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CryptoPunks: A Beginners Guide
NFTs are the next major cryptocurrency trend. Unique, verifiable assets that may be traded on the blockchain are created by NFTs. Such as limited-edition Jordans or Pokémon cards generate scarcity among otherwise endlessly accessible goods, NFTs do the same. An NFT is a digital asset that may be traded for real-world goods or services.
What are the Non-Fungible tokens?
NFT avatars are a step forward in this unique non-fungible token paradigm. NFT avatars are more than art. They are rare assets with inherent worth and high secondary market collectibility. In 2021, the industry for NFT avatars exploded, with many fetching millions. Since then, many fans have been investing in and constructing their collections of NFTs.
The most famous collections of NFTs right now are CryptoPunks, a collection of 10,000 pixelated images of randomly produced characters. Celebrities such as artist Jay-Z, Odell Beckham Jr., businessman Gary Vaynerchuk, and online celebrity Logan Pau have all invested in the venture.
But the question is, what precisely is a CryptoPunk in the crypto market? How can one get this NFT avatar? and the most important question that why are they so popular? In the parts that follow, all of the queries have been cleared for the ones who want to be a part of this development.
What Is A CryptoPunk?
A CryptoPunk is a 24×24 pixel, an eight-bit unique avatar that takes the shape of an NFT. Larva Labs launched CryptoPunks as its first excursion into NFTs and art. In 2017, software engineers Matt Hall & John Watkinson undertook an experiment that led to the development of the Crypto Punk. The two sought to design a software application that could generate hundreds of distinct avatars.
CryptoPunks are a set of 10,000 distinct collectibles. These one-of-a-kind CryptoPunks contained 6,039 male & 3,840 female NFT avatars, all of which have been rendered digitally rare by the use of blockchain technology (the Ethereum Network). When the punks were originally introduced in 2017, they were free to claim if you had an Eth wallet. All 10,000 were promptly grabbed and are now fetching high prices.
The majority of punks are humans, although there are three distinct types:
- Ape
- Alien
- Zombie
Why are they so popular?
CryptoPunks have the rarest characteristics, which only a few of them possess, can fetch millions of dollars in Ether. Given the surge in popularity of these avatars, there is a certain level of prestige that comes with possessing one. This heightens the craving for CryptoPunks. They’re a potentially profitable investment, but they’re also a fairly nice item to show off. The more valuable the CryptoPunk, more the prominent the owner. They are like the VIP pass for the investors
Visa, a financial services business, entered the CryptoPunk club in August 2021, purchasing CryptoPunk #7610 for USD 150,000. Cuy Sheffield, Visa’s crypto director, claims that their CryptoPunk is a “cultural landmark for the crypto community. It added more to the value and popularity of the Punks.”The most expensive CryptoPunk was sold for $11.7 million in June of this year. Shalom Meckenzie, (an Israeli entrepreneur & millionaire), purchased this NFT. Another was sold for $7.57 million to Figma’s CEO.
When CryptoPunks were first introduced, they priced between $1 and $34 apiece. Now, a single CryptoPunk cost millions of dollars which are attracting investors towards it. Unlike other NFTs and tangible art, crypto punks are very liquid. Anywhere from Larva Labs to OpenSea, you’ll discover purchasers for your goods. Owners may fractionalize CryptoPunks and spread ownership among numerous purchasers using decentralized financial protocols like NFTX.
Where can one get A CryptoPunk?
You can purchase CryptoPunks from the LarvaLabs website. A CryptoPunk marketplace where you may purchase or sell avatars from other owners. Some objects may be listed for a set price, but others may be auctioned.
The LarvaLabs website sells hundreds of different CryptoPunks, all of which are accessible for purchase. The cheapest of these avatars costs $139,000, which is still a significant amount of money for most individuals. Furthermore, CryptoPunks are also available for purchase, with a starting price of $3.19 billion.
To acquire an NFT from the site, you’ll need an Eth wallet such as MetaMask, along with enough Ethereum to pay both the retail price and the Ethereum gas processing fee.
It is also possible to purchase some of the rarest CryptoPunk zombies and alien avatars from their marketplace. The rarity of a thing increases in direct proportion to its monetary value. They are not, however, inexpensive. As of right now, the most affordable zombie avatars available on the market cost $5.09 million. The cheapest alien avatar is estimated to cost around $80,000,000.
CryptoPunks in Near Future:
Despite its infancy, CryptoPunks is a successful NFT enterprise. Punks were born and will live forever on the Ethereum blockchain, thus they won’t change. With the rise in popularity of these avatars comes a certain amount of prestige. CryptoPunks investors like billionaire artist Shawn Carter have brought NFTs to the public’s notice. This makes me want CryptoPunks. CryptoPunks have just surpassed $100 million in sales.
Because the NFT realm is expanding at such a rapid rate, Punks will continue to be a landmark initiative – which is excellent for both the producers and the collectors who like it. CryptoPunks, according to GMoney, “will continue to be a very important component of the NFT community in the future.” Their place in history does not need them to develop or for anything to happen for them to secure their position in time.”
Leading members of the group, such as Beanie, & Punk4156 have created their cohesive brands that are centered on their Punk identities. Furthermore, Punk owners have the opportunity to promote their Punk’s merchandise and makeup to $100,000 every year.
One of the most important factors driving the desire for CryptoPunks is the fact that they are one of the first NFT projects still in existence, as well as the first set of truly random profile images to truly resonate with the cryptocurrency community in general.