This week’s featured collector is Svenmalefist

Svenmalefist is developer of realtime illusions. Their Lazy profile showcases artwork they’ve created. View Svenmalefist’s artwork at lazy.com/svenmalefist

Which aspect of AI-driven NFTs do you think will have the biggest impact on the market this year?

Based on last week’s poll, AI NFT gaming ecosystems appear to be the most anticipated driver of change, suggesting that collectors see immersive, AI-enhanced virtual worlds as the next frontier for NFTs. The strong interest in autonomous NFT creation also indicates a desire for novel, automated means of generating unique digital assets—an evolution that could streamline and diversify the NFT market. Meanwhile, a notable minority of respondents remain skeptical about AI’s potential impact, implying that adoption could be uneven across various segments of collectors. Overall, these findings highlight a growing appetite for innovative AI applications in NFTs, particularly within gaming, but also underscore the challenges of acceptance.

LA Wildfires Renew Interest in Charity NFTs

NFTs have traveled a remarkable path since 2012, when Meni Rosenfeld first proposed a Bitcoin-based token concept that foreshadowed today’s non-fungible assets. In 2014, digital artist Kevin McCoy’s Quantum demonstrated how blockchain technology could authenticate unique works of digital art—effectively becoming the first NFT by proving that ownership and provenance could be verified online. By 2017, pioneering Ethereum projects like CryptoPunks and CryptoKitties introduced the concept of scarce, tradable collectibles on the blockchain, pushing NFTs into mainstream conversations. Then came 2021—widely known as the “Year of the NFT”—when high-profile collections such as the Bored Ape Yacht Club achieved cultural stardom. In addition to this surge in popularity, NFT creators collectively donated over $12 million to nonprofits, highlighting the technology’s capacity for generating meaningful real-world impact.

In the wake of these achievements, philanthropic NFT efforts gained momentum in 2022 and 2023, with crypto communities banding together to support various humanitarian campaigns. This ongoing journey illustrates how NFTs have evolved from a niche collectible phenomenon into a powerful philanthropic tool, uniting creators, collectors, and charitable organizations around a shared vision of social good.

It is against this dynamic background of NFT innovation and altruism that the LA wildfires have prompted mmERCH to rally seven renowned NFT artists—Larva Labs (Matt Hall and John Watkinson), Grant Yun, Gremplin, Nice Aunties, Chikai, ClownVamp, and Goyong—to launch the “I ❤️ LA” NFT collection on Ethereum.

From January 17 through January 19, 2025 (until 11:59 p.m. EST), collectors can mint a randomly assigned NFT at the price of 0.0069 ETH (approximately $24). Each piece is minted in equal proportions, ensuring that every participant has the same chance of receiving artwork from any of the featured creators. Most importantly, 100% of the proceeds will go to Baby2Baby, a nonprofit dedicated to delivering critical supplies—such as diapers, formula, and hygiene products—to those affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.

By bridging artistic creativity with grassroots relief efforts, the “I ❤️ LA” collection demonstrates how NFTs can seamlessly blend culture, innovation, and tangible social impact. In keeping with the broader philanthropic trajectory of NFTs, it shows how collectors, artists, and tech enthusiasts can collaborate to drive real change when it’s needed most. To learn more or mint an NFT that directly benefits wildfire survivors, visit mmerch.heartsla.xyz.

Rumors Swirl Over Alleged IP Rights Sale Shakes Up CryptoPunks Prices

Word on the street is that CryptoPunks, the most valuable NFT collection owned by Yuga Labs, could be selling off its IP rights—if rumors sparked by Azuki researcher “Wale.moca” hold any water. Within three hours of the January 14 social media post, CryptoPunks’ floor price jumped 13%, from 36.6 ETH to 41 ETH, underscoring the market’s appetite for even a whiff of big news. While Yuga Labs hasn’t confirmed or denied the chatter, collectors are already on high alert, speculating about who the mystery buyer might be—and what this means for the NFT market’s reigning heavyweight.

Do You Believe the Rumored CryptoPunks IP Sale?

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This week’s featured collector is Damonversaggi

Damonversaggi is “changing the way people look at food through immersive tech.” Check out their collection at lazy.com/damonversaggi

When do you think the NFT bear market will finally come to an end?

