ZORA Protocol Rockets to $4.46M Daily Revenue, Closes in on Tether and Circle
Ethereum-Powered NFT Platform Ranks Third in Daily Revenue Surge, Signaling Major Market Shift
May 4, 2025 — ZORA Protocol has surged into the crypto spotlight, raking in $4.46 million in just 24 hours, earning third place on the global crypto revenue leaderboard, behind only Tether and Circle.
The unexpected revenue spike came without any formal announcements or media blitz — an unusual silence from a sector often driven by public hype and influencer commentary. Yet, the numbers speak volumes.
NFT Infrastructure Takes Center Stage
ZORA’s windfall unfolded primarily on the Ethereum blockchain, where nearly $9.87 million in total value is now locked within the protocol. The uptick highlights a strong market pivot toward protocol-native NFT minting, bypassing traditional marketplaces like OpenSea and aggregators like Blur.
While figures such as ZORA co-founder Jacob Horne, Arthur Hayes, and Vitalik Buterin have remained quiet, analysts suspect the surge was driven by either a high-profile NFT launch, protocol upgrade, or a novel minting event.
“The sharp increase in protocol fee revenue is likely tied to either a major NFT drop, platform upgrade, or a novel minting event,” said Jacob Horne.
Weekly Earnings Hit $14.3 Million
ZORA’s performance over the last week has also been stellar. The protocol generated $14.3 million in revenue, far exceeding expectations for decentralized NFT platforms. Its growth trajectory now places it in the same league as legacy players — and may even challenge their dominance.
Industry watchers see this as evidence of shifting user behavior: NFT enthusiasts and developers alike appear to be embracing decentralized, protocol-based solutions that leverage the native advantages of blockchains rather than relying on third-party curation.
Ethereum: The Backbone Behind the Boom
The Ethereum network remains the operational backbone of ZORA’s success. As of May 4, Ethereum (ETH) traded at $1,825.67, with a market cap of $220.42 billion, reflecting a 24-hour volume of $8.31 billion. While ETH saw a slight 0.71% dip over 24 hours, it gained 1.82% over the past week. However, the network is still down 36.26% over 90 days, underscoring broader volatility despite ZORA’s sharp rise.
Community Silence, Market Signals
What makes this surge even more intriguing is the lack of noise from the crypto community. No celebrity endorsements. No official tweets. No push from major influencers. Yet, the data shows clear traction.
Coincu research suggests that ZORA’s rise reflects a broader trend toward decentralized NFT monetization, which may soon attract regulatory attention or further technological innovation.
In a space where hype usually precedes performance, ZORA’s quiet climb marks a rare reversal — one driven by on-chain adoption and raw user interest rather than marketing theatrics.
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