TL;DR: With a new update or NFT collection being released almost every day, it’s clear the crypto ecosystem is constantly evolving. CryptoSkulls is one of the NFT collections paving the road to the digital universe — but it’s just the beginning. Knowing what brought it here and why it was created will lead you to make better decisions when investing or simply interacting with CryptoSkulls.

In this article, we’re gonna dive into the CryptoSkulls lore, answer all the CryptoSkulls related questions and even more. Prepare yourself for a fantasy story and a journey to the future of CryptoSkulls!

What is CryptoSkulls?

CryptoSkulls is an NFT collection of 10,000 pixelated skulls that lives on the Ethereum blockchain.

The design of CryptoSkulls is similar to the CryptoPunks collection. In fact, it is widely believed that CryptoSkulls are then 2nd 10,000 NFT collection that launched after CryptoPunks. 

As if the allure of pixelated CryptoSkulls wasn't captivating enough, CryptoSkulls V2 takes a bold step, presenting a reimagined vision—conjuring a host of dark and Demonic Skulls in a classic 2D Cartoonish Style.

So, settle in, find solace, and journey with us into the shadows as we unveil the enigmatic lore of CryptoSkulls

In the depths of The Boneyard, where the eerie glow of CryptoSkulls sent shivers through the villagers, a secret lay buried for ages beneath the Skull Lords' crypt. Hidden for centuries, below their crypt, was The Alchemy Lab, a place unseen by mortal eyes.

For countless years, the clan of Dark Alchemists delved into experimenting with CryptoSkulls, seeking to fathom their mystical powers, isolate them, and channel them into our dark rituals. The Dark Alchemists dabbled with potent potions, elixirs, and ancient relics, like the Skull of the Demon Lord, all in pursuit of their enigmatic secrets. But the CryptoSkulls kept their mysteries guarded, or so they believed…

Whispers of an ancient artefact, the Legendary Skullish Cube, possessing otherworldly transmogrification abilities, reached the ears of the Dark Alchemists through age-old lore. My clan pooled all their resources to locate this elusive Cube, and with the invaluable assistance of the NFT Archaeologists Society, we unearthed it at last.

As the Cube was extracted, renowned NFTs rushed to it, hoping to augment their powers, but only the OG CryptoSkulls resonated with it, owing to their dark origins in the annals of ancient NFT history.

Beside the Cube, skulls wept, their eyes emitting a demonic glow, terrorizing nearby villages more intensely than ever. The entire boneyard echoed with a cacophony of demonic screams…

With skill and haste, the Dark Alchemist successfully bound the essence of the skulls to the Cube, locking their power until the time for further study arrived. We utilized our secret alchemy ingredients, inadvertently resurrecting ancient creatures like apes and lesser demons such as bats and spiders. Yet, infusing the CryptoSkulls with the Cube's demonic might prove to be a challenge.

Then, a recollection struck the Alchemist—he possessed the darkest of alchemy ingredients, a vial of blood drawn from an open wound of the Demonic Lord. The Alchemist proceeded to birth a new breed of Demonic Skulls, each one imbued with unique demonic powers, augmenting the OG CryptoSkulls.

Despite progress, the process seemed too slow. The Alchemist hungered for an Army of Demonic Skulls and sought more of the sacred bloody ingredient for further trials. Every owner of a CryptoSkull was given the chance to utilize the Cube, an opportunity to fulfil their destiny and harness the true powers of the Demonic Skulls. The fate of CryptoSkulls and the impending darkness loomed, awaiting the culmination of this unholy experiment.

In the odyssey towards mastering the enigmatic realm of Dark Alchemy, a final threshold awaits—the possession of a CryptoSkull. Many seekers have ventured forth, eager to embrace this journey, yet only a handful have shown the resilience to confront the shadows and navigate the turbulent tides of market dynamics.

