The nonprofit organization The Infinite Node Foundation (NODE) has acquired full intellectual property rights to the legendary NFT collection CryptoPunks from Yuga Labs. While the transaction amount has not been officially disclosed, experts speculate that it could be worth tens of millions of dollars, given the cultural and historical significance of the collection within the Web3 ecosystem.
Originally launched in 2017 by Larva Labs, the CryptoPunks collection features 10,000 unique pixel-art characters and is widely regarded as one of the first NFT series to break into mainstream consciousness. The collection has become a symbol of early blockchain art and a status avatar among prominent figures in the crypto space.
In 2022, Yuga Labs—creators of the Bored Ape Yacht Club—acquired the rights to CryptoPunks, sparking renewed interest in the collection. However, over time, Yuga Labs faced growing criticism for centralizing control over what was once seen as a symbol of grassroots digital creativity.
The transfer of ownership to NODE is now being hailed as a move toward “liberating” CryptoPunks. Founded in 2025 by venture investor Micky Malka and art curator Becky Klaynert, NODE positions itself as a steward of digital art, with a mission rooted in independence, preservation, and decentralization.
A major highlight of the deal is the return of Matt Hall and John Watkinson, the original creators of CryptoPunks, who are now rejoining the project as curators under NODE. They will also be part of an advisory board that includes:
- Wylie Aronow (aka Gordon Goner), co-founder of Yuga Labs
- Erick Calderon, founder of Art Blocks, a platform for generative art
NODE has announced plans to open a physical exhibition space in Palo Alto, California, which will host the first-ever full-scale public display of the entire CryptoPunks collection. The exhibition will feature a live Ethereum node housed on-site, emphasizing the collection’s native connection to blockchain technology.
The deal was facilitated by Natalie Stone, former CryptoPunks manager at Yuga Labs, who now serves as an external advisor to NODE on legacy and cultural continuity.
“Freed from corporate friction and constraints, the punk ethos can now flourish in a decentralized, community-governed future. We’re committed to keeping CryptoPunks true to its original vision — a defining collection in the evolution of digital art in the 21st century,” NODE stated.
Meanwhile, the broader NFT market continues to face headwinds. According to DappRadar, total trading volume in the NFT segment dropped by 24% in Q1 2025 compared to the last quarter of 2024, falling to $1.5 billion. Despite this decline, historical collections like CryptoPunks remain in high demand due to their cultural value and legacy status.
The transfer of CryptoPunks to NODE may mark a turning point in the NFT space — shifting focus from speculation to long-term artistic and cultural significance.
