global NFT The market is becoming vibrant again. According to CoinGecko data shared by Wu Blockchain on January 14th, the total NFT Market cap is back to $3 billion. This is a big moment for the space, which has been quiet for years after the big boom of 2021.
According to CoinGecko data, Wu said:NFT Market value recovers to USD 3 billion, mainly in blue-chip stocks NFT Price floors have rebounded to varying degrees, with CryptoPunks up over 8%, BAYC up over 9%, and Pudgy Penguins up over 4% in the past seven days. https://t.co/FW70EYuHAi
— Wu Shuo Blockchain (@wublockchain12) January 14, 2026
At the time, non-fungible tokens were everywhere. Prices were high. Celebrities also bought them. Twitter was full of profile photos. However, after the hype died down, trading volumes fell by more than 90% and many projects disappeared. From 2023 to 2024, most NFTs entered a long bear market. Now, in early 2026, the atmosphere is slowly changing.
Look at the current market
Cumulative total as of mid-January 2026 NFT The market capitalization reaches approximately $3.01 billion. Although daily trading volume is still lower than in the past, it is slowly recovering and remains close to $4 million to $5 million per day. This recovery wasn’t brought about by a new hype project or meme collection. Instead, funds are returning to the most trusted and well-known collectibles, so-called “blue-chip NFTs.” Ethereum remains the main chain for NFTs. Most important collections reside there and most transactions still take place on the Ethereum-based marketplace.
Blue chip NFTs lead a comeback
The biggest gains come from the top names in NFTs.
- most famous cryptopunks NFT Global collections have increased by over 8% over the past 7 days. The current lowest price is around $29. Ethereum and it is still the largest NFT Projects based on market value. Currently controls nearly one-third of the total NFT market.
- Bored Ape Yacht Club is also getting back on its feet. The lowest price has risen more than 9% in a week and is currently trading at $5.8. Ethereum. BAYC was one of the symbols of the 2021 bull market. Its recent rise in popularity shows that collectors are coming back.
- Stocky penguins are also on the rise. The lowest price is up about 4% over the past week, trading around $5.1. Ethereum. Pudgy remains popular thanks to real-world toys, brand deals, and strong community support. While these collections are leading the recovery, most of the smaller NFTs have remained silent.
Why NFTs are on the rise again
of NFT Today’s news shows that that pullback is closely tied to the broader crypto market. Bitcoin and Ethereum will rise in early 2026, and when cryptocurrencies rise, non-fungible tokens typically follow. Another reason is whale activity. Long-term collectors and those with big wallets are slowly buying again at lower prices. They view blue-chip NFTs as digital art and cultural assets with the potential to grow over time.
Projects like Pudgy Penguins also show that non-fungible tokens can be applied beyond photos to real products, games, and brands. This helps restore real value to the space. However, it is not yet a complete comeback. Trading volumes are low and many NFTs remain illiquid.
What happens next?
Returning to $3 billion in market cap is on a huge psychological level for fans of non-fungible tokens. It shows that the space is not dead. It is being rebuilt. If the cryptocurrency bull market continues, NFTs may slowly grow along with it. But so far, the recovery has been led by solid returns rather than wild speculation. of NFT Winter may finally be slowly but surely melting away.
