Top NFT Whales and What They’re Buying in the Digital Art Boom

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The world of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) is no longer a niche experiment—it’s a full-blown digital revolution. Once dismissed as a fringe trend, NFTs are now capturing the attention of high-net-worth collectors, institutional investors, and even traditional auction houses like Christie’s. As the lines between art, technology, and finance blur, a new breed of digital connoisseurs has emerged: the NFT whales—ultra-wealthy collectors who aren’t just buying art, but shaping the future of the ecosystem.

These aren’t casual hobbyists. They’re strategic investors with deep pockets, snapping up rare digital collectibles, virtual real estate, and iconic crypto art. Their buying patterns reveal where value is being created and which NFT sectors are poised for long-term growth.

In this deep dive, we’ll explore the portfolios of some of the most influential NFT collectors—0xb1, WhaleShark, Metakovan, Pranksy, and Maxstealth—to uncover what they’re buying, why it matters, and what their moves signal for the future of digital ownership.

0xb1: The DeFi Whale Turned NFT Power Player

While primarily known as a DeFi giant, 0xb1 has made a bold pivot into the NFT space. Despite having an Ethereum wallet created only a few months ago, 0xb1 already holds over 30,000 ETH worth of DeFi tokens and has become one of the most active NFT buyers.

Their collection spans multiple projects, with heavy investments in Hashmasks and NFTrees. On OpenSea, 0xb1 owns 88 NFTs across 16 projects. Notably:

But 0xb1 doesn’t stop there. They’ve also acquired:

👉 Discover how top collectors identify high-potential NFTs before they go mainstream.

This aggressive acquisition strategy suggests a belief in digital scarcity and artist legacy, especially around pioneers like Beeple and foundational projects like CryptoPunks.

WhaleShark: The Ultimate NFT Collector & Ecosystem Builder

WhaleShark lives up to their name—both in appetite and influence. Active since 2019, they’ve amassed over 14,514 NFTs across 46 projects, with 95% coming from the blockchain card game Gods Unchained.

But WhaleShark is more than a buyer—they’re a builder. In 2020, they launched the WHALE token, backed by their NFT vault. This innovative model allows creators to borrow against their NFTs using WHALE as collateral, effectively turning digital art into liquid assets.

Their collection includes:

WhaleShark’s approach blends passion with financial engineering. By tokenizing their collection, they’ve created one of the first true NFT-based financial ecosystems, proving that digital collectibles can do more than just appreciate—they can generate utility and yield.

Metakovan: The Visionary Behind Beeple’s $69M Masterpiece

Metakovan made headlines when the fund he co-founded, Metapurse, purchased Beeple’s Everydays: The First 5000 Days for $69 million—one of the most expensive NFT sales in history.

But his influence goes deeper. Metakovan sees NFTs not just as art, but as the foundation of a new cultural economy. His portfolio reflects this vision:

One Cryptovoxels parcel, 3 Scrum Trace, surged 289.4% in value over six weeks, now worth 7.4 ETH. Another Somnium Space plot is listed at 64.4 ETH, highlighting the growing value of prime virtual real estate.

Metakovan’s strategy is clear: invest in digital worlds where communities gather, build, and transact. As the metaverse evolves, early landowners like him stand to benefit massively.

Pranksy: The OG NFT Trader & Community Catalyst

Pranksy’s OpenSea account is a living archive of NFT history. With over 26,000 NFTs across 128 projects, he’s been involved since the early days of CryptoKitties, where he owns 2,167 digital cats, including Founder Cat #73 (valued at 49.9 ETH).

His success isn’t just about volume—it’s timing and community engagement. In 2020, he won a high-stakes bet by earning 1,000 ETH through NFT trading, with NBA Top Shot playing a key role.

Pranksy has also launched his own project: NFTBox, a monthly blind box featuring handpicked NFTs. Inspired by Top Shot’s success with mystery packs, this venture leverages his reputation to bring curated discovery to new collectors.

Maxstealth: The Anonymous Superhero of NFT Collecting

Maxstealth is a mystery—but their taste is unmistakable. This anonymous collector has spent over 540 ETH on Batman-themed digital art, including Who Is The Creator 2 (150 ETH) and other high-value pieces on SuperRare and MakersPlace.

Beyond superheroes, Maxstealth holds:

Their diverse portfolio—spanning art, gaming (The Sandbox), and decentralized identity—shows a belief in both aesthetic value and long-term utility.

FAQ: Your Top NFT Collector Questions Answered

Q: Who are the biggest NFT collectors?
A: The most prominent include 0xb1, WhaleShark, Metakovan, Pranksy, and Maxstealth—each with multi-million-dollar portfolios spanning art, gaming, and virtual worlds.

Q: Why do NFT whales buy so many digital assets?
A: Many see NFTs as both cultural artifacts and financial assets. Early adoption in high-potential projects can yield massive returns as ecosystems grow.

Q: Are NFTs a good investment?
A: While some NFTs have appreciated dramatically, the market is volatile. Scarcity, artist reputation, utility, and community strength are key indicators of long-term value.

Q: What types of NFTs are most valuable?
A: Rare collectibles (like CryptoPunks), top-tier digital art (e.g., Beeple), prime virtual land (in The Sandbox or Cryptovoxels), and limited-edition sports moments (NBA Top Shot) tend to hold or increase value.

Q: Can anyone become an NFT whale?
A: While large capital helps, strategic early entry into emerging projects—even with smaller budgets—can lead to significant gains over time.

👉 Learn how to spot undervalued NFT projects before they explode in value.

The Bigger Picture: Trends Shaping the NFT Future

The moves of these top collectors reveal powerful trends:

While infrastructure challenges remain—especially around scalability and cross-chain compatibility—the momentum is undeniable.

Final Thoughts

The rise of NFT whales isn’t just about wealth—it’s about vision. These collectors aren’t just buying pixels; they’re investing in a new paradigm of ownership, creativity, and digital identity.

As the line between physical and virtual continues to blur, their portfolios may one day be seen as the blue-chip assets of the metaverse era.

👉 Start your journey into high-potential NFT markets today—before the next wave hits.

Always conduct thorough research and assess risk tolerance before participating in any crypto or NFT investment.