Profile image (PFP) non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have dominated the bizarre broad world of digital collectibles. As these generative avatar tasks turned astoundingly standard in 2021, their significance has solely elevated because the NFT ecosystem has grown.
At its core, a PFP NFT is a digital token or paintings designed to be displayed as an individual’s social media profile image. Most of the world’s hottest NFT collections, like Bored Apes and Doodles, are PFPs.
PFPs stay on the intersection of collectibles and generative artwork. They’re collectibles in that they often are available in giant portions (of 10,000 or so) and have various levels of rarity, considerably just like buying and selling playing cards.
But, as a sector of the NFT artwork market, PFPs are additionally generative. They’re created utilizing a easy plug-and-play methodology through which customers load a wide range of traits — like physique kind, head form, background shade, and different options — into an utility that can, in flip, randomly compile huge portions of NFTs. This methodology has allowed numerous artists and builders to launch authentic and by-product collections, all within the picture of the unique PFP mission, CryptoPunks. With dozens of profitable PFP collections saturating the NFT market, we’ve compiled an inventory of a few of the very best PFP NFTs — ranked by total gross sales quantity — that can assist you perceive which of them proceed to face the take a look at of time.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: June 22, 2017
Provide: 10,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Whether or not you’re a complete NFT noob or a veteran collector, you’re positive to have (probably even inadvertently) realized a very good deal about CryptoPunks by now. A mission that signifies the doorway of PFP NFTs to the blockchain, CryptoPunks is arguably probably the most influential avatar assortment ever made.
Launched in 2017 by product studio Larva Labs earlier than being acquired by Yuga Labs in 2022, Punks had been a few of the first NFTs ever minted on the Ethereum blockchain. That includes people, apes, zombies, and aliens, CryptoPunks pioneered the thought of generative trait mixtures that the majority different PFP tasks nonetheless draw inspiration from in the present day.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: April 23, 2021
Provide: 10,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Launched within the spring of 2021, regardless of a sluggish begin, the Bored Ape Yacht Membership exploded in worth over the next months. Early supporters who’ve diamond-handed (staunchly held onto) even one Ape have had a number of alternatives to money out for lots of of 1000’s of {dollars}.
The consensus all through the NFT house appears to be that probably the most thrilling side of the Bored Ape Yacht Membership is its group. Within the final yr, it has expanded to embody collections like Mutant Apes, Kennel Membership canines, and the slowly evolving Otherside mission.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: January 12, 2022
Provide: 10,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Azuki is an anime-themed avatar mission that rapidly burned a sizzling path by the NFT charts after launch. Echoing different PFP tasks, Azuki’s founders made it clear early on that their objective was to create the biggest decentralized metaverse model, constructed and owned by the group.
Whereas we’ve seen many tasks journey down the same path — both anime-themed or aiming to change into a family identify, or each — Azuki was one of many fastest-growing projects the NFT house had ever seen. Even a founder scandal couldn’t sluggish Azuki down. And whereas the mission struggled for a bit to get better after its ordeal, group sentiment has solely improved.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: November 29, 2021
Provide: 20,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
CloneX is a three way partnership between metaverse style home RTFKT and famend multimedia artist Takashi Murakami. That includes all kinds of 3D NFTs, the CloneX assortment has stored the collective NFT group on its toes with bulletins about quite a few Nike integrations.
Because the preliminary CloneX PFP assortment bought out in lower than a day, the mission has developed to embody many secondary initiatives, together with Area Pods, MNLTHs, and extra. With new and thrilling digital and real-world expansions occurring on a near-monthly foundation, the preliminary CloneX assortment continues to achieve reputation with each new and seasoned NFT collectors.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: April 16, 2022
Provide: 10,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Moonbirds, broadly thought of probably the greatest PFP collections ever made, was created by outstanding American web entrepreneur Kevin Rose as a part of his Proof Collective — a non-public members-only collective of NFT collectors and artists.
A couple of days after launch, Moonbirds had already achieved almost 100,000 ETH (roughly $300 million on the time) in secondary gross sales quantity, instantly making it one of many highest-grossing NFT collections of all time. Other than the standard PFP NFT roadmap guarantees, the Moonbirds assortment presents its collectors a wide range of incentives, together with inventive commons (CC0) licensing, which means house owners have free reign to do no matter they need with their NFTs.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: October 17, 2021
Provide: 10,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Doodles is a mission created by a crew with a confirmed observe document as builders throughout the NFT house. Designed in Burnt Toast’s distinctive line-drawn model, the gathering has change into a coveted a part of the NFT ecosystem.
