Alien CryptoPunk Sells for Pennies, Trader Loses $10M and a Sense of Humor!

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In a twist that could only be described as cosmic irony, an anonymous NFT collector has just experienced a financial loss that would make even the most stoic of accountants weep into their spreadsheets. Yes, folks, they sold one of the rarest CryptoPunks for a mere pittance of $10 million less than they had hoped. Ouch! 😱

On the grand stage of blockchain theatrics, Punk #3100, a digital being with a skin tone that could only be described as “smurf-tastic” and a bandana that would make any pirate envious, changed hands for 4,000 ETH. That’s about $6.07 million, which is a lot of money unless you’re trying to buy a small country or a decent cup of coffee in the wrong part of town.

This particular NFT is one of just nine Alien Punks in the original 10,000-piece CryptoPunks collection, crafted by the illustrious Larva Labs back in 2017. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack, if the haystack were made of digital pixels and the needle was a blue-skinned alien with a penchant for bandanas.

The $10M Loss

According to the all-knowing blockchain oracles at Arkham Intelligence, this NFT had previously sold for 4,500 ETH, which at the time was worth more than $16 million. That’s right, folks, it was the third most expensive NFT transaction ever! Just days later, Punk #7804 sold for 4,850 ETH, which was worth about $16.42 million, making it the second-largest deal in the collection’s history. Talk about a rollercoaster ride! 🎢

But alas, the fickle finger of fate (and Ethereum’s price drop) meant that Thursday’s sale was worth just over $6 million, leaving our hapless trader with a $10 million loss. It’s like buying a ticket to a concert and finding out it’s a kazoo recital instead.

While the identities of the parties involved remain shrouded in mystery, Etherscan records reveal that the purchasing wallet received 4,001 ETH from an account cheekily labeled “Coinbase Prime 2” just before the sale. Coincidence? Or a plot twist worthy of a soap opera? You decide!

Alien CryptoPunks continue to reign supreme in the NFT kingdom, being rarer than the 88 Zombie Punks or the 24 Ape Punks. In fact, the top seven highest-value CryptoPunk sales all involve these extraterrestrial variants. Who knew aliens could be so valuable? 👽

CryptoPunks Hit by Market Downturn

Despite their lofty status, even CryptoPunks are not immune to the market’s whims. Data from NFT Price Floor shows that their asking price has plummeted nearly 43% in the last three months, now sitting at a mere $71,031. This is a far cry from their peak in November 2021, when prices soared above $400,000. It’s like watching a balloon deflate at a party—sad, yet oddly fascinating.

Originally given away for free in 2017, these digital assets have morphed into cultural icons of the early NFT era. In 2022, the intellectual property rights were snatched up by Yuga Labs, the masterminds behind the Bored Ape Yacht Club. Rumors of a potential sale of the product’s IP have been swirling like a particularly persistent rumor at a family reunion, but Yuga Labs co-founder Greg Solano has quashed those hopes, stating that while many have come knocking, they’re not selling anytime soon. So, keep your wallets closed, folks! 💰

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2025-04-12 06:26