market is incredibly volatile. According to data, 95% of NFTs are worth almost nothing, but those that do hold value are truly valuable. Collections like CryptoPunks or Bored Ape Yacht Club maintain their prices because they are classics, stories, and cultural symbols.

I look forward to new records being set. The market is evolving, new artists are emerging, new mechanics are being developed. But the 15 most expensive NFTs I’ve described are milestones in the history of crypto art. Each one tells its own story — from political activism to pure art and collecting.