• NFT sales had a breakthrough in 2021 with total sales volume exceeding $12 billion.
• A few standout leaders dominate the NFT market due to their rarity and popularity.
• These five digital art collections are the most popular and have contributed $292 million to NFT sales in the last week.

The cryptocurrency boom of the past two decades has helped propel a brand new market to record heights: digital collectors, also known by NFTs.

2021 was a landmark year for NFTs with total sales volume exceeding $12 billion. This is a result of both entrepreneurs and investors descending upon the new Web3 space.

NFTs (or non-fungible tokens) are digital, unique items that can be bought and sold online.

NFTs, which use blockchain technology, keep a digital record about ownership. This is similar to cryptocurrency. NFTs were launched using ethereum, which is the same blockchain that supports cryptocurrency ether. However, most NFTs can only be bought using ether.

According to NonFungible.com data, NFT sales reached $292 million in the week just.

These are the top-selling NFT collections of the week according to NonFungible, with NFT sales rising.

5. Decentraland

7-Day Sales Volume: $6.6 million
Number of 7-Day Sales: 339.
Average sale: $19 469

Explaner:Decentraland is a virtual-reality platform powered by Ethereum blockchain. You can create, experience and monetize content or applications.

4. Art blocks

7-Day Sales Volume: $13.2 million
2.737 7-Day Sales
Average sale: $4,822

Explaner: A storefront for genuine programmable, on-demand generative artwork stored directly on Ethereum's blockchain.

3. CryptoPunks

7-Day Sales Volume: $17.5 million
38 7-Day Sales
Average sale: $460 526

Explaner: "10,000 unique, collectible characters with proof ownership stored on Ethereum blockchain. This is the project that inspired the modern CryptoArt movement.

2. The Sandbox

7-Day Sales Volume: $33.1 million
7,182 7-Day Sales
Average sale: $15,169

Explainer "The Sandbox" is a community-driven UGC/voxel platform that allows users to own their LAND and create their own magic.

1. Bored Ape Yacht Club

7-Day Sales Volume: $52.2 million
Number of 7-Day Sales: 695
Average sale: $75,107

- BAYC is a collection 10,000 Bored Ape NFTs, which are unique digital collectibles that live on the Ethereum blockchain. Your Bored Ape doubles up as your Yacht Club membership card and gives you access to member-only benefits.