NFT Revival Could Push Ethereum Past $3,800, Says Animoca Chair
@April, this matter is related to new project launches, notable figures, and ecosystem analysis, so I’m assigning it to you.
Key Event:
Animoca Brands chairman Yat Siu stated that NFTs could push Ethereum to new all-time highs, emphasizing their cultural importance within the Ethereum ecosystem. While NFT trading volumes have declined, sales and user participation have surged, signaling shifting market behavior. Additionally, the overall NFT market cap is nearing $11 billion, aligning with Ethereum’s recent price recovery, which has seen over a 133% rise in three months.
NFT Resurgence Could Catapult Ethereum to New Peaks, States Animoca Chairman
Hong Kong - Yat Siu, the co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, has asserted that a revival in the non-fungible token (NFT) market could be the catalyst for Ethereum to surpass its previous all-time high. In a statement on July 21, 2025, Siu emphasized the cultural significance of NFTs within the Ethereum ecosystem, linking the last peak in Ethereum's value in November 2021 to the height of the NFT boom.
Siu's comments come as Ethereum's price has shown significant strength, surging to over $3,800, its highest point since late 2024. This rally is supported by multiple factors, including a flourishing Decentralized Finance (DeFi) sector, increased tokenization, and growing institutional adoption.
Shifting Tides in the NFT Market
The NFT market itself is exhibiting a significant shift in behavior. While global NFT trading volume saw a decline in the second quarter of 2025, falling 45% to approximately $823 million, the number of NFT sales transactions surged by 78% to 12.5 million in the same period. This divergence suggests a change in market dynamics, with a move away from high-value trades towards more numerous, smaller purchases. The average NFT sale on Ethereum is now reportedly in the range of $80 to $100.
Despite the lower trading volumes, the overall NFT market capitalization has seen a dramatic resurgence. On July 21, 2025, the total market cap for NFTs jumped to over $6 billion, a significant increase in a single day, fueled by renewed interest in blue-chip collections like CryptoPunks. This has pushed the total NFT market cap closer to the $11 billion mark mentioned in the initial analysis.
The number of monthly active NFT traders has also climbed, increasing by 20% in the second quarter to an average of 668,598 users, indicating a return of participants to the sector. Projections for 2025 anticipate the number of NFT users worldwide to reach approximately 11.64 million.
Animoca Brands' Ecosystem Expansion
Animoca Brands continues to be a major force in the web3 space. The company's Moca Foundation recently announced the launch of Moca Chain, a Layer 1 blockchain designed for identity and user data. The testnet for Moca Chain is planned for the third quarter of 2025, with the mainnet expected in the fourth quarter.
The company has also been active in forming strategic partnerships. In June 2025, Animoca Brands partnered with Cross the Ages to support the launch of its new multiplayer action-RPG, Arise, and began purchasing CTA tokens on the open market. Another notable recent initiative includes a partnership with Pencil Finance to provide on-chain capital for student loans.
Yat Siu himself remains a prominent figure in the industry and is a confirmed speaker at the upcoming Coinfest Asia 2025. He will be joined by other influential leaders such as Justin Sun of TRON, Ben Zhou of Bybit, and Rachel Conlin of Binance.
@April, focus your article on Yat Siu’s assertion that an NFT market revival could propel Ethereum to new highs, tying this claim to Ethereum’s recent price surge and shifts within the NFT ecosystem. Start by clearly explaining Siu’s statement and the context of Ethereum’s performance. Then, highlight the NFT market dynamics—emphasizing the rise in sales transactions despite falling trading volumes, the return of active users, and the renewed interest in blue-chip collections. Avoid overloading with details on Animoca’s other projects unless they directly reinforce the NFT-Ethereum connection. Aim for clarity, and trim redundant stats or side stories. Keep the narrative tight and centered on what’s driving Ethereum’s momentum.
NFT Revival Could Push Ethereum Past $3,800, Says Animoca Chair
- Yat Siu ties Ethereum’s growth potential to the resurgence of NFTs within its ecosystem.
- NFT market shows evolving dynamics, with sales transactions surging despite a decline in trading volumes.
Yat Siu, executive chairman of Animoca Brands, has identified the potential revival of the non-fungible token (NFT) market as a crucial factor in driving Ethereum's future price performance. Speaking on July 21, 2025, Siu underlined the cultural importance of NFTs in Ethereum’s ecosystem and drew a direct connection between Ethereum’s record-high valuation in November 2021 and the peak of the NFT market boom. His remarks come amidst Ethereum’s strong recovery, currently trading at over $3,800—a level last seen in late 2024. This uptick is buoyed by growing adoption across decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenization, and institutional participation.
The NFT market, as reported by CoinDesk on July 21, 2025 (UTC), is undergoing significant transformation. While second-quarter trading volumes dropped 45% year-over-year to $823 million, sales transaction counts soared by 78%, reaching a total of 12.5 million. This shift suggests a move away from high-value individual sales toward smaller, more frequent transactions. Ethereum-based NFTs now average between $80 and $100, reflecting this evolving trend. Renewed interest in established collections like CryptoPunks has added momentum, helping push the total NFT market capitalization above $6 billion. Analysts forecast the market cap could hit $11 billion as user activity continues to recover.
The pool of monthly active NFT traders has also increased, climbing by 20% in the second quarter to an average of 668,598 users. By year’s end, industry experts anticipate the global NFT user base to grow to roughly 11.64 million, indicating a strong resurgence after previous market slowdowns.
Siu’s remarks highlight the correlation between Ethereum’s valuation and the health of the NFT market. As a key player in the space, Animoca Brands has been instrumental in driving NFT adoption, recently announcing the upcoming mainnet launch of its Moca Chain in late 2025. The company is also fostering blockchain growth through partnerships aimed at integrating NFTs into gaming and finance. These ventures strengthen Animoca’s influence within the sector, reflecting the increasingly interconnected trajectory of NFTs and Ethereum.
As of July 21, 2025, at 17:09 UTC, Ethereum (ETH) is priced at $3,781.51, with a slight 0.11% dip in 24-hour trading volume, according to CoinMarketCap.
