VonMises and His Journey into NFTs
Discovering CryptoPunks and Building a Collection
VonMises, a former traditional finance professional, has emerged as one of the most prolific NFT collectors. His journey into the world of NFTs began with his background in traditional collectibles and finance. Named after the economist Ludwig von Mises, VonMises first ventured into Bitcoin in 2011 and later discovered NFTs in 2019. His first NFT purchase was from the game Gods Unchained, which piqued his interest in the potential of NFTs.
In October 2019, VonMises discovered CryptoPunks, a moment that altered his path significantly. Recognizing the unique value and potential of CryptoPunks, he bought 60 of them in his first month, including CryptoPunk #6039. This decisive move marked the beginning of his extensive collection.
The Evolution of His NFT Portfolio
As VonMises delved deeper into the NFT space, his collection grew to include significant pieces from various high-profile NFT projects. He minted 350 Chromie Squiggles and acquired early drops from Art Blocks, such as Fidenzas, Ringers, and Gazers. At one point, he owned five Autoglyphs, with one, Autoglyph #392, selling for a substantial 375 ETH in October 2021. Currently, he retains two Autoglyphs.
VonMises’ collection is a testament to his strategic approach and deep understanding of the NFT market. His portfolio includes 17 CryptoPunks, 110 Chromie Squiggles, and works by renowned artists like XCOPY, Beeple, Tyler Hobbs, and DEAFBEEF.
The Birth of His Daughter and NFT Convictions
VonMises’ commitment to NFTs coincided with significant personal milestones. During the early days of his involvement with CryptoPunks, he had just quit his job, the COVID-19 pandemic had begun, and his wife had given birth to their daughter. Despite these challenges, he remained steadfast in his belief in the value of CryptoPunks.
VonMises recalls discussing his investment in CryptoPunks with his wife, who supported his conviction despite their new responsibilities. This support allowed him to continue building his collection, even if he couldn’t be as aggressive as some of his peers, like his friend Danny, also known as “Seedphrase.”
Building a Legacy as an NFT Collector
VonMises takes his role as an NFT collector seriously, viewing himself as a blockchain historian. He aims to build a collection of historically significant and culturally relevant NFTs, intending to leave a lasting legacy in the digital art space. His collection includes pieces from Gazers, Twin Flame, Bored Ape Yacht Club, and more.
VonMises envisions a future where his daughter and others will view NFTs not as digital novelties but as legitimate art and assets. He hopes that future researchers will recognize his contributions to the early days of blockchain assets and appreciate the significance of his collection.
The Importance of Unquestionable Provenance and Provable Scarcity
VonMises’ catchphrase, “unquestionable provenance and provable scarcity,” encapsulates his belief in the transformative potential of NFTs. With extensive experience in traditional collectibles like baseball cards and coins, he understands the challenges of authenticity and durability in physical art markets. NFTs, he argues, solve these issues by providing verifiable ownership and scarcity through blockchain technology.
He emphasizes that the value of perfect provenance will only increase over time, as future generations will appreciate the certainty that blockchain-based assets provide. Unlike traditional collectibles, which often rely on expert opinions that can be fallible, NFTs offer a level of authenticity that is unassailable.
Nostalgia and the Future of NFTs
VonMises believes that as time passes, the nostalgic value of NFTs will grow. He shares personal anecdotes of buying CryptoPunks during the early days of fatherhood, creating a deep emotional connection to his collection. He predicts that future collectors will similarly value NFTs for their connections to significant life moments.
VonMises also notes that the current digital asset landscape is too young for widespread nostalgia, but he expects this to change in the coming decades. As people age, they will likely seek out NFTs that remind them of their youth, driving up the value of these digital assets.
Strategic Approach to Buying and Selling NFTs
Drawing on his traditional finance background, VonMises applies a strategic approach to his NFT investments. He follows the principle of “sell when you
