The NFT market experienced its steepest decline of 2025 in November, as monthly sales tumbled to $320 million, a 49% drop from October’s $629 million. The total market capitalization fell sharply to $3.1 billion, representing a 66% decrease from the $9.2 billion high reached in January. According to CryptoSlam analytics, this slowdown has continued into early December, with only $62 million in sales during the first week, the slowest weekly performance of the year. Industry insiders note that momentum appears to have stalled, and signs of recovery remain scarce.
Blue-chip NFT collections, historically considered stable, suffered widespread losses throughout the month. CryptoPunks, the highest-value collection, fell by 12%, while Bored Ape Yacht Club dropped 8.5% and Pudgy Penguins declined 10.6%. Art-centric series also faced substantial declines, with Fidenza down 14.6%, Moonbirds losing 17.9%, Mutant Ape Yacht Club falling 13.4%, and Chromie Squiggle down 5.6%. The most dramatic fall came from Hypurr, which plunged 48%, marking it as the worst-performing top-ten collection of November.
Despite the overall negative trend, a few collections achieved positive growth. Infinex Patrons, the second-ranked collection by market cap, rose 14.9%, while the generative art collection Autoglyphs posted a remarkable 20.9% increase. These isolated gains highlight the uneven market performance, with most investors retreating from trading activity amid the broader decline.
From an expert perspective, the sustained downturn underscores the challenges facing the NFT sector as it struggles with reduced investor interest and a shrinking market for digital collectibles. The sharp drops in both sales and valuations may signal a need for renewed innovation, stronger community engagement, and potential regulatory clarity to stabilize the ecosystem. Analysts caution that without a resurgence in demand or adoption, the sector could continue to experience volatility heading into 2026.
As 2025 draws to a close, the NFT market’s steep declines serve as a stark reminder of the sector’s cyclical nature and the importance of market resilience. While a few standout projects demonstrate growth potential, the broader landscape points to cautious optimism, with stakeholders closely watching for trends that could spark recovery in the new year.
