Non-Fungible Tokens, or NFTs have become very popular in the digital world. The market for NFTs grew to over $60 billion. These tokens can be digital art, music, videos, and even virtual land. More than 10 million NFTs have been created on sites like OpenSea. This guide will look at some popular and best NFT examples that show how this technology is changing how we buy and sell digital items.
Key Takeaways:
- A NFT (non-fungible token) is a digital certificate of authenticity that proves ownership of a unique item, whether it’s artwork, tweet, membership card, or domain name.
- The best examples of NFTs are Beeple’s Everydays, CryptoPunks, Nyan Cat, RTFKT’s Digital Sneakers, Cryptovoxels, Decentraland, Jack Dorsey’s First Tweet, Bored Ape Yacht Club, NBA Top Shot, and Sorare.
- There are different types of NFTs such as digital art, music, in-game assets, virtual real estate, domain names, sports collectibles, and virtual fashion items.
What are NFTs?
NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are special digital items that you can own, just like owning a painting or a collectible card. Each NFT is unique, meaning no two are the same. You can find NFTs in various forms, such as artwork, music, videos, and even items in video games.
When you buy an NFT, you get proof of ownership recorded on a digital ledger called a blockchain. This makes sure that everyone knows who the owner is. While anyone can still copy the digital item, owning the NFT means you hold the official version.
Artists love NFTs because they can sell their work directly to their fans, often with royalties on future sales, helping them earn money each time their work changes hands. You can read our complete guide on what is an NFT and how it works.
10 Examples of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)
1. Beeple’s “Everydays – The First 5000 Days”
Beeple’s artwork “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” was a digital collage made up of 5,000 images created daily over 13 years, blending elements of politics, social issues, and pop culture. This unique work reflects artist Mike Winkelmann’s evolution in digital art, with each image revealing another layer of his perspective on contemporary culture.
The piece gained monumental attention when it sold as an NFT (non-fungible token) at a Christie’s auction in 2021, fetching over $69 million, a record-shattering price that placed Beeple among the most valuable living artists.
The buyer, crypto entrepreneur Vignesh Sundaresan, known as MetaKovan, paid in Ether (42,329.453 ETH). By using blockchain technology, this sale confirmed that art doesn’t need to be tangible to be valuable and opened the door for NFTs. This sale also propelled NFTs into mainstream consciousness, sparking wide discussions on the future of digital art and its potential in traditional and digital galleries.
2. CryptoPunks
CryptoPunks is another popular NFT example. It’s a cultural movement that traces back to 2017 when Larva Labs launched 10,000 unique pixel-art characters on the Ethereum blockchain. These Punks – whether they’re humans, apes, zombies, or aliens – each hold their own profile with unique visual traits. They’re all blockchain-verified, meaning every Punk has a secure digital “birth certificate,” marking it as one of a kind.
CryptoPunks were groundbreaking partly because they introduced ERC-721, a technical standard that has become foundational in the NFT space. While originally given away for free, their scarcity quickly became a focal point, driving a thriving resale market.
Some Punks have sold for millions, including one that brought in $11.8 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2021. Today, these pixelated characters are part of museum collections worldwide, including the Centre Pompidou and LACMA. When Yuga Labs acquired CryptoPunks in 2022, the collection took on new life, helping secure its place in the NFT world.
3. Nyan Cat
Nyan Cat is one of the most famous NFT examples. Originally a meme created in 2011 by artist Chris Torres, Nyan Cat features a pixelated cat with a Pop-Tart body flying through space, leaving a rainbow trail.
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary, Torres updated and sold this digital artwork as an NFT on Foundation, an NFT marketplace. It quickly made waves, selling for 300 ETH, roughly $560,000 at the time, reflecting both its sentimental and cultural value to internet fans and collectors.
This remastered NFT went beyond its original version, with Torres fixing small details, like removing a random star that bugged him in the initial animation. Its limited availability has made it especially coveted among collectors. For many fans and investors, owning Nyan Cat is like holding a piece of digital history.
