In recent weeks, the crypto markets have experienced notable fluctuations, challenging investors’ risk appetite, while the NFT ecosystem has shown remarkable recovery. During a period when leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin 
$91,081 and Ethereum 
$3,094 have faced significant price declines, the NFT market has seen an increase in both buyers and sellers, indicating some detachment from the broader crypto market. Recent data from foreign sources points to a renewed interest in NFTs.
Top Collections Changing Hands
The number of NFT buyers surged by 49.30%, exceeding 231,000, while sellers increased by 43.43%, reaching about 165,000. The number of transactions remained largely stable, with only a minor decline of 0.16%, staying around 910,000. This scenario suggests that new participants are entering the market despite price pressures.
In the NFT collections front, the week’s most notable development was Ethereum-based Milady Maker ascending to the top. The collection achieved a sales volume of $3.68 million with just 217 transactions. The limited number of buyers and sellers highlighted the impact of high-volume individual transactions. Last week’s leader, DMarket, declined by over 30% on the Mythos network, dropping to second place.
The collection Courtyard, operating on the Polygon network, climbed to the third position with its strong rise, while Pudgy Penguins surged over 60% to claim the fourth spot. The return of the long-standing Bored Ape Yacht Club to the top seven indicated that interest in blue-chip NFTs hadn’t entirely faded. This activity showcases investors directing funds towards specific collections in challenging market conditions.
Network-Based Sales and Cross-Chain Competition
From a blockchain perspective, Ethereum maintained a clear lead. Weekly NFT sales soared by over 45%, surpassing $28 million. Conversely, sales on the Solana 
$139 network fell by more than 25%, dropping it to the fifth position. Networks like BNB Chain, Bitcoin, and Polygon drew attention with strong growth in buyer numbers.
Notably, the increase in buyers by over 50% on Polygon and Bitcoin networks emphasized that NFTs are not solely Ethereum-centric. However, the persistent high rates of wash trading on some networks suggest a need for cautious market interpretation.
These developments coincided with a week of decline in the general crypto market. Bitcoin’s price tumbled to $88,000, and Ethereum fell below $3,000, reducing the total crypto market capitalization to $2.99 trillion. Despite this backdrop, the recovery of the NFT market reinforced the notion that the sector is beginning to form its own dynamics.
Additionally, the past months saw a notable recovery in game-focused NFTs. Even when the crypto market was weak, NFT collections tied to blockchain games experienced significant growth in transaction volume and user numbers. This serves as a crucial example of the NFT market’s ability to occasionally operate independently of crypto prices.
