Web3 Deep Dive: NFTs, DeFi, and Cryptocurrency Explained podcast.

Hey Web3 fam, it’s Crypto Willy back with your weekly Deep Dive! Let's jump straight into what’s popping in NFTs, DeFi, and crypto as we cruise through late July 2025.

The big headline this week: **NFTs are roaring back**—and not quietly, either. According to CoinGecko and reported by Cointelegraph, the total NFT market cap just surged over 21% in a single 24-hour window, blasting up to roughly $6.3 billion. Trade volume skyrocketed as well, signaling the most dramatic bounce since the sector’s Q1 lows earlier this year, when volumes had nose-dived 61%. This feels like a new cycle, and even OGs on X (hello, Cirrus and Tyler Warner) are hyped, joking about the return of full-time Web3 consultants and “NFT treasury vehicles” potentially emerging.

Driving the action are **Ethereum-based collections**. There’s been a jaw-dropping sweep in **CryptoPunks**—a newly created wallet dropped about 2,082 ETH (nearly $6 million) on 45 Punks in just hours. That’s catapulted their floor price up by more than 14% in a single day, peaking around $175,000. Blue-chip club members like **Moonbirds, Pudgy Penguins, and Bored Ape Yacht Club** are also on the upswing, with Moonbirds up a wild 31% and Bored Apes gaining almost 7%. Jason Yanowitz of Blockworks put it simply: capital is flowing back into high-value NFT assets, and the broader sentiment is turning bullish.

Another spicy highlight: **Ethereum’s own price is on fire**, soaring from $2,525 to $3,730 just since the start of July. According to Cyrus Cole’s analysis on AInvest, this 300% spike in ETH-based NFT trading is tightly correlated with Ethereum’s overall rally. Yat Siu of Animoca Brands describes this as NFTs moving from gamble tokens to digital status symbols—think luxury brands, but for your digital identity.

Beyond pure speculation, the NFT market is branching out. Real-world asset NFTs and AI-driven projects are gaining traction. DappRadar’s Sara Gherghelas says the big boost ahead could come from new catalysts like these, bringing fresh utility and use cases beyond “JPEGs on the blockchain.” Even established artists like Beeple are dropping new works responding to the market energy, and Snoop Dogg just sold out almost 1,000 NFTs on Telegram in half an hour.

On the DeFi front, **market sentiment is cautious but optimistic**. The latest *Monthly Market Insights* from Binance Research notes that stablecoins and DeFi protocols are in consolidation mode after volatility tied to global politics gave Bitcoin a short-term scare, dropping it under $100K before rebounding. Bitcoin’s dominance is sitting at its highest since 2021 (65%), with institutional inflows propping up Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, reflecting greater mainstream interest and support.

Looking ahead, July brings more to watch: major NFT drops like “OWL” on Ordinals and “Synthetic Bloom” by digital artist 0009, and eyes are peeled for the SEC's much-anticipated decision on a Cardano (ADA) ETF, which could have ripple effects across altcoins and DeFi.

That’s a wrap for this week’s Web3 Deep Dive! Thanks for riding shotgun with Crypto Willy—be sure to swing back next week for more alpha, more laughs, and all the crypto pulse. This has been a Quiet Please production, and if you want to check out more of my takes, hit up QuietPlease dot AI. Stay curious, stay decentralized, and as always—keep your wallet safe!

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