Ant Group’s Topnod Sells Out 4,088 Blockchain Art Pieces in Just 3 Hours – Priced at $1–4 Each!
Ant Group's blockchain arm Topnod just proved digital art mania is far from dead—moving 4,088 pieces in under three hours at dirt-cheap prices. Who said NFTs were only for bored crypto whales?
The $1–4 price range screams 'impulse buy'—a deliberate play to onboard normies while traditional finance still struggles with JPEG valuation models. Each piece acts as a tiny stake in the speculative fever dream that is Web3 art.
This lightning-fast sellout exposes pent-up demand for accessible blockchain assets. Meanwhile, hedge funds are still charging 2-and-20 to lose money on 'safe' bonds.
Pre‑Sale and Public Sale Model
Topnod said the exhibition adopts a “pre‑sale + public sale” structure. During pre‑sale, user interest helps determine whether the artwork will be issued, the quantity minted, and its pricing. Public sales then proceed with finalized editions.
The pricing model, typically ranging between 8 and 28 yuan (about 1–4 USD), is designed as a small “tip‑like” mechanism for users to support their preferred artists. Within three hours of launch, 4,088 pieces were reserved by users, according to the report.
Artists, including painter DAI Dunbang and recent graduates of art academies, are among the first group of participants. The platform said it intends to help creators gain visibility while receiving market feedback to support ongoing work.
Support for Digital Art Creators
A Topnod program manager said the platform will allocate internal and external traffic resources to promote the exhibition and retail creator shops. It will also provide support to help artists attract and manage fans.
Topnod also plans to develop a digital artist ecosystem to foster collaboration among creators and integrate online and offline engagement.
Ant Group is an affiliate of Alibaba Group, best known for operating Alipay, and has been expanding its presence in blockchain through initiatives focused on digital finance and asset verification.
Ant Group was excited to participate in WAIC 2025 in Shanghai, where we showcased our comprehensive advancements in AI technologies and products, including the AI healthcare manager AQ and a series of AI large models.
As Cyril Han, CEO of ANT Group, noted, “Ant Group is… pic.twitter.com/kMl6wqVrkf
The company has developed multiple blockchain applications in supply chain management, cross‑border trade, and intellectual property protection.
Topnod shows Ant Group’s ongoing strategy to integrate blockchain into consumer‑facing platforms, extending beyond payments into digital identity, data services, and now cultural content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What role could blockchain play in intellectual property enforcement through Topnod?Unique blockchain IDs provide verifiable ownership records, potentially reducing counterfeit risks and strengthening copyright protection for digital artists.
Could Topnod’s model influence global digital art markets?If successful, the model could encourage other markets to adopt blockchain‑verified collectibles with micro‑pricing to expand participation.
What challenges might the platform face?Adoption could depend on demand, user trust, regulatory approval, and whether low‑cost digital art translates into sustainable income for creators.
