The non-fungible token (NFT) market is currently undergoing a profound shift. Now, creator-owned start-up ARTBLOC is changing that narrative by bringing the focus back from the screen to IRL. This evolution has since catapulted Polygon to the forefront of the blockchain development space. It has even recently outpaced Ethereum in weekly sales as the real-world asset (RWA) market goes through an explosive growth phase. Recent NFT developments, including the closing of an SEC investigation, have revived some enthusiasm for the space. At the same time, booming high-value NFT sales are supercharging confidence in this market.

Explosive Growth in Real-World Asset NFTs

The blockchain’s real-world asset market has experienced a jaw-dropping growth of 28,000% since February 2023. The demand for NFTs that can represent physical assets is through the roof. This year alone the surge has pushed the overall market capitalization over the top 42 billion dollars.

This threefold jump further underlines just how valuable NFTs can be. They seamlessly combine the digital and physical worlds, making them far more useful and essential than ever before. Investors are getting more fundamentally focused on the stability of real world assets. They understand their inherent value over traditional digital collectibles.

Polygon's Rise and Courtyard's Impact

Polygon has quickly risen the ranks to become the second most valuable ecosystem in NFT sales, bringing in 22.1 million dollars per week in sales. This is an enormous jump of 17.64% from last week. The move cements Polygon’s role as a leading platform for NFT transactions.

Specifically, the NFT platform Courtyard – which focuses exclusively on “tangible” assets such as collectibles or real estate – has been integral to Polygon’s success. Courtyard’s sales quickly climbed to a weekly 20.7 million dollars in sales – higher than any other NFT collection on any blockchain. This significant milestone is a testament to the platform’s innovative approach and its growing popularity among collectors looking for one-of-a-kind, asset-backed NFTs.

Backed by Y Combinator, Courtyard opened its doors in 2022. Earlier this year, for example, it raised $7 million to continue its mission of reinventing the NFT concept. The platform’s emphasis on physical, real-world assets—like trading cards and other collectibles—has struck a chord with both investors and collectors. Within the past 24 hours, Courtyard NFTs have surpassed 11,000 sales, representing 11.39% of all NFT sales globally.

Market Resurgence and Key Sales

Macro shifts are happening, with the NFT market recovering on some fronts since the downtrend began. The market went through a direct downside explosion, crashing more than 60% by Feb of 2025 after first touching what would turn out to be the peak in 2021. Now, confidence has returned with a vengeance.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on February 21 that it has settled its investigation of OpenSea, the largest NFT trading platform. This announcement had an unprecedented uplifting effect on market sentiment. In mid-February, the Kanbas Collection acquired a digital artwork for 3 million dollars. This audacious decision rekindled investor zeal in the resale of NFTs of high value.

Sam Spratt’s digital artwork, signed and belonging to the LUCI series, sold for a jaw-dropping 3 million dollars. It’s the biggest NFT sale in three years, and it shows that digital art is very much back. Courtyard has recently made some notable sales like a 2016 Pokémon Sun & Moon collection that sold for 147.9 MATIC. Plus, there’s high demand from collectors for the likes of the 2022 Pokémon SWSH Black Star promotional card and the classic 1953 Bowman Color #63 Gil McDougald.