CryptoDickbutts is one of the hottest NFT projects right now. Don't you wonder how did an NFT that is literally about dick-butts achieve such popularity? And does this memetic NFT collection actually have any staying power? Please have a read.
Dickbutts of the NFT World
CryptoDickbutts was born in 2021 and quickly claimed its spot in NFT history and culture. Apart from its silly looking, at this point, every NFT expert out there will have to admit this project is not just light-hearted trolling.
These NFTs sell for thousands of dollars. Even during the 2022 market crash, it was one of the few projects that kept its momentum with the same floor price.
Believe it or not, CryptoDickbutts NFT has more than 1.7K unique holders and a total volume of over 7k ETH on OpenSea. It even has a dedicated space in Punk6529’s Open Metaverse.
CryptoDickButts is the third series within the collection. With only 161 NFTs in the OG collection released in March 2021, continued demand led to a Series 3 of 5,200 NFTs several months later in August. Notably among the Series 3 collection are 14 "legendary" one-of-one NFTs, one of which sold for 69 ETH (roughly $246,744) in October.
This series has a mint price of 0.052 ETH ($50). Shortly after the mint, its floor price reaches ATH of 1.8 ETH. And at the time of writing, CDB holds a floor price of 1.1 ETH ($1500) even though the NFT market doesn't look too healthy at the moment. Yes, we can say it goes from Meme to the Moon.
So, how did an NFT that is literally about dick-butts achieve such popularity?
There are many reasons for its accelerated growth and continuous popularity. Here, we do our best to determine the elements that contributed to the rise of CryptoDickbutts, dive into the core elements of the NFT that make it a powerful representative symbol of Web3, and attempt to predict its future - starting with Itstory.
The Tale of CryptoDickbutts
Dick Butt was initially born more than fifteen years ago. Precisely, on July 2nd, 2006, in a webcomic by KC Green. It was called “Tree, You’ve Been Good to Us” as part of the Horribleville series.
The Dick Butt character went viral almost instantly.
Internet citizens then began creating their versions of Dick Butt and posting them across forums like Reddit and similar sites. Less than a year later, an entry about “dickbutts” was added to Urban Dictionary on April 12, 2007, to define this internet marvel.
Due to its widespread popularity, KC Green could not control the character’s narrative or brand affiliations. He then denounced all association with his creation in 2021.
Consequently, the CryptoDickbutts NFT collection is not associated with the original creator. Instead, these NFTs were born in the CryptoPunks discord. It was created in tribute to (and as a gift for) a few CryptoPunks NFTs' early holders.
The original Series 1 of CryptoDickbutts was capped at 52 NFTs, and Series 2 is 104. These are known as the “OG version.” With only 161 NFTs in the OG collection released in March 2021, continued demand led to a Series 3 of Dickbutts several months later in August, which were ranked according to traits like skins, butts, shoes, and hats. This third collection has 5200 NFTs total and a mint price of 0.052 ETH plus gas.
The NFT collection saw immense growth and established itself as a legitimate brand months after the mint. The team created an online store, and they even had an exclusive CryptoDickbutt ball hosted by Meltem Demirors. They were also collab with some of the biggest names in NFTs — including Killer Acid, Sergs, 3D Alpacadabraz, and Gremplin.
What does the future hold for these NFTs? Where is the roadmap? The team stated: "Road? Map? What are you even talking about?"
Why did an NFT that is literally about dick-butts achieve such popularity?
The Power of Story
“The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller.” - said Steve Jobs. Stories have the power to embed generational values, preserve cultural motifs, and shape our overarching social and evolutionary discourse. They can also unite and divide communities in shared appreciation or detest of characters and their respective journeys.
The story and journey that CryptoDickbutts is crafting use relatable elements of light-hearted humor. But more than that, it reflects key cultural motifs at its core. Specifically, there is the image of the wandering protagonist seeking self-actualization through the prophetic vision and an end destination of Gooch Island.
In that aspect, we can all relate to its story, the journey to find purpose and meaning in life.
The Antipode Cultural
In Maslow’s hierarchy, when the most basic needs (food, safety,...etc.) are met, you might get into the higher layer of needs. These included things like aesthetic pleasure, emotional needs, and self-actualization.
Most commercial products and services are trying to evoke emotions through strategic portrayals and cultural signifiers. Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga... are some examples of significance and social signaling.
A majority of unicorn NFT projects like CryptoPunks and BAYC are not exceptions. In other words, they are status symbols. Owning one makes the holder feel essential and have a meaningful connection to other members of the community. By posting a six-figure NFT on our social media, we can easily ‘flex’ with others. It works like a Rolex in the digital world.
