The Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) stands as a prominent collection of 20,000 Profile Picture NFTs (PFPs), a creation of Yuga Labs, the masterminds behind the iconic Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). Launched in August 2021, MAYC extends the BAYC universe, drawing a wider audience into its vibrant ecosystem. Like their BAYC predecessors, MAYC NFTs reside on the Ethereum blockchain. These captivating digital artworks depict mutant apes, each possessing a unique, often more menacing, aesthetic than the original Bored Apes. Distinctive features like fur color, headwear, and accessories contribute to their individuality.
Image illustrating various Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) NFTsAlt text: A collage showcasing the diverse and unique appearances of several Mutant Ape Yacht Club NFTs, highlighting their distinct features and mutant aesthetics.
Yuga Labs introduced MAYC through a novel “mutant serum” mechanic, adding a layer of intrigue to the project. These serums allowed BAYC holders to “mutate” their existing Bored Apes, transforming them into new Mutant Apes. This innovative approach added a dynamic element to the NFT collection, further engaging the community and expanding the BAYC universe.
A BAYC transforming into a MAYCAlt text: A side-by-side comparison of a Bored Ape before and after mutation, showcasing the visual transformation achieved through the use of a mutant serum. The left image displays the original BAYC NFT, while the two images on the right depict different stages of the mutation process, culminating in the final MAYC NFT.
MAYC: Key Highlights and Distinguishing Features in 2025
The Mutant Ape Yacht Club has carved a significant niche for itself in the NFT landscape. Here are some key features that contribute to its appeal and potential future in the evolving digital art world of 2025:
- Mutant Lineage: MAYC’s direct connection to BAYC, established through the mutation process, adds a layer of provenance and exclusivity. This heritage resonates with collectors who value the established legacy of the BAYC brand.
- Liquidity and Reputation: MAYC, like BAYC, boasts impressive liquidity and a strong reputation within the NFT market. It ranks among the top PFP projects alongside established names like CryptoPunks, Azuki, and Pudgy Penguins, suggesting sustained value and collector interest.
- Shared Ecosystem and Token: MAYC benefits from the shared ecosystem of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, including the utilization of ApeCoin (APE). This shared token further integrates the MAYC community into the broader BAYC world and offers potential utility within the ecosystem.
Dissecting the MAYC NFT: Metrics, Utility, and Allocation
This section provides a comprehensive breakdown of MAYC’s essential metrics, use cases, sales data, and allocation:
MAYC NFT Key Metrics
- NFT Name: Mutant Ape Yacht Club
- Ticker: MAYC
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Token Standard: ERC-721
- NFT Contract: 0x60E4d786628Fea6478F785A6d7e704777c86a7c6
- Circulating Supply: 19,472 MAYC (out of a total of 20,000, some BAYC holders have not yet utilized their mutant serums.)
MAYC NFT Use Cases
Owning a MAYC NFT unlocks several benefits and opportunities:
- Digital Identity: Primarily, MAYC NFTs serve as profile pictures, reflecting the owner’s affinity for digital art and the BAYC ecosystem.
- Exclusive Access and Community Perks: Holding a MAYC NFT grants access to exclusive benefits and opportunities within the Bored Ape Yacht Club community, including special events, merchandise, and potential future utility within the evolving metaverse.
- Investment and Trading: MAYC NFTs are tradable assets, offering opportunities for investment, trading, lending, and borrowing on various NFT marketplaces.
MAYC NFT Sale and Allocation
The 20,000 MAYC NFTs were allocated as follows:
- Airdrop to BAYC Holders: Initially, three types of Mutant Serums were airdropped to BAYC holders, who then used the serums to create their MAYC NFTs.
- Public Auction: The remaining 10,000 MAYC NFTs were sold in a public auction hosted by Yuga Labs. The auction generated significant excitement, with the final price of each MAYC settling around 2.79 ETH, netting Yuga Labs approximately $84 million in August 2021.
MAYC NFT Traits and Rarity
Mutant Serums are NFTs that act as catalysts for creating MAYC. Three types exist:
- 7,500 M1 Serums: Cause minor mutations, altering fur and enhancing accessories.
- 2,492 M2 Serums: Lead to more significant mutations, sometimes drastically changing the BAYC’s appearance.
- 8 M3 Serums (Mega Mutant Serums): Ultra-rare serums resulting in the most extreme and valuable mutations.
The three types of Mutant Serums: M1, M2, and M3Alt text: An image displaying the three variants of Mutant Serums: M1, M2, and M3. Each serum is visually distinct, representing its increasing rarity and potency in transforming Bored Apes into Mutant Apes.
Each MAYC NFT is composed of eight traits: Name, Earring, Background, Fur, Eyes, Mouth, Hat, and Clothes. The combination of these traits determines the rarity of each NFT, with rarer combinations commanding higher prices. Rarity tools like Rarity Sniper allow collectors to analyze and compare the rarity of different MAYC NFTs.
Factors contributing to the rarity of a MAYC NFTAlt text: A breakdown of the different traits that contribute to a Mutant Ape Yacht Club NFT’s rarity score. The image lists various trait categories, such as fur, eyes, mouth, and clothing, illustrating how different combinations of these traits influence an NFT’s overall rarity.
MAYC Trading Performance and Market Data
This section delves into MAYC’s trading performance, market capitalization, trading volume, royalty fees, and all-time high prices.
MAYC NFT Price and Sales
MAYC price and sales chartAlt text: A graph illustrating the price and sales trends of Mutant Ape Yacht Club NFTs over time. The chart highlights key periods of price fluctuations and provides insights into the overall market activity for MAYC NFTs.