Amongst those who found the path formidable, wrestling with both the arcane intricacies of alchemy and the unpredictable crypto market, a glimmer of hope emerges. Some, having tasted the darkness and its challenges, now choose to relinquish their treasured NFTs through auctions—a clandestine opportunity, akin to an ancient ritual, for you to heed the beckoning of the Dark Alchemist and inscribe your destiny in the scrolls of this mystical adventure.

Owning an NFT is different than screenshotting a JPEG - just like holding an original Rembrandt is more valuable than owning a replica. As their name suggests, NFTs are non-fungible by design. This is different from digital tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

Fungible assets can be exchanged for another asset of the same type, much like BTC, ETH, or even fiat. NFTs, on the other hand, are unique assets where their ownership details are documented on the blockchain, ensuring digital scarcity and unique attributes for each asset.

But how exactly is digital scarcity being enforced? 

The concept of NFTs first emerged in 2012 with the creation of Colored Coins, which could be used to represent real-world assets on the blockchain. However, Colored Coins only worked in a permitted environment, making it more similar to a database than anything else. 

As the crypto industry became more popular, people have continued to experiment with the idea of a digitally scarce asset. This led to the creation of ERC-721 and ERC-1155.

The ERC-721 standard is like a set of rules for making NFTs. These actions help in making special tokens with their unique information, making them different from one another.

Behind the scenes, ERC-721 smart contracts keep a list of who owns which token, making it safe to pass tokens from one person to another. The contract also keeps count of how many tokens there are altogether and how many each person has.

As previously mentioned, CryptoSkulls NFTs are secured by the Ethereum blockchain. Ownership and transaction history are publicly visible on the Ethereum blockchain along with other important info such as the NFT's metadata.

Understanding how to access an NFT's metadata is essential for holders to grasp the specifics of what they're buying.

Metadata usually includes visual attributes like color, type, wearables, and so on. On the blockchain, it looks something like this:

CryptoSkulls have their own set of traits that make up their uniqueness. These are background ID, beard gene, bones gene, eyes gene, hair gene, name, nose gene, skull gene, teeth gene, uniqueness index, and property.

Some traits are rarer than others, which makes a specific NFT stand out from the rest. For example, the fewer characteristics a skull possesses, the rarer it is. 

Rarity is traced by a Uniqueness Index. This system pre-dates typical NFT rarity systems and utilizes an organic method embodied by the Uniqueness Score. 

The CryptoSkulls NFT collection has been autogenerated. This means that out of the potential combinations, only 9,999 CryptoSkulls will ever exist!

In addition to the original mint, the founder has hand-drawn 10 legendary CryptoSkulls. Skull Lords are the rarest of the rare and can be found under Uniqueness Index 1.

In 2023, CryptoSkulls team generated 2009 Ordinal Skulls that live on the Bitcoin blockchain. These collectables are inscribed onto satoshis and are themed to fit with the Bitcoin color palette. 

What is the utility of CryptoSkulls?

CryptoSkulls make for an awesome avatar pic, but it’s also a ticket to join the ancient clan of Dark Alchemists.

Demonic Skulls

By owning a CryptoSkull, one can demonize his skull and mint a V2 of the NFT. The process is basically free, but it requires some Demonic Blood.

Every original CryptoSkulls owner can redeem a "Demonic Blood" token, with one token granted for each OG CryptoSkull held. When the Alchemist Ritual is introduced, owners can utilize their OG CryptoSkull to craft a demonic rendition, using (1-5) Demonic Blood tokens in the process.

Demonic Blood can be claimed for free – in exchange for a minor gas fee. With each Demonic Blood infused into the NFT, the skull gains new traits and ranks up in rarity. 

For instance, 3X Demonic Bloods will upgrade the Demonic Skull to lvl 2. The max supply of such skulls is 2500. 

5X Demonic Bloods can be combined to summon the rarest Demonic Monstrosity, boasting the highest concentration of dark powers. These Demonic Skulls will deviate significantly from the OG CryptoSkulls, featuring a distinctive design and an exclusive set of traits and mutations. They will bear the label "Demonic Level 3." The maximum supply of these unique skulls is limited to 150.

