The world of virtual assets is on the rise right now. Not only are cryptocurrencies gaining fierce traction, but buying and selling NFTs is skyrocketing to ‘dizzy’ altitudes. Celebrities are among the biggest supporters of the craze, especially among limited-edition tokens, which often prove to be valuable investments. As a result, the ownership of one-of-a-kind virtual assets has almost become a status symbol among Hollywood’s elite.
NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are, in short, unique digital assets that are traded on digital blockchain networks. Images and assets are comprised of cryptographic identifiers (codes and metadata). They can include everything from NFT gaming packs to music tracks, special artwork pieces, sports memorabilia, and avatars.
The Ethereum blockchain is proving to be the NFT highway at present because of its microtransaction-friendly platform. Ethereum’s ERC-721 makes it extremely easy for NFT creators to manage their sales and move their digital products to those who wish to purchase them.
Top NFT Creator Assets Among Celebs
As social media-dependent influencers, various actors, celebrities, and musicians are buying special NFT avatars for their socials to use as their profile pictures. In most cases, the assets they buy are one-of-a-kind exclusives. This allows the celeb to stand out from the crowd more by using images that mainstream users cannot afford to use. Like many other rare assets, the chance of them increasing with value over time is tremendous. The fact that famous people own them simply adds to the value of the eventual resale price.
CryptoPunks started the trend when they began developing unique avatar images in 2017. Their product exploded in early 2021, though, generating $2.5 billion in transactions over a period of six months. This Larva Labs series of tokens consisted of 10,000 NFT characters, including aliens, zombies, apes, and more. Larva Labs sold 9,000 of the tokens. Larva Labs held onto the rest.
Who Are The Latest Celebs To Dole Out Cash For NFTs?
The popular new Bored Ape Yacht club NFT series has attracted a wide number of influential celebrities who have doled out between $180,000 and $300,000 on unique prints. Ten of the top NFT celebrities include Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Curry, Post Malone, Mark Cuban, Timbaland, Shaquille O’Neal, Lil’ Baby, The Chainsmokers, Mike Shinoda, and Steve Aoki.
Bored Ape Yacht Club Enters The Market With A Bang!
While it is hardly believable, a new brand of NFT created by Yuga Labs is making an even stronger impression on buyers than its predecessor did. The Bored Ape Yacht Club series of avatars has already turned $1 billion in secondary trading volume across three distinct collections.
The Bored Ape Yacht Club series is a catalog of 10,000 tokenized images presented as humanoid ape-like characters. Each is dressed for a different occasion, making one ape uniquely distinct from another. In addition, each primate is an exclusive yacht club membership holder. This means that each NFT owner gains special access to the esteemed group when they purchase an ape.
The club continues to draw a famous clientele base, which is great for the asset’s overall status and appeal. By drawing such an exclusive crowd, the resale value on each Apish avatar is potentially higher than the original purchase price set by the NFT’s creators.
So, Who’s Been Aping Around?
While just about anyone with enough money can purchase a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT creation, we’d like to explore which famous people have already spent their cash on this series. They have been instrumental in making it one of the most sought-after celebrity NFTs. Below is an infographic on the top 10 celebrity purchases of the series. Be sure to click on the image to enlarge the graphic.
Top 10 Trending Celebrity NFTs
Please join us as we uncover the top 10 celebrities associated with this series of NFT tokens:
Jimmy Fallon
Popular Hollywood talk show host, Jimmy Fallon, dished out a whopping $224,000 (46.6 ETH) on Bored Ape Yacht Club avatar #599. He revealed his purchase of the NFT asset in an interview with renowned NFT creator and artist, Beeple. Beeple, in turn, is famous for selling his NFT art piece, “Human One,” for $29 million online. Beeple also sold his art piece, “Everydays: The First 5000 Days,” at a Christie’s auction for a world record-breaking $69 million back in March 2021.
Fallon tweeted his new Bored Ape profile pic via Twitter with the quote: “Permission to come aboard?” Like anyone needs permission when spending so much money on a membership. It seems that his NFT buying endeavors are not yet complete either, as his interest looms in the follow-up “Mutant Ape” series of images.
Stephen Curry
According to Business Insider, NBA star, Steve Curry, became part of the Bored Ape Yacht Club in August 2021, when he purchased one of the unique assets for a whopping 55 ETH (approx. $180,000 at the time).
He let the world know of his new acquisition via his Twitter profile, posting a blue-haired primate in a tweed suit instead of his regular profile pic. He also posted a selfie on the club’s exclusive Discord channel. So not only is Steve a two-time MVP in the basketball realm, but he now holds exclusive status among the MVPs of the NFT market, as well.
