Steve Aoki told CoinDesk in August 2021 that NFTs will become “part of the culture” within five years. Almost exactly five years later, he is liquidating the rest of his cryptocurrency portfolio.
Aoki’s wallet sold 1.785 billion SHIB for about $10,300 on Monday, exchanged 7.25 ETH for about $15,900, and transferred $29,650 USDT to Gemini, according to data from Arkham Intelligence. Two weeks ago, the same wallet sold 4.155 billion PEPE in 1 inch for $14,700. The movement of smaller stablecoins from $600 to $1,700 through MetaMask has bridged the gap between larger exits.
These sales are pocket change, but the losses are not.
Aoki paid more than $800,000 for seven Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs during the 2021 boom, when he was one of the space’s most visible celebrity advocates.
These seven monkeys are now worth about $13,800 each, or about $97,000 total, an 88% reduction from their purchase price. He hasn’t sold them, but at the current rock bottom price there is little left to salvage.
at the peak of $NFT Maniac Mr. Aoki has secured financing for “Dominion X.” $NFT TV show co-produced with Seth Green’s Stoopid Buddy Stoodios.
At this show, 500 NFTs were sold in 30 seconds on Nifty Gateway. His manager told CoinDesk that the sale “barely covers” production costs but demonstrates the market for “original IP on the blockchain.”
This program was not broadcast.
broader $NFT The market confirms that pattern. Bored Ape’s floor price has fallen from more than $400,000 in early 2022 to less than $14,000 today. The 2023-2025 bull market that drove Bitcoin to all-time highs above $126,000 mostly bypassed NFTs entirely. Unlike previous cycles, capital increasingly favors projects that demonstrate clear utility and portfolio value over purely narrative-driven or speculative assets.
Aoki still holds Seven Monkeys. Everything else goes to Gemini.
