Are NFTs Environmentally Damaging? The Truth About NFT Energy Consumption in 2025
Explore the changing environmental impact of NFTs in 2025. Discover the truth about NFT energy consumption and how innovations like Ethereum upgrades are shaping a greener future.
Token Metrics Team
4 min read
Want Smarter Crypto Picks—Free?
See unbiased Token Metrics Ratings for BTC, ETH, and top alts.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
No credit card | 1-click unsubscribe
The explosive rise of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in recent years has revolutionized digital ownership, enabling artists and collectors to trade unique digital assets like crypto art in the digital world. However, alongside this innovation, intense scrutiny has emerged regarding their environmental impact. Headlines once proclaimed NFTs as climate disasters, claiming individual NFT transactions could consume as much electricity as months of household usage. But as of 2025, the reality of whether NFTs are environmentally damaging has evolved dramatically. To understand the current state of NFT environmental impact, it is essential to separate outdated information from present realities and recognize how blockchain technology has advanced to address sustainability concerns.
The Historical Environmental Concerns
To grasp the current environmental impact of NFTs, we must first explore why concerns arose initially. Most NFTs were originally minted and traded on the Ethereum blockchain, which historically relied on a Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism. This system requires powerful computers, known as miners, to solve complex mathematical puzzles to validate transactions and secure the blockchain network. This mining process consumed an enormous amount of electricity, as these machines operated continuously.
Research by computational artist Memo Akten, who analyzed around 18,000 NFTs, revealed that the average NFT carbon footprint was equivalent to more than a month of electricity usage for an average European Union resident. Each individual NFT transaction emitted roughly 200 kilograms of carbon dioxide, comparable to driving a car for approximately 800 kilometers or powering a typical household for an entire month.
This high energy consumption stemmed directly from how PoW blockchains function. Every NFT transaction—whether minting a new non-fungible token, transferring ownership, or listing an asset for sale—involved computationally intensive work that consumed significant electricity. As NFT popularity surged during 2021 and 2022, the volume of NFT transactions multiplied, amplifying environmental concerns. Artists such as Joanie Lemercier discovered that releasing just six pieces of crypto art consumed more electricity in ten seconds than his entire studio used over two years, prompting him to cancel NFT releases due to worries about their environmental footprint.
The debate intensified around whether individual NFT transactions truly added to blockchain energy consumption or if the network’s energy use remained constant regardless of activity. Critics argued that each transaction does increase demand, pushing up transaction fees (gas prices) and incentivizing miners to expand operations, thereby increasing energy usage. This made the argument that
Build Smarter Crypto Apps & AI Agents in Minutes, Not Months
Real-time prices, trading signals, and on-chain insights all from one powerful API.
Token Metrics: AI-powered crypto research and ratings platform. We help investors make smarter decisions with unbiased Token Metrics Ratings, on-chain analytics, and editor-curated “Top 10” guides. Our platform distills thousands of data points into clear scores, trends, and alerts you can act on.
See unbiased Token Metrics Ratings for BTC, ETH, and top alts.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
No credit card | 1-click unsubscribe
Token Metrics Team
The Token Metrics Team comprises blockchain and cryptocurrency experts dedicated to providing accurate information and empowering investors. Through our blog, we aim to educate and inspire readers to navigate the world of cryptocurrencies confidently.
Token Metrics Team
The Token Metrics Team comprises blockchain and cryptocurrency experts dedicated to providing accurate information and empowering investors. Through our blog, we aim to educate and inspire readers to navigate the world of cryptocurrencies confidently.
Create Your Free Token Metrics Account
Access our Ratings Page for valuable token insights
Explore our Market Page for a comprehensive market overview
Stay in the loop with exclusive weekly Newsletters filled with insider tips and updates
Join our private Telegram group for exclusive community access
Layer 1 tokens capture value through transaction fees, staking, and validator economics. TON uses proof-of-stake and a multi-blockchain architecture integrated with Telegram services. This Token Metrics price prediction model analyzes TON price forecasts across different total crypto market sizes, reflecting adoption and transaction demand by 2027.
