CryptoPunks NFT Portraits Sell for Over $16 Million USD at Auction

The CryptoPunks platform is one of the first NFT projects seen on the Ethereum blockchain.

NFT
620 1   Comments
Prefer Hypebeast on Google
Save

A lot of nine CryptoPunks portraits from Larva Labs have sold for $16,962,500 USD at Christie’s auction earlier this week, marking another monumental sale for NFT arts. The pixelated portraits come from the NFT platform’s co-creators Matt Hall and John Watkinson.

The CryptoPunks platform has been one of the first NFT projects on the Ethereum blockchain. In 2017, the platform gave away the pixelated characters for free, developing an ever-growing NFT community around the ‘Punks. Due to the recent boom in NFTs the prices for the characters soared in prices, leading to the substantial payday for the creators of the project.

The sale of the pixelated portraits at Christie’s comes just days after the creators released another new project called, Meebits which garnered almsot $80 million USD in sales just a few hours after its drop.

Though the sale of the portraits hit a stunning number, with the final bid at Christie’s hititng $14.5 million USD, and $16.96 million USD after the fees, the crypto community expected an even higher premium. When priced in denominations of the rising Ethereum cryptocurrency, the entire bundle sold for slightly less than the sale price of the previous alien figure, which sold for $7.2 million USD, (4,200 Eth) in March 2021.

Check out nine rare CryptoPunks portraits below.

Elsewhere in NFTs, Merriam-Webster is selling its definition of “NFT” as an NFT.

Read Full Article
Text By
Source
Tech Crunch
Share this article
Joyce Li
Joyce Li Editor

For over half a decade, Joyce Li has served as an Editor on Hypebeast's global team, leveraging profound industry insights to capture the zeitgeist. Through her editorial lens, she anticipates emerging trends while dedicating her platform to spotlighting those making the greatest impact on culture today. A storyteller first and foremost, she examines the cross-pollination of fashion, footwear, art, music, and sports. This intersectional approach has led to compelling interviews with industry-defining figures like LeBron James, Pharrell Williams, Tom Brady, NIGO, A$AP Rocky, KAWS, and more.

What to Read Next

Rare David Hockney Dog Painting Goes for $3 Million USD at Christie's
Art

Rare David Hockney Dog Painting Goes for $3 Million USD at Christie's

The first of the artist’s beloved dachshund paintings to hit the auction block.

Christie's Sells the Most Expensive Cartier Watch in History for Over $2 Million USD
Watches

Christie's Sells the Most Expensive Cartier Watch in History for Over $2 Million USD

Leading a historic $42.3 million USD Geneva auction, an ultra-rare 1990 “London Crash” model set a new world standard, alongside massive sales for F.P. Journe and Patek Philippe.

The 1986 World Cup Ball From Maradona's Hand of God Goal Sells for Over $3 Million USD at Auction
Sports

The 1986 World Cup Ball From Maradona's Hand of God Goal Sells for Over $3 Million USD at Auction

The adidas Azteca was held by Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser for over three decades after the match.
1 Sources


Oura Is Reportedly Planning a September IPO at a $16 Billion USD Valuation
Tech & Gadgets

Oura Is Reportedly Planning a September IPO at a $16 Billion USD Valuation

The company has shipped over 5.5 million units since its inception across global markets.
4 Sources

Stüssy Celebrates Layering and Bold Prints for Summer 2021
Fashion

Stüssy Celebrates Layering and Bold Prints for Summer 2021

Everything from seersucker suits to floral camp collar shirts.

SteelSeries Rival 5 Mouse is Designed for Multi-Genre Gamers
Tech & Gadgets

SteelSeries Rival 5 Mouse is Designed for Multi-Genre Gamers

Great ergonomics, nine programmable buttons, and of course, RGB.

New Shiba Inu Cryptocurrency Self-Proclaims to be "The Dogecoin Killer"
Tech & Gadgets

New Shiba Inu Cryptocurrency Self-Proclaims to be "The Dogecoin Killer"

Its value soared 37,929 percent in the past month alone.

HTC Packs Its Vive Pro 2 VR Headset With 5K 120Hz Performance
Tech & Gadgets

HTC Packs Its Vive Pro 2 VR Headset With 5K 120Hz Performance

Complete with Hi-Res certified headphones.

Watch The Weeknd's Thunderous Performance of "Save Your Tears" at the 2021 BRIT Awards
Music

Watch The Weeknd's Thunderous Performance of "Save Your Tears" at the 2021 BRIT Awards

Dressed for wet weather in full Valentino.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association May Be Disbanded
Entertainment

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association May Be Disbanded

HFPA members responded to the allegations, with high-profile members like Tom Cruise returning his Golden Globe Awards in protest.


Le Col and McLaren Combine Aerodynamic Engineering With Technical Apparel
Fashion

Le Col and McLaren Combine Aerodynamic Engineering With Technical Apparel

“Project Aero” is aiming to redefine fast.

Female Artists Dominated the BRIT Awards 2021
Music

Female Artists Dominated the BRIT Awards 2021

Dua Lipa won two awards last night, and used her speech to address Boris Johnson.

TENGA Releases a Bucket Hat That Conveniently Stores Tissue
Fashion

TENGA Releases a Bucket Hat That Conveniently Stores Tissue

“You can use tissue anytime, anywhere with peace of mind.”

Machine-A Welcomes NUBA and Johanna Parv, the Emerging Labels With Groundbreaking Visions
Fashion

Machine-A Welcomes NUBA and Johanna Parv, the Emerging Labels With Groundbreaking Visions

The Fall/Winter 2021 collections are now stocked at Machine-A under The Graduate Project 2021 scheme.

Here Is What Oddsmakers Think About J. Cole's Basketball Africa League Debut
Sports

Here Is What Oddsmakers Think About J. Cole's Basketball Africa League Debut

Will you be gambling on the Grammy winner’s hoop dream?

Merriam-Webster Is Selling Its Definition of "NFT" as an NFT
NFT

Merriam-Webster Is Selling Its Definition of "NFT" as an NFT

Because why not?

More ▾