Bitget App
Trade smarter
Buy cryptoMarketsTradeFuturesEarnSquareMore
As NFT Transactions Decline, Institutional Actions Ignite a New Era of Utility

As NFT Transactions Decline, Institutional Actions Ignite a New Era of Utility

Bitget-RWA2025/10/26 08:02
By:Bitget-RWA

- NFT sales plummeted 42% to $93.18M weekly, with Pudgy Penguins dropping 76% to $3.8M. - Coinbase's $25M UpOnly NFT purchase triggered 7,900% UPONLY token surges, showcasing NFT utility beyond speculation. - Moonbirds' Soulbound Token (SBT) initiative and Ethereum's $35M weekly sales highlight evolving NFT functionality. - 57% institutional interest in tokenized assets signals market maturation, prioritizing utility over pure collectibles.

The NFT sector has experienced a sharp decline, with overall sales volume falling by 42% to $93.18 million over the past week, as reported by

. Collections such as suffered a steep 76% decrease in sales, dropping from $15.61 million to $3.8 million, according to the same source. Despite the widespread downturn, some leading NFT projects are defying the negative trend, propelled by strategic institutional involvement and creative applications.

As NFT Transactions Decline, Institutional Actions Ignite a New Era of Utility image 0

A notable case is Coinbase's $25 million acquisition of the UpOnly NFT, a programmable asset that obligates podcast hosts Cobie and Ledgerstatus to release a new eight-episode season, according to a

. This purchase, confirmed by CEO Brian Armstrong, highlights the platform’s intention to utilize NFTs for practical purposes beyond mere speculation. The NFT, initially created by Cobie (Jordan Fish), features a smart contract that triggers content production requirements when the NFT is burned, as detailed in a . Although Coinbase does not control the content, this deal demonstrates how NFTs are being used as governance mechanisms, connecting traditional media with blockchain technology, as noted in a .

This development has already caused significant price swings in related memecoins, with UPONLY and COBIE tokens skyrocketing by more than 7,900% and 5,800% respectively on Coinbase’s Base network, according to the Coinotag article. Experts interpret this as evidence of increasing institutional interest in NFTs, especially those offering real-world utility. “This is more than just a financial move; it’s a spark for meaningful conversation in the crypto space,” stated Coinbase President Emilie Choi, as previously reported.

At the same time,

continues to lead as the primary blockchain for NFT transactions, even after a 65% week-over-week drop to $35.04 million, according to Crypto.news data. While Ethereum remains robust, activity is rising on Base and Mythos, where projects like DMarket and Guild of Guardians Heroes are gaining momentum. On , the Moonbirds project has introduced a Soulbound Token (SBT) mint for its holders, aiming to boost engagement across collections and expand NFT functionalities, as reported by .

Analysts observe that although total NFT trading activity has declined, the number of buyers has actually risen by 33%, reflecting sustained interest in premium assets, according to the same Crypto.news data. This contrast between speculative trading and utility-focused NFTs points to a market that is maturing, where projects with clear practical benefits are more likely to maintain their value during downturns.

Coinbase’s high-profile NFT acquisition and Moonbirds’ SBT launch illustrate how institutional and creative efforts are continuing to influence the NFT space. With 57% of institutional investors reportedly interested in tokenized assets, including NFTs, as found in the CryptoCoin report, the future of the industry may depend on its capacity to provide real-world applications beyond digital collectibles.

---

0

Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

PoolX: Earn new token airdrops
Lock your assets and earn 10%+ APR
Lock now!

You may also like

Bitcoin Updates: Major Institutions Withdraw and Liquidity Shortage Causes Sharp Bitcoin Decline

- Bitcoin fell 30% to $87,000 amid record ETF outflows, leveraged liquidations, and shrinking stablecoin liquidity, worsening institutional confidence. - November saw $3.5B withdrawn from Bitcoin ETFs, while Solana's ETFs attracted $531M in a week, highlighting capital migration to alternatives. - Market structure weaknesses—40% lower daily volume and 30% reduced liquidity—exacerbate self-reinforcing sell-offs as ETFs track macroeconomic sentiment. - Regulatory scrutiny of foreign crypto hardware and wanin

Bitget-RWA2025/11/29 18:26
Bitcoin Updates: Major Institutions Withdraw and Liquidity Shortage Causes Sharp Bitcoin Decline

Solana News Update: The Latest Battleground in Crypto—Upbit Breach Reveals Government-Backed Cyber Risks

- Upbit, South Korea's top crypto exchange, pledged full reimbursement after a $36.8M hack targeting Solana assets, suspected to be orchestrated by North Korean hackers. - The breach exploited compromised hot wallets, with stolen funds rapidly laundered via Ethereum across 185 wallets, prompting cold storage transfers and asset freezes. - Regulators and experts linked the attack to North Korea's Lazarus Group, citing similarities to past heists and advanced multi-chain laundering techniques. - Upbit suspen

Bitget-RWA2025/11/29 18:26
Solana News Update: The Latest Battleground in Crypto—Upbit Breach Reveals Government-Backed Cyber Risks

Unlocking the Potential of Underappreciated Industrial Properties in Post-Industrial Regions: A Strategic Review of Webster, NY’s Approach to Redevelopment

- Webster , NY redeveloped its Xerox brownfield into a shovel-ready industrial hub via $9.8M FAST NY Grant infrastructure upgrades. - Public-private partnerships (PPPs) like the $650M fairlife® dairy project reduced risks while creating 250 jobs and boosting residential property values. - The model slashed industrial vacancy rates to 2% and demonstrated scalable growth through advanced manufacturing, environmental remediation, and mixed-use connectivity. - Investors gain dual-income streams from industrial

Bitget-RWA2025/11/29 18:26
Unlocking the Potential of Underappreciated Industrial Properties in Post-Industrial Regions: A Strategic Review of Webster, NY’s Approach to Redevelopment

Bitcoin News Update: Traditional Finance Tightens Grip: MSCI Faces $8.8B Crypto Withdrawal Risk

- MSCI plans to exclude firms holding over 50% crypto assets from major indexes starting January 2026, risking $8.8B in potential sell-offs if adopted widely. - MicroStrategy (MSTR), holding 90% of assets in Bitcoin , faces forced institutional sell-offs as the most exposed company under the proposed rule. - Institutional investors show divided reactions: FourThought increased MSCI stakes while Prudential cut holdings by 59.6% amid governance debates. - JP Morgan's $2.8B MSTR outflow estimate triggered soc

Bitget-RWA2025/11/29 17:52
Bitcoin News Update: Traditional Finance Tightens Grip: MSCI Faces $8.8B Crypto Withdrawal Risk