A single lot of NFTs — 104 digital art assets known as CryptoPunks — that was estimated to bring much as $30 million and set a benchmark for the growing category, was suddenly withdrawn at a Sotheby's sale on Wednesday. The saleroom floor went into a stunned silence, reports the New York Times, after the auction was delayed for 25 minutes and then quickly called off.

The anonymous consignor, who goes by 0x650d online, then posted on Twitter "hodl," meaning holding onto digital assets in crypto-speak, followed by “Taking punks mainstream by selling on Sotheby's...Taking punks mainstream by rugging Sotheby’s,” with a meme featuring Drake.

Replies to the consignor's tweet included, "Make the largest sale in NFT history...Make the crypto community look like clowns."