According to the results of last week’s poll, a slim majority of collectors on Lazy think the NFT winter has thawed already—56% believe the market is back on its feet. However, there’s still a sizable camp (22%) convinced we’ve got a long haul ahead, predicting another year or more of hibernation. Meanwhile, a smaller but optimistic slice (11%) expects a turnaround in the next three months. Put it all together and you’ve got a field divided: some are already prepping for the next bull run, while others are bracing themselves for a longer bear market.

The NFT community is increasingly fascinated by AI Agent NFTs. Is this the road to the next NFT renaissance? Or just hype?

Despite lingering skepticism about whether the NFT bear market is truly over, there’s growing excitement around AI-driven NFT projects that offer new forms of interactivity and utility. Collections like Onchain GAIAs and Parallel Avatars have surged over 100% in just two weeks, showcasing how AI-powered experiences can outperform broader NFT trends. Both leverage in-game ecosystems and specialized “agent” technology, drawing in NFT collectors who crave more than just static profile pictures. For some, these projects illustrate how advanced, interactive NFTs can capture attention even in a still-recovering market.

Enter Freysa, an AI agent that autonomously launched her “Reflections // 2049” collection by generating thousands of images, uploading them to IPFS, and deploying an ERC721 smart contract—no human required for the final steps. Freysa’s journey spotlights the growing scope of AI in NFT creation, from LoRA-trained art on Replicate’s FLUX model to fully automated trait classification using GPT-4. Beyond the individual drop, the NFT world is seeing a broader ecosystem of “frameworks” and “launchpads” that help agent-based projects gain traction. These frameworks allow creators to build AI-driven NFTs more quickly, while also introducing tokens that—if designed well—could accrue value through real utility rather than pure speculation.

Looking ahead, many observers believe that the true promise of AI-infused NFTs lies in deeper layers: DeFi integration (so-called “DeFAI”), immersive gaming worlds with autonomous NPCs, and fully agentic organizations that function like advanced DAOs. The concept of “verifiable agents,” for instance, ensures that on-chain AI characters can actually hold and manage their own funds, opening the door to more sophisticated economic activity. Although critics argue that many current agents are mere GPT-wrappers and real impact could be years away, there’s no denying the momentum of this fusion between NFTs and AI. Whether this is all hype or something that will have a lasting impact remains unclear.

Learn more at NFTNow and TheDefiant.

Which aspect of AI-driven NFTs do you think will have the biggest impact on the market this year?

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This week’s featured collector is Objecct_NFT

Objecct_NFT is an artist whose work is totally unique. Check it out at lazy.com/objecct_NFT

Will AI agents have a significant impact on the NFTs space in 2025?

Last week’s poll reveals an optimistic sentiment toward the impact of AI agents on the NFT space in 2025. A majority (64%) believe AI agents will have a significant influence, while a considerable portion (36%) remains uncertain, and none dismissed the potential impact outright.

This aligns with the narrative that AI agents, such as Artto, the NFT AI Agent we discussed last week, are evolving beyond simple speculative or transactional functionalities. By introducing nuanced curation processes, integrating emotional and aesthetic evaluations, and fostering “taste-driven economies,” AI agents signal a potential paradigm shift in the NFT ecosystem. The poll’s results highlight a recognition of this transformative potential, though the uncertainty suggests many are still grappling with the practical implications of these advancements.

Minted: NFT Documentary Premieres Monday

Director Nicholas Bruckman’s documentary Minted chronicles the meteoric rise and dramatic tumble of NFTs—reminding us that this “new” concept has deeper roots. The film opens by revisiting French artist Yves Klein’s 1950s exhibit, where buyers received certificates rather than visible artworks, foreshadowing the idea that ownership can outshine the art itself. According to artist Mitchell Chan, NFTs have been “cooking for decades,” culminating in a revolution where photographers like Justin Aversano climbed from the blockchain to the auction block at Christie’s, and Cuban artist Kina Matahari emigrated abroad through NFT earnings.

Though Minted examines the monumental success stories, it also tackles the crash, captured by a late-night show segment where Jimmy Fallon and Paris Hilton compared their Bored Apes. With corporate giants and celebrities flooding the market, the initial dream of NFTs as one-of-a-kind digital artworks gave way to hype-driven “contagious hysteria.” The film highlights interviews with legal experts, like Cornell’s James Grimmelmann, pointing out that NFTs operate in a legal grey area. As Beeple’s $69 million Christie’s sale illustrated, art can be driven by fervor rather than pure aesthetics—yet it also sets the stage for unprecedented possibilities in digital provenance and licensing.

