What Was Julian Assange and Pak’s Censored NFT?

Julian Assange and digital artist Pak collaborated on Censored, a two-part NFT collection announced in February 2022. It was built around censorship and Assange’s imprisonment. The collection is historical, not a new launch in 2026.

The two works were Clock and Censored. Clock was a one-of-one NFT connected to a live counter of Assange’s time in prison. Censored was the collection’s other work, offered in an open-edition format. The project combined an artwork sale with an effort to raise support for Assange.

If you’re looking at a listing now, treat it as a secondary-market offer unless it clearly identifies a separate, current project. A listing is not proof that a token belongs to the original collection, and the original sale price is not a guide to today’s value. Start by identifying which work is being offered, then verify the token and the rights attached to it before deciding whether it interests you.

Clock was the headline piece: a digital artwork whose counter tracked the days Assange had been imprisoned. It was sold at auction in February 2022. AssangeDAO won the bid with an offer of 16,593 ETH, reported at roughly $53 million at the time.

Censored was the second part of the project. It was released as an open edition, rather than as another single auction lot. The two pieces were presented together as a response to censorship and a way to draw attention to Assange’s situation.

Keep the distinction clear when you see references to the collection. “Clock” refers to the one-of-one work and its auction; “Censored” refers to the open-edition work. Neither the number of tokens nor the historic bid tells you what a particular token is worth now. Prices can change sharply, and there may be few or no buyers at a seller’s asking price.

AssangeDAO was the group that pooled resources to bid on Clock. It won the auction with 16,593 ETH, a sum reported at about $53 million at the time. The auction was also a fundraising effort connected to support for Assange and his legal and political campaign.

A high-profile auction can make an NFT look like a donation receipt, but those are different things. An NFT purchase transfers a token under the rules of its blockchain; it does not automatically give the holder a tax deduction, a share of campaign funds, access to Assange, or a say in legal decisions. The purpose of the fundraiser does not create those rights by itself.

If you encounter a claim that buying a resale token supports Assange, check whether the seller explains exactly where the proceeds go. A secondary sale generally pays the seller, subject to marketplace and creator-fee arrangements. Do not assume that a resale benefits the original campaign unless the transaction terms clearly establish that.

The collection belongs to 2022, not 2026. Assange was released in June 2024 after a plea agreement and returned to Australia. That changed the real-world context behind Clock, but it does not make the token a new release or establish its current market price.

You may still encounter the artworks, collection records or resale offers. Their presence does not guarantee that the original project is actively issuing new NFTs, that every listing is genuine, or that a token can be sold quickly. Marketplace availability and current collection terms can change, so check the specific token and venue before connecting a wallet.

For a current offer, establish whether it is an original token, a resale, a copy, or a different project using similar names or artwork. Look for the token’s chain, contract and token identifier, then compare those details with trusted records for the original collection. If you cannot confidently confirm the match, do not sign a transaction or send payment.

Before you consider a purchase, verify the asset and the seller rather than relying on a title or thumbnail. NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea can display listings, but a marketplace page by itself is not proof that a token is authentic.

Use this checklist:

1. Identify the exact work. Confirm whether the offer is for Clock or a Censored edition, and record its chain and token identifier.
2. Check the collection record. Compare the contract and token details with trusted records associated with the original project. Watch for copied names and images.
3. Inspect the seller and offer. Check the seller’s history, price, sale type and any terms shown by the marketplace.
4. Read the wallet request. Confirm the transaction matches the action you intend. Reject unexpected permissions, transfers or requests to reveal your recovery phrase.
5. Check the rights. Read the stated terms for commercial use, reproduction and any benefits; do not infer rights from ownership of the token.

If any detail does not line up, pause. There is no need to rush into a transaction because a listing uses a famous name.

Your total cost can include more than the seller’s displayed price. If the NFT is on Ethereum, a purchase or transfer may require network gas, which varies with network demand. A marketplace may also charge a fee, and creator royalties or other sale terms may apply. Check the final transaction screen for the full amount before approving it.

The resale price is uncertain. An NFT can be difficult to sell if there are few interested buyers, and a seller’s asking price does not prove that anyone will pay it. Historic sale figures, including Clock’s 2022 auction result, are not reliable estimates of today’s value.

There are also practical risks: counterfeit listings, phishing messages, malicious wallet approvals, loss of wallet access and unclear usage rights. Use a wallet you control, keep its recovery phrase offline, and never share it with a seller or support account. If you use OpenSea or another marketplace, verify that you are using the intended service and review each wallet prompt carefully. Only risk money you can afford to lose.

A few common assumptions can lead to expensive mistakes:

• Treating the 2022 auction as today’s price. It was a single high-profile sale, not a current valuation or guaranteed resale floor.
• Confusing the two works. Clock and Censored were different parts of the collection with different sale formats.
• Assuming every listing is authentic. Names and images can be copied. Verify contract and token details before trading.
• Expecting a resale to support Assange. A secondary-market purchase normally pays the seller; check the terms instead of assuming proceeds go to a campaign.
• Assuming the NFT includes copyright or political rights. Token ownership alone does not grant these.
• Approving a wallet request without reading it. A transaction can transfer an asset or grant permissions you did not intend.

If the contract, token identity, rights or transaction cost is unclear, stop and verify it before proceeding. The collection’s story may be significant to you, but that does not remove the ordinary risks of buying an NFT.