In the realm of digital assets, blue-chip PFP NFTs remain highly sought-after investments as the market for NFTs expands by 2024.
These collections are well-known both in and out of web3, due to their background, distinctiveness, and significance in the history of blockchain technology.
The top five most well-known blue-chip PFP NFT collections for 2024 are listed below, in order of floor price.
#5 Azuki
- Released: January 12, 2022
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Quantity: 10,000
- Mint Price: 1 ETH
Azuki, created and maintained by Chiru Labs, is renowned for its vibrant community and anime-inspired art. The project blurs the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds and was started by four anonymous founders under the direction of ZZZZagabond.
Since minting on January 12, 2022, Azuki has collaborated with numerous brands and artists, such as Line Friends, a popular media property, to blend their characters with Azuki’s Beanz NFT collection. Azuki also teamed up with Korean hip-hop trio Epik High for a visual art collaboration at Coachella 2022, integrating Azuki NFTs into their stage visuals.
Azuki has been actively extending its reach into the comic and anime industries. One significant project is “Enter The Garden,” an anime adaptation made in association with Dentsu, Qzil.la, and IMAGICA Infos.
Azuki is currently working towards integrating real-life NFTs, such as streetwear and collectibles, and expanding into the metaverse with projects like Bobu Fractionalization.
Current Floor Price: 3.89 ETH
Trading Volume (30d): 2067 ETH
#4 Milady
- Released: August 15, 2022
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Quantity: 10,000
- Mint Price: 0.05 ETH
Milady Maker, founded by Charlotte Fang and managed by Remilia Collective, is well-known for its eclectic, retro-aesthetic avatars that evoke early internet culture.
After its August 15, 2022 release, the collection gained popularity and recognition for its distinct and nostalgic style from NFT collectors and enthusiasts.
The Milady NFTs, designed by “Milady Sonora”, feature anime-girl-style avatars with a neo-chibi aesthetic inspired by Tokyo’s modern pop culture.
Milady Maker’s floor price spiked significantly in March 2023, driven by new strategic approaches taken by the team. Milady Maker worked with EtherRock to make a unique set of 1,200 PFP NFTs. They also released new interactive experiences, like the ability to customize wearable NFTs and the ability to expand into new metaverse platforms.
Current Floor Price: 5.49 ETH
Trading Volume (30d): 3756 ETH
#3 Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC)
- Released: April 23, 2021
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Quantity: 10,000
- Mint Price: 0.08 ETH
Bored Ape Yacht Club is an established landmark in the NFT industry, created and run by Yuga Labs, with renowned celebrities and a solid community backing the project.
Since their minting on April 23, 2021, BAYC NFTs have rapidly gained exclusivity and status. BAYC has seen continuous growth, with numerous spin-offs, including the Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) launched in August 2021 and the Bored Ape Kennel Club (BAKC) launched in June 2021.
Major events, such as their annual “Ape Fest,” which debuted during New York NFT Week in November 2021, and collaborations with high-profile brands such as Gucci and Adidas, have helped to solidify BAYC’s coveted status.
BAYC is now expanding into the metaverse with the development of “The Otherside,” an immersive virtual world designed to provide a range of experiences for NFT holders.
Current Floor Price: 9.30 ETH
Trading Volume (30d): 5571 ETH
#2 Pudgy Penguins
- Released: July 22, 2021
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Quantity: 8,888
- Mint Price: 0.03 ETH
Pudgy Penguins, created by Clayton Patterson, made its debut on July 22, 2021, with adorable, cartoonish penguin avatars.
Following a potential rug pull by co-founder ColeThereum, Luca Neta purchased Pudgy Penguins in April 2022 for 750 ETH (approximately $2.5 million USD) and has seen phenomenal growth since then.
Family-friendly content is the main focus of the Pudgy Penguins project. They have a toy distribution deal with Walmart, where the Pudgy Toys line is available in over 3,100 Walmart locations across the U.S. This line includes plush toys, action figures, and mystery collectibles, each with a QR code that unlocks digital traits and collectibles in the Pudgy World online game
The group is currently investigating interactive and gaming experiences for holders, like Pudgy World, an online platform that lets users personalize their penguins, take part in missions with a narrative, and discover different quests.
Current Floor Price: 10.63 ETH
Trading Volume (30d): 6485 ETH
#1 CryptoPunks
- Released: June 23, 2017
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Quantity: 10,000
- Mint Price: Free (+ gas fees)
Created by Larva Labs – and managed by Yuga Labs as of March 2022 – CryptoPunks pioneered the concept of digital collectibles.
Launched 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, featured in art galleries and exhibitions worldwide. The collection has seen numerous high-profile sales, with the highest recorded in February 2022, when an Alien Punk sold for 8,000 ETH (approximately $23 million USD).
Current Floor Price: 25.09 ETH
Trading Volume (30d): 3037 ETH
Although the NFT market is far from its peak in 2021, these blue-chip NFT collections remain highly desirable, coveted, and valuable.
As the NFT market expands, these high-profile blue-chip PFP NFT collections, each with their own unique appeal and devoted following, will continue to set the standard for ingenuity, innovation, and cultural significance.
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