#5 Azuki
Developed and managed by Chiru Labs, x.com/Azuki”>azuki is known for its lively community and anime-inspired artwork. Created by four anonymous founders, led by ZZZZagabond, the project blurs the lines between the physical and digital worlds.
Since its minting on January 12, 2022, Azuki has collaborated with numerous brands and artists, such as Line Friends, a popular media property, to combine their characters with Azuki’s Beanz nft collection. Azuki also partnered with Korean hip-hop trio Epik High for a visual art collaboration at Coachella 2022, integrating Azuki’s nfts into their on-stage visuals.
In July 2023, Azuki also hosted a major online event called “Follow The Rabbit,” which included live performances by artists such as Lil Jon and Nelly and interactive art exhibitions. It marked the launch of the Azuki Elementals collection, which featured 20,000 new nfts across four elemental domains.
Azuki has been actively expanding her influence in the anime and comics sectors. One of her most important projects is an anime adaptation titled “Enter The Garden,” produced in collaboration with Dentsu, Qzil.la, and IMAGICA Infos.
Azuki is currently working to integrate real-life nfts, such as streetwear and collectibles, and expanding into the metaverse with projects like Bobu Fractionalization.
Current base price: 3.89 eth
Trading volume (30 days): 2067 eth
#4 My lady
Founded by Charlotte Fang and managed by Remilia Collective, x.com/miladymemecoin”>Milady Creator He gained widespread recognition for his eclectic, retro-aesthetic avatars reminiscent of early Internet culture.
Released on August 15, 2022, the collection quickly became a hot topic and earned praise from nft enthusiasts and collectors for its unique and nostalgic style.
Milady nfts, designed by “Milady Sonora,” feature anime-style avatars with a neo-chibi aesthetic inspired by modern Tokyo pop culture.
In October 2022, Milady Maker hosted its first major digital art exhibition, followed by a music festival in December 2022, events that played a crucial role in driving member loyalty.
Milady Maker’s base price skyrocketed significantly in March 2023, driven by new strategic approaches taken by the team. Notably, Milady Maker collaborated with EtherRock to create an exclusive collection of 1,200 PFP nfts, as well as launching new interactive experiences such as wearable nft customization and expansions to new metaverse platforms.
In June 2023, the team revealed plans to integrate Milady PFP into broader virtual environments, including access to a highly customized Minecraft server and expanding gameplay experiences for nft holders.
Current base price: 5.49 eth
Trading volume (30 days): 3756 eth
#3 Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC)
Founded and managed by Yuga Labs,x.com/BoredApeYC”> Bored Ape Yacht Club is a staple of the nft industry known for its strong community and high-profile celebrity endorsements.
BAYC nfts, created on April 23, 2021, quickly became a symbol of status and exclusivity. BAYC has seen continued growth, with numerous spin-off companies including Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC), launched in August 2021, and Bored Ape Kennel Club (BAKC), launched in June 2021.
Major events such as its annual “Ape Fest,” which debuted during New York nft Week in November 2021, and collaborations with high-profile brands like Gucci and Adidas, have helped cement BAYC’s prized status.
The success of BAYC provided Yuga Labs with the resources to acquire CryptoPunks from Larva Labs in March 2022, consolidating two of the most iconic nft collections under one umbrella.
BAYC is now expanding into the metaverse with the development of “The Otherside,” an immersive virtual world designed to provide a variety of experiences for nft holders.
Current base price: 9.30 eth
Trading volume (30 days): 5571 eth
#2 Chubby Penguins
Created by Clayton Patterson, x.com/pudgypenguins”>Chubby Penguins debuted on July 22, 2021, featuring adorable cartoon penguin avatars.
Following a potential withdrawal from the platform by co-founder ColeThereum, Luca Neta acquired Pudgy Penguins in April 2022 for 750 eth (approximately $2.5 million) and has seen tremendous growth since then.
The Pudgy Penguins project focuses on family-friendly content. They have a toy distribution agreement with Walmart, where the Pudgy Toys line is available in over 3,100 Walmart locations across the United States. This line includes plush toys, action figures, and mystery collectibles, each with a QR code that unlocks digital features and collectibles in the Pudgy World online game.
The project has also gained a strong following on social media, with over 1 million followers on instagram and significant engagement on TikTok, helping to boost the brand’s visibility and popularity.
Pudgy Penguins’ efforts to break into the mainstream include the launch of an intellectual property licensing platform, OverpassIP. This platform allows nft holders to submit their penguins for potential inclusion in toy lines and other products, and pays royalties to the owners.
The team is currently exploring interactive games and experiences for owners, such as Pudgy World, an online platform where users can customize their penguins, participate in story-based quests, and explore various missions.
Current base price: 10.63 eth
Trading volume (30 days): 6485 eth
#1 Cryptopunks
- Released: June 23, 2017
- Blockchain: ethereum
- Amount: 10,000
- Mint Price: Free (+ gas costs)
Created by Larva Labs – and managed by Yuga Labs as of March 2022 – x.com/cryptopunksnfts”>Cryptopunks He pioneered the concept of digital collectibles.
Released in June 2017, CryptoPunks consists of 10,000 unique pixel art characters, including humans, zombies, apes and aliens.
Created by Matt Hall and John Watkinson, the CryptoPunks project was initially inspired by the London punk movement, the cyberpunk genre, and the early days of blockchain technology.
CryptoPunks have since become cultural icons and have appeared in art galleries and exhibitions around the world. The collection has seen numerous high-profile sales, with the highest being recorded in February 2022, when an Alien Punk sold for 8,000 eth (approximately $23 million USD).
The acquisition by Yuga Labs in March 2022 brought new initiatives to the project, including integrations into Otherside, a metaverse platform powered by ApeCoin, and the Punks Legacy Project, which envisions the donation of CryptoPunks to contemporary art museums around the world, such as ICA Miami and the Centre Pompidou.
Current base price: 25.09 eth
Trading volume (30 days): 3037 eth
While the nft market is a long way from its 2021 highs, these top-of-the-line nft collections remain highly desirable, coveted, and valued.
As the nft market continues to grow, these high-profile, top-tier PFP nft collections, each with their own appeal and devoted following, will continue to set the standards for ingenuity, innovation, and cultural impact.
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*All financial and investment opinions expressed by nft Plazas are derived from the personal research and experience of our site moderators and are intended as educational material only. Individuals should thoroughly research any product before making any type of investment.
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