Key Takeaways:
- Metaverse-linked NFT sales rose 27% in August with 13,927 transactions, showing a second month of growth despite slightly lower trading volume.
- Major platforms like Sandbox, Mocaverse, Otherside, and Decentraland are pivoting toward infrastructure, AI tools, and long-term development.
- New initiatives include Infinite Reality’s Napster acquisition and Trump-linked metaverse trademark filings.
The metaverse may not be dead yet, according to DappRadar analyst Sara Gherghelas, after NFT sales linked to virtual worlds rose for a second straight month.
Metaverse-related NFTs generated $6.5 million in trading volume from 13,927 sales in August, a 27% increase from July’s figures, though slightly down from $6.7 million in total sales last month.
The metaverse still has a pulse 🌱
— DappRadar (@DappRadar) September 11, 2025
August saw $6.5M in trading volume with nearly 14k sales; volume dipped 3%, but sales jumped 27%. It's the 2nd month of steady activity, hinting that users may be slowly returning to virtual worlds like Sandbox, Mocaverse, Otherside &… pic.twitter.com/aGWwEDJe1S
“It’s the 2nd month of steady activity, hinting that users may be slowly returning to virtual worlds like Sandbox, Mocaverse, Otherside and Decentraland,” DappRadar noted on X.
Gherghelas added that August’s results show the “metaverse isn’t dead yet,” with people “sneaking back into virtual worlds.
Major platforms are pushing ahead with new developments, as Sandbox held its largest land auction in July, Mocaverse is preparing its Moca Chain launch, Otherside rolled out AI-powered world-building tools, and Decentraland announced a major engine upgrade.
Meanwhile, HYTOPIA rebranded its token to HYBUX and expanded its creator fund.
Despite modest volumes, Gherghelas said top projects are shifting focus toward “long-term infrastructure, identity, and creator tools.”