Vitalik Buterin's Milady NFT Avatar Change Sparks 50% Floor Price Surge

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin updated his X profile picture to a Milady Maker NFT image on January 1, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. Beijing Time, sparking immediate market movement in what has been a struggling NFT sector.

The avatar change resulted in the Milady Maker collection's floor price jumping more than 50%, while trading volume doubled to approximately $500,000. The market response comes as the broader NFT market seeks recovery after hitting three-month lows in late 2025.

Milady Maker, launched in 2021 by Remilia Corporation, consists of 10,000 generative Ethereum-based profile picture NFTs featuring a Tokyo-inspired "neochibi" aesthetic with Y2K street style elements. The collection has gained recognition through internet culture and previous attention from Elon Musk.

While Buterin is known for periodically changing his avatar to support various projects, the timing suggested a New Year greeting to Web3 culture. Prominent digital artist Beeple responded with artwork hinting at potential collaboration between Ethereum and the Milady Maker team.

The incident highlights the continued influence of high-profile cryptocurrency figures on digital asset markets, particularly in the NFT space which experienced significant downturns throughout 2025's final quarter.