CryptoPunks Find New Home: Nonprofit Acquires Iconic NFT Collection

In a significant shift within the NFT landscape, Yuga Labs has sold the intellectual property rights of the iconic CryptoPunks collection to the newly established Infinite Node Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of digital art. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for one of the most recognized NFT series, originally created in 2017 by Larva Labs.

Key Takeaways

• Yuga Labs sold CryptoPunks to the Infinite Node Foundation, focusing on digital art preservation.

• The deal is part of a broader trend in the NFT market, which has seen significant changes in recent years.

• The Infinite Node Foundation aims to enhance accessibility and engagement with CryptoPunks through exhibitions and educational initiatives.

The Acquisition Details

The Infinite Node Foundation announced its acquisition of the full intellectual property rights for CryptoPunks on May 13, 2025. The financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, but reports suggest the nonprofit may have paid around $20 million for the rights.

Founded by venture capitalist Micky Malka and Becky Kleiner, the Infinite Node Foundation is committed to preserving and promoting digital art. The foundation's advisory board includes notable figures from the NFT space, such as Wylie Aronow, co-founder of Yuga Labs, and the original creators of CryptoPunks, Matt Hall and John Watkinson.

The Impact of CryptoPunks

CryptoPunks consists of 10,000 unique pixel-art characters and is widely regarded as a catalyst for the modern digital art movement. The collection has generated over $3 billion in sales since its inception, making it one of the most valuable NFT collections in history.

Despite the NFT market experiencing a downturn, with many assets losing significant value, CryptoPunks has maintained a strong presence. The collection's floor price recently surged to a six-month high, reflecting renewed interest in the digital art space.

Future Plans for Preservation

The Infinite Node Foundation plans to implement a comprehensive strategy focusing on three core areas:

1. Preservation: Ensuring the longevity and integrity of the CryptoPunks collection.

2. Community Engagement: Creating opportunities for scholars, curators, and collectors to interact with the collection.

3. Expansion: Developing new ways to exhibit and study CryptoPunks as a significant part of art history and internet culture.

The foundation will also launch a museum-partnership program and host a major exhibition featuring all 10,000 CryptoPunks at its upcoming permanent exhibition space in Palo Alto, California. This space will include a live Ethereum node to emphasize the on-chain nature of the works.

Conclusion

The sale of CryptoPunks to the Infinite Node Foundation represents a new chapter for this iconic NFT collection. With a focus on preservation and accessibility, the foundation aims to ensure that CryptoPunks not only remain a significant part of digital art history but also continue to inspire future generations of artists and collectors. As the NFT market evolves, this acquisition highlights the importance of dedicated efforts to maintain the cultural and artistic value of digital assets.

Sources

• NFT phenom CryptoPunks was just sold to a nonprofit, TechCrunch.

• Yuga Labs, Owner of Bored Apes, Sells CryptoPunks to Arts Nonprofit, ARTnews.com.

• Yuga Labs sells CryptoPunks rights to the Infinite Node Foundation, Binance.

• Yuga Labs sells CryptoPunks rights to Infinite Node Foundation, Crypto News.

• CryptoPunks Have New Home as Nonprofit Acquires Ethereum NFT IP From Yuga Labs, Decrypt.