VonMises and His 60 CryptoPunks: A Journey in NFT Collecting
VonMises’ Background and Entry into NFTs
VonMises, a former traditional finance professional, has become one of the most respected NFT collectors in the world. He believes NFTs are revolutionary, with their “unquestionable provenance and provable scarcity.” This concept drives his conviction that NFTs will continue to grow in importance.
VonMises’ fascination with NFTs began with his first purchase, a Gods Unchained card in October 2019. However, it was his discovery of CryptoPunks that truly changed his trajectory. Within a month, he bought 60 CryptoPunks, including his first-ever, CryptoPunk #7182.
Early Days and Influence of CryptoPunks
VonMises’ initial encounters with CryptoPunks were transformative. He felt that his background in traditional finance and collectibles had prepared him for this moment. The combination of his trading experience, involvement in crypto since 2011, and lifelong passion for collecting made CryptoPunks a perfect fit for him.
When he first saw CryptoPunks, he knew he was looking at something unique and special. His conviction was so strong that he discussed his plans with his wife, who supported his decision to invest significantly in these digital assets.
Building a Legendary NFT Collection
VonMises has built an impressive NFT collection, including 17 CryptoPunks and 110 Chromie Squiggles. His portfolio features works from renowned artists like XCOPY, Beeple, Tyler Hobbs, and DEAFBEEF. He considers himself a blockchain historian, curating a collection of historically significant and culturally relevant NFTs.
His collection also includes high-profile Art Blocks pieces such as Fidenzas, Ringers, and Gazers, and he once owned five Autoglyphs, one of which sold for 375 ETH ($1.38 million) in 2021. VonMises’ approach to collecting is driven by his belief in the long-term value of NFTs.
The Importance of Provenance and Scarcity
VonMises emphasizes the importance of “unquestionable provenance and provable scarcity” in the NFT market. He argues that NFTs solve many issues faced by physical art and collectibles, such as durability, fakes, and reliance on expert opinions.
He believes that in the future, the value of perfect provenance will only increase. Unlike traditional collectibles, NFTs offer a level of authenticity that can be verified by anyone with a laptop, making them a game-changer in the art and collectibles market.
Nostalgia and Future Value of NFTs
VonMises also highlights the role of nostalgia in the future value of NFTs. He recounts how his early days of collecting CryptoPunks were intertwined with personal milestones, like the birth of his daughter. He believes that as time goes on, the nostalgia associated with early NFTs will grow, similar to how people today cherish collectibles from their youth.
Market Strategies and Long-Term Vision
Drawing from his traditional finance background, VonMises applies a disciplined approach to buying and selling NFTs. He follows the principle of “Sell when you can, not when you have to,” and has sold significant portions of his collection during market highs.
Despite his emotional attachment to many of his NFTs, he is willing to sell when market conditions are favorable. He also believes in buying when the market is down, seeing it as an opportunity to acquire valuable assets at lower prices.
Rapid Fire Q&A with VonMises
Favorite 1-of-1 art piece owned:
- Recent 1-of-1 Beeple and “Flyswatter” by Dangiuz.
Top three favorite digital artists:
- XCOPY
- Beeple
- Tyler Hobbs
Absolute favorite NFT owned:
- CryptoPunk #1111, his digital representation.
Admired collections outside his own:
- Punk6529 and Cozomo de’ Medici for their diverse collections.
Up-and-coming artists to watch:
- James Bloom, known for combining dynamic and generative art using blockchain data
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