The only upside is this causes resentment from those who can’t afford the items. This ultimately creates a pull towards NFTs representing traditionally valued classes' antipode through self-effacing and satirical humor. In this case, CryptoDickbutts.
First, the project was created literally as a joke. It had no goals, no roadmap, nor ambitions. And second, what can be more effectively satirizing premier NFT projects and communities than a dick meshed with a butt.
In short, the CryptoDickbutts collection was born to the sarcasm of the overly severe, self-indulgent NFT enthusiasts.
Furthermore, CryptoDickbutts represent those who can laugh at themselves and share in the collective appreciation of this memetic comedy.
While not everyone can appreciate or relate to big-name, big-number NFT, everyone does have the capacity to laugh at a silly meme. CryptoDickbutts is a viral sensation that captures this aspect near perfectly.
The Essence of CryptoPunks
People who identify as punks see themselves as unique and independent thinkers rather than in a typical community. The same is true of CryptoPunk holders.
People buy Punks not because they want to look like wealthy, famous people. They own Punks to stand out from the crowd.
That is the essence of Punks, and who can be a better preserver than CryptoDickbutts?
The original anti-monopolistic sentiments of CryptoPunks are weakening, but the sentiment remains strong in its community-born heirs, the CryptoDickbutts collection. In fact, being freedom forever embedded within its token contract address 0x42069ABFE407C60cf4ae4112bEDEaD391dBa1cdB leading "42069" (an homage to crypto culture) with an ending "1cdB" standing for one CryptoDickbutt.
On Ethereum
Blockchain is a critical factor determining the future success or decline of varied collections.
At the moment, Ethereum has dominated the NFT Market.
A theory among Ethereum fans is that as more layer 2’s appear, most of Layer 1 will spend their resources on powering these newer infrastructures. While Layer 2 will allow for larger collection sizes due to the significantly cheaper transaction fees, NFTs built on L1 (including derivatives) will become a status symbol, as conducting activity on any layer 1 will be too expensive for most individuals.
This is especially the case with on-chain collectibles that mitigate against the potential risk of images being changed or removed if marketplaces close or stop paying fees for data hosting.
CDB is an Ethereum-based collection, but they are not on-chain. As long as the ETH developers continue to work on the protocol, the memetic impact of a dickbutt will remain.
CC0
Regarding the influence of NFTs, a CC0 framework (Creative Commons) offers more flexibility and room to scale in many directions. Specifically, CryptoDickbutts are beloved because of the CC0 license, which gives it an innate ability to resist corporate alignment. This allows the project to grow and scale without losing its core ethos and provides it with underlying power.
Furthermore, CC0 frameworks helped create the success of Web2. Various platforms built on top of the internet were able to spread quickly because of the open, collaborative effort of coders worldwide. In the same way, CC0 collections such as CryptoDickbutts function as an open-source library for the metaverse. They invite new users to experiment, build, and grow. This benefits the individual and also CrytopDickbutts’ brand, helping it expand and gain even more popular.
CryptoDickbutts DAO - The Future
Today, the CryptoDickbutts community continues to be lively and strong. In fact, the community established a DAO. Its mission is to acquire a physical “Gooch Island,” which will give the holders (and their CryptoDickbutt NFTs) a place to roam freely. The CryptoDickbutt DAO’s members include any current NFT holder across the OG and Series 3 collections.
The raison d’etre for this mission extends from lore the community invented around the characters. In short, the story is thus: The various CryptoDickbutts were all exiled from Gooch Island after a period of great unrest. The former utopia is now in disrepair and nearly unlivable, save for the sole inhabitant known as Cryptoadz Leader Colonel Floorbin. The CryptoDickbutts are now working on getting back home.
As the search for the island is still underway, any holder is invited to join and work on fundraising, identify potential locations, and develop a plan for the ongoing management of a soon-to-be reclaimed utopia.
That is essentially the story of CryptoDickbutts, defining its past and future.
The CryptoDickbutts DAO is not a joke but an example of this community's strength.
Closing Thought
CryptoDickbutts show the world how rich and vivid the NFT World is. You don't have to be a millionaire to own an NFT. And vice versa, owning an NFT doesn't make you a millionaire.
Once again, CryptoDickbutts prove to us what makes an NFT worth thousands of dollars. Not because they have freaking good-looking art or a few excellent utilities, but because they are cool, and the community loves it. That is it.
One last thought, is this NFT worth buying? Yes, of course, it is a dick mesh with a butt.
