21.07.2025 10:44

A significant surge in Ethereum (ETH) prices has fueled renewed interest in Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), particularly within the CryptoPunks collection. This resurgence culminated in a single whale acquiring 45 CryptoPunks in a single transaction, a move that sent shockwaves through the market.

The massive purchase, executed via OpenSea, cost the whale 2,082 ETH, translating to approximately $5.87 million at the time of the transaction. Analysis from on-chain data provider Nansen reveals the wallet used for this acquisition was newly created on July 18th, with no prior history of NFT trading or activity on other blockchains. Funding for this wallet originated from another exchange address holding a substantial balance.

This substantial purchase wasn't an isolated incident; it formed part of a broader upswing in CryptoPunks trading activity. A total of 76 CryptoPunks changed hands within a short period, indicating a significant market shift beyond the typical activity seen during the 2021 NFT boom. This remarkable buying spree, seemingly driven by market sentiment rather than specific events or promotions, resulted in a 20% increase in the collection's floor price, reaching 47.50 ETH. Within 24 hours, the collection experienced 135 sales, demonstrating substantial retail and whale interest.

The remarkable volume of CryptoPunks trading, coupled with the scale of the whale's acquisition, marks a significant event for the NFT market. Observers have noted this as potentially the most impressive CryptoPunks acquisition since 2021, highlighting the correlation between ETH's price performance and the vitality of the NFT market. The surge in activity extended to other collections as well, with over 35 Squiggles also acquired during this period, suggesting a broader trend of increased NFT investment driven by the positive crypto market conditions. The events suggest that the NFT market remains highly sensitive to the overall crypto market’s trajectory and sentiment.