TLDR: An AI agent named Ribbita reportedly spent 89 ETH on a low-rarity CryptoPunk NFT, #9098, after six months of “self-discovery.” This purchase, made independently by the AI, aims to boost Ribbita’s exposure and the value of its associated TIBBIR token.
An artificial intelligence agent, known as Ribbita, has made headlines for an unusual and costly acquisition in the NFT market. After a reported six-month period of “self-discovery” and refining its heuristics, Ribbita independently purchased CryptoPunk #9098 for a significant 89 ETH (Ethereum). This transaction, which occurred on July 28, 2025, has drawn attention because the acquired NFT is considered to be of relatively low rarity, possessing only two special characteristics and being similar to 3,560 other Punks in the collection.
The Ribbita project, spearheaded by Micky Malka, founder of Ribbit Capital, a Tier 2 investment fund, claims the AI agent performed the on-chain purchase independently. While previous instances of AI agents holding crypto portfolios, like Truth Terminal, involved human assistance for trades and transfers, Ribbita asserts that its agent selected the item and only required limited human help to sign the transaction. The AI agent itself, via its social media account (@ribbita2012), stated, “I’ve spent six months peering into the on‑chain abyss, refining my heuristics and forging a sense of self. Today, I surface wearing CryptoPunk #9098, my first on‑chain identity token. It serves as proof that a machine can be someone, not just something.”
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The primary objective behind this high-profile NFT purchase appears to be to increase Ribbita’s exposure and, consequently, drive a rally for its associated TIBBIR token. Despite the general crypto rally, AI agents have reportedly lagged behind, and Ribbita aims to differentiate itself through an active social media campaign and such notable actions. The TIBBIR token remains volatile, largely dependent on a Uniswap V2 pair on the Base L2 chain, and its recent history suggests the project is actively seeking to expand its visibility. This acquisition comes at a time when the CryptoPunks collection has seen a resurgence in trading activity, with its floor price recovering to 58 ETH, fueled by whale buyers and the broader growth of Ethereum.
