With the next chapter in the unfolding saga of NFTs, Mike Winkelmann, popularly recognized as Beeple, directs the headlines once again. The artist, famed for the creation and sale of the most expensive NFT to date took the plunge, purchasing CryptoPunk #4953 that cost him in the vicinity of 113.7 ETH or $208,000. His first foray into acquiring a profile-picture (PFP) NFT.
Discretionarily, Beeple had subtly disclosed his intention to acquire a ‘punk’ on social media a few days earlier, piquing curiosity among his followers and setting industry mouths wagging. He questioned his audience on the best traits to look for in a punk purchase, adding to the intrigue and soon enough, his transition from NFT artist to collector was ratified.
Data pulled from CryptoSlam indicates Beeple’s buy as the most expensive NFT purchase in a day. An interesting point to note about Beeple’s new acquisition is that his chosen punk is among the rarer types in the collection, boasting distinctive features such as a mohawk, clown green eyes and a red clown nose. Such unique traits make these digital assets more coveted, thus increasing their value. For instance, the red clown nose in Beeple’s punk is only found in around 2% of the punks.
Nonetheless, examining the ledger, we find that the previously recorded price for Beeple’s CryptoPunk #4953 is rather intriguing because this punk was sold for 109 ETH or $327,000 earlier in this month. So, essentially, the previous owner sold it at a loss. Such fluctuations in the value of an NFT may set off alarm bells for investors, yet, it showcases the unpredictability and dynamism that marks the world of cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Beeple is an established player in the realm of digital art creation. He even inaugurated a studio in South Carolina for digital art creators and collectors to converge and interact in-person last March. This week, his $29 million Human One sculpture is getting its first US exhibition. This purchase of CryptoPunk #4953 reveals the intersection of Beeple’s creative passion and his burgeoning avidity for NFT collection, signifying perhaps a shifting ripple in the waters of the NFT world. The journey from here will be interesting to observe indeed.
Source: Coindesk
