Signs of recovery in the NFT market, star players return to the stage

In 2021, the NFT market was booming due to the celebrity effect. Now, some well-known individuals are once again entering this field, bringing new stories and investment directions to the market.

At the same time, the trading volume of the NFT market has warmed up, and the number of buyers has increased, indicating a possible recovery in the market. However, does this mean the winter is over and spring is on the way, or is it merely a brief illusion?

Is the NFT market undergoing a transformation?

Market data presents a confusing contradiction. In the long term, expectations remain optimistic. Authoritative institutions predict that the market size will exceed hundreds of billions of dollars this year. However, the short-term reality is less optimistic: data shows that NFT trading volume in the second quarter of this year has decreased by nearly 29% compared to the previous quarter.

Nonetheless, this apparent retreat did not trigger market panic; rather, it revealed a structural shift.

Data shows that in the second quarter of 2025, although the total transaction volume of NFTs declined due to a decrease in high-priced collectibles, the number of transactions surged by 78% from approximately 7.02 million to 12.5 million, and the number of unique buyers also significantly increased by 44% from 651,000 to 936,000.

This set of "price drop and volume increase" abnormal data reveals the deep changes the market is experiencing. NFTs are quietly shifting from a high-priced speculative game for a few to a broader "popularization process."

Industry experts point out that despite the decline in trading volume, the increase in sales quantity and the decrease in average transaction value indicate that market participation is becoming more widespread, and the driving force of trading is shifting from pure speculation to practicality and community consensus.

At this delicate moment, a group of once-retired "star players" has made a comeback. What does their return actually mean?

The return of the stars, does it signify a new wave of excitement?

Looking back, many once-popular NFT projects have seen their floor prices drop by over 98% from their peak, nearly reaching zero. Behind these cold numbers are countless investors who continue to silently bear the losses.

To understand the current market situation, we need to review the development history of the past few years:

2021: The Peak of Carnival

This is a golden age where dreamers dance with speculators.

Bitcoin surged to a historic high of $69,000, and NFTs jumped from a niche novelty to a global topic. In October 2021, a well-known individual splurged 425 ETH to purchase a high-priced NFT, triggering a frenzy in the market.

At the end of the year, an NFT project conceptualized by a certain musician sold out in 40 minutes, with daily sales exceeding ten million dollars.

2022: The Frosty Winter Arrives

But prosperity is fleeting. Under the impact of multiple factors, Bitcoin fell below $20,000, and the crypto market cap halved to $1 trillion.

Multiple celebrities have launched NFT projects one after another, but ultimately all failed amidst the wave of the bear market. One project dropped from 0.219 ETH to 0.02 ETH, a decline of over 96%.

2025: Old Faces Return, New Forces Enter the Game

Currently, some well-known individuals have completed their identity transformation from NFT big players to high-leverage traders of Meme coins. They are betting on emerging tokens with real "cash", publicly showing their gains and losses, and have become the "top gamblers" coexisting with the market.

In addition, some business celebrities entered Web3 at the beginning of the year with a "billion-dollar fortune," claiming to invest heavily in creating a new type of NFT project; a well-known investor quietly switched to a new NFT avatar.

Everything seems to have returned to 2021, with stars back in their places and the market buzzing. But this time, beneath the heat, there is less blind faith and more restraint.

The Transformation of the Community: From Followers to Value "Judges"

In the NFT market of 2025, the community will no longer be mere participants but will transform into true "judges."

On the surface, the data looks promising: NFT trading volume is steadily increasing, and the prices of several blue-chip projects continue to rise. However, this time, the community's reaction has been unprecedentedly calm.

An NFT enthusiast openly stated on social media: "The NFT craze of 2021 will not be repeated; the entry barriers have significantly increased, and investors are more focused on practicality and community value." This statement reveals the truth about the NFT market in 2025, where after the speculation bubble has burst, value return becomes the main theme.

Another community member predicted: "In 2025, a top NFT project may no longer exist, and we will see several NFT projects with floor prices above 50 ETH; this year will be a year of repricing and actual value."

The NFT world in 2025 appears lively on the surface but is calm in reality. From speculation to consensus, from frenzy to rationality, this deep shift in the NFT market is a reshaping of value.