Blue-chip non-fungible token (NFT) collections had steep weekly declines as Ether pulled back from all-time highs. 

Data from decentralized finance aggregator DefiLlama showed that top projects saw their floor prices sink by double digits in the last seven days. Blue-chip NFT collections like Pudgy Penguins, Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and Doodles were among the hardest hit.

Pudgy Penguins, the top NFT collection by 24-hour and 7-day volume, saw a 17.3% drop to a 10.32 Ether (ETH) floor price. BAYC shed 14.7% to 9.59 ETH, while Doodles recorded one of the sharpest corrections, dropping 18.9% to 0.73 ETH. Other major collections like Moonbirds and Lil Pudgys dropped 10.5% and 14.6%, respectively.

The NFT floor price drop followed a sharp ETH retracement after hitting new all-time highs. On Monday, CoinGecko data showed that ETH reached a new all-time high of $4,946. ETH dropped 12% on Tuesday to $4,342 before recovering slightly. At the time of writing, the crypto asset traded at $4,433.

CryptoPunks remain resilient despite the market crash

While many collections suffered heavy losses, not all NFT projects were in retreat. CryptoPunks, which remained the top NFT collection by market cap, showed relative resilience, dropping only 1.35% over the week. 

Despite the top collections showing floor price declines, trading volumes remained high. Throughout the week, Pudgy Penguins led the market with about 2,112 ETH (about $9.36 million) in trading volume. The collection was followed by Moonbirds, with 1,979 ETH ($8.77 million). 

CryptoPunks followed closely with 1,879 ETH (about $8.33 million) in volume, while BAYC had 809 ETH ($3.59 million). 

Related: 3D-printed housing company adopts Bitcoin, NFTs in blockchain pivot

NFT market capitalization drops to $7.7 billion

While blue-chip NFTs suffered double-digit declines, the broader NFT space also dropped almost 5% to $7.7 billion, according to data aggregator NFT Price Floor. 

On Aug. 13, NFT Price Floor showed that the overall NFT market capitalization peaked at $9.3 billion, up 40% from July’s $6.6 billion. The surge was fueled by an increase in NFT activity following an ETH surge. 

On Aug. 18, the NFT market cap dropped further to $8.1 billion, wiping out $1.2 billion from digital collectible valuations. 

Magazine: Ethereum’s roadmap to 10,000 TPS using ZK tech: Dummies’ guide

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/blue-chip-nfts-sink-double-digits-as-eth-retreats-from-record-highs/feed/ 0 55187 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/opensea-integrates-solana-for-buying-evm-based-nfts/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/opensea-integrates-solana-for-buying-evm-based-nfts/#respond Thu, 21 Aug 2025 05:35:07 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/opensea-integrates-solana-for-buying-evm-based-nfts/

The NFT market saw a remarkable resurgence in July, outpacing DeFi in terms of user activity, according to an Aug. 7 DappRadar report.

The shift marks a significant milestone and could indicate that NFTs are once again capturing the public’s attention following significant lull that has lasted since their fall in the 2022 bear market.

NFTs volume surge in July

DappRadar data showed that NFT trading volume surged by 96%, reaching $530 million in July. However, the total number of transactions fell by 4%, with only 5 million NFTs changing hands during the month.

The trend reveals a clear shift in buyer behavior, with fewer NFTs changing hands but selling for significantly higher prices. In fact, the average NFT sale price more than doubled, rising from $52 in June to $105 in July.

Platforms catering to power users and creators saw the most growth during the period. Blur accounted for as much as 80% of Ethereum-based NFT trading volume, driven by professional traders and its Blend lending feature.

Meanwhile, OpenSea, the largest NFT marketplace, remained the most active in daily user count, with approximately 27,000 traders, thanks to its long-tail listings and multichain support.

Meanwhile, Zora, a platform built for creators on the Coinbase-backed Base network, gained momentum with its Layer 2 solution and native ZORA token, which reduced NFT minting costs.

DappRadar concluded that these numbers show the significant evolution within the NFT landscape from the early market hype to the increasing utility of these digital assets.

According to the blockchain firm, the space is no longer limited to art and digital collectibles. Instead, it has expanded into practical use cases such as digital identity, event ticketing, gaming, and real-world asset tokenization.

DeFi grows too

While NFTs made waves in July, DeFi also continued to experience impressive growth. DappRadar reported that the total value of assets locked (TVL) in DeFi surged by over 30%, reaching $259 billion by the end of the month.

