Quick Breakdown
- Metaverse-related NFT sales jumped 27% in August, hitting 13,927 transactions worth $6.5M.
- DappRadar says users are “sneaking back” into worlds like Sandbox, Mocaverse, Otherside, and Decentraland.
- Platforms are prioritizing infrastructure, AI tools, and creator funds as long-term strategies.
NFT sales show signs of recovery
Metaverse-linked non-fungible token (NFT) sales rose 27% in August compared to July, signaling early signs of renewed interest in virtual worlds, according to a DappRadar report published Thursday.
“It’s the 2nd month of steady activity, hinting that users may be slowly returning to virtual worlds like Sandbox, Mocaverse, Otherside and Decentraland,”
DappRadar wrote on X.
The metaverse still has a pulse 🌱
August saw $6.5M in trading volume with nearly 14k sales; volume dipped 3%, but sales jumped 27%. It\’s the 2nd month of steady activity, hinting that users may be slowly returning to virtual worlds like Sandbox, Mocaverse, Otherside &… pic.twitter.com/aGWwEDJe1S
— DappRadar (@DappRadar) September 11, 2025
August recorded 13,927 sales valued at $6.5 million, slightly lower in dollar volume than July’s $6.7 million but notably higher in sales count. Analyst Sara Gherghelas said the figures indicate the “metaverse isn’t dead yet,” with people “slowly sneaking back” into platforms.
From peak hype to measured growth
The metaverse surged to prominence in 2021 and 2022, riding a wave of speculation before slowing sharply in 2023. This year, January remains the strongest month for sales at $7.7 million, while April and May led in trading activity, each surpassing 19,000 transactions.
July saw one of the biggest rebounds, with sales nearly doubling from June’s $3.7 million to $6.7 million, and volume climbing from 12,800 to 10,900 trades.
Platforms push infrastructure over hype
Rather than chasing quick hype cycles, leading metaverse projects are now focused on infrastructure and long-term utility. The Sandbox, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, held its largest land auction in July, Mocaverse is preparing to launch its Moca Chain testnet this quarter.
Otherside, built by Yuga Labs, rolled out AI-driven world-building tools in August. Decentraland revealed a major engine upgrade and HYTOPIA swapped its native token for HYBUX and expanded its creator fund. Gherghelas noted that while trading volumes remain “modest,” these efforts reflect a shift toward identity, infrastructure, and creator-focused ecosystems.
New projects still entering the space
Despite cooled market sentiment, companies continue to build. Infinite Reality, an AI startup, acquired Napster in March with plans for a music-centered metaverse. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s DTTM Operations filed trademarks in February tied to a metaverse and NFT marketplace built around the U.S. president’s brand.
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