NFT Market Cap Slides $1.2B as Ethereum Weakens and Penguins Rise

The NFT market cap shrank by more than $1.2 billion in less than a week. This represents a 12% decline, taking the total value down to $8.1 billion. The drop followed a 9% fall in Ethereum, which slid from $4,700 to about $4,260. Since most NFTs run on Ethereum, price moves in the token hit the sector directly. As ETH lost momentum, top collections like Crypto Punks and Bored Apes also dropped in value.

Ethereum’s Pullback Hits NFT Valuations

Ethereum remains the backbone of the NFT ecosystem. With most NFTs minted and traded on its network, shifts in ETH prices ripple across the NFT market. Over the past week, ETH fell another 4%, and valuations of major collections dropped in sync. Crypto Punks, still the leading project by market cap, lost around $300 million in value. Sales volume also slipped 34% to $12.7 million, showing that buyers are stepping back.

NFT Market Shuffle: Penguins Overtake Apes

In a surprising twist, Pudgy Penguins overtook Bored Apes in market cap rankings. The Penguins fell 17% in value to $491 million, but it was still enough to leap ahead of the Apes. Bored Apes, once the second most valuable collection, plunged nearly 20% to $482 million. This reshuffle highlights shifting investor sentiment within the NFT market. Even in a downturn, certain collections can gain relative strength and attract fresh attention.

Institutional Moves Spotlight NFTs

While prices declined, the sector still saw encouraging signals. BTCS Inc., a publicly traded blockchain company, announced the addition of three Pudgy Penguins to its digital asset treasury. This marked another step in corporate adoption of NFTs as a form of diversification. Institutional moves like this suggest that blue-chip collections, including Pudgy Penguins, Bored Apes, and Crypto Punks, may continue to gain credibility. In time, such adoption could help reduce volatility in the NFT market.

Stability Tied to Ethereum

The near-term future of NFTs depends heavily on Ethereum. If ETH regains bullish momentum, valuations across the sector may stabilize. However, if the token continues to slide, more value could be wiped from leading collections. For now, Crypto Punks hold the top spot in market cap, while Pudgy Penguins enjoy fresh visibility. Bored Apes face pressure but remain a central player. The NFT market is still young, and sharp swings underline both its risks and its potential.