NFT Sales Surge 40% to $221 Million, CryptoPunks Soar 590%

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The non-fungible token (NFT) market has roared back, with sales volume jumping 40% to $221.5 million in the last week of July 2025, driven by a 590% spike in CryptoPunks sales. This resurgence signals renewed investor enthusiasm but raises questions about sustainability. This article explores the market boom, key collections, and risks for investors.

The NFT market’s strongest week in months saw Ethereum (ETH) dominate, with CryptoPunks, a collection of 10,000 pixelated avatars, leading the charge at $33.7 million in sales, up 589.56%. The top five individual NFT sales were CryptoPunks, with the highest fetching 250 ETH, or $906,371. “CryptoPunks are on fire!” posted @CryptoPunksBot on X, noting a whale swept 76 NFTs for $13.5 million, boosting volume by 11,000%. Buyer numbers surged 163.29% to 466,370, and sellers rose 158.30% to 291,510, according to CryptoSlam, although transactions dipped 4.05% to 1,531,437. Other blockchains such as Solana (SOL) and Binance Coin (BNB) also saw gains, with BNB Chain sales up 40.10% to $10.1 million.

Pudgy Penguins secured third place with $8.8 million in sales, down 3.86%, while Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) climbed to fifth with $5.4 million, up 55.32%. Ethereum’s 4.5% price rise to $3,700 fueled the frenzy, with the global crypto market cap steady at $3.87 trillion. Analyst @pnxgrp on X reported, “CryptoPunks’ $13.22M in 24-hour volume shows blue-chip NFTs are back.” However, some warn of volatility. “Bitcoin’s dominance could crush altcoin and NFT gains if Ethereum stalls,” noted @Lab4crypto on X.

The NFT boom reflects market optimism, but past flash loan scams, such as a 2021 CryptoPunk “sold” for $532 million, highlight the risks. Investors must navigate hype-driven markets with caution, as sudden crypto corrections could erase gains. Due diligence remains critical to avoid speculative traps.