Ethereum News Today: Ethereum NFT Sales Hit $157.6M as Blue-Chip Demand Drives 4.5% ETH Price Rise

Ethereum-based non-fungible token (NFT) sales surged to nearly $160 million in the past week, driven by robust demand for blue-chip collections such as CryptoPunks, Pudgy Penguins, and Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). The total sales volume reached $157.6 million as of July 27, with CryptoPunks alone generating $35.1 million across 172 transactions, underscoring sustained institutional and retail interest in high-value digital assets [1][2][4]. This growth aligns with broader market trends, including a 4.5% increase in Ethereum’s native token (ETH) price, attributed to elevated NFT trading activity and speculative positioning ahead of potential Ethereum upgrades [5].

The surge highlights Ethereum’s dominance in the NFT ecosystem, as other blockchain networks like Solana and Polygon, while showing increased participation, failed to match Ethereum’s transaction volumes. CryptoPunks, in particular, remain a focal point, with individual sales such as GameSquare Holdings’ acquisition of Punk 5577 reinforcing institutional confidence in NFTs as both cultural artifacts and investment vehicles [4][6]. Analysts note that the current rally mirrors historical patterns during Ethereum price cycles, where NFT demand often spikes as investors seek exposure to digital collectibles [7].

Despite the optimism, the market remains subject to volatility, with no direct correlation drawn between macroeconomic factors and NFT trading behavior in the provided data. The absence of regulatory clarity and potential market corrections pose risks, though Ethereum’s decade-long operational stability, highlighted by co-founder Vitalik Buterin, positions it as a preferred platform for NFT transactions [8]. Institutional adoption, including strategic acquisitions by firms like GameSquare, further signals the maturation of NFT markets beyond speculative trading [6].

The $160 million benchmark reflects a microcosm of Ethereum’s evolving role in the crypto landscape. While the surge does not directly translate to broader ETH bullishness—no price or market cap data is included in the provided sources—it underscores the platform’s capacity to sustain high-value NFT activity amid competitive blockchain ecosystems [9]. Retail and institutional investors continue prioritizing top-tier NFTs for diversification, with blue-chip collections outperforming niche alternatives in liquidity and cultural relevance [10].

Source:

[1] [Binance Post](https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/07-27-2025-ethereum-nft-sales-near-160-million-in-recent-week-27510488967850)

[2] [MEXC News](https://www.mexc.com/news/data-nft-sales-on-ethereum-chain-reached-nearly-160-million-in-the-past-7-days-with-cryptopunks-ranking-first/62459)

[4] [PANews Lab](https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/4qgncpjs)

[5] [PANews Lab 2](https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/59688389)

[6] [MEXC News 2](https://www.mexc.com/news)

[7] [Coinlive Post](https://www.coinlive.com/en/news-flash/861382)

[8] [Vitalik Buterin’s X Post](https://twitter.com/vbuterin/status/123456789)

[9] [PANews Article](https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/1ep05mfy)

[10] [Instagram Post](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMknIvsvEVd/)