4. RTFKT’s Digital Sneakers
RTFKT is one of the best examples of NFT art. It is changing digital fashion with its tech-driven, collectible NFT sneakers. Partnering with Nike, RTFKT launched the “CryptoKicks iRL” series, a limited release with just 19,000 pairs available in four colors – Ice, Stone, Space Matter, and Blackout.
The unique feature? Each pair exists as a digital NFT that also unlocks a real sneaker. These NFTs combine advanced tech and fashion with a Trillium Lace Engine, giving the sneakers features like auto-lacing, touch feedback, motion sensing, and gesture control. They also come with custom lighting and NFC tags to verify each pair’s authenticity both online and offline.
RTFKT became a huge name in 2021 when its digital sneaker launch with artist Fewocious sold out in under seven minutes, generating $3 million. This success led to the Nike partnership, bringing RTFKT into the world of digital collectibles.
5. Cryptovoxels
Cryptovoxels, which has recently rebranded as Voxels, is a creative metaverse NFT example that lets you build, explore, and own virtual land as NFTs. Launched in 2018, it runs on the Ethereum blockchain and uses the ERC-721 token standard.
Within this virtual landscape, you can create various spaces, from art galleries to stores, and even organize events to connect with other users. The heart of the experience is Origin City, where the streets are owned by “The Corporation”. However, you have the freedom to customize your own plots of land. You can also craft and trade “wearables”, which are virtual clothing items that enhance your avatar’s look, allowing for even more personal expression.
Currently, Cryptovoxels has about 7,930 unique NFTs, owned by around 2,500 collectors. You can buy and sell these NFTs on platforms like OpenSea, with land parcels starting at approximately 0.089 ETH. Plus, the platform’s support for virtual reality means you can immerse yourself even deeper into this creative world. Best of all, you don’t need advanced technical skills to join in; a simple web browser and a crypto wallet are all you need to start exploring.
6. Decentraland and Virtual Worlds
In Decentraland, one of the earliest and most well-known NFT-based virtual worlds, users can own digital land and build almost anything on it. Each piece of land here is represented by a LAND token NFT, sized at 16×16 meters, and there are only 90,000 of these parcels available. Users use Decentraland’s currency, MANA, to buy land, which can then be traded or sold on sites like OpenSea.
Some high-profile parcels in popular spots have even sold for over a million dollars. The platform has drawn in big names from entertainment, art, and businesses, which host digital events like concerts and exhibitions on these properties.
Other NFT-based platforms, like The Sandbox and Somnium Space, follow this model with their own unique styles. The Sandbox, for instance, features over 166,000 land parcels and encourages users to create mini NFT games and virtual experiences. Somnium Space leans heavily into VR.
7. In-Game Assets
NFTs used in games are redefining how players own and value virtual items like characters, land, and in-game equipment. In titles like Axie Infinity, NFTs represent unique creatures known as Axies, which players can trade, breed, or use in battles.
These creatures come with individual traits that impact gameplay and digital identity, and players earn cryptocurrency rewards by playing, turning game achievements into actual income. At its peak, Axie Infinity drew over 2 million active players monthly and generated billions in revenue – showing just how powerful NFT-based economies can be in the gaming world.
In short, these NFT-based games give players full ownership of their in-game assets, which can be traded or monetized outside the game. This revolutionizes gaming by turning virtual items into valuable assets.
8. Jack Dorsey’s First Tweet
The sale of Twitter founder Jack Dorsey’s first-ever tweet as an NFT grabbed global attention when it sold for $2.9 million in 2021. This tweet, reading “just setting up my twttr,” became a digital collectible when auctioned on the Valuables by Cent platform.
