CryptoPunks Enter MoMA Permanent Collection as NFT History
- MoMA acceptance places CryptoPunks among preserved works of modern digital culture.
- Eight selected Punks will receive long-term care within a major museum archive system.
- Steady sales volumes show lasting demand for early NFTs beyond market cycles.
On December 20, the Museum of Modern Art added eight CryptoPunks to its permanent collection, recognizing the NFTs as part of digital and cultural history. The acquisition places blockchain-based works inside one of the world’s most influential art institutions. According to CryptoPunks, the selected NFTs include Punk 4018, Punk 2786, Punk 5616, Punk 5160, Punk 3407, Punk 7178, Punk 74, and Punk 7899.
CryptoPunks confirmed the NFTs will receive long-term preservation and care as part of MoMA’s collection. Through an update on X, the project stated that the Punks have found a permanent home at MoMA. The statement described the move as shared stewardship between the museum and the community.
The donation involved multiple contributors. CryptoPunks credited ArtOnBlockchain and Mara Calderon, CozomoMedici, Judith E. S. S., NTmoney, Kukulabanze, and Rhyd0n. Larva Labs also contributed Punks from its personal collection as part of its long-term commitment.
Institutional Recognition of Early NFT Art
MoMA’s acquisition reflects a pattern of growing museum engagement with blockchain art. The inclusion places CryptoPunks within a lineage of modern artistic movements already represented at the museum. The project framed the donation as evidence of sustained community support.
CryptoPunks stated that collective generosity made the donation possible. The project said the community has carried the work forward since its early years. The statement noted pride in seeing stewardship reflected inside a major museum.
This step follows earlier museum actions. In July, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, acquired CryptoPunk 5293. The NFT became the first of its kind to enter a major art museum collection.
Market History and High-Value Sales
CryptoPunks has maintained a strong presence in the NFT market since its launch. At a Christie’s auction in 2021, CryptoPunk 9997 sold for HK$33.9 million, or approximately $4.35 million. The price reached nearly five times its highest estimate.
The NFT originally sold in 2017 for 0.15 Ether, valued at about $66 at the time. CryptoPunk 9997 belongs to the zombie category. Only 88 zombie CryptoPunks exist. Rarity defines the collection. Only 273 punks have a tiny beard. Only 254 wear a cap. These attributes continue to shape collector demand across market cycles.
Related: CryptoPunks Floor Price Breaks $200K Amid NFT Market Surge
Ongoing Trading Activity and Broader Art Context
CryptoPunks market activity remains steady. The current floor price is at 26.58 ETH, or about $79,370. The project recorded 1,888 sales over the past 12 months.
Short-term trading also remains active. CryptoPunks reported 136.48 ETH in sales over the last day. Weekly volume reached 505.91 ETH, while four-week sales totaled 2,850 ETH. Lifetime volume has reached 1.40 million ETH, or approximately $3.89 billion.
NFT adoption supports the continuously emerging trends of the art market. Christie’s in 2021 handled a digital piece by the artist Beeple, as it was priced at $69.3 million. This sale was positioned among the most expensive pieces of art by a living artist.
According to Art Basel and UBS’s annual report on the art market, total sales worldwide increased by 3% to 40.5 million in 2025, though the economic situation was unfavorable. This puts a crucial question forward on how museums will determine the value of culture in the digital age.
