The non-fungible token (NFT) market is showing strong signs of recovery in 2024, with trading volumes reaching their highest levels since May 2022. This resurgence has reignited investor interest in NFT-related cryptocurrencies — digital assets that offer exposure to the broader NFT ecosystem without requiring direct ownership of individual NFTs.
NFT coins are utility tokens tied to blockchain platforms that support NFT marketplaces, gaming ecosystems, infrastructure development, and decentralized entertainment. These tokens enable users to participate in governance, earn staking rewards, facilitate transactions, and access exclusive features within their respective ecosystems.
With over 700 NFT-related projects tracked by CoinMarketCap and a combined market cap exceeding $30 billion, the sector presents compelling opportunities — but also risks. A 2023 report from dappGambl revealed that nearly 70,000 out of 73,000 analyzed NFT collections had zero market value, underscoring the volatility and uncertainty of investing in individual NFTs.
In contrast, top-tier NFT coins provide diversified exposure to the space, often backed by robust technology, active communities, and real-world use cases. Below, we explore the seven most promising NFT coins for 2024.
What Are NFT Coins?
NFT coins — despite the name — are typically fungible tokens built on existing or dedicated blockchains. They power platforms where NFTs are created, traded, or used, such as marketplaces, games, or Web3 infrastructure networks.
Unlike owning a single digital collectible or artwork, investing in an NFT coin allows you to gain broad exposure to the growth of an entire ecosystem. Whether it's through transaction fees, staking incentives, or governance rights, these tokens are designed to increase in utility as their platforms expand.
As the NFT space evolves beyond speculative art into functional applications like gaming, identity verification, and fan engagement, the role of these underlying tokens becomes increasingly critical.
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Top 7 NFT Coins to Watch in 2024
1. Blur (BLUR)
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Category: NFT Marketplace
- Market Cap: ~$680 million
Blur is a high-performance, decentralized NFT marketplace tailored for professional traders. It gained rapid traction after launching in late 2022, quickly surpassing OpenSea in trading volume during early 2024 — recording $680 million in sales compared to OpenSea’s $100 million.
Designed with advanced tools like real-time bidding, portfolio tracking, and price alerts, Blur caters to power users seeking efficiency and speed. The platform distributes its native token, BLUR, through seasonal airdrops that reward active traders and liquidity providers.
Although BLUR faced price volatility in 2023, it rebounded strongly in Q4 due to increased exchange listings and renewed trading activity. With upcoming seasons likely to trigger new airdrop events, BLUR remains one of the most dynamic plays on the NFT trading layer.
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2. ImmutableX (IMX)
- Blockchain: Ethereum (Layer 2)
- Category: Web3 Gaming Infrastructure
- Market Cap: ~$3 billion
ImmutableX is a leading Layer 2 scaling solution built for NFTs and blockchain gaming on Ethereum. By leveraging StarkWare’s ZK-rollup technology, ImmutableX enables gas-free minting and instant trade settlements while maintaining Ethereum-level security.
It supports major titles like Gods Unchained and Guild of Guardians, and has partnered with giants like GameStop to launch a dedicated Web3 gaming marketplace. The ecosystem also introduced Immutable zkEVM, an EVM-compatible chain powered by Polygon’s tech stack.
The IMX token serves multiple functions: staking for rewards, paying fees, participating in governance, and incentivizing network participants. With over 9,000 transactions per second capacity and growing developer adoption, IMX stands as a foundational pillar of the next-gen gaming economy.
3. Ordi (ORDI)
- Blockchain: Bitcoin
- Category: Bitcoin Ordinals / BRC-20 Tokens
- Market Cap: Over $1 billion
ORDI is the flagship token of the BRC-20 standard, which emerged from the Bitcoin Ordinals protocol — a groundbreaking innovation allowing data inscription directly onto Bitcoin satoshis. This effectively turns Bitcoin into a platform capable of hosting NFT-like assets and fungible tokens.
While ORDI itself isn’t an NFT, it represents the first major community-driven token on Bitcoin with strong speculative and cultural momentum. Launched in early 2023, ORDI reached a billion-dollar valuation within nine months, fueled by developer interest and growing ecosystem tooling.
Its success highlights a shift toward utilizing Bitcoin not just as digital gold but as a programmable network for digital artifacts. As more developers build wallets, explorers, and marketplaces around Ordinals, ORDI could remain a key gateway to this emerging niche.
4. The Sandbox (SAND)
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Category: Metaverse & Blockchain Gaming
- Market Cap: ~$1 billion
SAND powers The Sandbox, a user-generated virtual world where players create experiences using NFT-based land plots (called LAND) and in-game assets. Inspired by games like Minecraft and Roblox, it enables creators to design interactive environments and monetize them through tokenized ownership.
