Crypto Whale Invests $4.3 Million in CryptoPunks Amid Rapid NFT Market Growth

CryptoPunks Lead NFT Market Rebound as Total Capitalization Surges 66%

The non-fungible token (NFT) market is showing strong signs of recovery, with total market capitalization climbing 66% to $6 billion over the past month, according to CoinGecko data. The resurgence has been led by renewed interest in CryptoPunks, which now accounts for over 30% of the total NFT market share.

A single collector contributed significantly to the recent rally, spending over $2.9 million to acquire six rare CryptoPunks featuring the coveted “hoodie” trait. All purchases were executed within a short window on the OpenSea marketplace, signaling aggressive accumulation. The buyer now holds a total of 12 CryptoPunks.

The floor price for CryptoPunks has surged 29% over the last 30 days, reaching nearly 51 ETH, or approximately $190,000. Other leading collections also saw gains, with Pudgy Penguins up 66.7% and Bored Ape Yacht Club posting a 9.8% rise during the same period.

Despite the bullish momentum, the NFT sector still trails far behind its peak in 2021–2022, when total market value topped $16.6 billion. Since then, several marketplaces—such as X2Y2—have exited or shifted focus, reflecting a more mature and consolidated industry landscape.

Still, the recent uptick in activity—driven by high-profile purchases and rising blue-chip valuations—has sparked cautious optimism that a new phase of NFT growth may be emerging.