The end goal is to rise up the ranks and enter the CryptoSkulls Hall of Fame. The CryptoSkulls Hall of Fame stands as an unparalleled NFT Collection, featuring the rarest 1/1 hand-drawn NFTs that pay tribute to the most noble, trustworthy, and selfless members of the CryptoSkulls community. Each Skull embodies the distinctive features of an esteemed community member, eternally memorializing their role in the NFT and blockchain history.

To attain a place in the Hall of Fame, individuals can choose from the routes outlined below and meet the specified criteria to become a recognized member, earning the esteemed NFT award from the CryptoSkulls community.

The OG Skull Whale Route

A direct path to nominating oneself for the Hall of Fame is by owning 25 OG CryptoSkulls in your wallet. Ascend to the stature of OG Whale and let the community determine your merit!

Title Awarded: Skullish Whale

The Demonic Whale Route

For a more ominous path to enter the Hall of Fame club, one can enhance their Demonic Skulls Holding. However, this depends on the level you possess, as higher-level skulls yield more points. Below is the point scheme:

Level 1 Demonic Skull: 1 point

Level 2 Demonic Skull: 3 points

Level 3 Demonic Skull: 5 points

Demonic Lord: 10 points

Aiming for 100 points is your ticket to nominate for the Hall of Fame!

Title Awarded: Demonic Whale

The Bloody Route

Embrace the peculiar and pursue one of the rarest titles in the Skulls Hall of Fame. Gather Demonic Blood in abundance, a considerable amount of demonic essence:

Hold x200 Demonic Blood in your wallet

Title Awarded: Bloody Maniac

The Route of Community Influence

Are you a renowned NFT enthusiast, widely recognized in the NFT space, with an insatiable passion for the CryptoSkulls community? This route is tailored for you! Here's your checklist:

• Possess a prominent presence in the NFT Space

• Actively engage in the community

• Hold a minimum of x3 OG CryptoSkulls

• Showcase your Skulls on your social networks using the #CryptoSkulls & #SkullsHallOfFame hashtags

Title Awarded: Skullish Influencer

The Route to Fame

If you are a celebrity or a movie star, you are automatically nominated to the Skulls Hall of Fame. 

Title Awarded: The Star of Skulls

Each path and the respective title bestowed upon achievement can be celebrated as a significant Feat of Strength within the CryptoSkulls community. In this sense, being a well-known member of the community can be a satisfaction in itself. Additionally, you can get elected to the CryptoSkulls team and help drive the development of the project.

Gold of Skulls Game

In October 2020, CryptoSkulls announced they are planning to create a new dimension of lore under a gamified experience. Each CryptoSkull NFT will be a playable token in Gold of Skulls. 

In aid of game development, 1,000 CryptoSkulls were specially designated as Game Tokens, promising additional features in the upcoming game. Although Gold of Skulls, hailed as the pioneering game where the distinctiveness of the collectable token impacts the player's uniqueness, is yet to be revealed, the anticipation for this venture has surged.

Gold of Skulls is an upcoming multiplayer collectable card game, that places a strong emphasis on heroes. The hero roster includes CryptoSkulls, Demonic Skulls, and exclusive off-chain heroes tailored for Gold of Skulls.

While playing Gold of Skulls, owning NFTs is not mandatory. However, both CryptoSkulls and Demonic Skulls NFTs can be utilized as playable characters within the game.

Game Token holders will enjoy a notable advantage, thanks to the "Immortality" attribute of their in-game characters.

As of 2024, the game is still in development. It is important to mention that Gold of Skulls is a separate project that is being worked on exclusively by the CryptoSkulls founder. 

As the CryptoSkulls brand expands, NFT holders will be able to continually earn rewards. Whether you are hodling for a season or longer, the CryptoSkulls ecosystem continues to explore new ways of keeping holders engaged.

