Polygon NFTs Overtake Ethereum in 7-Day Sales Surge, Fueled by Real-World Asset Tokenization
RWA NFTs Drive Polygon’s Dominance in Digital Collectibles Market
April 22, 2025 — In a major shift in the NFT marketplace, Polygon NFTs have surpassed Ethereum in sales volume for the past week, marking a remarkable surge of 20%. According to CryptoSlam data, Polygon’s NFTs reached $22.3 million in sales, overtaking Ethereum, which recorded $19.2 million in the same period.
This represents 24% of the total NFT sales volume, which amounted to $92.9 million over the past seven days. Polygon’s performance was also accompanied by a significant rise in buyer activity, with 39,000 new buyers on the platform, an increase of 81% compared to the previous week.
RWA Tokenization Powers Polygon’s NFT Growth
Courtyard NFT Marketplace Leads the Charge
The remarkable surge in Polygon’s NFT market can be attributed to a single powerhouse: Courtyard, a real-world asset (RWA) NFT marketplace. The platform, which focuses on tokenizing physical collectible cards such as Pokémon, basketball, and baseball cards, saw its collection drive a $20.7 million sales volume — nearly eclipsing the rest of Polygon’s NFT ecosystem.
RWA tokenization refers to the process of converting tangible, real-world assets like art, property, or collectibles into blockchain-based digital tokens. This approach allows these assets to be bought, held, and traded on the blockchain, expanding accessibility and liquidity for traditional collectibles.
Courtyard’s model is unique in that it physically backs its NFTs. After a user purchases an NFT representing a collectible card, the item is stored and insured in a secure vault. If the buyer opts to redeem the card, the NFT is burned and the physical card is sent to the owner, making it no longer tradable on the marketplace.
The Rise of RWA NFTs: A Game-Changer for the Industry
Tokenized Physical Assets Garner $21.2 Billion in Market Value
The Courtyard NFT surge is not just an isolated event. The RWA tokenization narrative is gaining momentum across the broader NFT space, as more projects tokenize physical assets for the digital world. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the value of tokenized real-world assets reached a staggering $21.2 billion, with 97,000 asset holders engaged in the market.
With stablecoins already valued at $227 billion, the combination of RWA NFTs and digital tokens is positioned to reshape how we think about asset ownership and trading.
“The RWA space is the next frontier for NFTs, bridging the gap between traditional assets and blockchain,” said a representative from RWA.xyz.
Ethereum Continues to Hold Second Place as NFT Marketplace Evolves
Ethereum’s NFT Ecosystem Faces Growing Competition
While Polygon’s rise is a major talking point, Ethereum continues to hold a strong position in the NFT market. Mythos Chain and Bitcoin-based collections also saw notable sales, with $14.3 million and $14.1 million respectively.
However, the rapid growth of RWA-based platforms like Courtyard signals a potential shift in the NFT landscape, as collectors and investors increasingly seek physical-backed tokens for security and real-world value.
Conclusion: The Future of NFT Marketplaces is Digital and Physical
The intersection of NFT technology and real-world asset tokenization is opening new doors for collectors, investors, and creators. As Polygon continues to lead the way, Ethereum’s dominance may soon face stiff competition from the rapidly growing sector of RWA-backed NFTs.
In the next few years, the concept of digitally tokenized physical collectibles could transform how we buy, sell, and trade traditional assets, offering more liquidity, transparency, and security than ever before.
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