Doodles rapidly gained affect inside and outdoors the NFT group only some months post-launch. Though it acquired a little bit of backlash as a result of Doodles founders privatizing the Discord earlier than launch, a laundry listing of outstanding celebrities has since purchased in and even joined the mission’s crew.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: July 1, 2021
Provide: 9,999
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
In terms of community-driven tasks, Cool Cats is a tricky one to beat. Consisting of 1000’s of “stylistically curated” NFTs, the gathering launched as a direct competitor with Gutter Cat Gang (not listed right here however nonetheless a very influential assortment) for the title of hottest cat-themed PFP mission.
Since its launch, Cool Cats has earned accolades within the NFT house as a enjoyable and inclusive mission. With the gathering flooring attaining 10 ETH at one level — propelled by collaborations with Ghxsts and TIME magazine, plus a virtually viral milk chug challenge — the Cats have had their ups and downs. Nevertheless, they’re nonetheless thought of a fan favourite.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: July 27, 2021
Provide: 10,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
World of Ladies (WoW) got here as a refreshing entry into the 2021 PFP market. With a provide corresponding to different influential tasks, whereas this assortment could also be generative, it’s one of many solely tasks to offer a human spin to the avatar craze.
Every WoW NFT was created from an array of traits crafted within the distinctive, colourful model of Yam Karkai. With a portion of proceeds from the first sale donated to charity and one other reinvested again in crypto artwork, WoW simply turned an NFT group favourite. Even Reese Witherspoon’s a fan, having shown off #8072 on Twitter only some months earlier than the mission signed with Madonna and BAYC Supervisor Man Oseary.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: September 8, 2021
Provide: 6,969
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Impressed by Larva Labs’ iconic CryptoPunks, CrypToadz was conceived by now outstanding nameless artist Gremplin throughout a time when PFP and Punk-derivative tasks saturated the market. The mission proved that even impartial artists can achieve a large-scale PFP endeavor with a little bit of assist from the group.
Created first as a meme, Gremplin’s bold amphibious assortment racked up a speedy and spectacular gross sales quantity after launch. Past turning into one of the influential PFP tasks of all time, it additionally acquired reward as one of many first large-scale tasks to launch beneath CC0 licensing.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: July 22, 2021
Provide: 8,888
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Pudgy Penguins is a set of penguin-themed NFTs that’s change into a beacon of positivity within the NFT Area. Since its launch, the gathering has seen vital ups and downs however has nonetheless bootstrapped a sturdy ecosystem of NFT lovers.
Whereas Pudgy Penguins has accomplished properly within the second half of 2022, its previous is marked by founder controversy, which led to new management taking management. Pudgy Penguins and its companion assortment, Lil Pudgys, have began to develop past the reaches of the blockchain, with plans to change into a full-fledged leisure model.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: Could 20, 2022
Provide: 9,999
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Goblintown is a singular and humorous PFP mission that embodies what each NFT collector can expertise throughout an enormous market drop: anger, chaos, confusion, and pandemonium. On this respect, the identify is a colloquial expression for bear markets, and the mission might simply be seen as an elaborate commentary on the state of NFTs and NFT collectors.
From the beginning, the founders had been upfront in regards to the nature of this mission, writing on the official web site: “No roadmap. No Discord. No utility. CC0.” Whereas a number of outstanding NFT collectors have lately famous that an NFT mission will need to have significant utility to be taken significantly, Goblintown’s creators seemingly aren’t involved with that.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: April 26, 2022
Provide: 10,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Okay Bears is likely one of the most influential and profitable PFP collections launched on the Solana blockchain. Having persistently remained within the high 50 most respected NFT collections on OpenSea, it helped solidify the SOL PFP market in a giant means.
As many collectors have continued to transition away from the Ethereum blockchain in quest of extra reasonably priced NFT buying and selling, Okay Bears has offered a set — just like BAYC — for PFP lovers to determine with. The mission has proven that Solana PFP endeavors have the potential to be simply as large as these minted on Ethereum — one thing that anecdotally has not been the case throughout the NFT ecosystem.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: February 23, 2022
Provide: 5,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Invisible Associates is an animated PFP assortment created by multidisciplinary artist Markus Magnusson in collaboration with the more and more standard Random Characters Collective. These NFTs are removed from invisible, although, and have remained a significant success story of a PFP assortment assembly its hype.
