Eight CryptoPunks have been formally added to the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, marking a significant milestone for NFTs as they continue to gain recognition within the global institutional art world.
The acquisition was made through a coordinated donation initiative led by Art on Blockchain, with contributions from several prominent crypto art collectors. Larva Labs, the original creators of CryptoPunks, also donated works from their own holdings as part of the gift.
The eight CryptoPunks now preserved in MoMA’s collection are Punk 4018, Punk 2786, Punk 5616, Punk 5160, Punk 3407, Punk 7178, Punk 74, and Punk 7899. With their inclusion, the museum formally acknowledges CryptoPunks, one of the earliest and most influential NFT projects, as part of modern and contemporary art history.
Launched in 2017 by Larva Labs, CryptoPunks are widely regarded as pioneers of the NFT movement.
The pixelated characters, originally released as free Ethereum-based tokens, helped establish the concept of digital scarcity and laid the groundwork for today’s multi-billion-dollar NFT market. Over time, the project has evolved from an experimental blockchain artwork into a cultural symbol referenced across art, fashion, and popular media.
The donation reflects the growing role of collective stewardship within crypto-native communities.
According to the announcement, the initiative brought together Art on Blockchain and contributors including Mara Calderon, Cozomo Medici, Judith E. Stecher, NTmoney, Kukulabanze, and Rhyd0n, underscoring the collaborative ethos that has sustained the CryptoPunks ecosystem over the years.
MoMA’s decision to permanently house CryptoPunks places the project alongside some of the most influential works of modern art, further legitimising blockchain-based art forms within traditional cultural institutions. The museum will preserve and care for the works as part of its historical collection, ensuring their long-term accessibility for future audiences.
For the NFT sector, the move represents another step toward mainstream acceptance, reinforcing the idea that digitally native artworks can hold lasting cultural and artistic value beyond speculative markets.