Metapunks Launches Public Sale of NFT Metaverse Avatars

Metapunks became available to the general public on Tuesday (Dec. 28) through a sale of the 3D-generated non-fungible token (NFT) metaverse avatars, according to a press release.

Minted on the Algorand blockchain, these avatars are multifunctional 3D models that can be viewed and integrated into different metaverses, games and social media platforms. Per the release, the first 2,000 Metapunks were sold privately.

Metapunks owners can get 2D snapshots of their avatars to use on Twitter and other social media platforms, and they also have access to tools that allow them to use their Metapunks in non-metaverse applications, including Roblox and Mozilla.hub.

The Metapunks will also be accessible through augmented reality (AR). Even though the NFTs are being minted on Algorand, the creation of “Metabridges” means users can access their Metapunks on any blockchain they choose, starting with Solana and Ethereum.

The release notes that while some Metapunks come with custom animations, all of them can be animated using the animation software Mixamo.

Metapunk owners will also be part of the decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) MetaDAO, which will invest in metaverse projects on Algorand and other blockchains. This setup will allow owners to stake their NFTs to receive META tokens.

All data related to the Metapunks will be stored in the Permaweb to prevent data loss, meaning users can purportedly access their avatars for the rest of their lives.

Related: Oculus’ Popularity as Holiday Gift Boosts Meta Stock

In other metaverse news, Meta Platforms’ stock surged to more than $346 per share on Monday (Dec. 27) — its highest closing price in about six weeks — on the news that Oculus virtual reality headsets were an extremely popular holiday gift this year.

Earlier this month, incoming Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth, who will take the position next year, included an emphasis on blockchain and cryptocurrency tech as part of the company’s vision, saying the company formerly known as Facebook should lead the way on Web 3.0.