Most Expensive NFTs: What Makes Them Worth Millions

When you hear about an NFT selling for $91 million, it’s easy to think it’s just a JPEG. But most expensive NFTs, unique digital assets verified on blockchains that prove ownership and authenticity. Also known as non-fungible tokens, they’re not about pixels—they’re about proof, scarcity, and who owns what in a digital world. These aren’t collectibles you can trade at a flea market. They’re digital deeds, signed and sealed by code, backed by networks like Ethereum and Solana.

What makes one NFT worth more than another? It’s not just who made it. The ERC-721, the original standard for unique tokens on Ethereum. Also known as Ethereum NFT standard, it created the blueprint for one-of-a-kind digital items. But newer standards like ERC-1155, a more flexible token standard that allows multiple types of assets in one contract. Also known as multi-token standard, it changed how artists and games bundle items. And then there’s Solana NFT, NFTs built on Solana’s fast, low-cost blockchain. Also known as high-speed NFTs, it lets collectors trade without paying $100 in gas fees. These standards don’t just make NFTs possible—they make them valuable. The most expensive NFTs use the right standard for the right use case: art needs permanence, games need speed, and collectors need trust.

Some of the biggest sales happened because of rarity, history, or fame—like Beeple’s Everydays or CryptoPunk #7804. But behind every sale is a system: a blockchain that won’t let anyone fake it, a smart contract that enforces ownership, and a community that agrees it’s worth something. That’s the real value. It’s not the image. It’s the proof. And that proof is built on these standards. What you’ll find below isn’t just a list of pricey NFTs. It’s a collection of real stories—how they were made, why they sold, and what the tech behind them actually does. You’ll see how ERC-721 shaped the early boom, how Solana NFTs are changing the game now, and why some tokens fail even when the art looks amazing. No fluff. Just what matters.