Historic Success: The First Charity NFT Auction by UFDA Concludes with Record-Breaking Results

From February 18 to 21, the Ukrainian Fund of Digitized Art (UFDA) held its first-ever charity NFT auction in partnership with the Prytula Charity Foundation, and it was a tremendous success. Over three days of spirited bidding, every lot was sold as collectors worldwide came together to support Ukraine's Armed Forces and preserve its national cultural heritage. As a result, UFDA has gathered 37,700 USDC, which is equivalent to UAH 1,615,068!

The auction began with the first bid placed within the opening hour—a sign of the strong interest driving a competitive and inspiring bidding war throughout the event. Utilizing advanced digital light capture technology (DLCT), each physical artwork was rendered with up to 400 MPX of detail. This high-resolution process transformed the works into unique digital analogs through blockchain tokenization, ensuring that every nuance is permanently preserved. These NFTs are not mere digital copies but certified, unrepeatable records of Ukrainian art.

The auction showcased a seamless blend of traditional artistry and cutting-edge technology. Real-time online bidding saw active participation from a global community, resulting in the sale of every lot. The event demonstrated the potential of digital formats to protect cultural heritage and the world's commitment to supporting Ukraine during challenging times. The collective enthusiasm of every bid translated into significant funds that will directly benefit the Prytula Charity Foundation's defense and humanitarian aid efforts.

The auction highlighted digital originals by three of Ukraine's most renowned contemporary artists:

A multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture, video, performance, and photography, Kadyrova's series "Anxiety" juxtaposes traditional Ukrainian embroidery with urgent war messages. Her work reflects the emotional and psychological toll of living under constant threat.

Known for his direct approach to themes of political resistance and historical memory, Kadan's work "Fuck War" transforms a defiant phrase into a powerful visual protest. Its repeated inscription echoes global anti-war sentiments and is a poignant act of resistance.

A surrealist who fuses folklore, mythology, and metaphysics, Waone's "Victory"—originally conceived as a mural—depicts a dramatic confrontation between a Ukrainian Cossack and a russian bear. The defeated bear, marked with Soviet symbols, represents a symbolic triumph over totalitarian oppression. Part of the Time for Change 3 series, this piece was created in October 2022 as a tribute to Ukrainian heroes defending their homeland.

The most daring fight during the auction occurred for the work "Victory" by Waone Interesni Kazki! The starting price of the lot was 15,000 USDC (where 1 USDC = 1 dollar), and the final price rose to a record-breaking 24,000 USDC - surpassing the previous record set at Christie's in 2024 when his painting "Games of the Sun-God" was sold for 20,000 euros with an estimate of 6,000-8,000 euros.

There was also intense competition for Zhanna Kadyrova's Anxiety: the starting price of 6,500 USDC rose to 7,700 USDC, which indicates a high demand among collectors for digitized art.  

Another significant work of art presented at the auction was Fuck War by Nikita Kadan. This work was sold for 6000 USDC.

The UFDA charity NFT auction marked a significant milestone in uniting art, technology, and philanthropy. By blending innovative blockchain technology with Ukraine's rich artistic heritage, the event set a precedent for preserving national identity and cultural legacy in a digital age.

As the auction comes to a close, its success stands as a testament to the resilience of Ukrainian artists, the support of global collectors, and the power of technology to make a lasting impact.