MAYC reached its all-time high average price of approximately 44 ETH in April 2022. As of May 2023, the floor price was around 9.34 ETH ($16,800). With over 58,630 sales to date, MAYC demonstrates robust liquidity within the NFT market.
Market Cap and Trading Volume
MAYC’s market capitalization reached 202,500 ETH ($365 million), comparable to Azuki’s. Its total trading volume has exceeded 889,500 ETH ($1.6 billion), indicating significant market activity and collector interest.
MAYC market cap and trading volume chartAlt text: A graph visualizing the market capitalization and trading volume of Mutant Ape Yacht Club NFTs. This chart displays the historical performance of MAYC in terms of its overall market value and the total value of NFTs traded.
Royalty Fee
MAYC’s royalty fee is set at 2.5%, meaning Yuga Labs receives 2.5% of every secondary sale on NFT marketplaces. This revenue stream contributes significantly to Yuga Labs’ overall earnings from the MAYC collection.
MAYC NFT All-Time High Prices
Alt text: A table listing the top 8 Mutant Ape Yacht Club NFTs sold for the highest prices ever recorded. Each entry includes the NFT’s unique identifier, sale price, and other relevant details, highlighting the significant value some MAYC NFTs have achieved.
As of May 2023, the table above shows the top 8 highest-priced MAYC NFT sales. These record sales highlight the significant value placed on specific MAYC NFTs by collectors.
Trading and Storing MAYC NFTs
Marketplaces for Trading MAYC
MAYC NFTs can be traded on major NFT marketplaces like OpenSea, LooksRare, Blur, and Rarible. OpenSea currently boasts the highest liquidity for MAYC, while aggregators like OpenSea Pro and Uniswap NFT Marketplace allow users to compare prices across multiple platforms.
Wallets for Storing MAYC
Being ERC-721 tokens, MAYC NFTs can be stored in any Ethereum-compatible wallet that supports NFT display, such as Coin98 Super App, Metamask, Trust Wallet, SafePal, and BitKeep.
MAYC displayed in a Coin98 Super App walletAlt text: A screenshot of the Coin98 Super App wallet displaying a Mutant Ape Yacht Club NFT. The image demonstrates how users can securely store and manage their MAYC NFTs within a compatible digital wallet.
MAYC Roadmap and Key Updates
- August 2021: Airdrop of 10,000 Mutant Serums to BAYC holders and public auction of the remaining 10,000 MAYC NFTs.
- March 2022: Airdrop of APE tokens to MAYC holders.
- May 2022: Airdrop of Otherdeed NFTs to BAYC and MAYC holders.
The Team, Investors, and Partners Behind MAYC
The Team
MAYC is developed by Yuga Labs, founded in 2020. Yuga Labs is known for other successful NFT collections like BAYC, Bored Ape Kennel Club (BAKC), and Otherside. They also acquired CryptoPunks and Meebits. The artists behind MAYC are known by pseudonyms like Gargamel, Gordon Goner, Emperor Tomato Ketchup, and No Sass.
Investors and Funding Rounds
Alt text: A table summarizing the funding rounds of Yuga Labs, the company behind the Mutant Ape Yacht Club. The table details the dates, amounts raised, lead investors, and valuations achieved in each round.
Yuga Labs, the parent company of MAYC, has conducted two major funding rounds, raising $450 million at a $4 billion valuation in March 2022, led by a16z with participation from Animoca Brands, LionTree, and others.
Partnerships
Mutant Ape Yacht Club #30000 collaborated with the Farmhouse brand, aiming to bridge the gap between the NFT community and Farmhouse’s audience. This partnership introduced NFT art to a wider audience, demonstrating the potential for mainstream adoption.
Mutant Ape Yacht Club #30000 in partnership with FarmhouseAlt text: An image showcasing Mutant Ape Yacht Club #30000 in a promotional image related to the partnership with Farmhouse. This visual represents the collaboration between the NFT project and the lifestyle brand.
Similar Projects
The PFP NFT space is populated by various projects like Azuki, Clone X, Moonbirds, Doodles, and Meebits.
Conclusion: MAYC’s Position in the 2025 NFT Ecosystem
The Mutant Ape Yacht Club remains a significant player in the NFT landscape. Its strong ties to BAYC, combined with its unique artistic style, robust community, and active trading market, position it for continued relevance. As the NFT space evolves towards greater utility and integration within the metaverse, MAYC’s connection to the broader BAYC ecosystem, including ApeCoin, could play a crucial role in its future value and utility. The ongoing development and expansion of the BAYC universe by Yuga Labs, alongside strategic partnerships and community engagement, will likely shape MAYC’s trajectory in the ever-dynamic world of NFTs.
FAQ: Addressing Common Queries about MAYC
Q: What makes MAYC different from BAYC?
A: MAYC features mutant versions of the Bored Apes, often with more aggressive aesthetics. They were created using Mutant Serums, adding a layer of provenance and connecting them to the original BAYC collection.
Q: How can I acquire a MAYC NFT?
A: MAYC NFTs can be purchased on secondary marketplaces like OpenSea, LooksRare, Blur, and Rarible.
Q: What are the benefits of owning a MAYC NFT?
A: Ownership provides digital identity, access to the BAYC community and exclusive benefits, and opportunities for investment and trading.
Q: What is the future of MAYC?
A: MAYC’s future is tied to the broader BAYC ecosystem and the development of the metaverse. Its integration with ApeCoin and future utility within the Yuga Labs ecosystem will likely play a significant role in its long-term value.
We encourage you to share this article and submit your own questions about MAYC in the comments below. We are constantly updating our content to provide the most accurate and comprehensive information about the evolving NFT landscape.
