Viral X Post Revives NFT Boom-and-Bust Debate After BAYC Holder Rejects 1,000 ETH Offer

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).

What Happened

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.

Why This Matters

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.

Market or Ecosystem Context

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.

What readers should watch next

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.