Notably, the sector reached a new all-time high of $270 billion on July 28, driven by growing user demand and fresh liquidity injection across lending, trading, and tokenized assets.

Meanwhile, a standout trend in DeFi came from tokenized stocks, with wallet interactions increasing from approximately 1,600 to over 90,000. This surge contributed to a 220% increase in the market cap of tokenized stocks, signaling that real-world assets (RWAs) are gaining substantial traction.

Across assets, Ethereum continued to lead DeFi, commanding $166 billion in TVL, far surpassing Solana’s $23 billion.

ETH’s significant rise can be attributed to a nearly 60% price surge in July, likely driven by positive regulatory developments, alongside staking rewards reaching 29.4% APY.

On Solana, Hyperliquid emerged as a key player, accounting for 35% of blockchain revenue in July. The platform saw rising demand for derivatives and now processes over 60% of 24-hour perpetual trading volume, with $15.3 billion in open interest and $5.1 billion in USDC bridging.

Mentioned in this article

Yakovenko compared these tokens to the looting boxes in mobile games that play for free. His dull take attracted both praise and criticism from the entire crypto world.

Memecoin faces harsh words

Yakovenko said she has held this view since at least January 2024. He argued that the prices people pay are all that gives these tokens worthwhile.

Pollak shot back saying that the content itself is drawing out its own value no matter what you charge to see it, like a painting hanging in the museum.

This argument shines a spotlight on how well Solana’s growth relies on the very very much that its leader dismisses.

I said this for years. MemeCoins and NFTS are digital slops and have no essential value. Like a loot box in a mobile game. People are spending $1500 on mobile games.

– Tory (@aeyakovenko) July 27, 2025

Solana’s income linked to “slop”

Solana – According to Focused Infrastructure Firm Syndica, MemeCoins accounted for 62% of the network’s distributed app revenue in June. That number helped push Solana’s take to around $1.6 billion in the first half of 2025.

That big chunk of money came from Launchpad at Pump.fun and Dex aggregator at Pumpswap. But Yakovenko said Apple’s booty box would drive the revenues of the App Store in roughly the same way.

The content itself is valuable. Advertising is a way to monetize that value. However, the content itself is valuable. Just as the painting is fundamentally valuable, whether or not you charge the museum people to see it.

– jesse.base.eth (@jessepollak) July 27, 2025

Community Pushback Build

Critics called him straight away. X user “Caps” wrote for Flaunch and accused Yakovenko of ocking his user base.

Another commentator, Carbon, said the stance found the “nasty” stance and pointed out that Jacobenko always promotes memokine, even though she claims it’s not worth it.

The clash has fans and skeptics debating whether it’s fair to lightly corn a market that clearly feeds Solana’s growth.

The competition gets hot

Meanwhile, rival Memecoin Launchpad, known as Letbonk, is eating Pump.fun’s lead. At various points, Letbonk has surpassed Pump.fun with 24-hour revenue.

This indicates that the user is ready to chase the next big token wherever they are. For Solana, that means more money in the short term, but also increases the risk of instability if the hype moves elsewhere.

Idrop News featured images, TradingView charts

NFTs have come a long way from the hype cycles of 2021. In July 2025, the market is more mature, utility-driven, and deeply integrated with Web3 and real-world apps. Gone are the days when profile pictures alone dominated the conversation. Today’s NFTs unlock gaming experiences, fractional real estate ownership, cross-chain interoperability, and even AI-powered interactivity.

In this article, we’ll explore the top NFTs still trending in July 2025, why they’re capturing attention, and what their success tells us about the future of digital assets.

Top 7 NFTs Still Trending in July 2025

1. Bitcoin Ordinals & “Early Birds”

As NFTs became multi-chain, Bitcoin’s Ordinals protocol gained serious momentum in 2025. In mid‑July, the Early Birds collection went viral on Ordinals, blending whimsical design with a strong meme‑culture vibe. Priced around ~0.00014 ETH (BTC‑equivalent), it’s become a lightning rod for collectors seeking novelty beyond Ethereum’s ecosystem (CryptoTicker).

2. Bored Ape Yacht Club 2.0 & CryptoPunks Next Gen

Legacy giants remain major players. BAYC 2.0 has reasserted its blue‑chip status by expanding into the metaverse, partnering with luxury fashion brands, and integrating play‑to‑earn elements. Similarly, CryptoPunks Next Generation has been revitalised with reimagined utilities and collaborations catering to both longtime holders and new entrants.