Disclosure
Educational purposes only, not financial advice. This price prediction analysis is for informational purposes. Crypto is volatile, do your own research and manage risk.
How to read this price prediction:
Each band blends cycle analogues and market-cap share math with TA guardrails. Base assumes steady adoption and neutral or positive macro. Moon layers in a liquidity boom. Bear assumes muted flows and tighter liquidity. These price prediction scenarios provide a range of potential outcomes based on market conditions.
TM Agent baseline:
Token Metrics TM Grade is 74%, Buy, and the trading signal is bullish, indicating positive short-term momentum and strong overall project quality. Concise 12-month numeric price prediction view: scenarios cluster roughly between $5 and $14, with a base case price target near $9.
TM Agent gist: bullish signal, price prediction ranges cluster around $5 to $14 with a base case near $9
Education only, not financial advice
Toncoin Price Prediction: Scenario Analysis
8T Market Cap Price Prediction:
At an 8 trillion dollar total crypto market cap, TON price prediction projects to $4.36 in bear conditions, $6.28 in the base case, and $8.20 in bullish scenarios.
16T Market Cap Price Prediction:
At 16 trillion, the price prediction range expands to $8.54 (bear), $14.30 (base), and $20.07 (moon).
23T Market Cap Price Prediction:
The 23 trillion tier price forecast shows $12.72, $22.33, and $31.94 respectively.
31T Market Cap Price Prediction:
In the maximum liquidity scenario at 31 trillion, TON price prediction reaches $16.89 (bear), $30.35 (base), or $43.80 (moon).
What Is Toncoin?
The Open Network is a blockchain designed to support fast, low-cost transactions and a scalable ecosystem of decentralized applications. It integrates with digital services and messaging platforms to reach a broad user base, emphasizing high throughput and accessibility.
TON uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism with a multi-blockchain architecture. The TON token powers network activity, facilitating transactions, staking, and governance, and is integrated into Telegram-based services for user-friendly in-app payments and wallets.
Token Metrics AI Analysis for Price Prediction
Token Metrics AI provides additional context on Toncoin's technical positioning and market dynamics that inform our price prediction models.
Vision: The vision for Toncoin and The Open Network is to create a fast, secure, and scalable blockchain that enables seamless digital transactions and decentralized services, accessible to millions through integration with everyday communication tools like Telegram.
Problem: Many blockchain networks face limitations in speed, cost, and user accessibility, hindering mainstream adoption. Toncoin aims to address the friction of slow transaction times and high fees seen on older networks, while also lowering the barrier to entry for non-technical users who want to engage with decentralized applications and digital assets.
Solution: TON uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism with a multi-blockchain architecture to achieve high scalability and fast finality. The network supports smart contracts, decentralized storage, and domain naming, enabling a wide range of applications. Toncoin facilitates transactions, staking, and network governance, and is integrated into Telegram-based services, allowing for in-app payments and wallet functionality through user-friendly interfaces.
Market Analysis: Toncoin operates in the competitive layer-1 blockchain space, often compared to high-performance networks like Solana and Avalanche, though it differentiates itself through deep integration with Telegram's ecosystem. Its potential for mass adoption stems from access to hundreds of millions of Telegram users, which could drive network effects and utility usage. Unlike meme tokens, Toncoin's value is tied to infrastructure and real-world application rather than speculation or community hype. However, its growth depends on sustained development, regulatory clarity, and actual user engagement within Telegram. Competition from established blockchains and shifting market narratives around scalability and decentralization remain key risks. As a top-tier blockchain by ecosystem potential, Toncoin's market position is influenced more by integration milestones and user adoption than direct price dynamics.
