Celebrity Losses on Bored Apes | Unpacking the NFT Fallout
The NFT market crash is leaving plenty of high-profile names reeling as stars like Justin Bieber, Neymar, and Eminem are grappling with massive losses on their Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) investments. As of 2026, the crypto art bubble has burst, exposing vulnerabilities that many either overlooked or misjudged.
Notable Celebrity Losses
While the 2021 NFT boom attracted stars spending big on BAYC, they now face grim valuations that demonstrate a stark shift in market conditions. Prices for Bored Apes have plunged nearly 90%, throwing little shade on the names associated with them:
Justin Bieber: Estimated value dropped from an unspecified price to around $12,000
Neymar: From around $1 million to approximately $35,000
Eminem: Originally bought for $462,000, now worth about $17,000
Stephen Curry and Jimmy Fallon: Initial investment around $200,000, now valued at just $17,000
Some insiders argue these celebrities might not have actually spent their own money on these NFTs but instead engaged in marketing deals.
Market Dynamics and Online Sentiment
Recent comments on forums reveal a spectrum of perspectives about NFT investments from celebrities:
Questioning Purchases: A noticeable belief persists that many celebrities were backed by marketing partnerships, specifically with platforms like Moonpay, rather than personal investments. Operatives reportedly compensated them handsomely just to promote these assets.
"They didn’t lose anything. Celebrities made good money pretending they did buy it."
Skeptical Outlook on NFTs: Others maintain that speculative collectibles are trending to zero as liquidity drained from this segment. A common sentiment echoed, "The metaverse is dead and was always vapourware," signaling a skepticism toward future value in profile-picture NFTs.
Digital Ownership Vision: Still, some voices believe in evolving concepts of digital ownership, suggesting that gamers will eventually recognize the need to own digital assets within games.
Market Impact and Lessons Learned
The stark reality of BAYC prices, which nosedived about 90% from their peak, reflects a substantial reset for NFTs post-2021.
"Is this a permanent reset for profile-picture NFTs or just a cycle drawdown?"
The sentiment largely skews negative but hints at potential innovation as people digest recent losses. Forecasts suggest around 60% of people may return to the market, drawn by discussions around tokenization of digital assets and real-world applications.
Prospects for the NFT Space
The narrative suggests a shift back toward substance over mere speculation, urging creators to focus on tangible value and applications. Experts in the realm anticipate that the winds could change course with improvements driven by augmented reality and blockchain innovations.
Key Insights
📉 BAYC prices dropped about 90% from peak levels.
💬 "NFTs are done, get over it" - a recurring theme.
⚡ Growing discussions around tokenization, and true digital ownership highlight transformative potential.
The saga continues as the crypto community watches intently for a potential revival or further decline in the digital asset arena.