Crypto gaming studio Orange Cap Games (OCG) has officially acquired the Moonbirds, Mythics, and Oddities NFT collections from Yuga Labs, marking a significant shake-up in the NFT ecosystem just a year after Yuga originally obtained the IP through its acquisition of PROOF in February 2024.
Moonbirds Find a New Nest at Orange Cap Games
Announced on May 30, the deal sees Orange Cap Games take full ownership of the Ethereum-based NFT collections. Although the exact terms and price of the acquisition have not been disclosed, the move signals OCG’s growing ambitions in the Web3 gaming space.
“Moonbirds deserve a team whose whole world is the birds,” said Yuga Labs co-founder Greg Solano, praising Orange Cap Games as the ideal new steward of the collection.
The acquisition underscores Orange Cap’s intention to integrate established NFT projects into its upcoming blockchain games, potentially expanding the utility and interactivity of these digital collectibles.
Moonbirds to Remain on Ethereum and ApeChain
Despite the ownership transfer, Moonbirds will still debut in Yuga’s Otherside metaverse, one of the company’s flagship initiatives. According to both parties, any new on-chain assets related to Moonbirds will remain hosted on Ethereum or ApeChain, Yuga’s proprietary layer-2 blockchain network.
This cooperation allows continuity for collectors while also expanding Moonbirds’ exposure in Web3 gaming environments powered by OCG.
NFT Market Reaction: Moonbirds Price Triples
The market responded quickly. Following the acquisition news, Moonbirds floor price surged from 0.3 ETH to 0.9 ETH, according to CoinGecko.
However, the collection still remains nearly 98% below its all-time high of 38.5 ETH in April 2022. Despite the spike, this highlights the broader NFT market correction that began in mid-2022.
Yuga Labs Continues NFT IP Divestment Strategy
The Moonbirds deal is part of a larger strategic realignment for Yuga Labs, which has been shedding non-core assets to focus on its key franchises like the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), Mutant Ape Yacht Club, and Otherside.
Recent Yuga IP sales include:
- CryptoPunks IP sold to nonprofit Infinite Node Foundation in May 2025.
- Meebits transferred to The Meebit Company in February, with Yuga retaining a minority stake.
- HV-MTL and Legends of the Mara game IPs sold in 2024 as part of a broader pivot.
Yuga Labs’ shift reflects a more focused approach in a maturing NFT ecosystem with lower trade volumes and evolving user expectations.
NFT Market Showing Signs of Recovery
After a long bearish trend, NFT market data from May 2025 suggests a possible turnaround:
- Unique NFT buyers rose 50% month-over-month to 936,000.
- NFT trading volume increased 15% to $430 million.
These signs of renewed activity could indicate growing optimism and stability in the digital collectibles sector, fueled by fresh projects and increased brand involvement.
Disney Enters the Chat with Dapper Labs Partnership
Also on May 30, Disney announced a collaboration with Dapper Labs, creators of NBA Top Shot and CryptoKitties, to launch a new blockchain-based loyalty program. As part of the initiative, Disney+ subscribers will receive monthly digital collectible pins, signaling that major entertainment brands continue to explore NFT engagement tools.
Final Thoughts
The Moonbirds acquisition by Orange Cap Games represents more than just a change in IP ownership—it’s a clear indicator of how NFT assets are being repositioned for broader use in Web3 gaming ecosystems. At the same time, Yuga Labs’ ongoing IP sell-off shows a refined focus on its most iconic brands as the company bets on the long-term success of Otherside and ApeChain.
As new players enter the market and established ones reposition, the NFT landscape in 2025 may be shifting toward greater utility, integration, and value beyond hype.
