Yuga Labs Sells Moonbirds NFT IP to Orange Cap Games, Igniting Sales Boom

Yuga Labs, the creator of Bored Ape Yacht Club, has sold the Moonbirds NFT intellectual property to Orange Cap Games. This move marks Yuga Labs' third NFT IP divestment in 2025, signaling a strategic shift to refocus on its core initiatives. The acquisition by Orange Cap Games has already sparked a significant surge in Moonbirds NFT sales.

Yuga Labs' Strategic Realignment

Yuga Labs, a prominent player in the NFT space, has made a significant strategic move by divesting the Moonbirds NFT IP to Orange Cap Games. This sale follows earlier divestments of CryptoPunks and Meebits, indicating a clear shift in Yuga Labs' focus.

• Refocus on Core Assets: Yuga Labs is doubling down on its flagship Bored Ape Yacht Club ecosystem and its metaverse project, Otherside.

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

• Market Context: The decision to sell comes amidst a challenging NFT market, with trading volumes significantly down from their peak.

Orange Cap Games' Ambitious Expansion

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

• Growing Portfolio: The Moonbirds acquisition signifies Orange Cap Games' ambition to strengthen its presence in the NFT-powered gaming space.

• Previous Success: The studio recently launched a trading card game based on Pudgy Penguins on the Ethereum layer-2 network.

• Future Plans: While specific plans for Moonbirds are not yet detailed, Orange Cap Games aims to integrate the brand with blockchain and gaming, potentially utilizing Ethereum's mainnet or Yuga's ApeChain.

Moonbirds Market Resurgence

The news of the acquisition by Orange Cap Games has had an immediate and positive impact on Moonbirds NFT sales and floor prices.

• Sales Surge: Moonbirds saw a remarkable 2,525% increase in weekly sales volume, reaching over $2 million.

• Price Jump: The floor price of Moonbirds more than tripled, from 0.295 ETH to 0.9 ETH, following the announcement.

• Market Ranking: This surge propelled Moonbirds to become the seventh-ranked NFT collection in weekly sales, surpassing other popular collections like Pudgy Penguins and Bored Ape Yacht Club.

The Evolving NFT Landscape

The sale of Moonbirds IP highlights the ongoing evolution and strategic realignments within the NFT market. As major players like Yuga Labs streamline their portfolios, newer entities like Orange Cap Games are seizing opportunities to revitalize established NFT brands.

• Market Trends: The NFT market is experiencing a period of consolidation and refocusing, with companies prioritizing core assets.

• Community Engagement: The success of Moonbirds under Orange Cap Games will depend on its ability to re-engage the community and leverage creative and technical innovation.

• Broader Resurgence: The Moonbirds sales uptick coincides with a broader resurgence in digital collectibles, with overall NFT sales and unique buyers increasing in May.

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.

• 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.

• Moonbirds NFT Sales Jump 2,525% After Orange Cap Games Acquires IP, Cointelegraph.