Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are experiencing a significant decline in sales, with July 2024 on track to record the lowest monthly volume since November 2023. As of July 29, CryptoSlam reported that the total monthly sales volume had reached just $393 million. With daily transactions falling below $14 million, this month could become the lowest or second-lowest for NFT sales this year.
The data comes from CryptoSlam, a platform tracking digital collectible transactions. Key industry figures, including SuperRare co-founder Jonathan Perkins and CryptoSlam founder Randy Wasinger, have commented on the current state of the NFT market.
The declining trend in NFT sales has been evident since the second quarter of 2024. In June, the total sales volume was $450 million, marking the lowest since November 2023. This is a sharp decline from the first quarter of 2024, which saw a sales volume of $4.1 billion, compared to $2.24 billion in the second quarter, representing a 45% drop.
Despite the downturn in sales volume, the number of NFT transactions increased in July 2024. CryptoSlam noted that there were 9.9 million transactions in July, a significant 73% rise from the 5.7 million transactions in June. This suggests a shift towards more frequent, but lower-value transactions within the NFT market.
The decline in sales volume does not reflect a lack of confidence in the potential of NFTs. Industry leaders like Jonathan Perkins and Randy Wasinger maintain that NFTs still hold significant utility and are far from being obsolete. While some segments, such as picture-for-profile (PFP) NFTs, may not regain their past popularity, the overall NFT market is evolving. Wasinger emphasized that while the hype-driven applications may wane, NFTs will continue to play a crucial role in the Web3 ecosystem.
The current low sales figures highlight a cooling period in the NFT market, yet this does not suggest a demise of the asset class. As the market matures, the focus may shift towards more practical and robust applications of NFTs. This evolution could lead to an increase in transaction volumes even if the sales value remains subdued. The ongoing development of NFT applications is expected to foster new opportunities and use cases, ensuring their relevance in the digital economy.