Non-fungible tokens or NFTs, quickly gaining attention in the digital asset field. Among them, a unique category has emerged called blue-chip NFTs. Blue-chip NFTs, characterized by their market capitalization, established market presence, and often connections to well-known artists or brands, represent unique investment and collection opportunities.
This guide takes a deep dive into the world of blue-chip NFTs, exploring their defining characteristics as well as top blue-chip digital art projects and collections.
focus:
- NFTs are non-fungible tokens, which are unique digital assets verified through blockchain technology.
- Blue-chip NFTs are a subset of NFTs that are characterized by high value, high market share, and are often associated with well-known creators or brands.
- Top NFT blue-chip projects include BAYC, CryptoPunks, MAYC, Art Blocks, SMB, Bitcoin Ordinals NFT, etc., known for their huge market value and collector interest.
What are blue chip NFTs?
The most famous and reliable companies on the stock market are Apple and Coca-Cola. These stocks are called “blue chip stocks” because they are considered safe investments. Blue-chip NFTs are the same as the digital art world.
The term “blue chip” symbolizes the quality and stability of these NFTs, attracting investors seeking long-term gains. Collectors and investors view blue-chip NFTs as a safe way to invest in the volatile NFT market.
So, in simple terms: Blue-chip NFTs are established, have a high market value, and are expected to increase or maintain their value over time. They usually come from well-known creators or brands and have a history of high sales and consistent demand. Bored Ape Yacht Club and CryptoPunks are the best examples of blue-chip NFTs in the crypto industry.
Pros and Cons of Blue Chip NFTs
advantage
- blue chip status: Owning a blue-chip NFT can become a status symbol in the digital art world, just like owning a famous painting in the real world
- safe investment: Due to their reputation and track record, they are generally considered a safer option in the NFT market.
- Growth potential: Due to their popularity and demand, their value is likely to increase over time
- Community benefits: Some blue-chip NFTs provide exclusive access to online clubs or events, creating a sense of community
shortcoming
- high cost: Blue-chip NFTs tend to be very expensive due to their popularity
- market fluctuations: The long-term value of any NFT, even a blue chip one, remains uncertain
How to find blue chip NFTs and projects?
Here are some strategies to help you discover the best blue-chip NFTs and projects:
Explore the mature NFT market
Popular NFT Markets like open seaSolana’s, Rarible, SuperRare and Magic Eden are all good places to start. These platforms often feature collections of famous artists, well-known brands, and popular trends. Here you can browse the collection, view its sales history, and learn about the current NFT landscape.
Pay attention to the community
Interact with NFT enthusiasts on social media platforms such as Twitter, Discord, and Telegram groups dedicated to specific collectibles or the general NFT market.
Influencers, collectors and even project creators often share insights and discuss promising projects. Be wary of unsolicited investment advice, but paying attention to these discussions can provide you with valuable information on emerging NFT trends and potential blue-chip stocks.
Research the creator
The reputation and history of the artist or team behind an NFT project is of great significance. Look for creators with established careers in the digital art world, a strong online presence, and a track record of successful projects. The research team’s experience and project vision can help you evaluate its potential for long-term value.
Analyze the utility of collections
While artistic value is important, some blue-chip NFTs offer additional benefits to their owners. Look for projects that offer utility, such as access to exclusive online communities, events, future NFT drops, and even voting rights in project development. These additional benefits can increase the overall value and appeal of NFT collectibles.
Consider scarcity and rarity
In blue-chip collections, single NFTs have varying degrees of rarity due to their unique features or limited quantity. It might be a good strategy to study the structure of the collection and identify the rare NFTs within it.
Utilize NFT analysis tools
Multiple platforms provide data and analytical tools for the NFT market (one example is Crypto Grand Slam). These tools can help you track floor prices (the lowest recent sales price for an NFT in the collection), transaction volume, and ownership history to gain insight into the overall health and growth potential of the collection.
Top Blue Chip “Ethereum” NFT Project
1. Bored Ape Yacht Club: $3.16 billion in sales
Boring Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) It is one of the most successful blue-chip NFT projects on the Ethereum blockchain. Launched by Yuga Labs in April 2021, BAYC features 10,000 unique apes. These NFTs are highly sought after, with total sales exceeding $3.16 billion. The craze has even attracted celebrities like Justin Bieber, Snoop Dogg, and Gwyneth Paltrow, who have all purchased Bored Ape NFTs.
These are commonly known as Bored Apes and are developed on the Ethereum blockchain using the ERC-721 standard. Owning a Bored Ape NFT gives you access to exclusive online communities, in-person special events, and even the right to use the ape’s digital image in your own creative projects. Read our full article Detailed overview of BAYC.
