Key Takeaways
- John Watkinson, co-founder of Larva Labs, played a big role in creating CryptoPunks, a pioneering NFT project.
- He met Matt Hall at the University of Toronto and later collaborated on software projects that led to Larva Labs in 2005.
- Yuga Labs acquired CryptoPunks and Meebits in 2022, marking a big transition in the NFT space.
Who Is John Watkinson?
John Watkinson, a Canadian software developer, partnered with Matt Hall in 2005 to launch Larva Labs. He played a key role in creating CryptoPunks, one of the earliest non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum blockchain. Watkinson earned a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Toronto and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University, both renowned institutions in science and technology.
Early Years and Education
John Watkinson and Matt Hall first met while studying computer science at the University of Toronto. Although they knew of each other during their studies, they didn’t become close until their last years when they worked together on a group project. Their shared interest in technology united them, creating the basis for their future partnership.
Early Collaborations and Web Development
After graduating, Watkinson and Hall ran into each other by chance and started working on tech projects together. They often met at Matt’s apartment in Toronto, where they explored web development and tested a Linux server they bought for $50 from a closed-down company. These hands-on sessions helped them build practical skills and better understand software and hosting.
Co-Founding Larva Labs
In 2005, Watkinson and Hall started Larva Labs, a tech studio focused on software and digital projects. Over time, they became known for their creative work in mobile apps, AI, and digital art. Their interest in blockchain led them to explore how it could be used for digital ownership and creativity, shaping some of their most important projects.
Mobile Development
After starting Larva Labs, Watkinson and Hall moved to New York, working at different companies before ending up at the same one. They kept developing mobile apps, with Watkinson focusing on mobile games. He created games for early mobile phones, gaining experience as smartphones became more popular. This transition helped Larva Labs move into mobile development, which later shaped their work with blockchain projects.
Introduction to Blockchain and Ethereum
As the mobile industry changed, Watkinson became more interested in blockchain technology, especially Ethereum. He was drawn to its smart contracts and how it attracted creative developers and hackers exploring digital ownership. This interest led him to look into blockchain’s use for art and collectibles, setting the stage for one of his biggest projects.
The Birth of CryptoPunks
CryptoPunks became one of Larva Labs’ most important projects. Inspired by pixel art and games, Watkinson and Hall created it as a fun experiment with digital collectibles. The collection featured unique 24×24 pixel characters and became one of Ethereum’s first big NFT projects. At first, they gave them away for free, but CryptoPunks helped introduce the idea of unique digital items on the blockchain, shaping the NFT market.
Co-Founding Autoglyphs
After CryptoPunks, Watkinson and Hall continued exploring digital art in the blockchain. In 2019, they created Autoglyphs, a project that used code to make unique artwork on Ethereum. Unlike most NFTs, which link to images saved elsewhere, Autoglyphs store the whole art process directly on the blockchain. This made each piece stand on its own and easy to confirm, showing how blockchain could be used for creative work.
The Creation of Meebits
In 2021, Watkinson and Hall created Meebits, a set of 3D characters from blocks designed for virtual worlds and the metaverse. Unlike CryptoPunks, which were simple 2D-pixel art, Meebits used 3D designs, making them more interactive and practical for games and virtual reality. This project showed Larva Labs’ ongoing creativity in NFTs and their effort to explore new ideas for digital collectibles.
Influence on the NFT and Blockchain Space
Watkinson and Hall’s work at CryptoPunks, Meebits, and Autoglyphs helped shape the NFT world. CryptoPunks influenced many other NFT projects, introducing ideas like limited supply, computer-generated designs, and blockchain ownership. Their work with digital art and smart contracts showed new ways to create and collect art using blockchain technology.
Acquisition of Larva Labs’ IP
In 2022, Larva Labs sold the rights to CryptoPunks and Meebits to Yuga Labs, the company behind Bored Ape Yacht Club. This was a big moment for NFTs, as Yuga Labs took over managing and developing these well-known collections. Watkinson and Hall stayed involved in digital art and blockchain but used the sale to focus on new projects.
CryptoPunks at NFT Paris
On February 13, 2025, the CryptoPunks Free to Claim panel will be held on the Main Stage at NFT Paris. The discussion will cover how CryptoPunks moved from digital to physical form, sharing the ideas, challenges, and work behind the project.
The team will talk about the process, from the first concept to the final result, giving a behind-the-scenes look at how it all came together. This panel is a chance to learn how CryptoPunks is shaping the future of digital and physical collectibles in the blockchain world.
Ongoing Work in Blockchain
Watkinson is still involved in digital art, coding, and new blockchain ideas beyond NFTs. His background in mobile apps and software helps guide his work, and he continues to impact the NFT space. He keeps helping shape digital art and blockchain innovation through new projects or exploring decentralized technology.
Final Thoughts
John Watkinson went from studying computer science to the fast-changing digital art and blockchain industry. Through Larva Labs, he and Matt Hall created CryptoPunks, Autoglyphs, and Meebits, some of the most essential NFT projects.
Their work helped shape how people see digital ownership and collectibles. Even after selling CryptoPunks and Meebits to Yuga Labs, Watkinson continues to work on new ideas in digital art and blockchain, making a big impact on the industry.
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