The Origin Story of OpenSea’s Most Prosperous NFT: BAYC

Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs are the most valuable digital asset on OpenSea - ever. Over the last few days, their volume has gone bananas. What changed? It turns out that Bored Ape had turned to collectors for help in marketing BABCs by sending them customized 3D printed figurines of themselves. The figurines were specifically geared towards collectors of Rare Pepe Cards, which are also up-and-coming digital assets on OpenSea. OpenSea's Most Valuable Digital Asset Ever Bored Ape, originally a meme created by artist Matt Furie, popularized the acronym "BABC" soon after it was released on 2chan forums in 2007. The phrase is used as a sign of acceptance or camaraderie amongst meme enthusiasts. It wasn't until 2013 that the "BABC" meme actually became a profitable digital asset on OpenSea, when Bored Ape was first added to the platform. Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs are all about acceptance. Some of the most active collectors may have purchased them to show their appreciation for others, but many others purchased them without giving it much thought. "I just liked Pepe," one user told me - "That's why I bought so many. I didn't know what they were." Bored Ape Suddenly Goes Bananas So the big question is, why are Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs suddenly going bananas? It turns out that collectors for Rare Pepe Cards - also up-and-coming digital assets on OpenSea - were sending customized 3D printed figurines of themselves to Bored Ape. Some collectors were even "tricking" Bored Ape into thinking that they were collectors. Pepe and Pepe Memes Are Currently Valuable on OpenSea One of the most interesting things about Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs is that they are not the only digital asset on OpenSea to be inspired by an internet meme. Many Rare Pepe Cards have passionate collectors that are willing to spend fiat or crypto on them. These merchandising efforts will likely continue in the future, helping Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs to remain one of OpenSea's most valuable digital assets. Conclusion Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs are the most valuable digital asset on OpenSea - ever. Over the last few days, their volume has gone bananas. What changed? It turns out that Bored Ape had turned to collectors for help in marketing BABCs by sending them customized 3D printed figurines of themselves. The figurines were specifically geared towards collectors of Rare Pepe Cards, which are also up-and-coming digital assets on OpenSea.