The NFT market is witnessing a significant realignment as Polygon (POL) overtakes Ethereum (ETH) in total weekly NFT sales for the first time, signaling the growing influence of real-world asset (RWA) projects and the rising prominence of layer-2 solutions.
According to data from CryptoSlam, NFT sales on Polygon reached $22.1 million in the week ending April 22, narrowly surpassing Ethereum’s $21.8 million during the same period. The achievement is a major milestone for the Polygon ecosystem and underscores shifting dynamics in NFT adoption and utility.
Buyer Activity and Volume Surge on Polygon
Not only did Polygon outpace Ethereum in dollar volume, it also recorded a higher number of individual NFT buyers. Over the past week, 39,027 buyers purchased NFTs on Polygon—a jump of 81.61%—compared to 36,544 buyers on Ethereum.
This surge in activity suggests a growing preference among collectors and traders for more cost-efficient, accessible networks like Polygon, especially as gas fees and congestion remain persistent concerns on Ethereum.
Courtyard: The Catalyst Behind Polygon’s Breakthrough
The key driver behind Polygon’s explosive NFT growth is Courtyard, an RWA (real-world asset) platform that bridges physical collectibles with blockchain technology. Over the past week alone, Courtyard accounted for $20 million of Polygon’s total sales volume, with a single-day peak of $2.746 million on April 22.
Courtyard allows users to purchase physical trading cards—such as rare Pokémon, baseball, and basketball cards—that are securely stored in a vault. Each physical item is paired with a Polygon-based NFT, enabling users to trade, collect, or redeem their items digitally. A virtual vending machine feature adds an element of gamified randomness to the collecting process.
This innovative model has proven to be a massive hit among NFT enthusiasts and traditional collectors alike, showcasing the potential of NFTs to bridge digital ownership with tangible value.
Ethereum Faces Layer-2 Disruption
Polygon’s success is part of a broader trend where layer-2 networks are capturing increasing value and attention—often at Ethereum’s expense. While some Ethereum maximalists have expressed concerns about L2s siphoning off users and revenue, it’s important to note that Polygon remains deeply connected to Ethereum’s ecosystem.
As an EVM-compatible network, Polygon benefits from Ethereum’s security and decentralization while offering lower fees and faster transaction speeds an ideal environment for high-volume applications like NFTs and gaming.
The Road Ahead for Polygon and Ethereum
The rise of Courtyard and similar projects underscores a maturing NFT space that is no longer solely driven by digital art speculation. Instead, utility-driven use cases like tokenized real-world assets are gaining traction, and platforms like Polygon are well-positioned to support this evolution.
While Ethereum still holds a central role in the broader Web3 ecosystem, its dominance is increasingly being challenged by nimble, scalable alternatives that offer greater accessibility. As NFT innovation continues to evolve, the competition between Ethereum and its layer-2 counterparts may further intensify ultimately benefiting users through lower costs and more diverse offerings.
