The CryptoPunks IP sells to NODE Foundation for a rumored "around $20M" (figure via Now Media) from Yuga Labs.
Yuga retains a vault of 414 CryptoPunks after 5 move to NODE.
Via NODE:
"This transition isn’t about ownership, but liberation. Freed from corporate friction and limitations, the Punk ethos can now thrive through a decentralized, community-driven future...
Under our stewardship, CryptoPunks will remain as the artists intended, while continuing to stand as the defining collection of this century’s defining art movement."
Via Micky Malka, NODE Co-Founder with Becky Kleiner:
"In the 1500s, they painted ceilings.
Today, we inscribe culture in code.
The Renaissance didn’t end in Florence. It evolved.
So will this one. Pixel by pixel, node by node."
NODE announces a new Punks advisory board led by creators Matt Hall and John Watkinson of Larva Labs, alongside Erick Calderon (Snowfro) and Wylie Aronow (GordonGoner). Natalie Stone joins as a consultant.
GordonGoner of Yuga Labs acknowledges a key contributor:
"This deal would not happened without this strange red-bearded man [Redbeard], who I’ve come to love a lot... I don’t think anyone believes in NFTs more."
What is next for the Punks IP?
It is earmarked for "a major exhibition of the full 10k collection" as NODE opens its physical hub in Palo Alto.
'Biome Lumina' by Refik Anadol and Dataland swiftly sells out 750 publicly available artworks for $5,000 USD each and $3,750,000 USD total as their 1/1/1k collection debuts.
This cements it as the second largest primary digital art release of the calendar year.
It goes on to see an additional 99.07 ETH in secondary volume, with current list at 2.98 ETH.
The collection leverages their Large Nature Model (LNM) and each artwork is 3 parts: generative AI data painting, museum-quality 24" x 44" print, and "living painting" on their online platform.
Via Refik Anadol:
"Epic day for Web3!! Missed this energy from early days! Let’s go!"
Wednesday, May 14th:
'PAUSE BUTTON PORTRAITS' by LEGIO X with Artie Galerie and Verse
Wednesday, May 14th:
'Zeus and Hera' by King Xerox with ClickCreate
.png)
Writing yesterday's report, it seemed a foregone conclusion that Refik Anadol would headline today. Obviously, right?
Then the day turned historic all at once.
The most coveted IP in digital art changed hands and we witnessed the second largest art-centric primary sale of the year.
Don't take it for granted. There may be flashier numerical days as this year progresses, but I struggle to imagine one with this much meaning and cultural gravitas.
Elsewhere, Masks of Luci by Sam Spratt continue to move, Vince Van Dough marches towards an unparalleled die with the most likes collection, akc sees feel good appreciation for his latest collection, and omentejovem is in 1/1 auction countdown with a great one.
Today Reported:
Sales thresholds of 3 ETH+ Collection, 0.3 ETH+ 1/1, 0.75 ETH+ 1/1/X, and 0.35 ETH+ Edition
We welcomed Osinachi, Mika Baronn, and Simon Hudson to The DAM Show, and it was a fun one.
The Osinachi conversation was a wide ranging trip down memory lane, touching on the creative process, passage of time, and more.
The Mike Baronn and Simon Hudson conversation entered some deep AI waters, prompting thoughtfulness on where we are both as a society and within the digital art world.
Watch the recording here.
ART love letters.
The 132nd design of 2025 encapsulates a chain of events that saw a m0dest artwork thrive and subsequently the artist collect the work of several others, including (depicted here) BOUBOY, goldcat, and XCOPY.
Subscriber Count: 290
Subscribe Here