Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Dominates NFT Sales as Market Slumps and Solana Gains Ground

Ethereum emerged as the top-performing blockchain in the NFT space in December 2025, despite the overall market facing a deepening slump. NFT sales continued to decline, with November sales dropping to $320 million—roughly half of October's $629 million and the weakest monthly figure in over a year. The broader NFT market capitalization stood at $3.1 billion, a 66% drop from its January peak.

Several top NFT collections, including CryptoPunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club, saw their valuations fall by double digits in the past month. Meanwhile, Ethereum-based projects maintained a lead in sales, with Algebra Positions and DMarket leading in weekly trading activity. The decline is not isolated to Ethereum, as competing blockchains like Solana saw sales rise 44%, highlighting a broader shift in user activity.

The NFT winter, as the downturn has been labeled, shows no immediate signs of abating. Weekly sales in the first week of December hit $62 million, the lowest weekly total in 2025. This reflects a sharp drop in both buyer and seller participation, with NFT buyers and sellers falling by 68% and 71%, respectively.

Market Dynamics and Blockchain Competition

Ethereum continues to dominate the NFT sales landscape, with $23.93 million in sales during the most recent week. However, the blockchain faces increasing competition from platforms like Solana, which saw a 44% jump in sales. This competition is fueled by Ethereum's high transaction costs and the rise of more cost-effective and scalable alternatives. Meanwhile, DMarket on the Mythos blockchain reported $4.50 million in sales, maintaining its position as the top NFT collection by volume.

The market's performance is also being shaped by broader macroeconomic factors. A recent report by SNS Insider highlighted the cryptocurrency exchange market's projected growth to $211.57 billion by 2033, driven by rising adoption and demand for secure trading platforms. The NFT marketplace segment is expected to grow at a 28.82% CAGR, supported by the increasing interest in digital ownership and tokenized assets.

Institutional and Regulatory Developments

Regulatory scrutiny and institutional adoption remain key factors shaping the NFT and cryptocurrency markets. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to take an active role in enforcement actions, as seen in its recent probe of Unicoin. The SEC issued a Wells notice in December, indicating possible enforcement action for alleged securities violations. Unicoin's CEO, Alex Konanykhin, rejected the SEC's attempt to settle the matter, claiming the investigation had damaged the company's financial prospects. This regulatory uncertainty adds to the market's volatility and investor caution.

Institutional confidence, however, is rising in certain jurisdictions. North America holds a 35.37% revenue share in the global cryptocurrency exchange market, supported by advanced digital infrastructure and strong trading volumes. The Asia-Pacific region is also gaining traction, with a projected CAGR of 27.35%, driven by high smartphone penetration and government-backed blockchain initiatives.

NFT Market and Gaming

The NFT gaming sector remains a bright spot amid the broader slump. The market, valued at $0.54 trillion in 2025, is projected to reach $1.08 trillion by 2030, growing at a 14.84% CAGR. NFTs enhance player ownership and enable cross-game interoperability, making them a valuable asset in digital gaming. Companies like MetaverseGo are capitalizing on this trend by streamlining access to NFT-based games through mobile platforms.

However, the market still faces challenges such as copyright issues and environmental concerns related to blockchain energy consumption. Despite these obstacles, the integration of NFTs in gaming continues to attract both individual and institutional investors, particularly in emerging markets.

Outlook for 2026

As 2025 draws to a close, the NFT market is preparing for a potential turnaround in 2026. The performance of altcoins is expected to play a significant role in this shift. If a major altseason occurs in 2026, the NFT market could see a resurgence, driven by renewed interest and investment. This is particularly relevant for Ethereum, which could benefit from increased demand for NFTs if broader crypto markets stabilize.

The expansion of blockchain gaming and metaverse integration also presents growth opportunities for the NFT sector. Entrepreneurs are already responding to this demand, with initiatives like Pheasant Network by PG Labs raising $2 million in seed funding to accelerate AI-powered intent for decentralized finance (DeFAI). These developments indicate a growing recognition of NFTs' potential in multiple industries beyond digital collectibles.