Top 5 NFT News Stories from June 2025

June didn’t sleep, and neither did Web3. We saw a new L2 raise nearly a quarter billion before launch, big token unlocks hit the market, staking got a fresh NFT twist, and Yuga pulled a surprise move with Moonbirds. Oh, and Monaco threw a luxury NFT party that looked like something out of a Bond movie.

We rounded up the top 5 stories from June so you don’t have to dig through the noise. Whether you’re just catching up or deep in the scene, these are the updates that actually mattered. Let’s dive in 👇

Contents

1. 🚀 Katana Mainnet Launches with $232M in Pre‑Deposits

🗓️ Published Jun 30, 2025 | Source: CoinDesk

Katana, a new DeFi-first Layer‑2 built on Ethereum, launched its mainnet after raking in $232 million in pre-deposits. Early depositors score randomized NFT rewards called “Krates” plus a bite of the 70 million KAT tokens pie. Katana’s goal: solve liquidity headaches in DeFi by sending net sequencer fees into a liquidity reserve via mechanisms like VaultBridge and “chain-owned liquidity.” Oh, and it’s chain-agnostic, meaning you can also farm yields on Solana via Jito. This is big for NFT-style reward innovation!

🔗 Read on CoinDesk

2. 🧩 Major Token Unlocks Drop: $3.3B in June, $193M from Metars

🗓️ Published Jun 2025 | Source: Cointelegraph

Crypto token unlocks slowed, from $4.9 b to $3.3 b in June. Highlights? The NFT project Metars Genesis unlocked $193 million on June 21 for an AI collab. Other big names like Sui, Aptos, LayerZero, ZKsync, and Arbitrum also unlocked sizable token stacks. Since token unlocks can add sell pressure to markets, it’s definitely something NFT enthusiasts should watch closely.

🔗 Read on Cointelegraph

3. 🧠 R0AR Launches Unified DeFi + NFT Staking Platform

🗓️ Announced Jun 13, 2025 | Source: Cointelegraph (press release)

R0AR rolled out a DeFi platform on Optimism that combines token staking, liquidity and NFT staking. Their ERS NFTs aren’t just collectibles, they boost staking rewards, pay out monthly, and even link with AI tools to shape your experience. They’re claiming no reliance on aggregators, plus built-in MEV protection. If you’re into NFT utility, this is a bold experiment worth watching.

🔗 Read on Cointelegraph

4. 🏁 WAIB Summit in Monaco Brings NFT Luxury to the Riviera

🗓️ Jun 27–28, 2025 | Source: Cointelegraph (event listing)

The WAIB Summit in Monaco featured an NFT & luxury digital art showcase, complete with panels from ApeCoin, BAYC EU, Rarible and more. It was part art gala, part networking event with VIP lounges and beach parties. If you’re thinking “NFTs are just images,” this might make you rethink: they’re leaning into high-society vibes and mainstream appeal.

🔗 Read on Cointelegraph

5. 🎮 Yuga Labs Sells Moonbirds IP to Orange Cap Games

🗓️ Published June 5, 2025 | Source: OpenSea Blog

So, check this out, Yuga Labs (the BA YC crew) just sold the Moonbirds IP, yes, your avatars, Mythics & Oddities, to gaming startup Orange Cap Games. That means Moonbirds now have a game-focused future. The NFT avatars will show up in Yuga’s Otherside metaverse, and Orange Cap confirmed any new on-chain Moonbirds stuff will drop on either mainnet or ApeChain. Who would’ve thought Moonbirds were turning into a full-on game character franchise? 🔥

🔗 Read on OpenSea Blog

💭 Final Thoughts

To be honest, June felt kinda like a turning point. The wild hype cycles? Slowing down. But in their place, we’re getting real moves, new platforms, better utility, and way more creativity. R0AR’s staking model is bold. Katana’s launch was huge. And Moonbirds heading to the gaming world? That’s a curveball nobody called.

So yeah, even with trading volume down, the energy’s still here. NFTs are just evolving, maybe into something even cooler.

Catch you in July for the next Top 5? Can’t wait.