Launch and Immediate Backlash: What happened to 'Super Punk World' NFT collection?

Yuga Labs, the creator of the renowned Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs, has decided to cease involvement with the CryptoPunks project following significant community backlash regarding its new 'Super Punk World' collection. Despite the controversy, the announcement underscores Yuga Labs' commitment to preserving the legacy of CryptoPunks.

What is an NFT?

A Non-Fungible Token (NFT) is a unique digital asset that represents ownership or proof of authenticity of a specific item or piece of content, stored on a blockchain. Unlike cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, which are fungible and can be exchanged on a one-to-one basis, NFTs are unique and cannot be exchanged on a like-for-like basis. Each NFT has distinct properties and is often associated with digital art, music, videos, virtual real estate, and other forms of digital media. The blockchain technology ensures the uniqueness and provenance of each NFT, making it possible to verify ownership and authenticity.

What is CryptoPunks?

CryptoPunks, created by Larva Labs in June 2017, is one of the earliest and most influential NFT collections on the Ethereum blockchain. The collection consists of 10,000 unique 24x24-pixel art images, each featuring distinct attributes and varying levels of rarity. These digital characters have become iconic in the NFT space, pioneering the concept of digital art ownership and serving as a foundational inspiration for the development of the ERC-721 standard, which defines how NFTs are created and transferred on the Ethereum blockchain.

What is special about CryptoPunks?

• Historical Significance: As one of the first NFT projects, CryptoPunks hold significant historical value, often regarded as the "cave paintings" of the digital art world. Their early adoption and success set the stage for the broader NFT movement.
• Innovation and Standardization: CryptoPunks played a crucial role in the creation of the ERC-721 standard, which established a universal protocol for NFTs. This standardization was essential for the growth and interoperability of NFTs across different platforms and applications.
• Cultural Impact: The unique and pixelated art style of CryptoPunks has become a symbol of the early internet and digital culture. They have been featured in various media and art exhibitions, further cementing their status as cultural icons.
• Market Influence: CryptoPunks have consistently attracted high valuations in the NFT market. Notable sales include rare CryptoPunks fetching millions of dollars, highlighting their desirability among collectors and investors. These sales have underscored the potential value of digital art and NFTs.
• Community and Ecosystem: The CryptoPunks community has grown significantly, fostering a dedicated ecosystem of collectors, artists, and developers. This community-driven approach has contributed to the enduring popularity and relevance of CryptoPunks in the ever-evolving NFT landscape.
• Yuga Labs Acquisition: In 2022, Yuga Labs, the creators of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, acquired the intellectual property of CryptoPunks. This acquisition brought renewed attention to CryptoPunks and highlighted their lasting significance in the NFT world.

NFTs represent a groundbreaking development in the digital ownership landscape, with CryptoPunks standing as a testament to the potential and impact of this technology. As one of the pioneering NFT collections, CryptoPunks have left an indelible mark on the digital art world, influencing subsequent projects and contributing to the rapid evolution of the NFT market.

What is 'Super Punk World'?

On May 20, CryptoPunks introduced the 'Super Punk World' series via their official account, featuring 500 hybridized 3D sculptures. Created by New York-based painter Nina Abney, these pieces were intended to pay homage to the irreverent, early-internet roots of CryptoPunks by blurring the lines of race and gender. 

What happened to the 'Super Punk World' NFT Collection?

After its launch, the collection was met with severe criticism from the community, who labeled it as "woke."

A community member accused Yuga Labs of "killing" CryptoPunks with this move, while another threatened to sell their Punk NFT. This backlash led to sarcastic comments and calls for the community to boycott Yuga Labs. In response, CEO Greg Solano announced that Yuga Labs would "no longer touch" the CryptoPunks project and would focus on decentralizing and preserving it on the blockchain.

How is the current NFT Market?

Despite the backlash, CryptoPunks remains a significant player in the NFT market. On the same day as the 'Super Punk World' announcement, CryptoPunks recorded $636,242 in sales, placing fourth in the daily rankings. The top collection, DMarket, reported $742,104 in sales, while Fantasy Top and NodeMonkes followed closely behind.

CryptoPunks' prominence in the NFT space is highlighted by its past successes, such as record-breaking sales in March, where a rare alien CryptoPunk sold for 4,500 Ether (approximately $16 million) and another for 4,850 ETH ($16.4 million). These transactions underscore the collection's enduring value and influence.