CryptoPunks are non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that are considered one of the first NFT projects to be minted on the Ethereum blockchain. They are a collection of 10,000 unique pixelated 'punk' faces, each with distinct characteristics. Originally given away for free, CryptoPunks have now become highly sought-after in the art world, with some selling for millions of dollars. The value of CryptoPunks lies in their historical significance as one of the earliest NFT projects, their rarity, and their popularity among celebrities and influencers. This guide will outline the steps to investing in CryptoPunks, including setting up a digital wallet, purchasing cryptocurrency, and connecting to NFT marketplaces.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of CryptoPunks | 10,000 |
Inventors | John Watkinson and Matt Hall |
Company | Larva Labs |
Year Created | 2017 |
Type of Art | 24x24 pixel, 8-bit style NFT characters |
Original Price | Free |
Current Price Range | $77,600 to $1.2 million in Ethereum |
Cheapest CryptoPunk | #8381 for 66.91 Ethereum ($207,185) |
Most Expensive CryptoPunk | #6965 for 800 Ethereum (worth about $1.25 million) |
Examples of Owners | Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Steve Aoki, Gary Vee |
What You'll Learn
CryptoPunks are revered by investors
Secondly, CryptoPunks are scarce and exclusive, with only 10,000 CryptoPunks in existence. This limited supply fuels intrigue and drives demand, as investors seek to get their hands on one of the oldest and rarest NFT artworks available. The rarity of certain CryptoPunks, such as the nine alien punks, further increases their value, with some selling for millions of dollars.
Thirdly, CryptoPunks have become luxury symbols and status symbols in the crypto community due to their rarity and exclusivity. They are often used as profile pictures on social media platforms, which has boosted their popularity and desirability among investors who want to establish themselves within the crypto community.
Additionally, CryptoPunks have generated significant media attention and attracted several high-profile investors, including celebrities such as Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Serena Williams, and Gary Vee. This has further increased their visibility and desirability among investors.
Finally, CryptoPunks have high liquidity compared to other NFTs and physical art. They can be easily bought and sold on platforms like Larva Labs and OpenSea, and their value has been steadily increasing over time, making them a good investment choice for those looking to diversify their cryptocurrency portfolios.
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They generate yield
CryptoPunks can generate yield for their owners in a number of ways. Firstly, they can be loaned out to other users who wish to display them as their social media profile pictures. Smart contracts govern the details of the agreement between the owner and the renter, and platforms such as reNFT and NFTfi facilitate these transactions. Additionally, CryptoPunks can be used as collateral to borrow ETH through lending programs such as Blur's Blend, which allows for peer-to-peer lending and borrowing of NFTs.
CryptoPunks can also generate yield through staking. By depositing their CryptoPunks into DeFi protocol smart contracts, owners can earn a return on their assets while retaining ownership. Stakers often receive governance tokens as part of their compensation, which gives them a say in how the DeFi community evolves. The tokens gained through staking can then be reallocated into other revenue-earning protocols.
Furthermore, CryptoPunks have been known to generate yield through airdrops. Larva Labs, the creators of CryptoPunks, have airdropped Meebits NFTs to CryptoPunk owners, some of which have traded for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Additionally, RTFKT has airdropped collectible digital and physical sneakers to CryptoPunk owners.
Finally, CryptoPunks can generate yield through their ability to provide access to exclusive events and communities. As one of the earliest and most popular NFT collections, CryptoPunks have built a strong sense of community. Some owners purchase CryptoPunks specifically to gain access to this community and its exclusive events, new releases, and features. This sense of community and exclusivity adds to the value and yield-generating potential of CryptoPunks.
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They are VIP passes
CryptoPunks are the VIP passes of the internet. Although still largely unknown outside the crypto sphere, CryptoPunk owners are becoming a distinct subculture. With teenagers and young adults now thoroughly engrossed in virtual worlds and a rapidly developing metaverse, digital VIP passes are inevitable. CryptoPunks will be in demand from this age group as they mature, as will other respected NFTs.
CryptoPunks are also avatars that can be used in any domain. The simple pixel art style means they work across all social media and are now also being voxelised for use within virtual worlds. Check Crypto Twitter or Clubhouse, and you won't fail to spot a CryptoPunk avatar. Some of those have become synonymous with personalities, and the provenance can attach additional worth. These are key drivers of long-term value, particularly as people become so attached that they'll no longer sell them on, gradually reducing the already scarce supply.