3. Moonbirds

Moonbirds retain their cult following. The collection of 10,000 artful owls continues to deliver value through staking (“nesting”) rewards, ongoing governance participation, and Ethereum‑based upgrades—all hallmarks of community‑centric utility.

4. Pudgy Penguins & Phygital Expansion

The Pudgy Penguins have successfully bridged digital and physical. Their in‑browser 3D game (Pudgy World), plush toy lines, and strategic retail tie‑ups (e.g., Walmart) highlight their evolution from PFP collectibles to full‑spectrum entertainment brands.

5. RobotEra & Pikamoon – Next‑Gen GameFi

Game‑centric NFT projects like RobotEra and Pikamoon are showcasing how blockchain can elevate interactive experiences. Their immersive gameplay and play‑to‑earn utility position them as strong contenders in GameFi’s next chapter.

6. Treasure NFT

Treasure NFT blends gamified mechanics with defi-like infrastructure, offering yield, interactive events, and strong graphics that resonate with Web3 users. It exemplifies the rising trend of multi‑layered functionality in NFT apps.

7. iNFTs

AI-powered collectibles are surging, especially after the ERC‑7857 “intelligent NFT” standard launched early 2025. These iNFTs introduce interactivity and adaptability, marking a key NFT form and function evolution.

Why These NFT Narratives Matter

• Utility-first NFT design: Access to events, gaming, or real assets replaces pure speculation.
• Multi-blockchain momentum: Bitcoin and Polkadot bridged new value zones.
• Institutional & real-world tie‑ins: RWA, Metropoly, and regulatory clarity foster mainstream adoption.
• AI & interactivity: ERC‑7857 brings a layer of intelligence to digital ownership.

Tangem: The Best NFT Wallet for Secure Management

As NFTs become more valuable digital assets, secure storage and easy management are more critical than ever. That’s where Tangem Wallet excels. With advanced bank-grade security, Tangem allows you to safely store, manage, and trade your NFTs across multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Solana, and even Bitcoin Ordinals.

Its card-based hardware design eliminates the need for complex seed phrases, making NFT ownership as simple as tapping a card. Tangem is the most reliable and user-friendly solution for collectors navigating today’s multi-chain NFT world to keep their digital treasures safe.

What to Watch Beyond July 2025

• Upcoming drops like “Early Birds” on Ordinals may spark fresh mini‑boom cycles.
• The continuation of tokenization trends in real estate and collectibles
• Integration of AI into gamified NFTs and iNFT evolution.

Final Take

July 2025 shows NFTs firmly in their utility-driven phase—far past hype, deep into real-world relevance. From blue‑chip legacies to innovative AI and asset‑backed models, NFTs are delivering tangible value. This maturity suggests 2025 could be the year NFTs break fully into mainstream adoption, if you know where to look.

*All investment/financial opinions expressed by NFT Plazas are from the personal research and experience of our site moderators and are intended as educational material only. Individuals are required to fully research any product prior to making any kind of investment.

Decentralization is the future.

The non-fungible token market has come a long way from simple JPEG avatars to a full-fledged digital collectibles economy. But in 2025, it will undergo an even more radical transformation. Under the influence of Web3, metaverses, and machine learning, NFTs are gradually turning into “smart assets” – objects with behavior, memory, and the ability to respond to their environment. It is this evolution that lays the foundation for the next growth cycle.

One of the projects at the forefront of this transformation is Nexchain – a high-tech blockchain infrastructure that combines speed, scalability, and artificial intelligence tools. Today, the platform offers the best crypto presale, and soon, it will become a full-fledged environment for the creation of smart tokens, game characters, and trainable collections.

What are Smart NFTs?

If a classic token is just an object with metadata, then AI-powered NFTs are a dynamic unit that are capable of adaptation. Such tokens can:

• Change appearance depending on time, place, or owner’s actions;
• Learn based on interactions and store “memory”;
• Act as autonomous agents in a metaverse or game;
• Assess the external environment and make decisions based on embedded logic.

Thus, smart digital collectibles are turning into living digital entities that work on the principle: “If …, then …”. They can adapt, react, and evolve. For example, a virtual pet that learns to understand its owner. Or an NFT painting that changes depending on the weather in your city.

What Role Does Nexchain Play?

Integrating AI into NFT requires a special architecture: high speed, flexible smart contracts, and modular logic. Nexchain NFT tools provide exactly this infrastructure. With native support for AI integrations, cross-chain compatibility, and low-gas computing capabilities, the platform becomes an ideal foundation for creating smart tokens. This base allows you to issue smart tokens and ensure their functioning in real time – from games and AR applications to decentralized marketplaces.

