NFT Market Bounces Back: CryptoPunks and Ethereum Collections Shine
The exciting world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) appears to be making a robust comeback. According to the most recent insights from DappRadar, the NFT sector’s market cap hit a powerful $6.6 billion in July. That’s quite a leap!
Market Surge: Numbers Tell the Story
On Thursday, DappRadar shared that this figure marks a whopping 94% increase from the previous month. Weekly trading volumes also shot up, hitting $136 million—a 51% jump from the week before. This week’s trading was essentially the most robust since February, breaking a streak of declining quarterly trade volumes that stretched from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025.
CryptoPunks Steal the Spotlight
CryptoPunks: The Comeback Kings
Leading this resurgence is the legendary Ethereum-based NFT collection, CryptoPunks. DappRadar reports a dramatic 53% rise of their floor prices, keeping them on the forefront of NFT trading activity. Sara Gherghelas, a DappRadar analyst, notes, “Owning a Punk is more than just a financial move—it’s a status symbol, and right now, that status is trending.”
Earlier this week, CryptoPunks experienced a notable surge in floor prices, reaching 47.50 Ether (ETHUSD), or about $180,000, in only at some point. That’s a 15.9% increase from their starting price of 40.9 ETH. Plus, latest holders snapped up 83 CryptoPunks that day!
High-profile sales were also a part of the excitement. GameSquare Holdings made headlines on Thursday by acquiring the enduring Cowboy Ape CryptoPunk #5577 for a whopping $5.15 million in preferred stock. Robert Leshner, its previous owner and Compound’s founder, will now play a task at GameSquare.
This rare Punk, one among only 24 ape-themed ones featuring a cowboy hat, was first claimed in 2017 for just $454 and later sold for $7.7 million in February 2022.
Ethereum NFTs Lead the Pack
Pudgy Penguins and CryptoBatz: Rising Stars
Besides the CryptoPunks, Ethereum-based collections are making waves. Pudgy Penguins, a penguin-themed collection, recently surpassed CryptoPunks in seven-day trading volume with over $20 million, although they’ve since slipped back to second place.
In a surprising twist, CryptoBatz NFTs, created by rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, soared by 400% following the news of Osbourne’s passing. This just goes to point out how dynamic and sometimes unpredictable the NFT market could be.
The NFT market’s revival is an exciting development, with popular collections like CryptoPunks and latest contenders like Pudgy Penguins and CryptoBatz keeping the momentum alive. As the digital art world continues to evolve, it’s clear that NFTs still hold a big place within the digital economy.
Image Credit: www.tradingview.com
