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CryptoPunks Relaunch by Yuga Labs Faces Backlash
Yuga Labs has introduced a new NFT collection called Super Punk World, consisting of 500 NFTs designed as three-dimensional figures. The collection aims to challenge traditional notions of race and gender, blending virtual and real-world identities.
The Super Punk World collection, created by artist Nina Abney, combines her unique art style with themes from early web3 projects like CryptoPunks. It also addresses social issues such as racism and sexism.
“For our Punk in Residence collaboration, Nina Abney has created hybridized 3D sculptures that blur the lines of race and gender and reflect upon virtual versus real-world identities.”
Yuga Labs planned to auction these tokens, with prices decreasing over time until purchase. However, community criticism led to a change in strategy.
Community Criticism of Super Punk World
The new collection faced significant backlash from the crypto community. Critics questioned the art style and the decision to reinterpret the iconic CryptoPunks project. Some accused Abney of exacerbating social tensions by focusing on race and gender.
“Yuga Labs literally killed the idea of CryptoPunks.”
Leonidas, developer of the Ordinals protocol, suggested that Yuga Labs aimed to profit from the new collection. He emphasized that original CryptoPunks holders should take responsibility for the brand.
“Yuga owns nothing. Punks holders are the owners of CryptoPunks. So start acting like it and stop pretending like this random collection has any significance or relationship to CryptoPunks at all.”
Yuga Labs to Abandon CryptoPunks Brand
In response to the criticism, Yuga Labs co-founder Greg Solano announced that the company would cease activities related to CryptoPunks. The collection will remain a decentralized blockchain project, with efforts focused on popularizing it in museums.
“Yuga will no longer touch punks. They will just be decentralized and preserved on the blockchain.”
Yuga Labs decided to distribute the Super Punk World NFTs via an airdrop to supporters of Abney’s work. Solano reiterated that the company would no longer interfere with CryptoPunks.
CryptoPunks Before Yuga Labs
CryptoPunks, created by Larva Labs in 2017, was one of the first NFT collections to gain widespread popularity. The project inspired numerous digital artists and became highly valuable in the NFT market.
In 2022, Yuga Labs acquired the intellectual property rights to CryptoPunks and Meebits collections from Larva Labs. This acquisition included ownership of 423 CryptoPunks and 1,711 Meebits.
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