Nexchain offers:

• AI SDK and API for developers;
• Support for EVM-compatible contracts;
• Dynamic tokenomics tools;
• Infrastructure for scalable next-gen NFT platforms.

Use Cases: from AI characters to Trainable Collections

Such assets can no longer be considered static JPGs or animations – they are elements of a living digital environment, where evolving NFT utilities are becoming the new standard. The emergence of NFT and artificial intelligence creates new formats of digital interaction. Below are some examples of how this will work:

• AI characters in the metaverse. NFT avatars with their own behavior and character that evolve depending on interactions with the user;
• Trainable collections. For example, a card or an item that “remembers” the history of battles or trade deals and changes its characteristics;
• Dynamic portraits. Artistic NFTs that change according to the owner’s mood (analyzes their voice, phrases, or correspondence style);
• DAO agents. NFTs that vote or perform actions in smart contracts on behalf of the user based on trained preferences.

Where Will Smart Tokens Be Used?

The development of such assets opens the way to new markets. Thanks to AI and Web3, collectible tokens are no longer just objects for storage. They are becoming part of everyday digital interaction. Smart digital collectibles are already finding application in:

• Games, where NFT becomes a trainable ally or enemy;
• Metaverses, where interactivity is more important than design;
• AR/VR applications, where the user interacts with the surrounding space through AI modules;
• Museums or galleries, where AI-NFT independently curates exhibits;
• Social networks, where NFT avatars conduct a dialogue with subscribers.

Why You Should Start with Nexchain

If you are a developer, artist, collector, or just follow technology, 2025 will be the starting point for a new era of NFT. But only those platforms that integrate AI not as a “feature”, but as a basic component, will be able to set the tone for the market.

Nexchain is one of the few projects that offers a comprehensive infrastructure: from a fast blockchain network to tools for creating and launching AI NFTs. Combined with a transparent roadmap, an active community, and native support for decentralized applications, this makes the platform a great entry point for those who want to stay one step ahead.

If you believe that intellectual assets are the future, start building it with Nexchain.

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*All investment/financial opinions expressed by NFT Plazas are from the personal research and experience of our site moderators and are intended as educational material only. Individuals are required to fully research any product prior to making any kind of investment.

Decentralization is the future.

After watching the NFT market balloon, implode, and now start to quietly reassemble itself, I’m not here to tell you that NFTs are going to save the internet. I’m also not going to pretend the last two years weren’t tough. But something’s shifting—slowly, unevenly, and maybe for the better. The days of speculative mania are fading, and a new phase rooted in functionality and relevance is emerging.

If NFTs are going to matter again, it’ll be for reasons that look nothing like what got us here in the first place.

Key Takeaways

• Real-world asset NFTs are gaining traction by tying tokens to tangible value like real estate, treasuries, and carbon credits.

• Art remains relevant, but the NFT space is shifting toward utility—especially in gaming, ticketing, and access-based applications.

• AR/VR and AI experiments are evolving NFT experiences, though mainstream adoption still lags behind the hype.

• Regulatory scrutiny is increasing, but enforcement is moving toward case-by-case treatment—especially for investment-style NFTs.

• Community still matters, even if it’s smaller—projects built around participation and ownership are driving long-term engagement.

1. Real-World Assets Are Giving NFTs a Shot at Legitimacy

Let’s be honest—most people got burned. The 2021 hype cycle inflated the idea that digital art and monkey JPEGs would somehow rewrite the financial system. They didn’t. What we’re seeing now, though, is something different: NFTs that actually tie to real‑world assets—things like real estate, bonds, and treasuries.

These aren’t speculative collectibles—they’re tokenized representations of tangible value. And they’re starting to gain structure, regulation, and purpose.

Plume Network is a blockchain built entirely for real‑world assets. It lets developers tokenize things like mineral rights, carbon credits, and government bonds, and plug them directly into DeFi. The NFTs in this model aren’t art—they’re proof of ownership or access to yield‑bearing products.

Redbelly Network takes a similar approach, focusing on compliance and real identity. It supports NFTs tied to things like private equity and carbon offsets, with on‑chain rules that prevent fraud or wash trading.

This is a big shift. NFTs used to represent hype. Now they’re starting to represent real things. That’s the kind of foundation the space always needed.

