Yuga Labs Sells Moonbirds IP to Orange Cap Games, Reshaping NFT Ownership Landscape

In a significant move within the NFT space, Yuga Labs, the creator behind the Bored Ape Yacht Club, has sold the intellectual property rights for its Moonbirds collection to Orange Cap Games. This divestment marks Yuga Labs' continued strategy to streamline its focus on core projects, while Orange Cap Games aims to integrate Moonbirds into its expanding blockchain gaming portfolio.

Yuga Labs' Strategic Shift

Yuga Labs' decision to sell Moonbirds IP to Orange Cap Games is part of a broader strategic realignment. This marks the third major NFT IP sale for Yuga Labs in 2025, following the divestment of CryptoPunks and Meebits earlier in the year.

• Yuga Labs acquired Moonbirds in early 2024 as part of a larger acquisition of Proof, the original creator.

• The company is now laser-focused on its flagship Bored Ape Yacht Club ecosystem and the Otherside metaverse project.

• This move reflects a shift away from diversifying within NFTs towards concentrating on core initiatives.

Orange Cap Games Expands NFT Gaming Portfolio

Orange Cap Games, a relatively new entrant in the blockchain gaming market, has aggressively expanded its IP portfolio with the acquisition of Moonbirds. The studio is known for its hybrid approach to physical and digital experiences.

• Orange Cap Games recently launched a trading card game based on Pudgy Penguins.

• The acquisition of Moonbirds signifies the company's ambition to grow its presence in the NFT-powered gaming space.

• While specific plans for Moonbirds are yet to be fully disclosed, Orange Cap Games stated that future on-chain components will likely exist on Ethereum's mainnet or Yuga's ApeChain.

• Moonbirds characters are still expected to be featured in Yuga Labs' Otherside metaverse, ensuring some continuity.

Evolution of the NFT Market

The sale of Moonbirds IP highlights the ongoing evolution and realignment within the NFT market. Moonbirds, launched in April 2022, initially saw immense success with over $280 million in transactions during its first weekend. However, the subsequent downturn in the NFT market impacted its momentum.

• The 2024 acquisition by Yuga Labs was seen as a revitalization for the project.

• The current sale to Orange Cap Games indicates a trend of major players acquiring or realigning around core assets.

• The success of Moonbirds under Orange Cap Games will depend on their ability to re-engage the community and leverage the IP creatively within the gaming sector.

This transaction underscores the dynamic nature of the NFT landscape, with companies adapting their strategies to market conditions and focusing on long-term sustainability.

Sources

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

• Bored Apes-creator Yuga Labs unloads Moonbirds as IP selloff continues, The Block.

• 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.