Beeple, the renowned digital artist behind the most expensive non-fungible token (NFT) ever sold, has made his first foray into profile-picture (PFP) NFT purchases with a significant acquisition. On Tuesday afternoon, Beeple, whose real name is Mike Winkelmann, acquired CryptoPunk #4953 for 113.7 ETH, equivalent to $208,000 according to Etherscan data.
though I have commented on this space many times through the everydays, I have never actually purchased a single pfp until now…
in the market for a punk, any pro tips??? đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/ZexvIsfQox
— beeple (@beeple) July 24, 2023
Last week, Beeple expressed his interest in owning a CryptoPunk in a tweet, mentioning that he had never purchased a PFP before. Following the tweet, he sought suggestions from his followers on the best traits for his potential punk purchase.
Although Beeple did not immediately confirm the acquisition, CryptoPunks Brand Lead Noah Davis shared a tweet detailing a conversation with Beeple about the NFT purchase, indicating the successful transaction.
Later in the day, Beeple unveiled an original digital artwork titled “A Punk Is Born,” featuring himself in the image, transformed into his newly acquired punk, CryptoPunk #4953. This NFT acquisition stands as the most expensive one sold in the last 24 hours, adding to Beeple’s portfolio of digital assets.
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Beeple’s Punk purchase exhibits rare traits
Beeple’s chosen punk showcases some of the rarer traits in the CryptoPunk collection, including a mohawk, clown green eyes, and a red clown nose. The red nose trait, in particular, is exceptionally rare, present in only 2% of all Punks listed on the marketplace OpenSea. According to Deep Value NFT analytics, only one other punk with a similar trait is currently available for purchase at approximately 91.7 ETH, or $169,800.
A PUNK IS BORN pic.twitter.com/3kkyLxyfbm
— beeple (@beeple) August 2, 2023
Further data analysis reveals that the newly acquired CryptoPunk #4953 had been previously purchased by collector Twill on February 4, 2022, for 109 ETH, equivalent to $327,000 at the time. Twill’s decision to sell the punk resulted in a sizable loss due to the difference in Ether’s value between the two transactions.
Beeple’s involvement in the NFT market continues to draw attention and captivate the digital art community. His latest purchase further highlights the growing interest in PFP NFTs and their potential as valuable and unique digital assets. As the NFT space evolves, enthusiasts and collectors alike eagerly anticipate the next moves from influential figures like Beeple and the impact they may have on the ever-evolving landscape of digital art and NFT investments.
