• Loading stock data...
Friday, September 12, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

NFT Market Cruises to $2.5B in Total Sales in H1

  • The market for NFTs, or “non-fungible tokens” has roared to $2.5 billion in the first half of 2021, after doing a fraction of that in 2020.
  • The market was driven by NBA TopShot at the start of the year, but has since diversified.
Borussia Dortmund/Design: Alex Brooks

The NFT market is as hot as ever, with non-fungible tokens collectively making $2.5 billion in total sales in the first half of 2021.

That figure shows explosive growth from the $13.7 million in sales over the same period last year. NFT sales grew to $81.1 million in the latter half of 2020, and then achieved exit velocity with NBA TopShot

  • TopShot sales hit $505.8 million in the first quarter of 2021. Sales fell each month in Q2, when the platform totaled $207.9 million in revenue.
  • Monthly sales on NFT platform OpenSea hit a new high of $150 million in June.
  • Beeple, who holds the record for the largest NFT sale at $69 million, completed the launch of his new NFT platform WENEW by selling an NFT of Andy Murray’s 2013 Wimbledon victory for $177,777. 

Spurred by the success of TopShot, other leagues and teams are getting in on the action.

NBA TopShot maker Dapper Labs is launching a European soccer-focused NFT platform with Fantastec SWAP featuring Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Arsenal, among other teams. Fantastec SWAP now has over 2 million NFTs on its platform.

MLB launched its first NFT auction in partnership with Fanatics-backed Candy Digital on July 4. The auction, which commemorates Lou Gehrig’s 1939 “luckiest man” speech and will benefit ALS charities, ends Thursday.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Judge Rules for NFL, Fanatics Against Small Apparel Seller

The lawsuit argued the NFL “aids and abets” Fanatics with its strategy.
A set of trading cards

Judge Rules Against Fanatics as Panini Case Gets Rancorous

A judge ordered Fanatics to turn over unredacted trading card licenses.

NFL Acquires More of Genius Sports to Boost Betting, Data

The league is poised to become the data company’s largest shareholder.
Oakland A's

Fanatics Blames ‘Technology’ Error for Mixed-Up MLB Ads

One image had a fan wearing a Twins jersey and Guardians hat.

Featured Today

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Jonathan Mariner

Former MLB CFO Jumps to PE, Says Teams Are Undervalued

Mariner worked in Major League Baseball for 24 years.
March 20, 2025

Nike Struggles Continue, but Signs of Turnaround Appear

The embattled company beats tepid expectations in both revenue and earnings.
James Harden
April 24, 2025

Adidas Posts Big Profits in First Quarter Without Yeezy

Profits and sales are up after selling off remaining Yeezys last year.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Oracle Park
March 18, 2025

S.F. Giants Selling Stake to Private Equity to Pay for Facility Upgrades

The team said the cash would not be used to grow payroll.
Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; Medals are carried out on Louis Vuitton trays after the women's volleyball gold medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena
February 16, 2025

LVMH’s New Push: World’s Most Powerful Luxury Group Is Coming for Sports

LVMH is making long-term deals—and they’re not done.
February 14, 2025

DraftKings Turns First Full-Year Profit, Stock Up 47% in 2025

The company’s sports betting business continues to grow despite headwinds.
Billie Jean King
February 13, 2025

Billie Jean King: ‘Billionaires, Not Millionaires’ Are Fueling Women’s Sports Boom

Billie Jean King wants more women involved in team ownership, too.