2. CryptoPunks: $2.8 billion in sales
Cryptopunk It is one of the earliest blue-chip NFT projects on the Ethereum blockchain. Created by Larva Labs in 2017, CryptoPunks features 10,000 unique 24×24 pixel art characters. The project has achieved total sales of US$2.8 billion, becoming one of the NFT projects with the highest total sales.
The series includes pixelated art of male and female characters, some looking like zombies, apes, and aliens. Each one is different. Individual owners sell them on the NFT market or at prestigious auction houses such as Christie’s and Sotheby’s. The top-selling CryptoPunk #5822 sold for $23.7 million, and many other punks also sold for millions of dollars.
3. Mutant Ape Yacht Club: $2.14 billion in sales
Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) It is a spin-off project of the Bored Ape Yacht Club. Launched by Yuga Labs in August 2021, MAYC brings together up to 20,000 mutant apes. These can be created by exposing existing bored apes to a vial of mutant serum or by minting mutant apes during a public sale. The project has generated total sales of $2.14 billion, making it one of the top blue-chip NFT projects on Ethereum.
MAYC’s success is attributed to its partnership with BAYC, unique artwork and community benefits. Owners of Mutant Ape NFT have access to exclusive events and benefits similar to BAYC.
4. Art District: $1.4 billion in sales
art building blocks is the leading generative art platform on the Ethereum blockchain. Launched in November 2020, Art Blocks allows artists to create algorithmically generated works of art. The platform has achieved total sales of US$1.4 billion, becoming one of the top blue-chip NFT projects. When creating a collection of Art Blocks, they can range from simple images to interactive 3D models.
The Art Blocks project has three distinct levels, each emphasizing a different design approach. The top Curated NFTs are reserved for generative art NFTs from select artists who create NFT drops that may become part of the official Art Blocks collection.
The second level is called the “Artist Playground,” allowing artists from the curated collection to develop their own collections. However, these items are not included in the official Art Blocks collection. The final tier, Art Blocks Factory, provides another option for artists who don’t want to wait to be included in the curated tier. Here, artists can publish their own code.
Blue Chip “Bitcoin” NFT Project
5. Ordinal: Sales $433 million
ordinal number It is a groundbreaking blue-chip NFT project on the Bitcoin blockchain. Launching in early 2023, Ordinals features a series of unique digital artworks inscribed directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. The project has achieved total sales of US$433 million.
Unlike older versions on layer 2 blockchains, Ordinals sit directly on Bitcoin. They are made by “burning” data such as images or videos onto a single Satoshi, the smallest unit of Bitcoin.
Each satoshi is assigned a unique number using ordinal number theory, which allows it to be identified and tracked. These unique numbers or inscriptions are assigned according to the order in which they were created, hence the name serial numbers. Bitcoin Puppets and NodeMonkes are prime examples Ordinal NFT on the Bitcoin blockchain.
Top blue chip stock “Solana” NFT series
6. Solana Monkey business: $205 million in sales
Solana Monkey Business (SMB) is a well-known NFT project on the Solana blockchain. Launched in August 2021, SMB quickly gained popularity for its unique and creative digital monkey artwork. The project features a collection of 5,000 unique monkey NFTs, each with unique characteristics and accessories, making them highly sought after by collectors and investors.
Each monkey’s unique characteristics, such as different hats, glasses, clothing, and backgrounds, determine their rarity and value. Some traits are more common, while others are extremely rare, driving up the value of certain monkeys on the secondary market.
7. Mad Lass: $196 million in sales
Mad Lads is a well-known NFT project on the Solana blockchain, launched on April 20, 2023. These NFTs feature a variety of illustrated human or humanoid avatars (PFP) with unique outfits, weapons, accessories and rare attributes depicting celestial, robotic and undead characters. The project has generated $196 million in total sales, making it one of the top blue-chip NFT projects on Solana.
The project was created by Coral, the Solana framework development company led by Armani Ferrante and Tristan Yver. The NFT is available exclusively through Backpack, an all-in-one wallet app also created by Coral that utilizes “executable NFTs” (xNFTs).
Mad Lads also emphasizes inclusivity, with approximately 10% of NFTs featuring female PFPs. This move aims to expand representation in the NFT field. Aside from aesthetics, owning Mad Lads NFTs also comes with practical benefits, such as participating in exclusive airdrops.
in conclusion
Blue-chip NFTs represent high-value, mature digital art with the potential for significant returns and stability. They are created by well-known artists or brands and have a history of high sales and continued demand.
However, investing in blue-chip NFTs also carries risks, such as high entry costs and market volatility. Identifying blue-chip NFTs requires thorough research and analysis of historical performance, creators, and market trends. The above-mentioned top blue-chip NFT projects such as Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Solana have achieved considerable sales and popularity, becoming valuable assets in the NFT market.
