By Key Points
- CryptoPunks floor price jumps 8%, now at 53.85 ETH
- Ethereum’s NFT Torch reignites collector interest
- Moonbirds gain 300% in a month, dip 20% on profit-taking
- CloneX, Pudgy Penguins rise amid speculation and concerns
CryptoPunks floor price has surged 8% in the past 24 hours, reaching 53.85 ETH on OpenSea. This unexpected rise comes as Ethereum prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, marked by the launch of its NFT Torch—a symbolic move that has reignited attention across digital collectibles.
JUST IN: SOMEONE JUST SNAPPED UP 6 CRYPTOPUNKS IN A $1.3M+ SWEEP. https://t.co/LJ87ljb9YX pic.twitter.com/uo6eWTgq5i
— Mario Nawfal’s Roundtable (@RoundtableSpace) July 29, 2025
This surge was amplified when the torch was passed to Anthony Sassano, founder of The Daily Gwei, following Alex Bornyakov of Ukraine. That moment stirred nostalgia and enthusiasm among collectors, pushing legacy NFT projects like CryptoPunks back into the spotlight.
Dang, moonbirds are mooning! pic.twitter.com/Hv3AHoUqqr
— AnonCryptoGuy 🦇🔊 (@AnonCryptoGuy2) July 27, 2025
Shortly after, one buyer scooped up 6 CryptoPunks for over $1.3 million during the Asian trading session, sparking what analysts believe could be the beginning of a new NFT season.
Moonbirds NFTs are also catching fire. The floor price soared more than 300% over the past month but dipped 20% in the last 24 hours due to early profit-taking. Despite the pullback, many believe Moonbirds could be central to this market resurgence.
Moonbirds are up over 300% this month… why?
Also why is there one that isnt pixely? pic.twitter.com/BEzdDd8VTJ
— Steve Ascher (@StevenAscher) July 28, 2025
“It looks like Moonbirds could be making one of the biggest NFT comebacks,” said Sennin, an NFT trader and financial analyst.
It looks like Moonbirds could be making one of the biggest NFT comebacks. pic.twitter.com/58N1nDGIg0
— Sennin (@huseyin1tekin) July 28, 2025
Meanwhile, CloneX NFTspr, previously left in limbo after Nike closed RTFKT Labs, have now doubled in price. Rumors are swirling about a new CTO or a potential sale, possibly mirroring the Moonbirds revival model.
NFT researcher Wale.moca warned, however, that insider trading concerns still hang over CloneX, cautioning traders not to get swept up in the hype.
NFT Torch Ignites Old Projects, But Risks Remain
Ethereum’s symbolic NFT Torch has sparked strong bullish momentum, drawing renewed focus on high-value NFT collections. After the torch was handed off, a collector reportedly bought 45 CryptoPunks for nearly $8 million, an eye-catching move that shifted sentiment across the space.
88 Punks sold in the past 24h, and the floor jumped to 47.75 ETH (~$180K).
Here’s what happened ⤸
A single whale swept 45 CryptoPunks (worth ~$7.8M), igniting a 15.9% floor surge from ~40.9 to 47.75 ETH.
Add in another 43 organic sales, and we’re looking at 88 total Punks… pic.twitter.com/6UDKWJ9jih
— shotgun (@shotguncaio) July 21, 2025
The momentum also pulled Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) back into the spotlight. While it was earlier boosted by speculation around a PENGU ETF, it now finds itself in a favorable position as capital rotates back to historical NFT collections.
Plus CloneX was – since its mint – always known for insider trading haha
— wale.moca 🐳 (@waleswoosh) July 28, 2025
At the same time, we’re seeing parallels to other hype-driven movements like the HULK HOGAN meme coin, which recently surged due to celebrity-driven attention. It serves as a reminder that sharp spikes in interest don’t always guarantee sustainability.
Still, optimism is growing, especially as Ethereum nears a major milestone—10 years of uninterrupted uptime. This legacy matters to many collectors and may be a key reason for renewed interest in older collections like CryptoPunks.
However, not all are convinced.
“Are we betting on Moonbirds flying high again, or is this just another hype cycle?” asked Rivi, a popular NFT trader on X.
Are we betting on Moonbirds flying high again, or is this just another hype cycle?
— RIVI (@0xRivi) July 28, 2025
This caution is justified. We’ve seen how floor prices can be swayed by quick narratives. For instance, Ozzy Osbourne’s CryptoBatz NFTs surged 400% after his death, echoing the hype around recent market oddities like the VINE token’s massive 400% spike earlier this month.
The NFT market’s volatility makes it important to distinguish between genuine demand and short-term speculation. With talk of a potential new cycle, many eyes are now watching for sustained wallet activity, rather than headline-driven spikes.
Ethereum NTF Torch holders. Source: Ethereum.org – Techtoken
Blue-Chip NFTs Regain the Spotlight as Traders Diversify Bets
As the CryptoPunks floor price continues to climb, traders are diversifying across blue-chip collections. Beyond CryptoPunks and Moonbirds, CloneX and Pudgy Penguins are gaining attention as serious contenders.
CloneX, despite its controversial past, has shown signs of a turnaround. Rumors of leadership changes and buyout possibilities have given it fresh momentum.
Still, warnings from analysts like Wale.moca about insider manipulation echo similar concerns seen in the Tornado Cash trial, where government overreach and secrecy raised red flags about how crypto communities are scrutinized.
Azuki, previously hit hard by criticism over its Elementals drop, is quietly making a comeback as well. Though its floor hasn’t moved as dramatically, loyal holders are placing long-term bets.
In a broader context, these developments signal that traders are rotating out of fast-fading meme tokens and re-entering historically grounded projects. PancakeSwap’s community, for instance, has also shifted its focus back to fundamentals, reflected in the growing activity around CAKE, its native token.
Pudgy Penguins, in particular, is catching investor attention due to its physical toy line partnerships and strong branding, which set it apart from purely speculative projects.
“We’re in a testing phase. If real users stay engaged, this could be a solid cycle. If not, it’s another pump and dump,” said @NFTmatic, a Web3 analyst on X.
With Ethereum’s history, iconic NFT brands, and collector attention aligned, this moment could very well be the beginning of a healthier and more sustained NFT revival. Still, the line between momentum and mania remains thin, and traders are navigating it with both excitement and caution.
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