11 classic memes that have been sold as NFTs

Nonfungible token (NFT) memes have brought mainstream attention to the world of NFTs and digital art, helping to expand the market and increase its legitimacy. The high prices paid for some NFT memes have shown the value of online culture and the emotional connection people can have to internet memes. NFT memes have also created a new way for creators and artists to monetize their work, potentially leading to new opportunities and revenue streams in the digital economy.

What are NFT memes?

NFT memes refer to internet memes that have been turned into non-fungible tokens, which are unique digital assets verified on a blockchain. These NFTs allow the original creators of the memes to authenticate and monetize their work. Some examples of NFT memes include Nyan Cat, The Disaster Girl, and The Keyboard Cat.

Related: What is crypto art and how does it work?

New cat

The pixelated flying cat with a Pop-Tart body became the first meme to be sold as an NFT in February 2021 for around 300 Ether (ETH).

As the first meme to sell for such a high price, the sale of the Nyan Cat NFT was a watershed moment in the NFT community. This transaction added legitimacy to the idea of ​​digital art sales as NFTs.

Disaster girl

A photo of a young girl with a mischievous smile standing in front of a burning house sold for almost 180 ETH as an NFT in April 2021.

The sale of this NFT, “Disaster Girl,” proved that even relatively obscure memes can be valuable as NFTs. The sale also received a lot of attention in the media, which raised NFT’s profile even more.

Doge

This popular Shiba Inu dog meme became an NFT sensation in 2021, with the original “Doge” meme selling for 1696.9 ETH in June 2021.

The success of Doge NFTs helped cement the popularity of the Shiba Inu dog meme in the NFT space. The high prices paid for some of these NFTs also helped generate significant mainstream media coverage.

Splashes

A meme of a businessman holding a graph showing a stock’s upward trajectory sold for $10,000 as an NFT in May 2021.

The sale of Stonk’s NFT showed that even more esoteric memes can have value as NFTs. The sale demonstrated the potential of NFTs as a fresh method for creators and artists to recoup their costs.

Pepe the Frog

A green anthropomorphic frog that became an alt-right symbol and then a meme sold as an NFT for $1 million in May 2021.

Pepe NFT’s $1 million sale sparked debate because the alt-right has become associated with the meme. However, it showed that even controversial memes can be useful as NFTs.

Charlie Bit My Finger

A viral video of two young British brothers sold as an NFT for 389 ETH in May 2021. The high price paid for this NFT showed that viral videos, in addition to still images, can be lucrative as NFTs.

Related: How to Store NFT Assets — A Beginner’s Guide

Grumpy cat

A meme of a cat with a permanently displeased expression became an NFT in May 2021 and sold for over 44.2 ETH.

The Grumpy Cat NFT’s sales proved that memes with animal subjects can be just as lucrative as those with human subjects.

Harambe

A gorilla shot and killed in a zoo in 2016 became an internet meme and sold as an NFT for 30.3 ETH in May 2021.

The sale of the Harambe NFT demonstrated how some people have an emotional attachment to certain memes and are prepared to pay exorbitant prices for them.

Good luck Brian

An image of a teenage boy wearing braces and a vest that became an NFT in April 2021 was sold for 20 ETH.

The popularity of Bad Luck Brian NFT proved that memes, even somewhat dated ones, can still have a place in the NFT market.

The keyboard cat

A video of a cat playing a keyboard sold for over 33 ETH as an NFT in March 2021. The high price paid for this NFT showed that videos can also be valuable as NFTs, not just as static images.

Success Kid

The meme features a young boy with a certain expression clenching his fist, and has been widely used as a symbol of achievement and success. This image was sold as an NFT for 15 ETH.

The growing argument regarding the utility and legitimacy of NFTs is reflected in this meme. NFTs are seen as a speculative bubble by some, while others see them as a new and exciting opportunity for artists to monetize their work.