- Blue-chip NFTs post strongest weekly gains of 2026 across major collections
- Skepticism from respected voices may signal early-stage momentum
- Market now driven by real demand, not artificial incentives
The NFT market is moving again, and interestingly, not everyone believes it, which might actually be the most important part. Blue-chip collections like BAYC, CryptoPunks, and Azuki are posting serious gains, with BAYC alone nearly doubling over the past month, yet some of the most respected voices in the space are calling it fake.
That kind of disconnect doesn’t usually happen at the top, it tends to show up much earlier in a move, when conviction hasn’t fully formed yet.
When Skepticism Becomes a Signal
Threadguy calling the rally “a complete farce” isn’t being ignored, and it shouldn’t be. He’s been around long enough to understand how these cycles play out, and his caution reflects a broader hesitation among experienced participants.
But historically, that kind of skepticism, especially from insiders, has often appeared right before markets gain real traction. It’s not proof of a breakout, but it’s also not a bearish guarantee either.
The Numbers Are Hard to Dismiss
Looking at the data, the move isn’t isolated to one or two collections. Azuki is up close to 50%, BAKC is pushing similar gains, and the overall NFT market cap has climbed more than 50% in a month, crossing back above $2 billion.
That kind of broad participation suggests something more than a simple spike driven by a handful of high-value trades, even if grail sales helped set the tone early on.
A Cleaner Market Than Before
One key difference this time is what’s not driving the volume. Farming incentives, which inflated activity across platforms for years, are no longer dominating the landscape.
With those programs gone, what’s left is a market that’s trading on actual demand, which might look smaller or slower, but is arguably more meaningful. Capital is also rotating across chains, with networks like TON gaining traction, which adds another layer to the story.
Early Signals of a Broader Shift
This doesn’t guarantee a full recovery, and skepticism could still prove justified over time. Markets have staged false starts before, and NFTs are no exception.
But when prices rise across multiple collections, volume looks cleaner, and experienced participants are still unconvinced, it creates a setup that’s at least worth paying attention to. Sometimes the strongest moves begin quietly, with doubt still in the room.
