CryptoPunks’ $125K Floor Surge: Yuga Labs’ Big NFT Exit to NODE Shakes Market
Yuga Labs sells CryptoPunks IP to Infinite Node Foundation, sparking a 48 ETH floor price spike. A new era?
A landmark shift just hit the NFT world. On May 13, 2025, Yuga Labs, the creators of Bored Ape Yacht Club, sold the intellectual property rights of CryptoPunks—one of the most iconic NFT collections—to the Infinite Node Foundation (NODE), a nonprofit focused on digital art preservation. The move, announced just hours ago at 22:16 +04, sent CryptoPunks’ floor price soaring to a 10-month high of 48 ETH ($125,000), according to posts on X.
What’s behind this transfer? CryptoPunks, launched in 2017 by Larva Labs with 10,000 pixel-art characters, pioneered the NFT craze. Yuga Labs acquired its IP in 2022 but faced backlash for allegedly diluting the brand with projects like Super Punk World in 2024. NODE, backed by a $25 million endowment and advisors like CryptoPunks creators Matt Hall and John Watkinson, aims to preserve the collection’s legacy as internet-native art, not a corporate asset. This aligns with recent NFT market trends—sales rose 10.6% to $115 million this week, with Doodles rallying 500%.
What’s the impact? For new investors, this could signal a maturing NFT space, where cultural preservation trumps profit-driven pivots. The floor price jump suggests renewed confidence, but risks remain—NODE’s nonprofit model is untested, and past NFT volatility (e.g., CryptoPunks’ 70% drop from peak) looms large. Broader market dynamics, like Bitcoin’s recent $2K dip to $100,771 amid the US-China trade deal, add uncertainty. Still, NODE’s focus on museum exhibitions might elevate NFTs’ mainstream legitimacy, especially as real estate tokenization (e.g., MEY Network’s $10B launch) gains traction.
What should you do? Research CryptoPunks’ new direction under NODE and diversify your portfolio. The NFT market is heating up, but volatility and untested models mean caution is key.
Will NODE redefine NFTs? Share your thoughts below and follow trafy.io for more crypto updates!
NOTICE:
The information provided on trafy.io does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investment and trading activities involve risks, and readers are advised to conduct their own research before making decisions.
NOTICE:
The information provided on trafy.io does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investment and trading activities involve risks, and readers are advised to conduct their own research before making decisions.
