24-04-2025
Where To Buy Contemporary NFT Art In 2025: A Guide For Collectors
"Hyperportrait I"
Kevin Esherick
In the current crypto landscape, with memecoins taking over the narrative and platforms pushing for blockchain-based disposable content, the whole space is morphing into a kind of crypto-Instagram. It's very easy to forget how NFTs originated and what role they still play in the art world. The first known NFT was created by artist Kevin McCoy in 2014 during a conference at the New Museum, setting a precedent by explicitly linking a non-fungible, tradable blockchain marker to a work of art via onchain metadata. In this way, NFTs were cemented into the history of art. For those collectors who are immune to the hype and see the technological possibilities beyond market cycles, here are five blockchain art institutions catering to serious art investors.
One of the oldest blockchain art institutions, Art Blocks is still staying true to its goal of preserving generative art onchain. Created by Erick Calderon in 2021 via the infamous Chromie Squiggle - the founding collection of Art Blocks, which currently has a floor price of 4.5 ETH - holding an original Squiggle is still considered a true collector's move among onchain art lovers. Receiving a curatorial stamp of approval from Art Blocks often signals a successful future onchain career for artists. Today, Art Blocks continues to lead blockchain art curation and hosts multiple drops each week. Artists such as Kim Asendorf, Rafaël Rozendaal, Tyler Hobbs, and Dmitri Cherniak, among others, have launched their generative collections through Art Blocks.
Launched in 2022, Verse features a team of traditional art curators and critics from institutions such as Tate Britain, Christie's, and David Zwirner. The platform prides itself on bridging the traditional art world with blockchain innovation, introducing both curators and collectors to the technological shift in art. Verse has previously exhibited works by Simon Denny, Tyler Hobbs, and David Shrigley. Current live auctions feature works by Edward Burtynsky & Alkan Avcıoğlu, Kattie Morris, and Andy Duboc. Pricing ranges from 0.02 ETH to 10 ETH, with both one-of-one works and editions available.
Co-founded by Casey Reas, a renowned artist and co-creator of the Processing programming language, Feral File is one of the earliest art institutions in the crypto space. Defining itself as 'an online cultural institution for software art,' the project officially launched in 2019 with a2p, a collaborative work between Reas and Sean Moss-Pultz. Since then, Feral File has released numerous projects across various chains. Its curatorial approach blends globally recognized names like Yoko Ono, Refik Anadol, and John Gerrard with the next generation of artists such as 0xDEAFBEEF, Molly Soda, Iskra Velitchkova, and Maya Man. Feral File has collaborated with institutions like MoMA and the Musée d'Orsay. Artworks are available for collecting in a price range of 0.02 ETH to 6 ETH.
The newest addition to the NYC art scene, Heft has recently opened a permanent physical space. Representing artists pushing the boundaries of innovative technology for the past three years, Heft was founded by artist and curator Adam Heft Berninger. Formerly known as Tender, the project evolved from a curatorial venture into a full-fledged exhibition space. While it doesn't publicly position itself as blockchain-forward, many of the creators it features have been pioneers in early NFT experimentation. Artists such as Jan Robert Leegte, Marcel Schwittlick, Emi Kusano, and Kevin Abosch have collaborated with Heft. The inaugural show is on view until May 10, 2025, with some works available for purchase as NFTs.
An artist-run blockchain art gallery, Yeche Lange opened its physical location in New York's Financial District in May 2024. Founded by Jared Madere, Wretched Wrum, Anastasios Karnarez, Milo Conroy, and Miles Peyton, the gallery traces its roots to Bed-Stuy Love Affair, a mobile installation for the Whitney Museum in 2015, where Madere met Conroy. With a current exhibition featuring works by Kenny Schachter and Jim Spindle, Yeche Lange stands out for its avant-garde and experimental curatorial vision.
While Le Random doesn't currently offer works for sale, it remains a curatorial project worthy of attention. Positioned as a generative art institution, Le Random's mission is to 'contextualize on-chain generative art within art history, highlighting the medium's importance and impact through the collection and editorial.' Featuring works by Holly Herndon, Robert W. Franke, Rhea Myers, and many others, Le Random serves as a valuable educational source for understanding the landscape of generative onchain art. Their generative art timeline alone is worth a visit to the website.
Disclosure: I may own NFTs and tokens from the artists and projects I write about, all of which were purchased with my own funds.
