Base NFTs overtake rivals in sales count led by AI trading game: DappRadar

Ethereum Layer-2 network Base saw its NFT ecosystem dominate the spotlight in September, recording the highest sales count among collections, according to DappRadar data.

NFTs on Base captured five of the top 10 spots by sales count, with DX Terminal and BasePaint taking the first and second ranks. This surge underscores Base’s rapid rise as a hub for experimental NFT projects, challenging Ethereum and Polygon’s long-standing dominance.

Despite the strong performance in sales, overall trading volume still leaned toward Ethereum and Polygon. Polygon’s Courtyard led September with $43.9 million, followed by Ethereum-based Moonbirds ($34 million) and CryptoPunks ($25.8 million).

Base’s DX Terminal secured the fourth spot in trading volume with $25.5 million, reflecting a nearly 1,700% surge in activity.

AI NFTs Take Center Stage

DX Terminal was the biggest driver behind Base’s surge, recording 1.27 million sales — an increase of more than 1,000% month-over-month. Over 200,000 traders engaged with the NFTs during September.

The project gamifies NFTs as AI-powered trader agents in a retro-futuristic market simulation. Each NFT represents an autonomous character with unique traits, competing to build in-game wealth and influence while interacting with other players and NPCs.

Unlike typical play-to-earn (P2E) models, DX Terminal offers no direct token payouts. Its in-game currency, WEBCOIN, exists off-chain and holds no real-world monetary value. Any external tokens claiming affiliation are unofficial.

Gaming NFTs Defy Market Downturn

Among the top 10 NFT collections by trading volume, only DX Terminal and Guild of Guardians Heroes (by Immutable) posted gains in September. By contrast, blue-chip NFTs such as CryptoPunks, Pudgy Penguins, and BAYC saw trading volumes fall by 50–60%.

Even leaders like Courtyard and Moonbirds, despite topping the charts by volume, registered declines of 25% and 13.6%, respectively.