The rise of NFTs has been one of the most talked-about phenomena in the Web3 world, with billions of dollars poured into digital assets that range from pixelated animals to cartoon apes. While some view NFTs as revolutionary for artists and creators, others—especially traditional art collectors—see them as bizarre, overhyped, and lacking substance. With countless trends and collections popping up in the NFT space, it’s clear that the digital art world has embraced some truly wild fads. Here’s a look at some of the most outrageous NFT trends and why they make traditional art collectors roll their eyes.

1. Cryptokitties: The Original Digital Pets

Cryptokitties was one of the first NFT projects to gain widespread attention back in 2017, and it set the stage for what would become a tidal wave of digital collectibles. In Cryptokitties, users could buy, sell, and breed unique, digital cats on the Ethereum blockchain. Each “kitty” came with a distinct combination of features like fur color, pattern, and eye shape, making them unique and collectible.

While Cryptokitties introduced the idea of NFTs to the mainstream, the concept of breeding and trading digital cats struck traditional art collectors as gimmicky and childish. To them, it was hard to understand why anyone would pay thousands to own a cartoonish, blockchain-based cat with no inherent artistic value. Still, Cryptokitties made history by popularizing NFTs and showing that digital collectibles could command serious cash—at least for a while.

2. Bored Ape Yacht Club: The VIP Apes of the Blockchain

If there’s one NFT collection that’s become the face of the modern NFT craze, it’s the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). Each Bored Ape is a cartoon avatar with randomly generated features, from hats and glasses to expressions and fur colors. But the real appeal of BAYC isn’t just the artwork; it’s the exclusive club status that comes with owning one. Bored Ape owners are invited to private events, get access to exclusive chats, and enjoy perks that come with being part of the “club.”

To traditional collectors, the idea of paying hundreds of thousands for a cartoon ape seems absurd. While they can understand the appeal of exclusive social clubs, paying such high prices for what is essentially a profile picture leaves many scratching their heads. Still, BAYC apes are among the most iconic NFTs, showing that digital status symbols are here to stay, even if they seem more like expensive digital caricatures than art.

3. CryptoPunks: The Pixel Art That Became a Status Symbol

CryptoPunks are a set of 10,000 pixelated characters created in 2017, each with its own combination of attributes like hairstyles, accessories, and even alien or zombie features. Initially given away for free, CryptoPunks have since become some of the most valuable NFTs, with some selling for millions of dollars. Despite their simple, pixelated style, they’ve become a status symbol in the crypto community.

For many traditional art collectors, CryptoPunks are baffling. With their 8-bit graphics, they look more like video game sprites than fine art. But their scarcity and status within the NFT community make them immensely valuable. To an outsider, it’s hard to see the appeal, but to those in the know, owning a CryptoPunk is like having a first-edition piece of digital history.

4. Axies: The Battle Pets of Blockchain

Axies are the stars of the play-to-earn game Axie Infinity, where players buy, breed, and battle creatures in a Pokémon-style game. Each Axie is a unique NFT with distinct attributes, and some have sold for thousands of dollars. Players can earn rewards in the form of cryptocurrency, making Axies more than just digital pets—they’re also an income source for some.

To art collectors, however, Axies are yet another example of NFTs that lack artistic depth or long-term value. While they can appreciate the game’s community and the innovative play-to-earn model, the idea of Axies as collectible art is a stretch. Still, Axie Infinity proved that NFTs could serve purposes beyond static collectibles, even if they look more like cartoon critters than classic works of art.

5. Pudgy Penguins: Cool or Cringe?

Pudgy Penguins are another popular NFT collection featuring chubby, adorable penguins with a variety of accessories, from sunglasses to bow ties. The penguins are beloved for their cute, endearing design, and they’ve gained a loyal following on social media. However, their popularity also exemplifies the fickleness of NFT trends; the value of Pudgy Penguins has fluctuated wildly as hype has come and gone.

For traditional art collectors, Pudgy Penguins represent everything wrong with the NFT market. They’re cute, yes, but the prices they command seem wildly disproportionate to their artistic value. Pudgy Penguins are a prime example of how NFTs can act more as digital memes than serious art, driven by social media hype rather than artistic appreciation.

6. Meebits: 3D Avatars for the Virtual World

Meebits, created by the same team behind CryptoPunks, are 3D, blocky characters designed for use in virtual worlds. With thousands of unique Meebits, each NFT doubles as an avatar for potential Metaverse environments. The idea is that one day, people will use Meebits to explore and interact in virtual spaces, giving them an edge over 2D collectibles.

Traditional collectors, however, are less convinced. To them, Meebits are little more than digital action figures with limited artistic appeal. While some see potential in 3D avatars, others view Meebits as another overvalued fad banking on a Metaverse that doesn’t yet exist.

7. Digital Dinosaurs: Prehistoric Pixels on the Blockchain

In yet another nod to the “collectible” trend, some projects have created digital dinosaur NFTs, where each dino has unique colors, accessories, and traits. Fans love them for their nostalgic appeal, and owning a “rare” digital dinosaur feels like a badge of honor for some NFT enthusiasts.

Art collectors are less impressed. To them, digital dinosaurs lack originality and artistic substance, seeming more like kid-friendly novelties than meaningful collectibles. For all their quirky charm, digital dinosaurs exemplify the novelty-driven nature of NFT fads—great for short-term amusement, less so for lasting artistic legacy.

8. Lazy Lions: Another Animal, Another Hype Cycle

Lazy Lions is yet another animal-themed NFT collection, with each lion sporting various traits like crowns, sunglasses, and different mane colors. Like other profile picture collections, Lazy Lions foster a community of collectors who identify with the brand and share an exclusive club status.

But to traditional collectors, Lazy Lions are just another addition to the endless list of animal-themed NFT projects, more about digital status than artistic value. The proliferation of animal-based collections has led some to see NFT art as repetitive and uninspired.

9. World of Women: A Trend with a Purpose

World of Women is a collection that focuses on diversity and female representation in the NFT space. With colorful illustrations of women in different styles and appearances, it’s a notable break from the predominantly male-driven NFT scene. Supporters see it as a way to promote inclusivity, and the collection has gained a strong community.

While traditional collectors might appreciate the project’s purpose, many still question the long-term value of these illustrations. For some, the social message is appreciated, but they still view it as part of a trend-driven market rather than groundbreaking art.

10. EtherRocks: Digital Pet Rocks That Rocked the Market

If there’s an NFT fad that truly embodies the absurdity of the market, it’s EtherRocks. These are simply digital images of rocks, each one identical but technically unique, and they’ve sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Originally created as a joke, EtherRocks have become a collector’s item in the NFT space, driven by their scarcity and the sheer novelty of paying a fortune for a digital rock.

To traditional art collectors, EtherRocks are the height of absurdity. The idea of paying six figures for a digital rock with no artistic merit or utility is baffling. Yet, EtherRocks demonstrate how scarcity and humor can fuel an NFT trend, even if the asset itself seems completely pointless.

Final Thoughts: Art, Status, or Hype?

From digital cats and pixelated punks to cartoon lions and rocks, the world of NFT fads is filled with collectibles that traditional art collectors find baffling. To outsiders, these trends seem driven more by hype, exclusivity, and digital status than by any inherent artistic value. While some of these projects will likely fade, others may hold a place in history as the pioneering, albeit quirky, experiments of the NFT age. Whether they’re viewed as art or absurdity, Web3’s wildest NFT fads have proven that digital collectibles are here to stay—even if they’re as confusing as they are captivating.