It is not just market sentiments in the crypto markets that are influenced by the increased valuation of Ethereum. For digital artists and buyers, market prices quietly change who can participate and how.
Ethereum is at the helm of the international NFT market and in this regard, all digital art marketplaces rely on this platform for functionality. The functionality and, in turn, the cost of creating and selling digital art change in accordance with changes in Ethereum’s value.
Ethereum Price Increases and the Effect of the Tiered System
When Ethereum is trading at higher levels, it will become more costly to “mint” an NFT. This is because it costs Ethereum tokens to “mint.” An artist may have priced their art in local currency. As of January 12, 2026, the Ethereum price is valued at $3,126.48 USD, reflecting a 1.02% increase over the past month despite a 26.00% decline over the previous three months. That volatility alone can change how accessible minting feels from one quarter to the next.
This conflict has been reflected in the price action of Ethereum in the first half of 2026. While it becomes more valuable, it doesn’t affect how difficult it is to mint, but it certainly makes it more expensive to enter. For existing artists, it’s not an issue, as they already have an existing market or have already sold some works. New artists, especially if it’s their first foray, would be affected by the increased expense despite the rising interest in NFTs.
Why Gas Fees Matter More When ETH Values Rise
The gas cost is measured in ETH, so its real-world value increases as ETH’s value rises. Even if congestion on the Ethereum network does not change, higher values can lead to a perception of high transaction costs for a basic transaction. For example, when a new wave of NFT interest hits the community, transaction speed and platform choices become even more transparent considerations in the community.
It will help to clarify the significance of gas fees when considering the current NFT market size. Data from Exploding Topics 2025 indicates that there are more than 100 NFT marketplaces that are up and running globally, with OpenSea receiving 7.8 million visits in September 2025 alone. The more marketplaces that vie for the attention of potential users, the more the number of transactions that take place, all of which has an effect on the value of Ethereum.
The Effects on New Artists in the NFT Market
For emerging artists, it can be more of a hindrance when the valuation of Ethereum increases. This is especially true since issuing an NFT can be the start of their journey in the world of digital art. These increases can be a factor that impacts how many units are issued and on what platforms, among others, when artists decide to enter the world of NFTs.
However, the challenges notwithstanding, the current growth indicators project further growth. The international market for NFTs was estimated at around 11.3 billion in 2022 and subsequently grew to 36 billion in 2024. The market is estimated to be around 49 billion at the end of 2025. The future prospects predict it to be around 703.47 billion in 2034.
How Collectors Adapt to Shifting Price Barriers
However, the impact of increased Ethereum prices on NFT collectors is a different story. On one hand, collectors see the enhanced value of their digital art assets. This solidifies the idea that NFTs are part of a technological revolution. On the other hand, the costs of transactions might affect the acquisition of NFTs.
Such an outcome indicates maturity in the market and not reduced accessibility. As the industry develops, there is expected to be a change in focus from trade to engagement between artists and platforms or networks. Having over 100 platforms in the market indicates that collectors are able to choose platforms that support their spending models and designs that fit their desired goals without decreasing accessibility to the industry.
Can Scaling Solutions Enable Digital Art to Remain Open to Everyone?
The big question over the long term is whether the pace of technological advancement can keep up with the pressure for accessibility exerted by the growing value of Ethereum.
Scalability solutions and infrastructure development are working to lower transaction costs, but without altering the security architecture in place. This is key to keeping NFTs inclusive and accessible, especially as interest in related creative sectors grows. Objectively speaking, the case of digital art accessibility cannot be defined based on cost alone. Instead, the process is defined by a mix of factors, including network efficiency, platform availability and global interest.
As the case of Ethereum develops in the future, the value it holds gradually becomes less of a barrier and more of a measure of maturity. This presents a dilemma for digital art lovers.