2. From Art to Access: How NFTs Are Shifting from Expression to Utility

Art was the launchpad—and to be fair, some of it still deserves credit. I’ve been quick to criticize the speculative mania, but I can’t ignore how NFTs gave independent artists real autonomy.

Platforms like SuperRare and fxhash still host thoughtful, boundary-pushing work. The frenzy is gone, but the core collector base remains. And in some ways, the art has actually improved without the noise.

That said, the conversation has shifted. The only NFTs worth building around now are the ones that do something. I’m watching more attention flow to utility-driven use cases—especially in gaming and access. Illuvium and Star Atlas are launching beta-access ecosystems where NFTs are core to in-game economies.

Ticketing is another area I’m watching closely. NFT-based passes offer real advantages: resale royalties, better security, and dynamic updates. Ticketmaster’s NFT pilots for select events and Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP) tokens are gaining traction for fan engagement. But let’s be honest—mass adoption hasn’t landed.

Nike and Starbucks, once seen as bullish corporate players, have pulled back. Their exits underscore a bigger truth: mainstream brands aren’t going to carry NFTs across the line. If this space grows, it’ll be because the tools actually work—not because big names are involved.

So yeah, art might stick around. And utility has legs. But neither can coast on hype anymore. The bar’s higher now—and maybe that’s the point.

3. Tech Hype Is Outpacing Real Impact

If I had a token for every time someone said “metaverse” or “AI NFTs” in 2022, I’d be rich. But buried under the jargon are a few ideas that might actually matter.

AI-powered NFTs that evolve or personalize themselves could make digital assets feel more alive. The same goes for AR/VR integrations that aim to give NFTs experiential value—virtual concerts, 3D galleries, immersive wearables.

Apple Vision Pro suggests there’s infrastructure forming, even if user demand hasn’t kept pace. Reebok’s AR-based NFT drops and Spatial.io’s virtual galleries hint at what this future could look like.

The billions poured into immersive tech tell us someone believes there’s a future here. Whether it’s one people actually want is still unclear.

The reality? Adoption is lagging behind innovation. Platforms like Decentraland and The Sandbox boast impressive features but struggle to attract daily users. NFTs may be the right foundation—but only if there’s something real to build on top.

4. Regulation Is a Pain, But a Necessary One

If you were paying attention during the last couple years, you saw how unregulated chaos attracted bad actors. Platforms like OpenSea got hit hard—with lawsuits, delistings, and regulatory heat.

While NFTs haven’t been universally declared securities, the SEC has targeted specific projects—like Impact Theory and Stoner Cats—under the Howey Test. OpenSea even received a Wells notice in 2024, prompting fears that NFT marketplaces might be treated like unregistered securities exchanges.

But in early 2025, the SEC dropped its investigation, and a newly formed crypto unit is now focusing more on fraud than on sweeping enforcement. That signals a shift toward a more nuanced, case-by-case approach.

OpenSea’s reboot—with its SEA token and OS2 platform—is part of this regulatory recalibration. OS2 includes tools for dividend payouts, asset splitting, and voting rights—features that echo financial instruments, but also show a deliberate move toward transparency and compliance.

Institutional investors are circling back, and yes, these preemptive efforts are helping. However, I’ve spoken to enough people in the space to know that trust won’t be rebuilt overnight.

5. Community Is Still the Soul of the Space (Even if It’s Smaller Now)

I’ve always believed that the best NFT projects weren’t just about tokens—they were about belonging. Bored Apes and Pudgy Penguins built cultures; many faded, yet some still have staying power.

But the communities that stuck around—often without huge financial upside—are the ones giving the space its durability.

Sound.xyz continues to thrive as a platform where musicians drop limited-edition NFT tracks, organize mint-time listening parties, and reward loyal fans with exclusive content. It’s helping artists connect directly with listeners—no middlemen, just community.

Farcaster, a decentralized social protocol on Optimism, is quietly redefining what NFT-native community can look like. Profiles are wallet-linked, usernames are tokenized, and access to certain channels or features can be gated through NFTs. It’s not about speculation—it’s about building trust, identity, and continuity in a way traditional platforms can’t.

Social media integrations help onboard new users, but most of that activity still feels surface-level. Real community is harder to fake—and harder to scale. But with platforms like Sound.xyz and Farcaster, NFTs still feel alive at their roots.

Are NFTs back? Not really. Not yet. But they’re not dead either. What we’re seeing now is a necessary comedown and recalibration. Less noise, more intent. I’m not betting the farm, but I’m paying attention. Because if this space comes back—and I think it might—it won’t look anything like the last time.