The NFT market is roaring back to life, with Ethereum leading the charge. July saw a staggering 47.6% jump in NFT sales, hitting $574 million—the second-highest monthly total of 2025. Could this signal a new bull run for digital collectibles?
Ethereum NFT Sales Dominate the Market
Ethereum-based collections accounted for nearly half of all NFT sales in July, with $275.6 million in transactions. This 56% monthly increase was fueled by:
- Ethereum’s price rally above $3,900
- Strong performance from blue-chip collections
- Growing institutional interest
CryptoPunks and Pudgy Penguins Lead NFT Market Recovery
The top 10 NFT collections were all Ethereum-based, with:
| Collection | Sales Volume | Monthly Growth |
|---|---|---|
| CryptoPunks | $69.2M | +42% |
| Pudgy Penguins | $55.5M | +65.44% |
| Bored Ape Yacht Club | $48.1M | +28% |
NFT Lending Market Collapses Despite Sales Growth
While sales surged, the NFT lending sector saw a 97% decline from January 2024 peaks. Key challenges include:
- Average loan sizes dropping 70%
- Loan durations shortening to 31 days
- Major platforms exiting the space
What Does the Future Hold for Ethereum NFTs?
The market shows resilience but faces hurdles:
- Transaction counts down 9% despite dollar growth
- Unique buyers declined 17% while sellers rose 9%
- Regulatory uncertainty persists
FAQs
Why did Ethereum NFT sales increase in July?
The rally was driven by Ethereum’s price recovery, renewed institutional interest, and strong performance from top collections like CryptoPunks.
Which NFT collections performed best?
CryptoPunks led with $69.2M in sales, followed by Pudgy Penguins at $55.5M—both Ethereum-based collections.
Is the NFT market fully recovered?
While sales are strong, transaction counts and unique buyers remain below peak levels, suggesting selective recovery.
What happened to NFT lending?
The sector collapsed from $1B monthly volume in 2024 to just $50M in 2025 due to risk aversion and platform exits.
