After months of market stagnation, NFTs seem to turn a corner. July brought a decisive shift in Momentum-NFT trade volume, average selling price and total market capitalization all rise, with blue chip collections in the foreground. But this is not just a technical jump.
The latest data signals a deeper rotation: a path of speculative churn and to scarcity, tell stories and brand credibility.
Fast snapshot: the NFT performance of July
According to Roof gadarThe NFT market had its strongest month since February:
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Market capitalization rose by 94% to $ 6.6 billion – the highest level of 2025 so far.
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Weekly trade volume was 51%and reached $ 136 million.
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The average NFT price rose by 40% in just seven days and reached $ 146.
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The sales count, on the other hand, rose by only 7% week-week week.
This divergence tells a bigger story. The market comes in a quality-over-quantity phase, where scarcity and cultural value float more volume than pure transactional count. Traders consolidate in premium assets and avoid Flips in favor of brand value.
What feeds the rebound?
The revival is not led by Tokenomics gimmicks or strikes. Instead, capital flows into projects with long -term presence, strong digital identity and mainstream recognisability. In this cycle, credibility can replace novelty as the top filter.
Ethereum made a strong comeback in JulyClimb more than 40% on the back of record -breaking institutional intake. Since ETH recovers its place in the middle of the crypto interview, Blue-Chip NFTs are starting to attract many on Ethereum-new interest from both collectors and institutions. Although the NFT rally is not only about the rising of crypto prices, the renewed trust in ETH clearly helps to increase sentiment around Premium Digital collecting objects.
Profile photo NFTS (PFPs) again led trading activities, which strengthens their historical dominance during market reinforcements. Real-World Asset NFTs followed closely, which emphasized the growing interest in Tokenized tangible goods. Gaming nfts, that momentum saw in Q2, Showed signs of cooling.
Best performing collections
Pudgy Penguins: From Underdog to Market Force
Pudgy Penguins Officially overtaken Borded Ape Yacht Club (Bayc) in Market Cap, now second place only for cryptopunks. Their floor price has risen More than 60% this monthreach as high as 18 ETH before setting up near 15.8 ETH.
This was not lucky. Pudgy Penguins’ Bear-Market Strategy exhibition in retail toys, bridging web2-web3 culture and investing in the visibility of the community is currently positioned. Their process underlines a wider shift: “Utilism” nowadays looks more like stories, brand expansion and cultural visibility than rewards or gated tokens.
Cryptopunks: Digital status re -defined
Cryptopunks conducted one Powerful comebackWith floor prices that jump 53% to just over $ 200,000 – their highest level since March 2024. A single $ 4.3 million sweep caused by an anonymous buyer caused renewed institutional interest and cultural buzz. Weekly trade volume rose to $ 24.6 million, an increase of 416%.
Squeaking commemorated the moment with his “Big Sweep“Artwork and Bitmex co-founder Arthur Hayes conquered the sentiment, prediction: “Cryptopunks will perform better than $ ETH this cycle … it’s an internet status game.” Despite the offering of no functional use, punks bloom as a purely signal of digital influence.
Moonbird’s momentum
Moonbirds organized a surprising comeback this month, with the floor price rise more than 200%– from less than 0.8 ETH to a peak of almost 2.9 ETH – before he arranges around 2.3 ETH.
New benefits include private chain access and an increased eligible airdrop.
Yet the floor remains 94% below the all time, which suggests that the comeback legs also has a long climb ahead.
Historical Echos
This is not the first NFT rebound. Early 2021 And again, in 2023, peaks helped in Ethereum prices sharp jumps in NFT volumes, often led by PFPs and art projects. But those cycles were more speculative and short -lived. The Bounce of July feels more intentional, with traders who consolidate around well -known brands and long -term players.
From bouncing to herkalibration
The increase in July marks more than a market predce – it can be a herkalibration of what has value in Web3. Instead of having to chase fast Flips or bloated promises, traders reward collections with cultural sustainability and consistent stories.
Part of what drives this herkalibration is a shift in user psychology. In bear markets, stories Splinter – Value becomes abstract and utility projects are often overpromise. But as sentiment improves, collectors tend to digital assets that offer social security: brand, status and cultural weight.
NFTs are less about what they Doing and more about what they signal. Identity is the new utility and reputation quickly becomes the activa class. I have seen this shift play first hand in the way in which traders now talk about value – not in functions, but in presence.
If this rotation applies, this can again define the term “utility” for NFTs. The most successful projects may not be those who offer functions, but those who offer identity, emotional resonance and visible coordination within digital culture.
The next test? Whether medium collections can ride on this wave or be swept aside in a market that now praises clarity, quality and credibility.
