The metaverse, once thought to have lost its momentum, may be showing new signs of life as non-fungible token (NFT) sales tied to virtual worlds recorded their second consecutive month of growth.
NFT Sales in Virtual Worlds See Uptick
According to data from DappRadar, metaverse-related NFT transactions rose 27% in August, with 13,927 sales generating $6.5 million in volume. While the dollar value dipped slightly from July’s $6.7 million, the higher number of transactions suggests renewed activity across platforms like Sandbox, Mocaverse, Otherside, and Decentraland.
DappRadar analyst Sara Gherghelas noted that the recent numbers indicate the “metaverse isn’t dead yet,” with users “slowly sneaking back into virtual worlds.”
July also saw a rebound compared to June, when sales volumes were just $3.7 million. Still, January remains the strongest month of 2025, with $7.7 million in metaverse NFT sales.
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
Long-Term Focus: Infrastructure and Tools
Leading metaverse projects are shifting away from short-term hype and instead focusing on building sustainable infrastructure.
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The Sandbox held its largest Land auction in July.
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Mocaverse is preparing to launch Moca Chain, with a testnet expected this quarter.
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Otherside, developed by Yuga Labs, released AI-powered world-building tools in August.
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Decentraland announced a major engine upgrade.
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HYTOPIA replaced its TOPIA token with HYBUX while expanding its creator fund.
Gherghelas emphasized that although overall trading volumes remain modest, platforms are investing in identity features, creator tools, and ecosystem infrastructure to position themselves for long-term growth.
New Metaverse Initiatives Still Emerging
Despite a slowdown since the hype of 2021–2022, new projects continue to appear. Infinite Reality, an AI startup, acquired Napster in March with plans to launch a music-focused metaverse.
In February, Donald Trump’s company DTTM Operations filed trademarks for a metaverse and NFT marketplace linked to his brand, suggesting that political figures are also seeking to leverage the digital frontier.
