SuperRare

SuperRare is the leading curated NFT art marketplace on Ethereum, founded in 2018 by Charles Crain, John Crain, and Jonathan Perkins. It was the first venue where artists could mint their works as single-edition (1/1) NFTs, and it has since grown into one of the most respected destinations for serious digital art collectors.

As of July 2025, SuperRare had sold more than 51,000 artworks for over $328 million in total trading volume, with average primary sale prices in the multi-thousand-dollar range and a market dominated by 1/1 pieces, gallery-grade editions, and curated mixed-media drops.

Unlike open NFT marketplaces, SuperRare is selectively curated: artists must be vetted and mint through curated channels, and the broader community operates via the RARE DAO — a Decentralized Autonomous Organization the platform converted into in 2021 (issuing the RARE governance token to its community).

The SuperRare experience is intentionally gallery-style. Each drop has editorial framing; featured exhibitions include curated thematic collections (e.g., 'Escaping the Calculating Machine' in support of Rhizome's 25th year of commissioning art online). Buyers bid in real time with English auctions, reserve auctions, or Buy Now fixed-price listings.

SuperRare's commitment to gallery culture extends IRL: in July 2025 it opened Offline, a permanent gallery a few steps from the New Museum in NYC's SoHo, programming live exhibitions, performances, and curated shows of digital art.

Built non-custodially, SuperRare pays creators a 10% perpetual royalty on every secondary sale — smart-contract enforced. Combined with a low 3% marketplace fee, SuperRare has been one of the most creator-friendly high-end venues in NFTs since its founding.

SuperRare's fee model rewards creators and the curation community.

SuperRare does not support fiat or card payments; all listings settle in ETH on Ethereum mainnet. RARE token stakers (via the RARE DAO) may participate in curation governance and earn rewards.

Curated 1/1 + editions marketplace

SuperRare's catalogue spans single-edition (1/1) digital artworks and curated multi-edition drops, including video NFTs, GIF art, 3D, and mixed-media. Curation is by committee via the RARE DAO, keeping a quality bar a step above open marketplaces.

English auctions + reserve auctions + Buy Now

Artists choose between three sale models: live 24-hour English auctions (with bid-extension windows), reserve-style auctions with a reserve price, and Buy Now fixed-price listings. Most premier works sell via English auctions.

10% smart-contract-enforced royalty

Every secondary sale pays the original creator a 10% royalty, enforced by SuperRare's smart contracts — meaning collection royalties cannot be bypassed by routing trades off-SuperRare, preserving creator compensation across venues.

RARE DAO governance

SuperRare converted to a Decentralized Autonomous Organization in 2021, issuing the RARE governance token. RARE holders vote on curation, platform upgrades, and community programs — making SuperRare one of the first curated NFT venues with true onchain governance.

Offline — IRL gallery in NYC SoHo

In July 2025 SuperRare opened Offline, a permanent physical gallery near the New Museum in New York City. Offline programs exhibitions, performances, and curated shows of digital art — extending SuperRare's gallery culture into the physical world.

Editorial curation + exhibitions

Curated thematic exhibitions run regularly — e.g., 'Escaping the Calculating Machine' in support of Rhizome's 25th year of commissioning art online. Every exhibition has editorial framing, presentation notes, and a featured calendar.

Collector profiles + social

Each collector has a public profile showing owned works, curatorial interests, and liked pieces — letting collectors discover each other and artists' worlds in a gallery-style social feed.

Non-custodial onchain

All NFTs settle on Ethereum mainnet; SuperRare never holds assets. After delisting, works remain in owner wallets and contracts continue to function on-chain.