Fundamental and Technology Snapshot from Token Metrics
Institutional and retail access expands with ETFs, listings, and integrations
Macro tailwinds from lower real rates and improving liquidity
Product or roadmap milestones such as upgrades, scaling, or partnerships
These factors could push TON toward higher price prediction targets
Risks That Skew Bearish for Price Prediction
Macro risk-off from tightening or liquidity shocks
Regulatory actions or infrastructure outages
Concentration in validator economics and competitive displacement
These factors could push TON toward lower price prediction scenarios
FAQs: Toncoin Price Prediction
How does TON accrue value?Value accrual mechanisms include transaction fees, validator staking rewards, and governance alignment described for TON in the documentation. As Toncoin usage grows through transactions and user activity, TON can capture network fees and staking yields while coordinating governance. Effectiveness depends on sustained adoption and network throughput, which directly impacts long-term price prediction models.
What price could TON reach in the moon case price prediction?Moon case price predictions range from $8.20 at 8T to $43.80 at 31T total crypto market cap. These price prediction scenarios require maximum market cap expansion and strong network adoption with robust liquidity conditions. Not financial advice.
What is the 2027 Toncoin price prediction?Based on Token Metrics analysis, the 2027 price prediction for Toncoin clusters between $5 and $14 in the base case, with potential for higher targets ($20-$43) in bullish scenarios if the total crypto market expands significantly.
Token Metrics combines fundamental, technical, and on-chain AI-powered analysis for actionable ratings, signals, and research. Use our data platform for scenario-based investing, backtested grades, and bespoke insights for digital asset markets.
Cronos Price Prediction: Portfolio Context for CRO in the 2027 Landscape
Layer 1 tokens like Cronos represent bets on specific blockchain architectures winning developer and user mindshare. CRO carries both systematic crypto risk and unsystematic risk from Cronos's technical roadmap execution and ecosystem growth. Multi-chain thesis suggests diversifying across several L1s rather than concentrating in one, since predicting which chains will dominate remains difficult.
The price prediction projections below show how CRO might perform under different market cap scenarios. While Cronos may have strong fundamentals, prudent portfolio construction balances L1 exposure across Ethereum, competing smart contract platforms, and Bitcoin to capture the sector without overexposure to any single chain's fate.
Disclosure
Educational purposes only, not financial advice. Crypto is volatile, do your own research and manage risk.
How to read this price prediction:
Each band blends cycle analogues and market-cap share math with TA guardrails. Base assumes steady adoption and neutral or positive macro. Moon layers in a liquidity boom. Bear assumes muted flows and tighter liquidity.
TM Agent baseline:
Token Metrics price prediction scenarios center roughly between $0.03 and $0.28, with a base case price target near $0.10, assuming steady ecosystem growth, continued cross-chain demand, and no major security incidents.
Portfolio theory teaches that diversification is the only free lunch in investing. CRO concentration violates this principle by tying your crypto returns to one protocol's fate. Token Metrics Indices blend Cronos with the top one hundred tokens, providing broad exposure to crypto's growth while smoothing volatility through cross-asset diversification. This approach captures market-wide tailwinds without overweighting any single point of failure.
Systematic rebalancing within index strategies creates an additional return source that concentrated positions lack. As some tokens outperform and others lag, regular rebalancing mechanically sells winners and buys laggards, exploiting mean reversion and volatility. Single-token holders miss this rebalancing alpha and often watch concentrated gains evaporate during corrections while index strategies preserve more gains through automated profit-taking.
Beyond returns, diversified indices improve the investor experience by reducing emotional decision-making. Concentrated CRO positions subject you to severe drawdowns that trigger panic selling at bottoms. Indices smooth the ride through natural diversification, making it easier to maintain exposure through full market cycles.
Cronos is an EVM-compatible blockchain built to support decentralized applications with high throughput and low transaction costs. The network is designed to bridge the gap between crypto and traditional finance, offering interoperability with Ethereum and Cosmos ecosystems. Its focus on scalability and developer-friendly infrastructure aims to attract DeFi, NFT, and gaming projects.
CRO serves as the native utility token of the Cronos ecosystem, used for transaction fees, staking, and governance. It enables users to participate in network security, pay for smart contract execution, and access services within the Cronos DeFi ecosystem. Common usage patterns include staking for rewards, providing liquidity in DeFi protocols, and facilitating cross-chain transfers.
