Glossary
CryptoPunks
The original mass-cultural NFT collection — 10,000 algorithmically generated 24×24 pixel-art characters, launched in 2017 by Larva Labs and predating the ERC-721 standard.
CryptoPunks shipped in June 2017 as one of the first NFT projects on Ethereum, predating the ERC-721 standard. The 10,000-piece generative collection — humanoid, ape, alien, and zombie pixel characters — was originally claimable for the gas fee.
The collection became the canonical "NFT blue chip" during the 2021 boom and has held that status through subsequent cycles. Yuga Labs acquired the IP from Larva Labs in 2022, putting it under the same umbrella as Bored Ape Yacht Club.