NFT Sales Surge 19.6% to $152.9 Million as Doodles Overtakes Pudgy Penguins
The non-fungible token (NFT) market is showing strong signs of revival, with total sales volume climbing 19.6% in the past week to $152.9 million, up from $112.7 million. This increase comes as the number of buyers and sellers surged, Ethereum NFTs outperformed expectations, and high-value CryptoPunk sales reaffirmed investor interest.
Key Market Highlights
- Total NFT Sales: $152.9 million, marking a 19.6% increase.
- Buyers: 335,666 (+64.53%)
- Sellers: 237,123 (+49.30%)
- Total Transactions: 1,574,998 (+4.73%)
Ethereum emerged as the top-performing blockchain for NFTs, while Doodles surpassed Pudgy Penguins in sales, reshaping the leaderboard of leading collections.
Blockchain-Specific Performance
Ethereum (ETH) NFTs Take the Lead
- Total Sales: $79.1 million (+42.71%)
- Buyers: 41,619 (+36.09%)
- Wash Trading: $37.5 million (+44.66%)
Ethereum remains the dominant force in NFTs, seeing a sharp rise in both legitimate transactions and wash trading. The blockchain’s NFT ecosystem continues to attract traders, despite ongoing concerns over manipulated volumes.
Bitcoin (BTC) NFTs Face Decline
- Sales Volume: $20.6 million (-26.59%)
- Buyers: 23,097 (+40.65%)
While Bitcoin NFTs saw an increase in unique buyers, sales volume declined, reflecting shifting market trends. The drop follows a previous strong performance in Bitcoin Ordinals, which have been struggling to maintain momentum.
Other Blockchains See Gains
- Mythos Chain: $15.4 million (+4.25%)
- Solana: $10.9 million (+13.86%)
- Polygon: $9.2 million (+23.35%)
Solana and Polygon continue to solidify their presence as strong alternatives to Ethereum-based NFTs, with significant increases in trading activity.
Top NFT Collections: Doodles Surpasses Pudgy Penguins
Top Five NFT Collections by Sales Volume
1️⃣ DMarket – $10.2 million (+6.59%)
2️⃣ Doodles – $9.9 million (+32.80%)
3️⃣ Pudgy Penguins – $8.8 million (+83.01%)
4️⃣ Courtyard – $8.2 million (+23.52%)
5️⃣ LilPudgys – $6.3 million (+133.39%)
Doodles outpaced Pudgy Penguins in total sales, marking a significant shift in market rankings. Meanwhile, LilPudgys saw an impressive 133.39% surge, positioning it as one of the fastest-growing collections of the week.
Notable NFT Sales: CryptoPunks Remain Dominant
CryptoPunks once again demonstrated their blue-chip NFT status, with five major sales:
- CryptoPunks #7685 – $166,289 (60 ETH)
- CryptoPunks #3963 – $139,515 (50 ETH)
- CryptoPunks #5774 – $122,773 (44 ETH)
- CryptoPunks #9813 – $121,059 (44.99 ETH)
- CryptoPunks #8046 – $120,659 (44.69 ETH)
The continued demand for CryptoPunks signals strong collector confidence despite broader market volatility.
What’s Driving the NFT Resurgence?
1. Renewed Market Activity
The sharp increase in buyers (+64.53%) and sellers (+49.30%) indicates a resurgence in interest, potentially driven by:
✔️ Greater mainstream adoption
✔️ Renewed interest in blue-chip collections like CryptoPunks
✔️ Speculation on upcoming NFT marketplace innovations
2. Ethereum’s Market Strength
Ethereum’s 42.71% increase in NFT sales suggests traders are returning to established marketplaces. While wash trading increased, legitimate sales also surged.
3. NFT Utility Expanding
Projects like Doodles and Pudgy Penguins continue to innovate beyond simple collectibles, integrating NFTs into broader ecosystems like gaming and metaverse applications.
Challenges and Risks in the NFT Market
Despite the market’s positive momentum, concerns remain:
Wash Trading Risks – The 44.66% increase in Ethereum wash trading suggests artificial volume inflation.
Bitcoin NFT Weakness – Sales dropped 26.59%, highlighting shifting trader sentiment.
Regulatory Uncertainty – Governments worldwide continue to scrutinize NFT marketplaces, which could impact future growth.
Final Thoughts: Is the NFT Market Back?
The 19.6% surge in NFT sales signals renewed enthusiasm in the market, with Ethereum leading the charge. Doodles overtaking Pudgy Penguins marks a notable shift in collection rankings, while CryptoPunks continue to dominate high-value sales.
While Bitcoin NFTs struggled, other chains like Solana and Polygon gained momentum, suggesting diversification across blockchains.
The key question: Will this momentum continue, or is it a short-term spike?
Let us know your thoughts—is the NFT market back for good, or is this just another temporary surge?
