Crypto assets that are linked with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) marketplaces have risen sharply since the mania took off a few months ago. NFTs are selling at prices that many consider ridiculous for intangible artwork.
Third-Largest Art Sale by a Living Artist Was Tokenized
One piece of art created by the digital artist called Beeple – a collage of the artist’s work since 2007 – recently sold for a record $69.3 million at the auction house Christie’s. The JPG file became the third-largest art sale by a living artist after Jeff Koons and David Hockney.
According to the latest data from blockchain research firm Kaiko, NFT-related tokens have soared in line with the record sales in digital art. Decentraland, a virtual world where players can purchase NFTs, has seen its MANA token surge 682% since Feb. 1.
The token Flow, a product of Dapper Labs (partner of NFT marketplace NBA Top Shot), climbed 216% to a high of $37.73 on Mar. 13. Rarible (RARI) rose more than 825% from $4.11 on Feb. 1 to a peak of $38.02 on Mar. 15. Enjin (ENJ) is up over 640% to $2.61 over the same period.
“The word ‘NFT’ has officially entered the pop-cultural lexicon following digital artist Beeple’s historic sale of a non-fungible token at Christie’s,” said Kaiko, in a blog post on Mar. 15.