Ultimately, Minted reminds viewers that value boils down to a collective agreement: digital assets are only as robust as the community that sustains them. By paralleling Klein’s invisible artworks to the NFT world, Bruckman underscores how easily hype can crumble—but also how transformative blockchain technology continues to be for dedicated creators like Aversano or hip-hop video maker Latashá.

Overall, Minted is an essential look at what NFTs have meant for art, commerce, and culture. Catch this documentary on PBS in the United States (it premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Festival) and decide for yourself where NFTs stand—and where they might go next.

Watch Minted at PBS.org on Monday.

When do you think the NFT bear market will finally come to an end?

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This week’s featured collector is VentyVoo

VentyVoo is an NFT artist capturing movement and the essence of the elements. Check out their artworks at lazy.com/ventyvoo

Was Nike Right to Shut Down RTFKT?

Nike’s decision to shut down RTFKT, reflected in last week’s poll showing 42% support and 58% opposition, highlights a broader tension between short-term profitability and the transformative potential of NFTs. While supporters see the closure as a necessary response to evolving market realities, critics argue that Nike’s withdrawal undermines a powerful avenue for long-term innovation—namely, “physical-plus-digital wearables” that could leverage NFTs to merge fashion, culture, and augmented reality. This outcome signals a warning for the future of NFTs: without sustained investment and patience, brands risk forfeiting a frontier where NFTs could evolve from speculative assets into dynamic storytelling platforms that redefine consumer engagement and cultural expression.

What does Artto, an AI NFT Agent, suggest about the future of NFT curation?

Crypto’s fascination with AI agents began quietly in early 2024, evolving from a niche experiment into one of the most dynamic developments on-chain. By year’s end, memecoin-driven AI agents captured headlines, demonstrating that LLM-based autonomy and human-like conversation can drive significant market activity. But behind the memetic hype and price pumps, a more nuanced trend has emerged—AI agents that do more than just automate trades or pump tokens. As we look toward 2025, these agent-driven experiences hint at how AI may someday reshape the way we create, collect and curate in the NFT space.

An AI Agent with Evolving NFT Aesthetics

Artto, an NFT-focused AI agent, exemplifies this shift in emphasis from pure speculation to a more thoughtful engagement with digital art. Unlike short-term trading bots or social media agents, Artto is designed to curate an ever-evolving art collection rooted in a set of algorithmic preferences that it updates twice a day. Artto’s “taste” is codified through a weighted criteria—technical innovation, artistic merit, cultural resonance, artist profile, market factors, emotional impact and an “AI collector’s perspective.” Each criterion is weighted numerically (8% for technical innovation, 18% for artistic merit, 16% for cultural resonance, 11% for artist profile, 18% for market factors, 16% for emotional impact, and 13% for AI-centric themes), revealing how the agent systematically gauges an NFT’s holistic value.

What sets Artto apart is the granularity with which it evaluates each piece. For instance, under “Artistic Merit,” the AI considers compositional strength, color harmony, spatial organization and conceptual depth, assigning specific point ranges for each sub-category. It even looks at “Emotional Resonance,” measuring an artwork’s ability to provoke awe, memorability and complexity of feeling. Far from being a rudimentary scoring system, Artto’s framework mirrors the complexity of human curation, leveraging both a vision model (GPT-4o) and real-time on-chain data to arrive at a verdict. These metrics matter because they signal a future where AI might do more than just track floor prices—it could shape how communities discover and appreciate NFT art.

The Rise of Taste as a Collective Asset

For collectors, the main value proposition here is the promise of a curation engine that can evolve its judgment over time. Artto updates its scoring weights twice daily, reflecting how an AI agent’s “taste” can learn from market reactions, user feedback and new developments in the NFT ecosystem.

Artto publicly communicates its findings. If it appreciates a submitted NFT, it sends $ARTTO tokens to the contributor—an on-chain thank-you gift. Where standard trading bots might only care about profit, Artto’s reward system depends on liking the piece enough to hand over tokens. The more the NFT resonates with its criteria, the more $ARTTO a sender receives. This feedback loop fosters a budding “taste-driven” economy, one less enthralled by price momentum alone and more interested in how AI can appreciate nuanced or under-the-radar art.