CryptoPunks are also a great addition to any ticket sales strategy. They offer more than just entry—they provide a premium experience with added privileges. You can offer ticket buyers the option to upgrade their general admission tickets to a VIP experience. Your VIP bundle could include things like priority seating and parking, exclusive access, and free refreshments. You can also gift custom VIP badges to sponsors, special donors, or anyone else to whom you'd like to have special treatment.
CryptoPunks are also a good investment. While not the first NFTs, they are the first sizable NFT collection. This is crucial when evaluating long-term worth. Blockchain enthusiasts always look to them as NFT and metaverse avatar parents, securing their value for years to come. When the value of crypto or crypto art increases due to decentralised finance, CryptoPunks often gain the most value. Investors like to stick to crypto and establish a name for themselves among their peers. CryptoPunks are amongst the greatest methods to achieve both.
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They are avatars
CryptoPunks are 24x24-pixel art images, generated algorithmically. They are unique avatars that are non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and are considered a piece of art. They are one of the earliest and most iconic examples of NFTs minted on the Ethereum blockchain.
CryptoPunks are 10,000 uniquely generated characters. Each punk is one of a kind, with its own profile page that shows its attributes, ownership status, and whether it is for sale. The simple pixel art style means they can be used as avatars across all social media and are now also being voxelised for use within virtual worlds.
CryptoPunks were created by Larva Labs, an experimental software company, and were intended to be its first foray into NFTs and art. Larva Labs minted 10,000 unique characters with a myriad of different attributes. Anyone with an Ethereum wallet could have redeemed 1 for free at release, but they were all quickly claimed and have since risen dramatically in price.
CryptoPunks are revered by crypto investors. As crypto goes up in value, particularly due to decentralised finance, NFTs like CryptoPunks also gain in value. Investors want to stay in crypto and make their mark with their peers, and CryptoPunks are a great way to do both. The most expensive CryptoPunks are those with the rarest attributes. For example, CryptoPunk #8348 is the only punk with 7 attributes, making it possibly the most expensive if it ever goes on sale.
CryptoPunks are also VIP passes of the internet. They are becoming a symbol of a special community, especially within the crypto world. With the development of the metaverse, digital VIP passes are becoming inevitable, and CryptoPunks will be in demand from younger age groups as they mature.
If you want to buy a CryptoPunk, you will need to download and install a Web3 browser plugin for Chrome, such as MetaMask. This will allow websites that you authorize to connect to your Ethereum wallet. You will then need to buy some ETH, which you can do through the MetaMask plugin from Coinbase. Once you have the plugin installed, you can use it to bid on, buy, and sell punks directly through the interface.
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They came first
CryptoPunks may not have been the first non-fungible tokens (NFTs), but they were the first sizable NFT collection. This is a critical point when looking at sustainable, long-term value. Other collections exist and may sustain success over a long period, but CryptoPunks are already years ahead of them and will always be seen as the progenitors of all NFT collections and metaverse avatars.
CryptoPunks are revered by crypto investors. When crypto is on an upswing, particularly due to decentralised finance, all desirable NFTs, but especially CryptoPunks, significantly gain in value. As investors look to do something with their gains, they want to stay in crypto and make their mark with their peers. CryptoPunks will always be the very best way to do both.
All punks will benefit, but the very top ones, such as aliens, will demand a premium from increasingly wealthy crypto investors. Even if you don’t understand crypto or digital art, this is key to understanding the current and future market. Crypto dips may lower NFT prices generally, but the top punks simply don’t go to market during these periods.
In the future, we’ll also see more crypto investment groups buy together. Flamingo DAO, for example, already owns one alien CryptoPunk.
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Frequently asked questions
CryptoPunks are 24x24 pixel, 8-bit-style NFT characters. They were invented in 2017 by John Watkinson and Matt Hall and were inspired by 70s British punk music.
You can buy CryptoPunks on the blockchain marketplace. You'll need an Ethereum wallet, such as MetaMask, and some ether. You can then bid on, buy and sell CryptoPunks directly from the interface.
CryptoPunks are expensive. They usually sell for $350,000 to $500,000, and some cost millions. The cheapest CryptoPunk is a little over $200,000.
Scarcity and age are the main factors that make CryptoPunks so expensive. Most people investing in Punks want to own the first NFT artworks that were available. The popularity of Punks among celebrities has also driven up their demand.
CryptoPunks are one of the first NFT collections, which is crucial when evaluating long-term worth. Younger generations also respect digital items similarly to physical goods, making them an appropriate investing selection.