Crypto Gloss

y00ts

y00ts is a collection of 15,000 PFP NFTs created by DeLabs — the team behind DeGods and led by Frank DeGods — originally launched on Solana in September 2022, notable for being part of a high-profile cross-chain migration when DeLabs moved both DeGods (to Ethereum) and y00ts (to Polygon) in late 2022 and early 2023, backed by a $3M deal with Polygon Labs, and subsequently experiencing floor price volatility tied to both the broader NFT market and the migration controversy.

The Collection

Attribute Detail
Supply 15,000 NFTs
Original Chain Solana
Current Chain Polygon
Launch September 2022 (Solana)
Mint method Allowlist (“t00b list”)
Creator DeLabs (Frank DeGods)

y00ts characters are stylized humanoid figures with:

  • Distinct head shapes and facial features
  • Varied skin tones, hair styles, clothing
  • Accessory and background variation
  • Art style positioned as slightly more cartoonish than DeGods

DeLabs and Frank DeGods

DeLabs is the studio behind both DeGods (the more prestigious of the two collections) and y00ts. The team is led by Frank DeGods (pseudonymous/partially revealed).

DeGods (5,555 Solana NFTs, launched November 2021) established DeLabs as a top Solana NFT team. y00ts was positioned as the “companion collection” to DeGods — lower price point, larger supply, same creative direction.

The Polygon Migration

In late 2022, DeLabs announced and executed a high-profile cross-chain migration:

  • DeGods: Solana → Ethereum
  • y00ts: Solana → Polygon

The migration was backed by:

  • $3M from Polygon Labs — an explicit investment to bring y00ts to the Polygon ecosystem
  • The deal generated significant media coverage and debate about NFT ecosystem politics
  • Solana community criticism: seen as abandonment of Solana

Migration controversy:

  • The decision was unpopular with parts of the Solana community
  • Frank DeGods was publicly transparent about the reasoning (better liquidity, Ethereum mainstream narrative for DeGods, Polygon funding for y00ts)
  • The migration was technically complex — tokens bridged with new contracts on destination chains

Post-Migration

After migrating to Polygon, y00ts faced challenges:

  • Polygon’s NFT marketplace ecosystem less developed than Solana or Ethereum
  • Floor price under pressure
  • The $3M Polygon deal was meant to bootstrap ecosystem activity but results were mixed
  • Some community frustration with the execution

History

  • November 2021 — DeGods launches on Solana; DeLabs establishes Solana blue-chip status
  • September 2022 — y00ts launches on Solana via a competitive allowlist (“t00b list”); 15,000 NFTs mint
  • Late 2022 — DeLabs announces Polygon migration for y00ts and Ethereum migration for DeGods; $3M Polygon Labs deal revealed
  • Early 2023 — y00ts migration to Polygon executes; mixed community reception; Solana criticism
  • 2023–2024 — y00ts trades on Polygon; floor volatile with broader NFT market; DeLabs continues developing both collections; the migration remains one of the most discussed ecosystem moves in NFT history

Common Misconceptions

  • “y00ts migrated because Solana failed.” — The migration was driven by a combination of financial incentive (Polygon’s $3M), strategic desire for Ethereum-adjacent NFT liquidity for DeGods, and DeLabs’ broader ecosystem strategy — not Solana’s failure. Solana continues to have active NFT markets.
  • “y00ts and DeGods are the same collection.” — They are separate collections by the same team. DeGods (5,555, Ethereum) is the more exclusive and higher-priced flagship; y00ts (15,000, Polygon) is the larger companion collection.

Social Media Sentiment

  • X/Twitter: DeLabs and Frank DeGods are active and followed; the migration generated months of intense discussion; y00ts community remains engaged but smaller than peak.
  • r/solanaNFT: The migration is viewed critically by the Solana community; seen as a defection; y00ts on Polygon has less Solana community support.
  • Polygon community: y00ts brought attention to Polygon NFTs; received as a positive for ecosystem but floor performance disappointed some Polygon NFT advocates.

Last updated: 2026-04

Related Terms

See Also

  • DeGods — DeLabs’ flagship collection; migrated to Ethereum while y00ts went to Polygon; the more exclusive and higher-valued of the two DeLabs collections
  • Okay Bears — the other major Solana PFP; remained on Solana while y00ts migrated; useful comparison for understanding Solana NFT ecosystem dynamics
  • Mad Lads — the Backpack-built Solana PFP that emerged as the post-y00ts Solana blue chip

Sources