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Yuga Labs, the Web3 company behind the Bored Ape Yacht Club, has officially sold the intellectual property (IP) rights of the CryptoPunks NFT collection to the Infinite Node Foundation. This strategic move marks a pivotal moment for one of the most iconic NFT collections in the blockchain space.

CryptoPunks: A Symbol of Digital Art and Blockchain Culture

Originally launched in 2017 by Larva Labs, CryptoPunks comprises 10,000 pixel-art characters that have become synonymous with the early days of digital art and blockchain-based ownership. These NFTs have played a significant role in shaping the perception of digital collectibles and continue to be a cornerstone of the NFT landscape.

Infinite Node Foundation: Preserving the Legacy of CryptoPunks

The Infinite Node Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of digital art, is now the new steward of CryptoPunks. The foundation plans to expand the collection’s legacy through initiatives such as preservation efforts, academic research, and physical exhibitions.

Museum-Partnership Program and Permanent Exhibition

One of the foundation’s first steps is launching a museum-partnership program aimed at showcasing the cultural and historical significance of CryptoPunks. Additionally, it will debut a curated exhibition featuring all 10,000 Punks at its upcoming permanent exhibition space in Palo Alto, California.

This new space will also feature a live Ethereum node to emphasize the blockchain-based, on-chain nature of the artwork. By integrating blockchain technology into the exhibition, the foundation aims to highlight the unique characteristics of NFTs as digital assets.

“With this acquisition, we’re building an architecture that allows CryptoPunks to be understood and studied as part of both art history and internet culture,” said NODE chair Micky Malka.

Key Figures Supporting the Initiative

The Infinite Node Foundation is backed by an advisory board that includes prominent figures such as Matt Hall and John Watkinson (the creators of CryptoPunks), Yuga Labs co-founder Wylie Aronow, and Art Blocks founder Erick Calderon. The foundation is the first nonprofit to fully acquire the IP of a major internet-native artwork.

Yuga Labs, which acquired CryptoPunks from Larva Labs in 2022, had always positioned itself as a custodian focused on long-term preservation rather than commercialization. This recent transfer to a nonprofit aligns with its original vision.

“We always knew Punks needed a permanent home built for preservation,” said Yuga Labs co-founder Wylie Aronow.

CryptoPunks’ Position in the Art and NFT Ecosystem

Despite generating over $377 million in secondary sales in 2024 alone, CryptoPunks have largely remained outside the traditional art world. This move to place the collection under the stewardship of a nonprofit organization could pave the way for broader recognition and integration into art history and culture.

The Infinite Node Foundation’s efforts to bridge the gap between digital art and traditional art spaces may set a precedent for how other internet-native artworks are preserved and celebrated in the future.

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