Tokens turn into luxury: 10 most expensive NFT works at auctions in 2021

The abbreviation NFT (non-fungible token) has become the word of the year according to Harper Collins. Today, the total volume of the NFT market, according to analysts, is $22–26 billion, but over the next 10 years it can grow 10 times

The main NFT sensation of the year is the work of digital artist Beeple (real name Mike Winkelmann) “The First Five Thousand Days.” The record sale for $69 million, which occurred at Christie’s on March 11, 2021, largely provoked a further boom in tokens and allowed the auction house to write its name in the history of pioneers in the development of NFTs. For the entire year, NFT sales brought the auction house about $150 million - a symbolic amount compared to the markets for old masters and antiques ($570 million), luxury goods ($980 million), not to mention the contemporary art market ($5 billion). Other notable lots included a hybrid NFT sculpture of Beeple called Human one, which went under the hammer for $28.9 million. Christie’s admits that NFTs help attract a younger audience to participate in the auction (the majority of bidders are under 42 years old).