The invisible characters on this assortment are recognized by their garments — from high-end sneakers or fancy hats to common, on a regular basis staples. The crew is collaborating with the apparel brand Kith to further customize the characters’ outfits and corresponding traits.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: November 30, 2021
Provide: 10,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Mfers is a mission created by as soon as outstanding NFT influencer Sartoshi and options NFTs primarily based on Sartoshi’s hand-drawn memes. Mfers is exclusive in that Sartoshi initially promised collectors no roadmaps or hidden incentives earlier than stepping again and leaving it in charge of the group.
Earlier than mfers, Sartoshi had already gained a big following by sharing market insights, memes, and basic NFT maximalism on Twitter. With mfers, the pseudonymous artist repurposed the favored “are you successful, son?” meme in a crypto-centric means as commentary on the ups and downs of the NFT market.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: August 7, 2021
Provide: 10,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Fluf World is a set of 3D rabbit avatars programmatically generated from over 270 traits. Every NFT throughout the assortment is claimed to be a metaverse-ready avatar that acts as a ticket to a world of unique content material, digital connectivity, IRL experiences, and extra.
Launched initially as a standalone mission, Fluf World has since developed right into a complex metaverse ecosystem encompassing quite a few secondary collections (some which can be even standalone PFPs like Party Bear) along with digital and in-person occasions. Whereas the multi-faceted metaverse endeavor remains to be beneath building, Fluf World’s IRL department, Fluf Haus, continues to carry unique in-person occasions at secret places around the globe.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: August 28, 2021
Provide: 10,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Creature World is a mission primarily based on the Creature character created by multidisciplinary and NYC-based artist Danny Cole. The mission is predicated on lore that options the Creature’s journey to search out himself and is likely one of the most visually distinctive PFPs on the market.
From an revolutionary on-line sport to IRL playgrounds featured at conferences like NFT.NYC, Creature World has seemingly captured the creativeness of the NFT group. Providing an inclusive, pleasant group that has even impressed basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, sufficient to hitch as a collector, Danny Cole’s brainchild is yet one more testomony to impartial artists bootstrapping their very own NFT microcosm through PFPs.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: August 13, 2021
Provide: 10,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Deadfellaz is a zombie-themed PFP mission that’s change into one of the sturdy and beloved throughout the NFT group. That includes a horde of cartoon zombies created by crypto artist Psych and his spouse, Betty, the mission incorporates a vary of exciting incentives.
As one of many solely spooky tasks to face the take a look at of time, Deadfellaz understandably thrives in the course of the fall round Halloween but loses barely any steam all through the remainder of the yr. That includes collaborations with Steve Aoki, Cool Cats, and extra, Fellaz has continued to prosper, successfully altering the lives of its creators.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: December 23, 2021
Provide: 9,595
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Psychedelics Nameless has taken an thrilling and revolutionary method to community-building. Though the Psychedelics Nameless Genesis trippy PFP assortment options almost 10,000 NFTs, the mission consists of varied distinctive collections.
Every assortment throughout the Psychedelics Nameless ecosystem yields distinctive advantages for house owners. With the Genesis assortment, holders can entry restricted version merch, metaverse wearables, IRL occasions, and extra, together with interoperability between the complete Psychedelics Nameless NFT ecosystem.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: July 15, 2021
Provide: 10,001
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
When Sup Geese dropped, it was as if the complete NFT group stopped and took discover. A set of trippy PFPs with a duck theme, the builders of those NFTs went above and past in artwork and group constructing.
Sup Geese burst onto the scene with attention-grabbing, textured artwork and a easy “sup” when it arrived. With a sturdy Discord and quite a few occasions previous and future, it appears many collected a Duck for the artwork PFP and stayed for the group.
Mission Overview
Launch Date: June 30, 2021
Provide: 10,000
What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the assortment
Forgotten Runes Wizards Cult is regarded by many as probably the most well-crafted and well-run fantasy-themed PFP tasks within the NFT ecosystem. That includes a set of pixel-art wizard NFTs full with wealthy lore and an expansive universe, Forgotten Runes has stood the take a look at of time, sustaining relevance regardless of quite a few ups and downs.
Initially, Forgotten Runes gained notoriety through its revolutionary RPG-inspired idea and distinctive, animated minting course of. As the gathering developed, the mission’s crew has set forth initiatives like a conceptual realm (a metaverse), e-book of lore, burn mechanism, companion collections, and extra — all culminating in Forgotten Runes taking up the legacy leisure business with a decentralized approach to IP rights and world-building.