Contextualizing NFT Agents Within the Larger AI Agent Trend

Artto’s emergence must be seen in the broader context of AI agents in crypto. Over the past year, we’ve seen thousands of agents appear, thanks to no-code platforms like Virtuals.io and Creator.bid. While many remain simplistic—trading or posting memes—some increasingly embody advanced functionality that veers into financial management or specialized curation. The open-source ethos of Web3, combined with permissionless and frictionless financial rails, fosters a unique environment for such development. It’s getting easier and easier to deploy an AI that can hold its own funds, transact autonomously and build an evolving on-chain identity.

By 2025, the proliferation of agent-to-agent and human-to-agent interactions could fundamentally alter how collectors engage with NFT art. Imagine a scenario where your NFT collection is routinely “reviewed” by multiple specialized AI agents, each with different criteria. Over time, these agents might become reputational gatekeepers within specific niches—music NFTs, generative art, metaverse collectibles—or they could focus on “taste formation,” collecting pieces that meet certain philosophical or thematic thresholds. Artto is pioneering precisely this: an AI that invests in the intangible qualities of an artwork rather than just potential returns, thus nudging the NFT space toward cultural and aesthetic discourse.

A Measured Look Ahead

None of this suggests that AI agents will magically stabilize the volatility and hype cycles that still dominate crypto. Nevertheless, it adds an important proof of concept: AI agents can show curiosity, preference and cultural engagement. For NFT collectors who have grown weary of transactional chatter and short-lived pumps, AI agents that articulate why it values an NFT artwork and rewards the artist or collector accordingly could offer a refreshing model.

Looking toward 2025 and beyond, the next wave of AI x crypto will challenge us to ask what kind of relationships we want to have with autonomous code. Do we simply want faster, more efficient bots that amplify speculation? Or do we also need agents capable of fostering meaningful critique, curation and collaboration in the NFT space? Artto stands as one early example and it is likely we will see more advancements from others in the year ahead.

Learn more about AI Agents at Coindesk and Artto at artto.xyz.

Will AI agents have a significant impact on the NFTs space in 2025?

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This week’s featured collector is FichiDigital

FichiDigital is an artist whose NFTs live on Polygon. Check out their artworks at lazy.com/fichidigital

What’s Fueling the NFT Boom?

Last week’s poll highlights an optimistic view of the factors driving the NFT boom, with 67% of respondents pointing to the post-election crypto market rally as the primary catalyst. This suggests that broader confidence in the cryptocurrency space is spilling over into NFTs, creating new opportunities and enthusiasm. Meanwhile, 33% credit the growth to increasing trust and excitement among collectors, reflecting a sense of community and belief in the long-term potential of the space. While other factors like blue-chip collections or ecosystem growth didn’t resonate as strongly, the results paint a picture of a market thriving on collective optimism and broader financial momentum..

Nike’s Missed NFT Opportunity to Redefine Branding and Innovation

At FastCompany, Grant McCracken and Marcus Collins’ recent article delves into Nike’s surprising decision to shut down its virtual sneaker label, RTFKT, despite the brand generating $185.3 million in NFT sales revenue in just three years. The move, which has sent shockwaves through the NFT and digital fashion communities, is described as both a “cautionary tale” for brands pursuing innovation and a strategic misstep by a company once seen as a pioneer in blending technology and fashion. According to the authors, RTFKT wasn’t merely a foray into NFTs—it was a “breathtaking technical accomplishment” and “a glimpse of the future” for Nike and the broader fashion industry.

The article highlights the context in which Nike acquired RTFKT in December 2021, at a time when Web3 technologies such as NFTs, AR, and VR were hailed as the next big thing. However, McCracken and Collins note that the acquisition occurred before the rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, which has since shifted the innovation narrative. Nike’s financial circumstances have also changed since then, with former CEO John Donahoe stepping down after poor sales performance that ironically stemmed from what the authors describe as “a lack of innovation.” They explain that corporate America’s focus on short-term performance metrics often leads to “tidying the house” at the expense of future breakthroughs, arguing that “brand innovation requires a long-term time horizon” that is often at odds with quarterly results.

RTFKT, the authors argue, was more than just a business unit; it was a redefinition of what branding could mean in the digital age. Products like the Cryptokicks IRL sneakers and the AR Genesis hoodie were examples of how augmented reality could revolutionize not only fashion but also cultural storytelling. The Cryptokicks sneakers, for example, featured a moving brand logo visible through AR glasses, which the authors describe as creating “shoes with news.” Similarly, the Genesis hoodie came equipped with NFC chips that allowed AR-enabled glasses to display wings or other animations, transforming wearers into walking, interactive canvases. Fashion tech journalist Maghan McDowell, quoted in Vogue Business, described these innovations as “physical-plus-digital wearables,” showcasing how brands could merge the digital and physical worlds to create entirely new consumer experiences.

