CryptoPunks, one of the earliest and most iconic NFT collections, has made a big comeback in the past day. With 18 transactions logged in just 24 hours, this pixelated pioneer has surged back to become the second-largest NFT collection by volume. That’s an 18.75% jump in transaction count, according to CryptoSlam.
The spike in activity appears to be closely tied to its rising floor price. CryptoPunks now command a floor of 42 ETH—equivalent to nearly $86,500 at current prices. Just a day ago, the floor hovered below 40 ETH and even dipped briefly to 39.39 ETH. According to CoinGecko data, today’s 5% uptick reflects renewed interest among NFT buyers.
However, the total daily sales volume declined 27% to reach 860 ETH, or roughly $1.7 million, based on Ethereum’s current price of $2,065. The most expensive Punk sold in the last 24 hours was CryptoPunk #2301, a hooded character with an eyepatch, which changed hands for 115 ETH, or $234,959.
Trading Volume Drops 22% — But Market Cap Holds Strong
Though individual sales are gaining attention, the daily trading volume has actually fallen by 21.8%. Despite that drop, however, CryptoPunks’ market cap is still robust, sitting at 419,748 ETH—approximately $865 million. That provides the collection with a consistent position within the overall NFT ecosystem.
Over the past month, sales of the Yuga Labs-backed NFTs have climbed nearly 20%, signaling a general upward trend even as trading volume swings. For collectors and casual fans alike, CryptoPunks still seem to carry cultural weight, despite a rollercoaster market.
CryptoPunk #2967 was making headlines just a few days ago with an $843,070 sale on March 23, showing that top-end buyers are still active. That kind of headline-grabbing sale keeps the Punks at the front of the minds of those tracking large-scale movement in NFT trading.
Serena Williams, Mark Cuban, Logan Paul, and Snoop Dogg are among many who’ve bought up Punks to join their collections. They were so well-liked that pieces were auctioned off at houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s. Not bad for pixel art that used to be given away for free.
IP Sale Rumors and a 13% Price Spike
January 2025 added more fuel to the fire. On Jan. 14, a post from Wale.moca, a researcher at NFT firm Azuki, hinted that Yuga Labs might be “in the process” of selling the CryptoPunks IP. The rumor sent the floor price soaring 13% in just three hours.
Although the buyer remains unnamed, Wale.moca insisted it was neither a Web2 brand nor another NFT player like Pudgy Penguins or Doodles. The speculation stirred excitement in the NFT space, highlighting how sensitive CryptoPunks are to even whispers of a shift in ownership.
October 2024 brought another milestone with the release of “CryptoPunks: Free to Claim,” an 800-page book documenting all 10,000 Punks. The book was published by Phaidon and curated by Zak Kyes in partnership with Yuga Labs to visualize the documentation of every Punk ever created.
