In a landmark moment for digital art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York announced on December 20, 2025, the addition of eight CryptoPunks NFTs to its permanent collection. These pixelated avatars, housed in the museum's Media and Performance department - which specializes in technology-driven and experimental works - mark a profound institutional endorsement of blockchain-based art as a legitimate cultural artifact.
The acquired pieces include specific tokens: #74, #2786, #3407, #4018, #5160, #5616, #7178, and #7899. All were donated through a coordinated community effort, with contributions from Larva Labs founders Matt Hall and John Watkinson (who gifted #74 and #5160), as well as prominent collectors such as Mara and Erick Calderon (#2786), Rhydon and Caroline Lee (#3407), Ryan Zurrer of 1OF1 AG (#4018), judithESSS (#5616), the Tomaino Family (#7178), and the Cozomo de’ Medici Collection (#7899).
Organizations like Art on Blockchain and 1OF1_art facilitated the process, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the NFT ecosystem.
This acquisition aligns with broader initiatives by the Infinite Node Foundation (NODE), a nonprofit that acquired the CryptoPunks intellectual property from Yuga Labs in May 2025.
NODE's mission focuses on preserving on-chain art and embedding it in major institutions worldwide, turning what began as a 2017 experimental project into preserved cultural heritage.
CryptoPunks, launched by Larva Labs as a collection of 10,000 unique 24x24 pixel avatars on Ethereum, predates the ERC-721 standard that formalized NFTs.
Initially free to claim for anyone with an Ethereum wallet, the project pioneered profile-picture (PFP) collections and ignited the 2021-2022 NFT boom, where similar series like Bored Ape Yacht Club built fervent communities.
Interestingly, MoMA's donation includes eight works from another generative pioneer: Chromie Squiggles from Art Blocks, further cementing early on-chain generative art in museum history.
As of late December 2025, the CryptoPunks floor price stands at approximately $76,000-$82,000 (around 20-27 ETH, fluctuating with Ethereum's value), reflecting sustained interest despite market cycles. This institutional validation could spur renewed collector enthusiasm and broader acceptance of NFTs beyond speculation.
MoMA's move - placing these digital natives alongside masters like Picasso and Warhol - signals a shift: blockchain provenance, generative algorithms, and community-driven value are now part of art history. The works are viewable on MoMA's website, ensuring accessibility beyond physical walls.
In an era where digital culture dominates, CryptoPunks' journey from crypto experiment to museum treasure underscores NFTs' enduring impact on creativity, ownership, and preservation.
Also read:
- Ghana Embraces Crypto: Parliament Passes Landmark Regulation for Virtual Assets
- Monero Surges Ahead While Zcash Faces Headwinds in the Privacy Coin Arena
- 2025: The Year Large Language Models Revealed Their True Nature
Author: Slava Vasipenok
Founder and CEO of QUASA (quasa.io) - Daily insights on Web3, AI, Crypto, and Freelance. Stay updated on finance, technology trends, and creator tools - with sources and real value.
Innovative entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in IT, fintech, and blockchain. Specializes in decentralized solutions for freelancing, helping to overcome the barriers of traditional finance, especially in developing regions.
This is not financial or investment advice. Always do your own research (DYOR).
