By Key Points
- Ethereum launches an NFT torch to celebrate its 10-year journey.
- The torch will pass daily through key community members.
- On July 30, the torch will be burned and a commemorative NFT minted.
- NFT trading volume on Ethereum spikes 300% in two weeks.
Ethereum is turning 10 this month, and it’s not just lighting candles—it’s passing a digital torch. In a bold and symbolic move, the Ethereum Foundation has unveiled the Ethereum NFT Torch, a unique digital collectible that honors the blockchain’s community-driven evolution.
This torch isn’t just for show. Starting July 21, it’s being passed from one Ethereum community member to another, one wallet per day, for ten days. This culminates on July 30, Ethereum’s official anniversary, when the NFT will be permanently burned—a powerful gesture signaling both the end of one era and the dawn of another.
0/ The Ethereum Torch is now lit.
The Torch is an NFT honoring the people and values that have shaped Ethereum’s first decade and will help build its future.
It will be symbolically passed from wallet to wallet in the 10 days leading up to Ethereum’s 10 year anniversary. pic.twitter.com/nEIY8JOIna
— Ethereum (@ethereum) July 20, 2025
Joseph Lubin, Ethereum co-founder and founder of ConsenSys, was the first to carry the NFT torch. Over the following days, key developers, builders, and contributors will each hold the token for 24 hours in a symbolic relay. The initiative reflects Ethereum’s commitment to decentralization, collaboration, and transparency.
But the celebration doesn’t stop there.
Ethereum NTF Torch. Source: Ethereum.org – Techtoken
On July 30, as the original NFT torch is burned, a commemorative NFT will be released and available for free minting to anyone in the Ethereum community. This move reinforces the network’s long-standing values: open access, inclusion, and ownership for all.
“A commemorative NFT will be available that day for anyone to mint,” the Ethereum Foundation confirmed.
Ethereum finally acknowledge nfts ?
Interesting 🤔— Mooncat5997 (@mooncat5997) July 20, 2025
The symbolic torch and the free mint NFT together aim to unite the community while reminding everyone of Ethereum’s roots—and where it’s headed next. With more Ethereum-based projects entering mainstream markets, as shown in the rise of Ethereum public companies, the message behind the NFT torch is resonating far beyond crypto circles.
Ethereum NFT Torch Fuels Market Surge and Community Excitement
While the Ethereum NFT Torch steals the spotlight symbolically, the numbers tell another story—one of a massive comeback for Ethereum’s NFT ecosystem.
In just two weeks, Ethereum NFT trading volume has soared 300%, jumping from $18.3 million to over $75 million. This accounted for more than half of the total weekly NFT market volume, which crossed $140 million, the highest in over six months.
Ethereum tops NFT trading volumes. Source: Cryptoslam.io – Techoken
The surge in NFT activity coincides with a broader rally in the crypto market. Since July 6, ETH’s price has surged nearly 50%, reviving the market for digital collectibles and reigniting interest among collectors and speculators alike.
Other blockchains have seen growth, too:
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Bitcoin NFTs jumped from $11 million to $25.6 million in the same period.
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Polygon, however, showed a slight dip in activity.
Among Ethereum-based collections, Pudgy Penguins are gaining serious traction. The collection now ranks second in volume, just behind CryptoPunks, according to data from CoinGecko via CryptoSlam. It has surpassed traditional heavyweights like BAYC.
The resurgence also grabbed attention at the institutional level. Cboe BZX filed for an ETF tied to PENGU, the token associated with Pudgy Penguins, signaling growing mainstream interest in Ethereum-native NFTs.
Pudgy Penguins among NFT rankings by volume. Source: CoinGecko – Techtoken
To top it off, a single buyer recently spent $8.5 million to acquire 48 CryptoPunks—a bold bet on Ethereum’s enduring cultural relevance.
This revival fits within a broader narrative of Ethereum regaining momentum. As ETH’s recent price surge fuels altcoin rallies, NFTs are again becoming a point of entry for new investors and creators alike.
Someone just swept 48 CryptoPunks
$8.5mn pic.twitter.com/juJvNbbFeQ
— Eric Conner (@econoar) July 20, 2025
A Free Mint That Could Go Down in Ethereum History
The upcoming free mint on July 30 isn’t just a souvenir—it’s likely to become one of the most significant Ethereum NFTs minted this year.
Why? Because it’s not about rarity or utility—it’s about legacy.
Every Ethereum supporter will have the opportunity to claim a piece of history, with no gas fee and no whitelist required. It’s a throwback to Ethereum’s original ethos: accessibility for all, no gatekeepers.
Industry analysts are already calling this “one of the most meaningful mints” in recent years. The combination of symbolism, community participation, and timing could turn this simple NFT into a collector’s favorite.
Expect high demand on launch day. With the torch burning on July 30, minting this NFT becomes the only way to remember the event—a digital snapshot of Ethereum’s first decade.
And in the NFT space, meaning matters. Especially when it’s backed by a network that helped build the entire movement.
For many, this also contrasts with top-down crypto efforts like El Salvador’s Bitcoin rollout, which has come under scrutiny in recent investigations. (Read: El Salvador’s Bitcoin Lie in 2025).
Meanwhile, in meme coin mania, playful tokens like Froggie are gaining popularity, showing how Ethereum remains the creative engine of the Web3 world.
And as institutional giants like MicroStrategy continue stacking BTC, some analysts warn of growing centralization risks. (See: MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin Risk).
Ethereum’s approach remains refreshingly grassroots, as shown in this torch campaign. It isn’t about who owns the most—it’s about who builds and shares the most.
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