Web3 is a perfect fit for the alternative, the wacky, and the dystopian. One digital artist has embraced all three to become one of the most acclaimed NFT artists in the world today. That artist is XCOPY.
2025 sees XCOPY celebrate 15 years as a digital artist. From his emergence on Tumblr to a host of multi-million dollar NFT drops, he has forged a stellar reputation as one of the most expressive, supportive and noteworthy artists in the NFT industry.
Today, XCOPY is without a doubt one of the leading names in both digital art and NFT art – but why is his work so acclaimed, how did he rise through the ranks, and what could we see from him in future?
Master the topic, as we explain the past, present and future of XCOPY.
Key Insights
- London-based pseudonymous digital artist
- First appeared on Tumblr in August 2010
- Sold Right-Click and Save As Guy for $7 million USD in December 2021
- Sold his Max Pain open edition for over $24 million USD in March 2022
- One of the world’s leading names in counter-culture art
Who is XCOPY?
XCOPY is the pseudonym for a London-based digital artist.
He first appeared in August 2010, creating digital art on Tumblr that critiqued modern society. His art often deals with themes such as death, society, and the anxieties of the digital age – with influences from punk, anarchism and horror. His pieces often feature a dark ambience with neon accents – a unique style that many have tried to imitate.
XCOPY minted his first NFTs in 2018. As one of the first artists with a following to enter the NFT industry, he became one of its faces very quickly. To date, he’s created 70+ NFT collections, with over 13,000 individual NFTs.
His NFTs can be found on many platforms, including:
- SuperRare. XCOPY was one of the first artists to mint NFTs on SuperRare – home to his RΞMNANTS series and many early 1-of-1 NFTs
- OpenSea. OpenSea houses secondary market trading for collections such as FRESH HELL, DAMAGE CONTROL, and GRIFT SZN
- Nifty Gateway. Nifty Gateway is home to XCOPY’s MAX PAIN, TRAITORS, DISRUPTOR and many NFTs that can be acquired through burning other pieces
- Async Art. Async Art held collections of interactive NFTs such as The Rabble and DOOM Party
On top of this, XCOPY has produced a number of collaborations. Through working with the likes of @neonglitch86, XCOPY has created NFTs such as RELICS and SPORES, blending art styles together to create unique artworks.
Away from his art, XCOPY has gathered praise for his support of other creatives. He’s a big advocate of creator royalties, and has praised other high-quality works in the space – such as the book CryptoPunks: Free to Claim.
The history of XCOPY
The story of how XCOPY climbed the ladder runs parallel with the rise of the NFT industry itself.
XCOPY minted his first NFT on April 7, 2018. Titled Echoes of a Dead Earth, it was the first of many 1-of-1 NFTs that he would mint on SuperRare – many later selling for huge amounts. This includes Some Asshole, which sold for 1,300 ETH ($3.9 million USD), A Coin for the Ferryman, which sold for 1,330 ETH ($6.0 million USD), and All Time High in the City, which sold for 1,630 ETH ($6.2 million USD).
Another 2018 piece, Right-Click and Save As Guy, became XCOPY’s most expensive artwork. The piece was reshared by XCOPY in August 2020, adding that “they said it at $100 they’ll still say it at $100,000”. It was sold to Cozomo de’ Medici for 1,600 ETH ($7.0 million USD) in December 2021.
March 2022 saw XCOPY create two new NFT collections. The first was Grifters, a collection of 666 digital characters on Ethereum that, as of January 2025, have a floor price above 15 ETH ($48,000 USD). The second was MAX PAIN, a time-limited open edition. MAX PAIN raised $24 million USD – and became the root of future collections, such as 2023’s DAMAGE CONTROL.
DAMAGE CONTROL saw fans burn MAX PAIN NFTs to acquire new NFTs – which could themselves be burned to receive rarer editions. The burn phase of this collection ended on January 1, 2025.
In August 2022, XCOPY announced that all of his prior and future solo works would be issued under a CC0 license. This left these works in the public domain, allowing anyone to reuse or build upon his art.
XCOPY continued to release digital art on a regular basis – becoming particularly active in late 2024 through early 2025. September 2024 saw his 2019 piece Bad Flavour sell for 280 ETH ($665,000 USD) – a huge sale given the decline in the NFT art market over recent years.
October 2024 saw XCOPY debut Cope Salada – a collection of 250 unique 1-of-1 NFTs on the new Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain Shape. XCOPY described this collection as “stripped back, raw, unadulterated, undiluted, and pristinely presented grade-A copium.”
In November 2024, XCOPY released the ICXN Collection – his debut in the Art Blocks ecosystem. The collection was created using Art Blocks Engine – a code-based generative art platform – to produce 500 unique 1-of-1 NFTs.
What’s next for XCOPY?
Given XCOPY’s prolific work rate, there’s little doubt that he’ll continue to create new works that push digital art, debate, and the NFT industry at large.
2025 will see the debut of XCOPY’s FRESH HELL collection – a 42-piece collection which is yet to have an announced mint date. Some other areas in which we could see XCOPY contribute include interactive art, artist advocacy, and critique of society and culture.
XCOPY’s impact on both digital art and NFT art has had a impact comparable to that of some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Beeple and Pak.
Through his artistic approach, innovation and critical nature, XCOPY has become much more than a name – he’s a movement. His name has, does and will continue to shape the future of both digital art and NFT art – so whatever you do, keep one eye on XCOPY.
COO & founder of NFT Insider. Bullish on web3. Competitive soul.