Yuga Labs has officially transferred the intellectual property rights of the CryptoPunks NFT collection to the Infinite Node Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to digital art preservation. Announced Tuesday, the move is described as a step toward long-term cultural stewardship and global museum integration.
In a public statement, Yuga Labs positioned the transfer as a launchpad for a new museum-partnership initiative that will embed CryptoPunks in major art institutions worldwide. Financial details remain undisclosed, but the handoff marks Yuga’s exit from direct control over one of Web3’s most iconic brands.
Created in 2017 by Larva Labs, CryptoPunks are a set of 10,000 pixel-art avatars widely considered foundational to NFT history. The Infinite Node Foundation will guide the collection’s future, supported by an advisory council that includes Larva Labs founders Matt Hall and John Watkinson, Yuga Labs co-founder Wylie Aronow, and Art Blocks creator Erick Calderon.
“CryptoPunks sparked a cultural movement that blended code, community, and commerce,” said Micky Malka, Chair of the Node Foundation.
“By pairing museum-grade conservation with an evergreen endowment, we intend to future-proof this landmark work.”
Yuga Labs Exits CryptoPunks Amid Strategic Refocus
Yuga Labs acquired the CryptoPunks and Meebits IP from Larva Labs in March 2022. However, the company offloaded Meebits earlier this year and shifted focus toward Otherside, its immersive Web3 metaverse project.
Tensions over Yuga’s interpretation of the CryptoPunks brand escalated during the Super Punk World initiative—a series of 500 3D sculptures intended to explore identity themes. Critics argued the project clashed with the collection’s minimalist ethos, and some accused Yuga of politicizing a historically neutral brand.
Transferring CryptoPunks to a nonprofit signals a clean break from those controversies. It also ensures future governance will be handled by cultural institutions and community-aligned leaders.
“When Yuga acquired CryptoPunks’ IP, it wasn’t just about ownership—it was about honoring a cultural icon,” said Yuga Labs CEO Wylie Aronow.
“We’ve worked to elevate and protect their legacy, but we always knew Punks needed a permanent home.”
Foundation Plans Exhibition as Prices and Interest Climb
Following the IP transfer, the Infinite Node Foundation announced plans to debut a full-scale exhibition of all 10,000 CryptoPunks at its new venue in Palo Alto, California. The event will feature collaboration with original creators Hall and Watkinson.
The news has reignited market interest. CryptoPunks’ floor price jumped 19% this week, reaching approximately $123,086. In U.S. dollar terms, that’s a 74% rise—fueled in part by Ethereum’s 45% price rally over the same period.
With over $3 billion in lifetime trading volume, CryptoPunks remain one of the most culturally significant NFT collections ever launched. Their influence continues to ripple across digital art, profile picture projects, and blockchain-based cultural movements.
Quick Facts
- Yuga Labs transferred CryptoPunks IP to the Infinite Node Foundation.
- The nonprofit aims to preserve and promote the collection globally.
- CryptoPunks floor price jumped 19% this week amid market rally.
- Foundation will host its first exhibition in Palo Alto, California.
