10,000 ICPunks NFT Airdrop Claimed in Under 30 Minutes

DFINITY, the firm behind the ambitious Internet Computer project, has ventured into the non-fungible token (NFT) space with an airdrop, and they went like proverbial hotcakes.

The first NFTs on the Internet Computer blockchain were launched on Sept 2, and they did not last long. DFINITY released 10,000 clown collectible NFTs called ICPunks as a free airdrop on the network to test the system and gauge demand.

ICPunks airdrop goes quick

Within 30 minutes, they were all snapped up according to the DFINITY Foundation which stated that “this signals massive demand for the dApps and services being built on the Internet Computer blockchain.”

The experimental giveaway was a success according to DFINITY in that the system held up, unlike similar incentives which have crashed other platforms.   

“Just as CryptoKitties stress-tested the Ethereum network in 2017, demand for clown punks successfully tested the InternetComputer.”

Success or system crash?

DFINITY added that the launch of the ICPunks “gave the community and DFINITY engineers new data, especially on boundary nodes.”

However, not all users were in agreement with DFINITY’s claims of a successful launch. A number of users who missed out on the airdrop complained about the system not functioning properly. One user stated:

“I was in the discord and also trying to claim an ICPunk & so many people did not even stand a chance due to ICP not being stable.”

While another added:

“The website was down for solid 1 hours. How is it even possible to be finished in under 30 mins. Only bots and maybe 1 or 2 people were able to get it.”

The ICPunks moniker and clown-themed NFT collection was derived from the 1990s hip-hop act Insane Clown Posse. A guide on how to claim an ICPunk using the Internet Computer crypto wallet browser extension Plug was published on Aug 31.

An ICPunks marketplace is planned for Q3, 2021 where users can trade, buy and sell the NFTs for ICP tokens. Later this year, the marketplace will be opened to other NFTs and more collections will be launched on the Internet Computer.

In early 2022, DFINITY will start experimenting with cross-chain solutions, enabling users to bring NFTs to Internet Computer from Ethereum or Binance Smart Chain.

ICP token price reaction

ICP tokens are trading relatively flat on the day at $65.57 at the time of press according to CoinGecko. However, unlike other DeFi or NFT related tokens, ICP has been rather lackluster with its recovery efforts and has only increased by 12% over the past fortnight.

ICP has been range-bound for the past month and is still languishing 90% down from its $700 all-time high on May 10.