Yuga Labs Sells Moonbirds IP to Orange Cap Games, Refocusing on Apes and Otherside

Yuga Labs, the creator of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, has sold the Moonbirds NFT intellectual property to Orange Cap Games. This strategic move signifies Yuga Labs' intensified focus on its core Bored Ape ecosystem and the Otherside metaverse, following similar divestments of CryptoPunks and Meebits IP. Orange Cap Games, a rising player in blockchain gaming, aims to revitalize the Moonbirds brand.

Yuga Labs' Strategic Shift: Doubling Down on Core Assets

Yuga Labs has made a significant strategic pivot by divesting the Moonbirds NFT IP to Orange Cap Games. This sale, which follows the earlier divestments of CryptoPunks and Meebits in 2025, underscores Yuga Labs' commitment to streamlining its portfolio and concentrating on its flagship projects: the Bored Ape Yacht Club and the Otherside metaverse.

• The Moonbirds IP was originally acquired by Yuga Labs in early 2024 as part of a broader purchase of creator Proof.

• This marks Yuga Labs' third NFT IP sale in 2025, indicating a clear shift away from diversifying within NFTs.

• Despite the sale, Moonbirds characters will still be featured in Yuga's Otherside metaverse, maintaining a degree of continuity.

Orange Cap Games Acquires Moonbirds: A New Era for the NFT Collection

Orange Cap Games, a burgeoning entity in the blockchain gaming sector, has acquired the Moonbirds, Mythics, and Oddities NFT collections. While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, this acquisition signals Orange Cap Games' aggressive expansion into the NFT-powered gaming space.

Orange Cap Games' plans for Moonbirds:

• The studio aims to bring "beloved IPs to life through carefully crafted experiences.

• Future on-chain assets tied to Moonbirds will be minted on Ethereum's mainnet or Yuga's affiliated layer-2 network, ApeChain.

• Orange Cap Games has a track record with its Pudgy Penguins-themed trading card game, Vibes TCG, known for its attention to detail and hybrid physical-digital approach.

The Evolving NFT Market Landscape

The sale of Moonbirds occurs amidst a dynamic and evolving NFT market. Launched in April 2022, Moonbirds initially saw immense success, generating over $280 million in transactions during its first weekend. However, the subsequent decline in the NFT market impacted its creator, Proof, leading to decreased community engagement.

Key aspects of the NFT market's current state:

• NFT trading volumes have seen significant declines from their peaks.

• Major players like Yuga Labs are realigning around core assets.

• Despite the downturn, there are signs of resurgence, with unique NFT buyers and trading volumes showing increases in recent months.

This transaction highlights a broader trend of consolidation and strategic refocusing within the NFT industry, as companies adapt to a more mature and discerning market.

Sources

• Moonbirds NFT IP Boldly Sold By Bored Ape Creator To Gaming Startup, TronWeekly.

• News Explorer — Yuga Labs Just Sold the Moonbirds NFT IP, Just a Year After Buying It, Decrypt.

• Bored Ape Yacht Club Maker Sells Moonbirds IP to Gaming Startup, Decrypt.

• Yuga Labs sells Moonbirds NFT collection to Orange Cap Games, Cointelegraph.

• Yuga Labs sheds NFT icons as it doubles down on Apes and Otherside, Crypto News.