The NFT market kicked off the final week of June 2025 with mixed signals, as overall weekly sales dipped 4.3% to $90.7 million, while Bitcoin and Solana-based collections posted impressive gains that suggest the market is quietly shifting its center of gravity toward alternative blockchains.
TL;DR
- NFT weekly sales dropped 4.3% to $90.7 million, continuing a gradual cooldown
- Solana NFTs surged 6.39% to $19.4 million, while Bitcoin Ordinals jumped 12.39% to $13.7 million
- Ethereum NFTs declined 8.26%, though CryptoPunks remained the top collection at $5.43 million
- Monkey NFTs on Solana rocketed 52% to $3.36 million in weekly trading volume
- High-value transactions including a Bored Ape sale at $325,387 signal continued premium demand
Ethereum Loses Ground, Solana and Bitcoin Gain
Ethereum’s dominance in the NFT space is facing a slow but measurable erosion. The leading smart contract platform saw its NFT trading volume decline by 8.26% over the week ending June 23, 2025, continuing a pattern of gradual contraction that has characterized much of the second quarter. Ethereum still commands approximately 78% of the total NFT market share, but the momentum is shifting.
Solana, by contrast, posted a 6.39% increase in NFT sales, reaching $19.4 million for the week. The network’s combination of low transaction fees, high throughput, and a growing ecosystem of NFT-native projects has attracted both creators and traders looking for an alternative to Ethereum’s often-congested mainnet. Solana’s NFT ecosystem has been bolstered by platforms like Magic Eden and Tensor, which continue to expand their feature sets and user bases.
Perhaps the most notable gainer was Bitcoin Ordinals, which surged 12.39% to reach $13.7 million in weekly sales — the highest growth rate among all major blockchains. Ordinals, which enable the inscription of digital artifacts directly onto the Bitcoin blockchain, have evolved from a niche experiment into a legitimate segment of the NFT market, attracting collectors who value the security and permanence of the Bitcoin network.
Top Collections: Blue-Chips Hold, Newcomers Rise
CryptoPunks, the iconic Ethereum-based collection from Larva Labs, maintained its position as the top-selling collection despite a 29% decline in volume, recording $5.43 million in weekly sales. The drop reflects broader Ethereum weakness rather than waning interest in the collection itself — CryptoPunks continues to function as a digital status symbol and store of value in the NFT ecosystem.
The standout performer was Monkey NFTs on Solana, which surged 52% to $3.36 million in weekly trading. The collection’s explosive growth highlights the increasing appetite for Solana-native projects and the network’s ability to nurture homegrown NFT ecosystems that can compete with established Ethereum blue-chips.
Guild of Guardians on Immutable X also posted respectable numbers, growing 6.62% to reach $3.31 million. The gaming-focused NFT collection benefits from Immutable X’s zero-gas-fee trading environment, which has made it a favorite among gamers and collectors who prioritize transaction efficiency.
Blockchain Market Share Shifts
The distribution of NFT market share across blockchains tells a story of gradual diversification. Ethereum’s 78% share, while still dominant, represents a slow decline from the near-monopoly the network held just two years ago. Ronin, the gaming-focused blockchain developed by Sky Mavis, now accounts for 19% of the market, driven largely by the popularity of Axie Infinity and related gaming NFTs.
Flow and Immutable X each hold approximately 6% of the market, catering primarily to sports collectibles and gaming NFTs respectively. These alternative chains have carved out specialized niches that complement rather than directly compete with Ethereum’s broader ecosystem.
Notable Transactions Signal Premium Demand
Despite the overall dip in trading volume, several high-value transactions during the week underscored that premium digital assets continue to attract significant capital. A Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT (#7,398) sold for $325,387, demonstrating that top-tier collections still command six-figure prices even in a cooling market.
On the Bitcoin network, a “Maxi Biz” Ordinal traded for $82,819, highlighting the growing value that collectors place on Bitcoin-native digital artifacts. Meanwhile, an Arbitrum-based GUSDC deposit reached $184,956, suggesting that DeFi-adjacent NFTs are gaining traction as the boundaries between decentralized finance and digital collectibles continue to blur.
Historical Context and Forward Outlook
The current NFT market bears little resemblance to the speculative frenzy of 2020-2021, when trading volume exploded from $82 million to $17 billion — a 21,000% increase — and active wallets grew from 89,000 to 2.5 million. The gaming category alone generated $5.2 billion in 2021, while collectibles reached $8 billion.
Today’s market, while smaller in absolute terms, appears more sustainable and structurally sound. The diversification across blockchains, the emergence of gaming and utility-driven NFTs, and the growth of Bitcoin Ordinals suggest that the market is maturing beyond its initial speculative phase into a more diverse and resilient ecosystem.
Why This Matters
The shifting dynamics of the NFT market in June 2025 reflect a broader transformation in how digital assets are created, traded, and valued. Solana and Bitcoin’s growing NFT ecosystems challenge Ethereum’s long-standing dominance, while high-value transactions indicate that serious collectors and investors remain active. For market participants, the message is clear: the NFT landscape is no longer a single-chain story, and the projects that will define the next cycle are likely being built on networks beyond Ethereum.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. NFT investments carry significant risk, including the potential for total loss. Always conduct your own research before purchasing digital collectibles.
Monkey NFTs on Solana rocketing 52% to $3.36M in a week where overall sales dipped 4.3% is the real story here. ethereum losing 8.26% while Solana and Ordinals gain tells you where the liquidity is flowing
Bitcoin Ordinals surging 12.39% to $13.7M is quietly the most significant trend. inscriptions competing directly with ETH NFTs and winning on growth rate is something nobody predicted 18 months ago
a single Bored Ape selling at $325K in a week where volumes are down overall just means one whale decided to buy. not exactly a signal of anything
Magic Eden and Tensor making Solana NFTs actually tradable again is the infrastructure play nobody talks about. low fees plus decent UX finally making people look past ETH