Post Malone
There are buyers of Bored Ape Yacht Club tokens, and then there are enthusiasts. Celebrity singer Post Malone is the latter. He purchased not one but two Bored Ape assets. His acquisition of apes #961 and #9039 set him back more than $700K (160 ETH). Fortunately, with his name tied to the images, they are probably worth far more than that now. So, if the artist ever wanted to sell them, he would surely walk away with a handsome profit.
Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban has not been quiet about his support for everything related to the blockchain. As the Dallas Mavericks owner, he has been influential in introducing Bitcoin and other associated cryptocurrencies to the NBA. For example, he took to Twitter in September 2021 to show off his new “Manic Pixie Dream Ape (#2047).”
As a successful businessman and multi-billionaire tycoon, Mr. Cuban’s investment habits should be something everyone can learn from. He is serious about NFT investing and is not scared of punting the Ape collection, and its benefits, on his feed. He posted:
“1 of the great lessons and revelations of the NFT boom is that conveying IP ownership to NFT buyers adds to their value and enhances community, which can help build an entire ecosystem and economy around the collection. Probably the most valuable aspect of Punks/Apes.”
Timbaland
Timbaland is not only a virtual asset buyer but also an NFT creator. He has already launched several Ethereum music NFTs and is involved with the Bored Ape Yacht Club series in more than one capacity. Not only did he buy ape #590, but he has recently launched Ape-In Productions.
This new production company aims to create music and animations around user-owned Bored Ape NFTs. The company is set to launch its first hip-hop single in connection with the ape that they bought. This will effectively add a new element to the Bored Ape Yacht Club metaverse.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq proved to be one of the most influential basketball players of all time. As a result, the now-retired four-time NBA champion still lives the high life and has joined the ranks of many influential NFT owners. For example, he recently spent close to $20,000 on the Bored Ape Yacht Club spin-off series – Mutant Apes.
Mr. O’Neil is no newbie to the NFT market either. Not only has he released his own memorabilia NFTs on the Ethereum chain, but he has also purchased several assets. However, until his ape purchase, the big man used a Creature World NFT image as his Twitter profile avatar.
Lil Baby
Renowned rapper, Lil Baby, joined the ranks of the Yacht Club with his purchase via MoonPay. He took the experience further when he mutated his ape using a serum given to him by the NFT’s creators. All Bored Ape holders received one of three serums that they could opt to use on their assets to change them. Serum M1 and M2 will mutate the ape but keep some of the original character traits intact, while M3 creates a completely different ape altogether.
This is just another way that NFT creators, Yuga Labs, hope to entice more parties to their illustrious brand and add another dimension to their primate metaverse.
The Chainsmokers
The Chainsmokers are an American electronic DJ and production duo that work on the international scene. While things have been quiet on their front for a year now, the partners haven’t halted their business at all. They are presently working on the next chapter of their music business and remain active in the crypto realms by investing in promising young start-ups.
They purchased an Ape for about $225,000 and posted it as their new Twitter avatar. Let’s just say that it didn’t go unnoticed among their more than 3.3 million followers.
Mike Shinoda
Those who don’t know his name might be familiar with the band he comes from. However, the former Linkin Park rapper is no stranger to the crypto space or NFTs. Mike Shinoda owns several Mutant Ape assets and a rather special leopard print Bored Ape token.
There are over 120 images in his collection, including tokens that he has both purchased and made. His interest in this digital realm is a testament to the success of the NFT market and its ability to draw high-profile investors and collectors.
Steve Aoki
Steve Aoki is yet another musical genius sold on the NFT market craze. His experience in the market extends to NFT creation, as well. He is also a big supporter of other digital artists, with a special focus and support for female creators.
He owns a large selection of assets. His collection of four Bored Ape Yacht Club assets worth $700,000 and two Mutant Apes is most notable. He currently owns Bored Apes #3719, 5823, 8393, and 9394.
Bored Ape Yacht Club
It’s never a guarantee that an NFT series will be a hit. But the moment celebrities start showing an interest in products, the value and popularity of the asset usually climb. For example, monkeys from the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection are valuable investments.
While the sums of money spent in this industry seem out of this world, we must remember that the crypto sphere is anything but normal. Its rise to fame may make no logical sense, but there is no argument about the potential value available in the market.
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This article was produced by PokCas and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Robyn is a millennial mom with a passion for personal finance. She has her MBA and has been studying Personal Finance on her own for as long as she can remember.
She has always been “into” personal finance but got inspired to start her blog after a period of extended unemployment. She says that experience really changed the way she viewed her relationship with money and the importance of accessible personal finance education. Read more at A Dime Saved.