Loading Search...
A viral X post revisits the NFT boom as a BAYC holder recalls rejecting a 1,000 ETH offer, highlighting the sector’s dramatic collapse.
Author: Tanishq Bodh
January 11, 2025 – The NFT market continues to wrestle with its own history. As prices remain far below peak levels, old decisions are resurfacing across crypto social media. Many now view past gains through the lens of missed exits rather than long-term conviction. That tension returned this week after a viral post from a long-time crypto participant reignited debate around the rise and fall of the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC).
High Signal Summary For A Quick Glance
Ronin
@DeRonin_
@day25 lmaooo you save his to rugg his 950 eth kek
To the guy who offered me over 1,000 ETH for this guy in 2021, I really think you should send me like 50 ETH for saving you 950 ETH. https://t.co/ah2yrhrD9Z
07:47 PM·Jan 7, 2026
〽️ᄃﾑt 🐾
@mztacat
@day25 You walked so he could run bruh
To the guy who offered me over 1,000 ETH for this guy in 2021, I really think you should send me like 50 ETH for saving you 950 ETH. https://t.co/ah2yrhrD9Z
07:28 PM·Jan 7, 2026
Vlad 👾
@vladsvitanko
@day25 now you'd get tacos and coke for it mahn
To the guy who offered me over 1,000 ETH for this guy in 2021, I really think you should send me like 50 ETH for saving you 950 ETH. https://t.co/ah2yrhrD9Z
05:10 PM·Jan 7, 2026
On January 7, 2026, crypto entrepreneur Steve, known on X as @day25, pinned a post referencing an offer he received in 2021. An anonymous buyer had offered him more than 1,000 ETH for his golden-fur Bored Ape NFT. Steve declined the bid at the time.
In the post, Steve joked that the bidder should now send him 50 ETH for “saving” them 950 ETH. The message quickly went viral, crossing 1.3 million views and generating thousands of replies.
As of January 12, 2026, BAYC’s floor price sits near 5.33 ETH. That equals roughly $16,600 at current Ethereum prices. The figure reflects a drop of about 96 percent from the collection’s 2022 peak, when floor prices reached 150 ETH.
Steve’s ape carries the rare “Solid Gold” fur trait. Only 0.46 percent of the 10,000-piece collection shares it. Similar apes sold for several million dollars during the 2021–2022 NFT boom.
Timeline of BAYC events until now (as of January 12, 2026)
Mint starts modestly, then gains traction quickly as collector buzz spreads.
BAKC drops to BAYC holders, expanding the ecosystem with dog-themed NFTs.
MAYC lets holders “mutate” apes while a public sale adds 10,000 more NFTs.
Metaverse, merch, and events teased as Sotheby’s sells 107 apes for $24.4M.
Events and yacht party fuel hype as celebrity endorsements push BAYC mainstream.
Projects like Ape-In Productions form as BAYC evolves into a wider brand ecosystem.
$APE goes live as the ecosystem governance token, airdropped to holders.
Community-first event with metaverse previews as the focus shifts beyond pure hype.
Prices fall sharply from peak levels as the broader NFT market enters a downturn.
Focus shifts toward “off-chain” brand expansion while Otherside continues to be tested.
New updates are teased as floor prices see a mild rebound in market sentiment.
Announcements include collectibles, animated series plans, Miami clubhouse, Ape Pay, and brand collabs.
A notable metaverse milestone lands as Otherside continues rolling out features.
Community campaign runs with “stimmy” style rewards distributed to participants.
Community debates a renewed cycle as viral regret posts resurface during a weak NFT market.
The post highlights how sharply sentiment has shifted in the NFT market. During the peak, holders rewarded conviction and long-term belief. In 2026, many frame the same decisions as costly mistakes.
For collectors, the episode underscores the risks of illiquid assets during hype-driven cycles. High valuations can disappear faster than expected. Timing matters as much as belief.
For investors, the story reflects broader NFT sector fatigue. Trading volumes remain muted, and price recovery has stalled across most profile picture collections. Long-term roadmaps now face heavier scrutiny.
At a market level, the viral reaction shows how narratives drive attention. Loss-focused stories travel faster than success stories. Social platforms often amplify regret more than patience.
Yuga Labs launched BAYC in April 2021 at a mint price of 0.08 ETH. The collection later generated billions in lifetime volume and attracted celebrity buyers. High-profile sales, including an ape sold for more than 850 ETH, defined the peak.
Today, BAYC’s market cap sits near 53,000 ETH, or about $166 million. The collection has roughly 5,600 unique holders. Daily trading volume remains low compared to earlier years.
Yuga Labs continues to build around the ecosystem. Projects include the Otherside metaverse and ApeCoin-based incentives. Still, buyers from the peak remain down more than 90 percent on average.
Reactions to Steve’s post ranged from humor to criticism. Some mocked the decision to hold. Others framed it as a reminder of crypto’s volatility. Steve later said the post went viral because negativity travels faster than wins.
The viral wave of BAYC price-regret posts may feel like a bottoming signal, but whether it becomes a true turnaround depends on what comes next. Over the rest of 2026, catalysts like ApeFest, the Miami clubhouse buildout, and fresh ApeCoin DAO funding votes will test whether the ecosystem can re-ignite real user demand. Mid-year confirmations around BMW and Amazon collaborations, alongside the long-awaited animated series, could provide the narrative reset BAYC needs. However, if $APE continues to slide, large holders start distributing, or rivals like Pudgy Penguins keep capturing more mindshare, the current sentiment could shift from nostalgic regret into a deeper structural decline.
Our Crypto Talk is committed to unbiased, transparent, and true reporting to the best of our knowledge. This news article aims to provide accurate information in a timely manner. However, we advise the readers to verify facts independently and consult a professional before making any decisions based on the content since our sources could be wrong too. Check our Terms and conditions for more info.
