Ethereum’s 10-Year NFT Surprise: Free Mint, $140M Volume Surge, and a Torch That Burns

Key Takeaways:

• Ethereum will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a global livestream on July 30 at 14:30 UTC, open to the public.
• A free commemorative “Ethereum Torch” NFT will be available to mint for 24 hours after the event.
• NFT market activity is surging again, with Ethereum-based NFTs hitting $75 million weekly volume, up 300% in two weeks.

Ethereum, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, is turning 10 and it’s lighting the way forward with symbolism, community engagement, and a striking market comeback. The Ethereum Foundation has unveiled a celebratory livestream and an exclusive free NFT drop designed to honor the blockchain’s journey and reignite excitement across the crypto ecosystem.

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Ethereum Turns 10: Livestream, Community, and a Digital Torch

“The Ethereum Torch” NFT Will Burn But You Can Still Mint a Copy

On July 30, 2025, Ethereum will host a global 10-Year Anniversary Livestream at 14:30 UTC on YouTube. This milestone event is not just a commemoration, it’s a symbolic handover of Ethereum’s past into the future.

To mark the occasion, the Foundation has launched “The Ethereum Torch”, a symbolic NFT passed from one wallet to another each day in the lead-up to the anniversary. The torch embodies the values, developers, and users that have helped shape the Ethereum network since its inception in 2015.

On July 30, the original Ethereum Torch NFT will be permanently burned. But in its place, anyone whether a developer, investor, or casual supporter can mint a free commemorative NFT for 24 hours after the stream.

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Ethereum NFT Volume Surges 300% as Sentiment Flips

The Ethereum ecosystem isn’t just celebrating history, it’s regaining serious momentum. According to recent on-chain data:

• NFT trading volume on Ethereum has jumped 300% over the past two weeks, climbing from $18.3 million to $75 million.
• Ethereum now accounts for more than 50% of all NFT activity across chains, including Solana, Polygon, and BNB Chain.
• Total NFT volume across all blockchains surpassed $140 million last week, the highest in over six months.

It is followed by a lull in purchasing of NFTs in 2024, when the whole industry experienced a decrease in trading volume by 18% YoY. However, the powerful anniversary story and future changes to the protocol as well as renewed community are supporting a new flurry of speculative and cultural activity.

What Makes the Ethereum Torch So Special?

A Digital Ritual Rooted in Decentralization

Unlike traditional NFT airdrops or paid mints, the Ethereum Torch is non-commercial, inclusive, and symbolic. For 10 days, the NFT has been passed between wallets belonging to prominent community members including developers, educators, and long-time holders, symbolizing the shared stewardship of Ethereum.

The final burn of the torch represents a transition: the end of Ethereum’s first chapter and the beginning of its next. It’s a decentralized “passing of the flame,” and a reminder that Ethereum is more than just a blockchain; it’s a movement.

“The torch is designed to honor the individuals, ideas, and values that have carried Ethereum through a decade of innovation,” the Ethereum Foundation wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Ethereum Fundamentals Strengthen Ahead of Fusaka Upgrade

Beyond the NFT excitement, Ethereum has several key technical milestones on the horizon:

• The Fusaka hard fork, expected in November 2025, will test up to 11 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs).
• While EIP-7907 (which would increase the smart contract size limit) has been dropped due to internal pushback, other EIPs focusing on scalability and developer usability are still moving forward.
• Ethereum’s staking and layer-2 ecosystem are expanding, with over 32 million ETH staked and scaling solutions like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base showing consistent TVL growth.

In other words, Ethereum’s birthday party isn’t just ceremonial; it’s also a checkpoint in a broader roadmap that remains technically ambitious.

Livestream Details & Minting Instructions

Here’s what you need to know to participate in Ethereum’s 10-year anniversary event:

• Date: July 30, 2025
• Time: 14:30 UTC
• Livestream Link: Watch on YouTube
• Free Mint: The Ethereum Torch Commemorative NFT will be available for 24 hours after the stream ends
• Minting Platform: Likely through Ethereum Foundation’s official site or partnered dApps (official link to be posted during the stream)

You won’t need to pay gas fees on layer-1 if L2 options are available (e.g., Base or Optimism may support the mint).

Community-Driven, Value-Focused

This isn’t the first time Ethereum has tied a major event to a cultural or symbolic artifact but it may be the most coordinated one yet. By integrating narrative, utility, and free access, Ethereum is reminding its community why it still leads the Web3 revolution.

At the same time, that, according to the critics, the Torch is little more than just another NFT, the more significant picture, the current wave of NFTs volumes, the ETH price holding strong, and the advancements of developers points towards a more bullish direction.

Of course, this 10th anniversary of Ethereum is not only about the past; it is the way to illuminate the future.