NFTs Show Resilience as Sales Stay Strong Despite Market Decline
Despite the drop in their popularity, NFTs still show 3.62 billion dollars in sales in 2025. Since 2017, they have accumulated 71.55 billion, with the majority on Ethereum. After the 2021-2022 boom followed by the 2023 slowdown, the market has stabilized. Less speculative, NFTs are now anchored in more concrete digital uses.
In brief
- In 2025, NFTs already total 3.62 billion dollars despite the post-2022 slowdown.
- Ethereum still dominates, while Solana and Bitcoin confirm their rising influence in the ecosystem.
- Less speculative, NFTs now move towards concrete uses, strengthening their foothold in Web3.
Ethereum leads, Solana and Bitcoin in ambush
No surprise, Ethereum dominates the scene. With more than 46 billion dollars in actual sales, despite the shadow of wash trading (nearly 34.6 billion identified), it remains the backbone of the ecosystem. Its position confirms creators and investors’ preference for its liquidity and market depth.
Behind, Solana continues to chart its path. Its 6.43 billion in authentic sales illustrate the emergence of an alternative ecosystem, appreciated for its speed and low fees. Bitcoin, meanwhile, surprises: its 5.56 billion come almost entirely from the last two years, revealing the late but powerful rise of NFTs on the first blockchain.
This diversity shows it is no longer an isolated phenomenon. Each blockchain brings its style, communities and niches, drawing a fragmented but lively market.
Toward a maturity of the NFT market
The time of record volumes driven by speculation seems over. Today, NFTs find their place in concrete uses: gaming, digital identity, tokenized tickets, or even institutionalized digital art. The case of Axie Infinity on Ronin, which generated 4.29 billion dollars in sales with almost no wash trading, illustrates this transition towards healthier models.
For 2025, the figures speak for themselves: reaching the 2024 level would require a notable acceleration, and surpassing the historic peak of 2022 seems out of reach. Yet, the real battle no longer plays only on amounts, but on the legitimacy and integration of NFTs in the digital economy.
The coming years will tell if NFTs establish themselves, despite the fall of ether on the market, or as essential building blocks of Web3. One thing is certain: despite the shocks, the sector has not said its last word.
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Fascinated by Bitcoin since 2017, Evariste has continuously researched the subject. While his initial interest was in trading, he now actively seeks to understand all advances centered on cryptocurrencies. As an editor, he strives to consistently deliver high-quality work that reflects the state of the sector as a whole.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.