Apparently, beeple just auctioned digital ownership of some of his back catalogue, and the total proceeds were over 580.000 dollars. So yeah... There's definitely some demand for this stuff if your work is considered hot by the community.. https://twitter.com/ThysMusic/status/1337183799487180802

Digital ownership is not what it is. He's issued special editions of his work, on a blockchain. That's what it is. Apparently people really do want to own a "real beeple", even when it's an image that everyone else has access to as well..

Or, and this is cynical, they just think "beeple = good - > buying now, selling more at a profit later".