CryptoPunk #223

Custom software, still image, NFT, and Ethereum blockchain, 2017
Private collection

CryptoPunks is a series of 10,000 unique digital characters, each generated by an algorithm. Matt Hall and John Watkinson of Larva Labs wrote a computer program that combined various traits—hairstyles, accessories, facial expressions—to create each Punk. The algorithm determined the combinations, but Hall and Watkinson defined the parameters, deciding which traits to include and how rare certain features would be (like the handful of blue-skinned “alien” Punks).

CryptoPunks was among the first works linked to blockchain technology and one of the first prototypes of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Each has a unique identifier stored on Ethereum, one of the largest public blockchain platforms. This ensures its authenticity, ownership, and ownership history can be verified and traced. A decentralized digital marketplace is built into the work itself, allowing anyone in the world to buy, sell, and track the punks’ value. CryptoPunks has become a cultural phenomenon, influencing how we think about digital ownership, online identity, and the value of digital art.