The world of digital collectibles took a dramatic turn with the emergence of Bored Ape, a cultural phenomenon that transformed from a quirky NFT collection into a global movement. At the heart of this revolution lies the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and its offshoot, the Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC)—two collections that have redefined ownership, celebrity engagement, and digital identity in the blockchain era.
But what exactly is a "bored ape," and why has it captured the imagination of artists, athletes, and tech visionaries alike?
What Is the Bored Ape NFT Collection?
Originally, there was just one iconic collection: the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). Conceived in early 2021 by four friends based in Miami—known by their pseudonyms Gargamel, Gordon, Tomato, and Sass—the project was born out of a mix of crypto enthusiasm and creative experimentation. Greg Solano (Gargamel) and Wylie Aronow (Gordon) brought their crypto expertise from as early as 2017, while Tomato and Sass handled the technical development. Their shared vision led to the founding of Yuga Labs, the company behind BAYC.
Why apes? The team often referred to each other as "apes" in jest—a nod to internet culture and camaraderie. While some speculate the idea was inspired by CryptoPunks, another pioneering NFT collection featuring primate avatars, BAYC carved its own identity with a distinct aesthetic: bored, punk-inspired monkey faces with a rebellious flair.
👉 Discover how digital collectibles are shaping the future of ownership and creativity.
Key Milestones in Bored Ape History
The journey of Bored Ape has been marked by rapid growth and headline-grabbing moments:
- February 28, 2021: BAYC officially founded.
- March 22, 2021: Public launch of the 10,000 unique NFTs.
- April 2021: Initial sale at 0.08 ETH per NFT.
- August 31, 2021: First Bored Ape auctioned at Sotheby’s.
- October 2021: Inaugural Ape Fest for NFT holders.
- December 2021: Sales surpass $1 million per ape, with some fetching over $3 million.
- February 2022: Bored Ape #232 sells for 1,080 ETH (~$2.9 million).
- June 2022: Launch of ApeCoin DAO, empowering community governance.
- March 2023: Luxury fashion collaboration launches exclusive Bored Ape-inspired apparel.
These milestones reflect not just financial success but the evolution of a digital subculture.
Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC): Core Features
10,000 Unique Digital Apes
The BAYC collection consists of exactly 10,000 procedurally generated NFTs, each representing a uniquely styled bored ape. Designed by artists including All Seeing Seneca, Mig, and Thomas Dagley, every ape features randomized traits across six categories:
- Background color (e.g., orange, blue, military green)
- Clothing (e.g., admiral coat, Hawaiian shirt)
- Earrings (e.g., diamond stud, gold hoop)
- Fur (e.g., black, blue, cheetah)
- Headwear (e.g., cowboy hat, halo)
- Mouth expression (e.g., bored with cigar, eating pizza)
With over 170 possible attributes, no two apes are alike—making rarity a key factor in valuation.
Celebrity Adoption and Cultural Impact
BAYC quickly became a status symbol in entertainment and sports circles. High-profile owners include:
- Eminem – Rap legend turned digital collector
- Stephen Curry – NBA star with a prized Bored Ape
- Jimmy Fallon – TV host who showcased his ape on The Tonight Show
- Post Malone – Musician embracing NFT culture
- Snoop Dogg – Ever at the forefront of trends
- Shaquille O’Neal – NBA icon investing in digital assets
Even corporations joined in. Universal Music Group formed Kingship, a virtual band composed of Bored Apes, while Adidas purchased an ape to expand into the metaverse and launched branded comics featuring the character.
👉 See how brands are leveraging NFTs for next-gen marketing strategies.
Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC): Evolution Through Mutation
Capitalizing on BAYC’s success, Yuga Labs introduced the Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) in 2021. This expansion allowed BAYC holders to "mutate" their original apes using a digital Mutant Serum, transforming them into grotesque yet stylish mutants.
For non-holders, Yuga Labs released 10,000 new mutant apes for sale at 3 ETH each. The entire collection sold out in under an hour, raising approximately 92 million euros.
Designed by Thomas Dagley and Lovans Hartes, mutant apes feature eerie enhancements such as:
- Glowing eyes
- Oozing green liquid
- Torn shirts
- Altered skin textures
These visual mutations symbolize evolution within the ecosystem—both technically and culturally.
Strategic Expansion: Acquiring CryptoPunks and Meebits
In March 2022, Yuga Labs made headlines by acquiring Larva Labs, the creators of CryptoPunks and Meebits—two foundational NFT projects. This acquisition unified major players under one umbrella, positioning Yuga Labs as a dominant force in the NFT space.
By integrating CryptoPunks—the original pixel-art avatars—into its ecosystem, Yuga signaled its intent to build a comprehensive Web3 universe where legacy collections coexist and collaborate.
ApeCoin and the Decentralized Future
Beyond art and status, BAYC evolved into a full-fledged ecosystem with the launch of ApeCoin (APE) on March 18, 2022. Distributed to all BAYC and MAYC holders, APE is an ERC-20 token running on Ethereum, designed to fuel governance, commerce, and experiences within the Bored Ape universe.
Governed by the ApeCoin DAO, the token enables community-driven decisions. Elected councils review proposals every six months, ensuring decentralized control over future developments.
The Metaverse Vision: Otherside
Yuga Labs is building Otherside, a metaverse platform teased in a cinematic trailer released in March 2022. The concept follows a Bored Ape drinking a mysterious potion and being whisked away into surreal dimensions—encountering other NFTs like CryptoPunks along the way.
Though delayed from its initial April 2022 target, Otherside aims to be a gamified virtual world powered by ApeCoin, potentially developed in partnership with Animoca Brands, creators of The Sandbox.
The Degen Trilogy: Storytelling Meets NFT Ownership
In April 2022, Coinbase announced The Degen Trilogy, a film project centered around Bored Apes. NFT holders were invited to submit their apes and story ideas for inclusion. Selected contributors could earn up to $10,000 worth of ApeCoin, turning passive ownership into active creative participation.
This initiative highlights a shift: NFTs are no longer static images but characters in evolving narratives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What makes Bored Apes valuable?
A: Scarcity, uniqueness, celebrity endorsement, utility (like access to events), and cultural relevance all contribute to their value.
Q: How can I buy a Bored Ape NFT?
A: You can purchase BAYC or MAYC NFTs on major marketplaces like OpenSea using Ethereum. Be sure to verify authenticity before buying.
Q: Do I get royalties if my Bored Ape is used commercially?
A: Yes—BAYC grants commercial rights to NFT owners, allowing them to monetize their ape’s image legally.
Q: What is ApeCoin used for?
A: ApeCoin powers transactions, governance votes, and access to exclusive experiences within the Bored Ape ecosystem.
Q: Can I visit the Otherside metaverse now?
A: Not yet publicly. While development continues, no official release date has been confirmed as of mid-2025.
Q: Are Mutant Apes rarer than regular Bored Apes?
A: Not necessarily rarer in count (both capped at 10,000), but their unique mutation mechanic adds narrative depth and design variety.