Who created CryptoSkulls?

CryptoSkulls was created by Alex Slayer on May 18, 2019. As of 2023, Alex is still actively involved in the CryptoSkulls community and continues to expand the project’s vision.

The identity of Alex is shrouded in mystery. He is active on Twitter and Discord, and to this day, he offered no interview in person. Excerpts from a limited number of interviews reveal he is Russian and his background is in software engineering. 

Alex’s first encounter with blockchain technology occurred in 2013, spurred by his primary profession as a software engineer, a role that keeps him in a perpetual state of learning and discovery. Being inquisitive and curious about emerging technologies, it was almost a given that he would catch wind of such advancements, if not at the very inception, then certainly at an impressively early stage. And so, the journey began.

It all began unexpectedly. While browsing websites about programming, Alex came across an article about blockchain technology. Although the specifics are fuzzy due to the passage of time, this encounter sparked his interest in blockchain. He began to learn more about it. During this period, some of his colleagues and friends were mining Bitcoin, a task that was easier back then and could even be done on a laptop. One friend, in particular, managed to mine an impressive 60 BTC. However, luck was not on their side, as this friend lost the key to access the bitcoins forever.

Alex, an entrepreneur at heart, had a history of launching startups, some of which grew substantial while others remained more modest. It was his entrepreneurial spirit that drove him to explore various ventures. When he first learned about CryptoPunks, his interest in NFT technology was piqued. The concept fascinated him, not merely as collectible NFTs, but as a means of confirming ownership.

His fascination led him to delve deeper into the technology, and the idea to create a collection akin to CryptoPunks began to form. The choice of skulls as the focal point for this collection had a twofold inspiration. Firstly, his passion for heavy and rock music, where skulls are iconic symbols. 

Secondly, being a gamer and a fan of games like Diablo, the skull held significant symbolic value and recognition. He envisioned a collection showcasing these powerful symbols, uniting his love for music, gaming, and the desire to represent strength and influence.

Alex first discovered CryptoPunks and got inspired by the concept approximately three weeks before the release of CryptoSkulls. It was a swift decision for him. He began working on CryptoSkulls within a week after learning about CryptoPunks. In that week, he developed the necessary software to generate the skulls and create the uniqueness index (UI) for the collection. 

Although he wasn't an artist, he personally designed the form and shape of the skull. As the project progressed, a colleague assisted in developing additional traits for the skulls. The entire process, from the initial idea to the release of CryptoSkulls, took around two to three weeks.

Following the collection's release and the subsequent purchases of the skulls, people started asking about the rarity of specific skulls and traits. Alex saw an opportunity to categorize and calculate the rarity of skulls based on their traits, giving birth to the concept of the Uniqueness Index (UI). This initiative marked one of the early versions of tools like rarity tools or rarity sniper, showcasing a level of innovation within the project.

In the midst of generating the first collection of skulls, hidden rarities began to surface. Instances, where the hair matched the skull color or the bone, matched the hair color caught his attention. Initially considering a complete recreation of the collection to address this, he eventually embraced these quirks as unique features. To his delight, people appreciated these unexpected alignments, and some enthusiasts even made it a mission to hunt for these uncommon combinations.

He emphasized that all skulls were designed to be unique, refusing to single out specific traits as a guaranteed path to success in the game. Although certain skulls might possess greater rarity and unique stats in the game, efforts were being made to ensure a balanced gameplay experience. The game was being developed in a manner that allowed individuals to progress and succeed using any skull, relying on their creativity and strategic thinking to thrive in matches.

CryptoSkulls had a slow start, especially considering the NFT market hadn't seen a fraction of the user numbers witnessed in the last year. To adapt to this, a significant portion of the collection was coined and kept within the official CryptoSkulls account. The final minting of the entire collection didn't take place until August 2019, several months after the series made its debut and started gathering a fanbase.

