Justin Bieber's $1.3M Bored Ape NFT Now Worth Just $12K

The once-booming NFT market has crashed, leaving many celebrity collectors with massive losses.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In January 2022, pop star Justin Bieber purchased a Bored Ape NFT for $1.3 million. However, the value of that NFT has now plummeted to just $12,000, a 99% decline, as the broader NFT market has crashed in recent years. The creator of the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection, Yuga Labs, has also struggled, going through layoffs and facing a class action lawsuit.

Why it matters

This story highlights the volatility and risks of the NFT market, which saw a speculative bubble and massive hype that has since deflated. It serves as a cautionary tale for celebrities and others who invested heavily in NFTs, only to see their value plummet. It also raises questions about the long-term viability of NFT-based business models.

The details

Bieber purchased Bored Ape #3001 in January 2022 for $1.3 million when the NFT craze was at its peak. However, the value of that NFT has now crashed to just $12,000, a 99% decline. The broader NFT market has gone through an 'NFT winter' following a brutal crash, leaving many collectors with massive losses. Yuga Labs, the creator of the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection, has also struggled, going through several rounds of layoffs and facing a class action lawsuit that accused it of using celebrity endorsements to sell an unregistered security.

  • In January 2022, Bieber purchased the Bored Ape NFT for $1.3 million.
  • In March 2023, the SEC concluded its investigation into Yuga Labs, determining that NFTs were not securities.
  • As of February 2026, Bieber's Bored Ape NFT is now worth just $12,000.

The players

Justin Bieber

A popular Canadian pop singer who purchased a Bored Ape NFT for $1.3 million in 2022.

Yuga Labs

The creator of the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT collection, which has struggled with layoffs and legal issues as the NFT market has crashed.

Greg Solano

The co-founder of Yuga Labs, who admitted in 2024 that the company had 'lost its way'.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This story serves as a cautionary tale about the risks and volatility of the NFT market, which saw a speculative bubble that has since dramatically deflated. It highlights how even high-profile celebrity investors like Justin Bieber can suffer massive losses, and raises questions about the long-term viability of NFT-based business models.