CryptoPunks has changed ownership again, acquired by NODE Foundation.

The iconic project CryptoPunks in the NFT space has welcomed a new owner once again. On the evening of May 13, a foundation named Infinite Node (abbreviated as "NODE") acquired this highly sought-after NFT series from its previous owner. Although the specific terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, industry insiders reveal that the acquisition price was approximately $20 million. The news has also boosted the market performance of CryptoPunks, with its floor price rising from 42 ETH to 47.5 ETH.

CryptoPunks, as a pioneering project in the NFT space, made its debut in 2017 and is widely regarded as a significant driving force behind the modern digital art movement. Since its launch, CryptoPunks has generated over $3.07 billion in transaction volume, a feat that has also placed its creators among today's most successful living artists.

The NODE Foundation, which acquired CryptoPunks this time, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, research, and exhibition of digital art. The foundation was co-founded by venture capitalists Micky Malka and Becky Kleiner, aiming to elevate the status of internet-native artworks and incorporate them into broader cultural and academic discussions. In April of this year, the NODE Foundation announced it had received $25 million in funding to advance its vision for the future of digital art.

The NODE Foundation stated that their goal is to build a networked architecture that allows digital art such as CryptoPunks to thrive in the digital realm while also being incorporated into the grand narrative of art history. To achieve this goal, NODE plans to advance through three main pillars: preservation, community building, and expansion. Specifically, NODE will rely on advanced blockchain infrastructure to ensure the technical integrity of CryptoPunks, build an active ecosystem that connects digital innovators with art enthusiasts, and create new scenarios for CryptoPunks to be both a model of technological innovation and a subject for research and display as an artistic achievement.

NODE also plans to establish a permanent exhibition hall in Palo Alto to showcase all 10,000 CryptoPunks. The exhibition hall will run an Ethereum full node to enhance the accessibility and permanence of the collected works. In addition, NODE has formed an advisory committee composed of the CryptoPunks community and well-known figures in the crypto art space to ensure a smooth transition and future development of the project.

The CryptoPunks community generally holds a positive attitude towards this acquisition. Many holders believe that this means the CryptoPunks IP has found a "destination" for long-term development, without the need to worry about over-commercialization or the dilution of cultural value. However, there are also some voices expressing concerns about potential restrictions in the future, such as whether the freedom of commercialization will be reduced and whether the control over derivative projects will become stricter.

Overall, the acquisition of CryptoPunks is seen as a new opportunity that is expected to open a new chapter in the development of this digitally significant cultural art project. However, at the same time, finding a balance between protecting cultural value and promoting innovative development will be an important challenge for the NODE foundation.