All 10,000 CryptoSkulls were minted to Alex's project wallet and gradually listed on various marketplaces like OpenSea and Rarible. To create some buzz for the launch, an initial giveaway of 100 CryptoSkulls took place at the end of June 2019.

The community began with an open, inclusive ethos, where members supported one another. Initially modest in size, it was marked by its warmth and kindness. As the community expanded, this culture of kindness not only endured but was actively encouraged. Although some expressed reservations about the initial distribution of CryptoSkulls, all being minted in one wallet and then sold, Alex believed this approach played to their advantage.

According to him, this strategy attracted genuine collectors rather than opportunistic flippers who bought blindly during a mint simply to sell at a higher price. Authentic collectors discovered CryptoSkulls, formed a connection with the NFT, and purchased it, contributing to the gradual growth and strength of the NFT community. While the journey took time, it ultimately cultivated a robust and influential NFT community.

Today, CryptoSkulls are regarded as a historical NFT. It is widely believed CryptoSkulls was the 2nd ever 10,000 supply PFP collection to launch following CryptoPunks. This level of recognition alongside a strong community has rendered CryptoPunks a valuable NFT in the sea of “soulless” PFP projects.

It took another 3 years before CryptoSkulls was rediscovered by the wider crypto community. Since then, CryptoSkulls have surged in value exponentially.

In the early hours of January 11, 2022, the project caught the eye of historical NFT collector, Leonidas, who, impressed, swiftly acquired 888 of the approximately ~3,000 CryptoSkulls available for sale by the project wallet. This move triggered a surge in sales, attracting the attention of other NFT collectors. Despite having a dedicated community of collectors, CryptoSkulls had struggled to gain widespread interest due to the considerable number of skulls listed by the project wallet that still needed to be purchased to "mint out.”

However, the scenario transformed dramatically when NFT influencer Gary Vaynerchuck also began investing in dozens of CryptoSkulls. This triggered a rapid escalation in the CryptoSkulls Discord community, propelling the member count from approximately 350 to an astounding 15,000. During a live CryptoSkulls Twitter Space event later that week, Gary further fueled the momentum by purchasing a prized Skull Lord (CryptoSkull #70) for a remarkable 100 ETH ($332,863.00 USD at the time). By the end of the week, CryptoSkulls had become the highest-volume collection on OpenSea, firmly establishing its presence in the NFT space.

Who is developing CryptoSkulls now?

CryptoSkulls is being maintained by the CryptoSkulls DAO, a 100% community-driven organization. The DAO has no outside investors, CEO, or headquarters – it’s solely made out of CryptoSkulls holders elected by other community members.

The CryptoSkulls DAO was established on January 18, 2022, just as the collection started receiving attention. Alex still had 1,908 remaining CryptoSkulls residing in the project wallet and decided to put them into circulation.

Out of these, 1,500 CryptoSkulls were allocated to be transferred to a community multi-signature wallet, effectively establishing the foundation for the CryptoSkulls DAO. This strategic move was aimed at empowering the community and ensuring collective decision-making in the future trajectory and governance of the CryptoSkulls project.

On March 23, 2022, the CryptoSkulls community unanimously voted to formally establish the CryptoSkulls DAO. The endorsement came with the approval of the DAO's Skull Paper, a foundational document meticulously composed by Leonidas. This pivotal vote not only ratified the establishment of the DAO but also gave the green light to designate the inaugural members of the founding Skull Council, marking a crucial step towards a community-driven and decentralized governance structure. 

The assets of the CryptoSkulls DAO are securely stored in a Gnosis multi-signature wallet named The Crypt. This communal basket will aggregate pooled resources that the DAO can utilize to support expansion and upcoming projects. The Crypt has the capacity to hold various assets including ETH, ERC-20, and ERC-721 tokens. As previously mentioned, Alex has generously committed to an initial deposit of 1,500 CryptoSkulls.

