NFT market recovers 10% to $5.5B after Friday’s $1.2B flash crash
Despite steep losses from Friday’s crash, the NFT market rebound underscores renewed investor confidence as digital collectibles regain traction across blockchain networks.
The NFT market rebound began taking shape over the weekend after a devastating $1.2 billion wipeout during Friday’s crypto market crash. According to data from CoinGecko, the total NFT market capitalization plunged from $6.2 billion to $5 billion within 24 hours—marking one of the sharpest declines in recent months.
By Sunday, however, signs of recovery emerged. The overall market value climbed back to $5.5 billion, representing a 10% increase as investors cautiously re-entered the space. As of Monday, the NFT market rebound had stabilized around $5.4 billion, signaling a tentative return of confidence following extreme volatility.
The sell-off revealed the sector’s vulnerability to broader crypto downturns, as liquidity evaporated and speculative activity slowed dramatically. Analysts observed that the NFT market rebound reflected not only general crypto recovery but also selective buying among digital art and collectible investors seeking discounted entries.
Total NFT market capitalization chart. Source: CoinGecko
Leading NFT collections remain under pressure
Despite the NFT market rebound, several top Ethereum-based collections continue to show deep losses across weekly and monthly charts. The Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) dropped 10.2% over the past week, while Pudgy Penguins declined by 21.4%. Other major projects, including Fidenza by Tyler Hobbs and Infinex Patrons, suffered double-digit losses over the past month.
CryptoPunks, still the most valuable NFT collection by market capitalization, fell by 8% on the weekly chart and nearly 5% over 30 days. These declines highlight the uneven nature of the NFT market rebound, where flagship projects continue to underperform despite overall market stabilization.
Some smaller or newer collections, however, have shown positive short-term trends. Hyperliquid’s Hypurr NFTs gained 2.8% in the last 24 hours, while Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) rose 1.5%. This suggests that renewed buyer activity could be concentrated among niche or lower-priced segments of the NFT market.
Market crash linked to Trump’s tariff shock
The weekend’s NFT market rebound followed a dramatic macro-driven downturn triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 100% tariff on Chinese exports, including rare earth minerals. The news sent shockwaves through crypto markets, with Bitcoin plunging to $102,000 on Binance’s perpetual futures pair and triggering over $20 billion in liquidations—one of the largest mass sell-offs since the FTX collapse.
CoinGecko reported that total crypto market capitalization dropped from $4.24 trillion on Friday to $3.78 trillion on Sunday, a staggering $460 billion loss within two days. However, markets partially recovered to around $4 trillion by Monday.
Amid the chaos, the NFT market rebound reflected broader digital asset resilience, as traders sought opportunities in undervalued segments. The NFT sector’s ability to regain $500 million in capitalization underscored investor optimism that tokenized assets could withstand macroeconomic shocks better than before.
Institutional flows show faith in digital assets
Adding to the optimism behind the NFT market rebound, CoinShares reported that crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) attracted $3.17 billion in inflows last week, even as the market faced extreme volatility. This resilience among institutional investors indicates a longer-term belief in the sector’s fundamentals despite short-term turbulence.
“The market’s reaction shows that investors are distinguishing between structural value and speculative panic,” CoinShares report, published Monday.
As the NFT market rebound continues, analysts expect selective recovery across blue-chip collections while new entrants capitalize on emerging demand for digital collectibles. For crypto investors and policymakers alike, the episode highlights the sector’s growing interconnection with global financial and political developments.
Moses Edozie is a writer and storyteller with a deep interest in cryptocurrency, blockchain innovation, and Web3 culture. Passionate about DeFi, NFTs, and the societal impact of decentralized systems, he creates clear, engaging narratives that connect complex technologies to everyday life.