Users spend SAND to purchase LAND, customize avatars, buy equipment, and participate in governance. Major brands like Snoop Dogg, Adidas, and Warner Music have established presences in the metaverse, boosting visibility and engagement.
Though metaverse activity cooled post-2021 hype cycle, renewed interest in AI integration and cross-platform interoperability could reignite growth. SAND’s tight correlation with broader NFT trends makes it a strategic bet on long-term digital world adoption.
5. Axie Infinity (AXS)
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Category: Play-to-Earn Gaming
- Market Cap: Over $1 billion
Axie Infinity revolutionized blockchain gaming with its play-to-earn model, where players collect, breed, battle, and trade fantasy creatures known as Axies — each represented as an NFT.
The AXS token functions as both a governance and utility asset within the ecosystem. Players stake AXS to earn rewards, vote on proposals, and pay for marketplace transactions. The game also uses SLP (Smooth Love Potion) as an in-game currency for breeding Axies.
Despite facing setbacks from a major hack in 2022, Axie Infinity has rebuilt its infrastructure on Ronin — its own sidechain — improving scalability and reducing costs. With ongoing efforts to rebalance gameplay economics and attract new users, AXS remains a bellwether for crypto gaming sentiment.
6. Chiliz (CHZ)
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Category: Sports & Entertainment Fan Engagement
- Market Cap: ~$900 million
Chiliz powers Socios.com, a fan engagement platform that issues branded Fan Tokens for sports teams and celebrities. These tokens grant holders voting rights on minor team decisions (like jersey designs or anthem choices), exclusive content access, and real-world experiences.
Over 100 Fan Tokens are live, representing elite franchises including FC Barcelona, Manchester City, Juventus, and the Golden State Warriors. CHZ is used to purchase these tokens and participate in polls.
As sports organizations continue embracing Web3 for global fan monetization, CHZ is positioned at the intersection of entertainment and blockchain innovation — making it one of the most accessible entry points into NFT-driven communities.
7. Flow (FLOW)
- Blockchain: Flow
- Category: NFT Infrastructure & Gaming
- Market Cap: ~$1.1 billion
Developed by the creators of CryptoKitties, Flow is a developer-friendly blockchain optimized for consumer apps involving NFTs and digital collectibles. It gained prominence through NBA Top Shot — a platform where fans buy and trade officially licensed basketball highlight clips as NFTs.
Flow uses a multi-node architecture to improve scalability and employs Cadence, a secure-by-design smart contract language. Its focus on user experience makes it ideal for mainstream audiences unfamiliar with crypto complexities.
The FLOW token fuels network operations, secures consensus via staking, and supports dApp development. With partnerships across sports, entertainment, and gaming sectors, Flow continues expanding its footprint beyond niche crypto circles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are NFT coins the same as regular cryptocurrencies?
A: Yes — NFT coins are fungible tokens (like Bitcoin or Ethereum), meaning each unit is identical and interchangeable. They differ from non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which represent unique digital items.
Q: How do I buy NFT coins?
A: You can purchase top NFT tokens like IMX, SAND, or FLOW on major cryptocurrency exchanges such as OKX, Binance, Coinbase, or Kraken. Ensure you store them securely in a compatible wallet.
Q: Can I earn passive income with NFT coins?
A: Yes — many NFT coins support staking (e.g., IMX, AXS) or reward programs (e.g., BLUR airdrops), allowing holders to earn additional tokens over time.
Q: Is investing in NFT coins safer than buying individual NFTs?
A: Generally yes — NFT coins offer diversified exposure to entire ecosystems rather than relying on the success of a single collection or artwork.
Q: What factors influence the price of NFT coins?
A: Key drivers include platform adoption, trading volume growth, partnership announcements, staking yields, regulatory developments, and overall crypto market sentiment.
Q: Do any NFT coins have real-world utility?
A: Absolutely — CHZ enables fan voting in sports teams; SAND and AXS power virtual economies; IMX reduces transaction costs for gamers; FLOW hosts official sports memorabilia — all demonstrating tangible use cases.
Final Thoughts
As the NFT market matures in 2024, investor focus is shifting from speculative collectibles toward sustainable ecosystems with real utility. The top NFT coins highlighted here — BLUR, IMX, ORDI, SAND, AXS, CHZ, and FLOW — represent diverse segments of this evolving landscape: from trading infrastructure to gaming economies and fan engagement platforms.
By investing in these foundational tokens, users gain exposure to macro trends shaping Web3: digital ownership, creator economies, decentralized governance, and immersive virtual experiences.
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