Modifications or alterations to The Crypt are implemented through an on-chain consensus mechanism. A transaction must be signed by a majority of the Skull Council members before it can be executed, ensuring that decisions related to The Crypt are collectively agreed upon and enforced within the DAO's governance framework.

The Skull Council members play a crucial role as authorized signers on The Crypt and act as stewards for the CryptoSkulls community. A fundamental requirement for council members is to prioritize the long-term interests of skull holders in all actions. This responsibility necessitates a deep commitment to placing the CryptoSkulls community above personal interests. It's important to note that serving on the Skull Council is a voluntary and uncompensated role.

At its inception, the council will consist of 8 members, establishing a threshold of 5 signatures to execute transactions from The Crypt. This implies that for any modifications to be made to The Crypt, at least 5 council members must support the change. Each council member is vested with an equal voting power, ensuring that no single signature holds disproportionate influence. 

As the CryptoSkulls community expands, the council may consider increasing its membership. The addition or removal of council members should follow a proposal within the DAO's governance process, upholding a transparent and community-driven approach to decision-making.

To access CryptoSkulls DAO, one must possess either a skull from the original collection or a skull from the V2 collection. The membership is capped at a maximum of 20,000 individuals, aligning with the combined total supply of the original skulls and the V2 collection skulls, which stands at 10,000 each. Consequently, there exists a cap of 20,000 votes that can be cast within the DAO. Notably, skulls held in The Crypt are excluded from voting.

The distribution of governance rights is proportionate to the number of skulls owned by a member; 1 Skull = 1 Vote.

Investors are also an important component of the CryptoSkulls ecosystem. Although they don’t get involved directly in the governance of the project, they do exert an influence over the brand’s expansion into the mainstream. As of 2023, CryptoSkulls hasn’t received any strategic funding and it doesn’t plan to in the foreseeable future.

How does CryptoSkulls make money?

Now, let’s get to the juicy part – how does CryptoSkulls make money?💰 (No, flipping and rug pulling are not the correct answers)

The answer to this question is strongly related to intellectual property. 

Think of popular trademarks such as Mickey Mouse, Spider-Man, or Coca-Cola. Every time you see movies, books merch, or posters with them, know that the owners of the IP get a share of the profits. The same thing goes for NFT holders, in theory. 

When it comes to NFTs, it’s quite challenging to fit them into the traditional framework of copyright law. To give more context, owning an NFT doesn’t mean holders have automatic control over the creative work. This creative control needs to be granted by the creator. 

As such, NFT holders should pay attention to what IP rights, if any, come with owning the NFT. Alex Slayer, the founder of CryptoSkulls, has authorized the use of the IP of any individual's owned skulls. This means NFT holders have full commercial rights to the art in their owned wallets. There are no monetary limits on earnings on merchandise, derivatives or other commercial uses.

Another way of generating revenue is via royalties. As of 2023, CryptoSkulls made no intention of enforcing royalty fees from transacting NFTs. 

The mission of CryptoSkulls is to foster a community of passionate collectors and slowly break into mainstream recognition. Over the years, the CryptoSkull community has made strides to showcase its collection.

One such event was NFT.NYC 2023, is one of the biggest NFT events. CryptoSkulls DAO community manager, XOAO, participated in a panel discussion regarding historical NFTs.

In his speech, he detailed how CryptoSkulls is working with 20+ different historical NFT projects to create a movement that people want to get behind. 

But that’s not all, CryptoSkulls have carried out numerous IRL events and Skulls Meetups such as NFT Paris, NFT NYC, NFT Tallinn, and NFC Lisbon, with huge success, providing a great opportunity for the community to connect.

The long-term goal of CryptoSkulls is to patiently expand their community and create new perks for the NFT holders. Their long-standing history in the NFT community makes CryptoSkull attractive to collectors. 

Where can I buy CryptoSkulls?

You can buy CryptoSkulls on OpenSea.