CryptoPunks NFT Art Sparks Backlash Amid ‘Woke’ Controversy

As an analyst with a background in the NFT space, I’ve been following the developments surrounding Yuga Labs and Cryptopunks with great interest. Having witnessed the acquisition of Cryptopunks by Yuga Labs back in 2022 and their subsequent efforts to preserve its legacy, it’s intriguing to see how things have unfolded.


As a researcher studying the latest developments in the NFT market, I can share that Yuga Labs, the creative force behind the renowned Bored Ape Yacht Club collection, has announced their decision to distance themselves from Cryptopunks, another significant NFT project in the crypto realm.

In the year 2022, Yuga Labs gained ownership of Cryptopunks with the intention of safeguarding its history. Over the course of time, this collection of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) came to be known as one of the most significant and impactful series of Profile Picture (PFP) assets in the NFT community. Due to their widespread appeal among collectors, Cryptopunks even gained recognition in museums.

We’ve made progress on the punk projects. When we obtained this collection a few years back, our goal was to safeguard its historical significance. Considering their pivotal role in shaping the nascent digital art scene, we view punks as the primitive masterpieces of this new medium. They significantly influenced our creative process during the development of…

— Garga.eth (Greg Solano) 🍌 (@CryptoGarga) May 20, 2024

As a researcher, I’ve uncovered some intriguing news from the NFT world. After overseeing the project for two years, Yuga Labs has chosen to part ways with their current involvement in the NFT collection. This decision was communicated in a comprehensive post penned by Garga.eth, also known as Greg Solano, one of the co-founders of Yuga Labs. In place of maintaining control, they are aiming for full decentralization to ensure the long-term survival and security of the collection on the blockchain.

To bring Cryptopunks into the realm of traditional art, Yuga Labs introduced a collection of 500 unique NFTs. In collaboration with esteemed artists, they produced fresh works under the Cryptopunks label, acting as a bridge between the Web3 community and the classic art scene.

One example of a partnership was formed between artist Abney and the Punks team, resulting in the creation of “Super Punk World” utilizing the authentic Punks brand. Yet, not all punk enthusiasts and collectors welcomed this endeavor positively.

Critics took issue with the art pieces intended to promote diversity and question traditional notions of identity, branding them as “progressive” or “socially conscious.” Some voices were raised in opposition, asserting that the portrayed avatars deviated from their perception of authentic Punk aesthetics.

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2024-05-21 14:12