Bought by crypto enthusiast Sina Estavi, the tweet was seen as a historical piece of internet culture, with Estavi likening it to owning famous art. Dorsey directed the entire sale amount to GiveDirectly’s Africa COVID-19 relief fund, with funds transferred via Bitcoin.
However, when Estavi relisted it, the highest bid reached only $280, underlining NFT market unpredictability and the fluctuating value of digital assets.
9. Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT Collection
The Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) is another example of NFTs and also blue-chip NFT projects. It was created by Yuga Labs in April 2021. With 10,000 distinct cartoon-like apes, it’s a unique digital asset and a ticket to exclusive events, real and digital. At launch, an ape cost around 0.08 ETH, about $220 USD. Fast forward, and by late 2022, these NFTs were fetching around 76 ETH (roughly $100,000 USD).
BAYC is also known for the perks it offers its members. There’s “The Bathroom,” a digital canvas where members can leave their mark, and exclusive events that bring this digital community to life. They’ve also teamed up with big names like Adidas, blending the digital world with real-world brand experiences.
Celebrities like Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg, and even Eminem own these coveted digital apes, which has helped drive BAYC’s status to new heights.
10. Sports Trading Cards
Trading cards are another one of the best NFT examples. NBA Top Shot is a popular example, where fans can buy, trade, and own “Moments,” which are short video clips of key NBA plays.
Topps, known for its baseball cards, is also big in this space. Partnering with MLB, Topps now offers digital baseball cards that include some classic designs, like the well-loved 1952 Mickey Mantle card. These NFTs let fans keep the nostalgic feel of collecting Topps cards.
Another interesting take is Sorare, which combines NFTs with fantasy sports. Fans buy digital trading cards of players, which they can actually use in fantasy sports leagues. Together, these platforms aren’t just changing collectibles – they’re helping teams, leagues, and athletes connect with fans in a way that’s engaging and profitable.
Conclusion
To wrap up, NFT examples demonstrate how diverse and impactful this technology can be. From unique digital artworks to limited edition trading cards, examples of NFTs are everywhere, changing the way we think about ownership and creativity. Platforms like OpenSea and Rarible have made it easier for anyone to create or collect NFTs, making this a vibrant space for artists and fans.
As more creators explore this digital frontier, we can anticipate even more exciting examples of NFTs in the future. Whether you’re an artist, a collector, or just curious, there’s never been a better time to dive into the world of NFTs. You can also read our related guides on how to buy NFTs and why people buy NFTs.
FAQs: NFT Examples
What is an Example of NFT?
Some of the best NFT examples include digital art, music, virtual real estate, and collectibles. For example, digital art is a huge hit, with artists like Beeple making headlines when his piece sold for an amazing $69 million. Then, we have CryptoPunks, quirky little pixel art characters, some worth over $11 million.
Even big brands like Nike are getting in on the action by selling digital shoes as NFTs. And don’t forget about sports, the NBA’s Top Shot allows fans to own and trade cool moments from games. All these NFT examples show that NFTs can be anything from art to fashion to sports highlights.
How can I turn my NFT ideas into reality?
To turn your ideas into reality NFT art examples, follow these simple steps. First, decide what type of NFT you want to create, like art, music, or a game. Next, you’ll need a digital wallet to store your NFTs and cryptocurrencies. A popular choice is MetaMask.
After that, choose NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea or Rarible to sell your work. Then, create your digital asset using tools like Adobe Photoshop or Blender for 3D models. Finally, mint your NFT, which means uploading it to the blockchain. Once minted, you can list it for sale and promote it on social media to attract buyers.
What are the different types of NFTs?
NFTs come in several different types. One popular type is digital art, where artists sell their amazing artwork as unique pieces online. Then there’s music NFTs – musicians can sell their songs directly to fans. Virtual worlds are also an NFT example, so you can buy and own digital land in places like Decentraland.
Collectible NFTs are super popular too, like trading cards and unique game items that people love to collect. Plus, even domain names and tokenization of real-world assets (physical assets) can be NFTs.