Ah yes, NFTs. The three-letter acronym that once turned JPEGs into Lambos and made “right-click save” the most controversial act on the internet.
We all remember 2021: pixelated punks, laser-eyed apes, $69 million JPEGs, and people mortgaging their homes to buy cartoon rocks. Then came the crash. Floors collapsed. OpenSea felt more like a ghost town than a marketplace. Suddenly, no one wanted to talk about NFTs unless it was to mock them.
But lately—if you’ve been paying attention—you might’ve noticed something strange.
NFTs are moving again.
Collections are selling out.
Artists are dropping heat.
Big brands are jumping in (again).
So the question is—Are NFTs actually making a comeback? Or are we just falling for the same trap again?
First, What Happened to NFTs?
After the 2021 bull run, NFTs were everywhere. Celebrities bought them. Brands dropped them. Even Taco Bell had NFTs. But like any overhyped trend, the market got too hot too fast.
Then came the reckoning.
- Overvaluation: People were paying $200K for a JPEG with no utility.
- Zero Liquidity: The moment demand slowed, it became impossible to exit.
- Too Many Projects: Thousands of “next big thing” NFTs launched—most with zero roadmap or community.
- Scams & Rugpulls: Let’s be honest—plenty of people got burned.
- Macro Conditions: High interest rates, bear market, FTX, Luna, the works.
By mid-2023, the NFT scene was almost radioactive. Floors crashed 90%+. Trading volume dried up. Influencers deleted their ape PFPs faster than you could say “Ethereum gas fees.”
What’s Bringing NFTs Back?
Fast-forward to 2025, and something’s changing. Slowly. Quietly. Organically.
Here’s what’s behind the NFT revival—and why this time might be different.
1. Utility Is Finally Real
Remember when every project promised “real-world utility”? Yeah, most of them lied. But now we’re actually starting to see functional NFTs:
- Gaming: NFTs used as in-game assets, skins, and characters (see: Parallel, Illuvium, Shrapnel)
- Loyalty Programs: Starbucks Odyssey, Nike’s .Swoosh, and Adidas NFTs offer perks, early access, and discounts
- Event Tickets: Live Nation is exploring NFTs for concert tickets that are anti-scalp and verified
- Music NFTs: Artists mint limited tracks, albums, and fan passes with royalties and direct ownership
- Identity/Access: NFTs as membership cards, DAO passes, or even digital identity in metaverse platforms
So no, not every NFT is a cartoon monkey. Some are actually doing something now.
2. Brands Are Coming Back—But Smarter
In 2021, brands jumped into NFTs like they were buying crypto in a casino. Now? They’re actually building ecosystems.
- Nike’s RTFKT has been shipping physical + digital drops with actual resale value
- Louis Vuitton launched a luxury NFT line tied to limited-edition products
- Red Bull Racing uses NFTs for fan engagement and team merch drops
- Porsche tried an NFT collection (flopped), listened to feedback, and are retooling their approach
Brands learned that NFTs aren’t about hype—they’re about engagement, community, and experience. And they’re starting to get it right.
3. New Tech Is Solving Old Problems
Let’s talk gas fees, wallet UX, and onboarding nightmares—the three horsemen of NFT user friction.
In 2021, buying an NFT often meant:
- Opening MetaMask
- Getting wrecked by ETH gas fees
- Wondering what “sign transaction” means
- Praying you didn’t get phished
Today, that’s changing:
- Layer 2 chains (like Base, Arbitrum, and Optimism) make transactions fast and dirt cheap
- Custodial wallets like Coinbase Wallet or Magic make onboarding easier for normies
- NFT aggregators let you shop across multiple marketplaces at once
- Social logins, fiat onramps, and better UX are finally making NFTs usable by humans
This stuff doesn’t go viral on Twitter, but it’s critical for mainstream adoption.
4. Art Is Having a Moment Again
Amid all the noise, the digital art scene never really died. It just went underground. Now it’s resurfacing.
- Artists like Beeple, XCOPY, Fvckrender, and Refik Anadol are still creating and thriving
- Platforms like SuperRare, Foundation, and Zora are seeing renewed interest
- Collectors are focusing more on aesthetics, emotion, and provenance, not just flipping
In a weird twist, the bear market actually filtered out the hype-flippers and left behind the real art crowd.
NFTs are going back to their roots: digital ownership of things that actually matter.
5. The Blur x OpenSea War Made NFTs Interesting Again
In case you missed it, a full-on NFT marketplace war broke out recently between OpenSea and Blur.
- Blur launched with zero fees and aggressive airdrops
- OpenSea got caught off guard and tried to pivot
- Creators, flippers, and whales were forced to choose sides
The drama brought liquidity, innovation, and attention back to NFT trading. Blur turned NFTs into a game again—with leaderboards, points, and real incentives.
It’s not perfect (some say Blur favors whales), but one thing’s for sure:
NFTs stopped being boring.
But Is It a Real Comeback… or Just Another Pump?
Let’s not get too euphoric. The signs of life are promising, but there are still real concerns:
1. Speculation Still Dominates
A lot of NFT activity is still driven by speculation. If you see a project moon 10x in a day, it’s probably not because of its art.
2. Most Projects Still Go to Zero
The success stories are very rare. For every Pudgy Penguins, there are a hundred rug pulls and abandoned Discord servers.
3. Regulators Are Waking Up
NFTs may not be safe from the SEC or tax authorities forever. The line between “digital collectible” and “unregistered security” is getting blurry.
4. General Public Still Doesn’t Get It
Let’s be real: Most normies still think NFTs are a scam. Winning them over won’t happen overnight.
So, What’s the Smart Way to Play NFTs Right Now?
Whether you’re a collector, creator, or curious investor, here’s how to not get wrecked:
✅ Focus on Quality
Look for projects with strong art, real communities, and thoughtful roadmaps. If it feels like a cash grab, it probably is.
✅ Use NFTs for Access & Utility
Buy NFTs that give you something beyond bragging rights—like access, rewards, or IRL perks.
✅ Don’t Chase the Hype
If everyone’s screaming “free mint now,” you’re probably already late. Be early on trends, not pumps.
✅ Get Comfortable With Holding
Most good NFTs take time to grow. If you’re not willing to hold for 6–12 months, reconsider buying.
✅ Experiment in the Bear
Use this quieter phase to explore. Buy art you love. Join smaller communities. Learn without the pressure of chasing gains.
So… are NFTs making a comeback?
Yeah. But not the same way as before.
This isn’t about flipping apes for six figures or watching your meme frog go parabolic in 24 hours. It’s about NFTs evolving into art, identity, access, and actual technology.
The hype is quieter. The builders are still building. And most importantly, the scams are (mostly) flushed out. That’s the perfect recipe for real, sustainable growth.
So whether you’re jumping back in or watching from the sidelines, just remember:
The next wave of NFTs won’t look like the last one. It’ll be better if we let it.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. NFTs are speculative assets and involve significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) before making any investment decisions.