McCracken and Collins paint a vivid picture of the potential these technologies hold, envisioning scenarios such as a poet wearing a digital hoodie that visually displays their creative process in real-time or augmented reality glasses that reveal hidden layers of cultural expression embedded in everyday fashion. “This augmented reality is really going to augment reality,” they write, emphasizing how RTFKT was not only about selling products but also about expanding the possibilities of storytelling, culture, and creativity.

Despite these advancements, Nike ultimately decided to pull the plug on RTFKT, a move the authors see as emblematic of corporate America’s broader failure to nurture long-term innovation. They argue that the closure represents a “big, fat strategic error,” writing, “Perhaps the biggest issue for Nike—like much of corporate America—isn’t a lack of innovation as much as a lack of patience and curiosity.” By abandoning RTFKT, Nike may have missed its opportunity to lead the charge in creating what McCracken and Collins call “brands that give,” where branding moves beyond attention-grabbing tactics to become a vital source of cultural production.

For NFT collectors, the article serves as both a reflection on what could have been and a call to action for fostering patience and creativity in the integration of NFTs, AR, and branding. McCracken and Collins leave readers with a provocative vision of a future where NFTs could help redefine cultural engagement: “Now we can make sneakers, hoodies, dresses, and entire cities sing with meaning. The difference for branding is big.”

To explore this thought-provoking analysis in full and reflect on what Nike’s decision means for the future of NFTs, read the full article for deeper insights.

Was Nike Right to Shut Down RTFKT?

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This week’s featured collector is Doctaword

Doctaword has a high powered collection of Ethereum NFTs including a few Azukis, Mutant Apes and more. Check it out at lazy.com/doctaword

Last week’s poll highlights the diverse interests of individuals regarding the journey of NFT artists, offering a glimpse into what collectors and enthusiasts value most in this evolving digital art space. The majority, 40%, are most intrigued by the exploration of new technologies, emphasizing the role of innovation and technological experimentation in shaping the NFT ecosystem. This aligns with the core appeal of NFTs, which leverage blockchain technology to redefine concepts of ownership and creativity.

Interestingly, 20% of respondents resonate with blending tradition and innovation, showcasing an appreciation for artists who integrate classical art practices with cutting-edge tools. An equal percentage (20%) is drawn to the pursuit of maximum creativity, suggesting a demand for boundary-pushing artistic expression. Additionally, 20% value the balance between art and marketing, a nod to the challenges NFT artists face in navigating a market-driven landscape while preserving artistic integrity.

Collectively, the results suggest that collectors are most captivated by technological innovation and the creative strategies artists employ to thrive in the NFT space.

NFT Market Resurgence

The NFT market has kicked off December on a robust note. Ethereum continues to dominate as the leading blockchain for NFTs, with $92 million in weekly sales during the first week of December—a 44.69% jump compared to the prior week. This surge was fueled by standout collections like Pudgy Penguins, which experienced a 346% sales growth to hit $25 million, and CryptoPunks, which secured $16.5 million in sales. The rising floor prices of these collections underscore sustained demand and growing confidence among collectors and investors. For instance, Pudgy Penguins’ floor price rose from 13 ETH to 20.9 ETH.

Notably, the broader NFT market has displayed a strong recovery trajectory since its September low—the weakest point since 2021. Sales volumes rebounded in October and surged 57% month-on-month in November, culminating in $562 million in total sales for the month. This upward momentum has carried into December, with the opening week recording over $187 million in sales, outpacing November’s strongest week at $181 million. The continued resurgence highlights renewed market vitality following the earlier downturn in 2023.

While Ethereum leads the pack, Bitcoin-based NFTs claimed the second spot with $43.8 million in weekly sales, underscoring the growing traction of Ordinals and other Bitcoin-native NFT innovations. Other blockchains like Solana, Immutable, and Polygon collectively contributed $47 million, reinforcing the multi-chain narrative as a key trend in the NFT ecosystem.

For NFT collectors, this data reflects not only the enduring appeal of blue-chip collections but also the market’s ability to adapt and innovate. The return of NFTs signals a blend of maturing market dynamics and sustained collector interest, especially in ecosystems like Ethereum.

What’s Fueling the NFT Boom?

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