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The NFT space just saw a big shift. The Infinite Node Foundation has taken over the rights to CryptoPunks from Yuga Labs. The move puts one of the most recognized NFT collections in the hands of a nonprofit focused on cultural preservation.
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CryptoPunks started as a creative project by Larva Labs. Over time, it turned into a leading symbol of the NFT movement. Now, the project finds a new home with the Infinite Node Foundation (NODE), an organization with long-term plans to treat digital art with the same respect as traditional works.
Although neither side disclosed the exact amount, reports suggest NODE paid around $20 million for the intellectual property rights. This decision removes commercial pressure from the project and puts it on a preservation-focused path.
NODE’s future plans for CryptoPunks go beyond digital ownership. The foundation wants to work with global art museums, launch curated exhibitions, and build a permanent location in Palo Alto. The site will include a live Ethereum node, reflecting NODE’s interest in decentralized infrastructure.
Backed by a recent $25 million grant, NODE will focus entirely on cultural value rather than profit. Its founders, Micky Malka of Ribbit Capital and art collector Becky Kleiner, have made it clear that their goal is to protect and showcase CryptoPunks over the long haul.
NODE has assembled an advisory board filled with key names from the digital art world. This includes CryptoPunks creators Matt Hall and John Watkinson, Yuga Labs co-founder Wylie Aronow (also known as Gordon Goner), and Art Blocks founder Erick Calderon (also known as Snowfro). The goal is to ensure that CryptoPunks stays true to its roots.
Aronow publicly supported the move, stating that NODE’s structure and mission make it the right caretaker for CryptoPunks.
The NFT market reacted quickly. The floor price for CryptoPunks jumped from 42 ETH to nearly 48 ETH, or about $124,766. Community members showed strong support, praising NODE for its cultural approach.
1OF1 founder Ryan Zurrer called it a highly generous and committed step for digital art. Collector Daniel Maegaard, also known as Seedphrase, said the outcome benefits both the community and the collection’s legacy.
Although CryptoPunks changed hands before—from Larva Labs to Yuga Labs—it now returns to a structure that includes its original creators. The new team wants to shift focus away from commercial strategies and back toward culture, history, and community.
Collector Von Mises summed it up well, saying the deal gives CryptoPunks room to grow without market-driven pressure. That shift may allow it to maintain its influence as a cornerstone of digital art for years to come.