- Yuga Labs has transferred the intellectual property rights of CryptoPunks to the Infinite Node Foundation
- The nonprofit plans to preserve and exhibit the 10,000-piece NFT collection in a permanent space
- Original creators Matt Hall and John Watkinson have joined NODE’s advisory board to guide the collection’s future
Yuga Labs has sold the intellectual property rights of the CryptoPunks NFT collection to the Infinite Node Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to digital art preservation. The foundation aims to safeguard and exhibit the 10,000 unique pixel-art characters, with plans for a permanent exhibition space. The collection’s original creators, Matt Hall and John Watkinson, are returning in advisory roles to assist in this new chapter, the prospect of which received mixed reactions when it was mooted earlier this year.
A Change in Direction for CryptoPunks
CryptoPunks, launched in 2017 by Larva Labs, are among the earliest and most iconic NFT collections. In 2022, Yuga Labs acquired the collection, aiming to honor its cultural significance. However, in January, it was revealed that the company was in discussions with an unnamed potential buyer, a move which left some concerned as to the intentions of the would-be owners.
Yuga Labs yesterday revealed that it has transferred the IP rights to the Infinite Node Foundation to ensure the collection’s long-term preservation:
The Infinite Node Foundation (NODE) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the intellectual property of @cryptopunksnfts from @yugalabs.
Launched by Larva Labs in 2017, CryptoPunks are widely regarded as the catalyst for the modern digital art movement. Their $3.07B in sales… pic.twitter.com/RQ6apT8A3o
— NODE (@nodefnd) May 13, 2025
Yuga Labs co-founder Wylie Aronow stated, “We’ve worked to elevate and protect their legacy, but we always knew Punks needed a permanent home built for preservation.”
The Infinite Node Foundation, established in 2025, focuses on preserving digital art. With a $25 million endowment, NODE plans to exhibit the entire CryptoPunks collection in a permanent space in Palo Alto, California. The foundation’s chair, Micky Malka, emphasized the importance of this move, saying, “CryptoPunks sparked a cultural movement that blended code, community, and commerce.” NODE aims to integrate the collection into both digital and traditional art contexts.
NODE’s Vision for Preservation
To guide the collection’s future, NODE has assembled an advisory board including CryptoPunks’ original creators Matt Hall and John Watkinson, Yuga Labs co-founder Wylie Aronow, and Art Blocks founder Erick Calderon. The board will oversee the preservation and exhibition of the collection. NODE plans to showcase the CryptoPunks in various art institutions and has already announced an upcoming exhibition titled “Infinite Images: The Art of Algorithms” at the Toledo Museum of Art.
Following the announcement, the floor price of CryptoPunks NFTs rose to over 47 ETH, marking a six-month high. The community has responded positively to the move, viewing it as a step towards securing the collection’s legacy. By placing CryptoPunks under the stewardship of a dedicated nonprofit, the collection is poised to gain recognition not just in the digital realm but also in the broader art world.