Key Takeaways for CRO Price Prediction
Scenario driven: price prediction outcomes hinge on total crypto market cap; higher liquidity and adoption lift the price targets
Single-asset concentration amplifies both upside and downside versus diversified approaches
TM Agent gist: Base price prediction near $0.10 amid steady growth
Education only, not financial advice
Cronos Price Prediction: Scenario Analysis
8T Market Cap Price Prediction:
At an 8 trillion dollar total crypto market cap, CRO price prediction projects to $0.14 in bear conditions, $0.29 in the base case, and $0.34 in bullish scenarios.
16T Market Cap Price Prediction:
Doubling the market to 16 trillion expands the price prediction range to $0.43 (bear), $0.57 (base), and $0.71 (moon).
23T Market Cap Price Prediction:
At 23 trillion, the price forecast scenarios show $0.62, $0.85, and $1.09 respectively.
31T Market Cap Price Prediction:
In the maximum liquidity scenario of 31 trillion, CRO price prediction could reach $0.81 (bear), $1.13 (base), or $1.46 (moon).
These price prediction ranges illustrate potential outcomes for concentrated CRO positions, but investors should weigh whether single-asset exposure matches their risk tolerance or whether diversified strategies better suit their objectives.
Fundamental and Technology Snapshot from Token Metrics
Institutional and retail access expands with ETFs, listings, and integrations
Macro tailwinds from lower real rates and improving liquidity
Product or roadmap milestones such as upgrades, scaling, or partnerships
These factors could push CRO toward higher price prediction targets
Risks That Skew Bearish for Price Prediction
Macro risk-off from tightening or liquidity shocks
Regulatory actions or infrastructure outages
Concentration in validator economics and competitive displacement
Protocol-specific execution risk and competitive pressure from alternatives
These factors could push CRO toward lower price prediction scenarios
FAQs: Cronos Price Prediction
Can CRO reach $1 according to price predictions?
Based on the price prediction scenarios, CRO could reach $1 in the 23T moon case where it projects to $1.09, and in the 31T scenarios where the base case is $1.13 and the moon case is $1.46. These price prediction outcomes require both broad market cap expansion and Cronos maintaining competitive position. Not financial advice.
What's the risk/reward profile for CRO price prediction?
Risk/reward in our price prediction model spans from $0.14 in the lowest bear case to $1.46 in the highest moon case. Downside risks include regulatory or infrastructure shocks and competitive displacement, while upside drivers include liquidity expansion and roadmap execution. Concentrated positions amplify both tails, while diversified strategies smooth outcomes.
What gives CRO value and impacts price predictions?
CRO accrues value through transaction fees, staking, and governance utility across the Cronos ecosystem. Demand drivers include DeFi activity, cross-chain usage, and network services. While these fundamentals matter for price predictions, diversified portfolios capture value accrual across multiple tokens rather than betting on one protocol's success.
What is the 2027 Cronos price prediction?
Based on Token Metrics analysis, the 2027 price prediction for Cronos centers around $0.10 in the base case, with potential for higher targets ($0.57-$1.13) in bullish scenarios if the total crypto market expands significantly. Moon case price predictions range up to $1.46 at maximum liquidity.
Disclosure Educational purposes only, not financial advice. Crypto is volatile, concentration amplifies risk, and diversification is a fundamental principle of prudent portfolio construction. Do your own research and manage risk appropriately.
Shiba Inu operates as a community-driven meme token where price action stems primarily from social sentiment, attention cycles, and speculative trading rather than fundamental value drivers. SHIB exhibits extreme volatility with no defensive characteristics or revenue-generating mechanisms typical of utility tokens. Token Metrics price prediction scenarios below provide technical price forecasts across different market cap environments, though meme tokens correlate more strongly with viral trends and community engagement than systematic market cap models. Positions in SHIB should be sized as high-risk speculative bets with potential for total loss.
Disclosure
Educational purposes only, not financial advice. Crypto is volatile, do your own research and manage risk.
How to read this price prediction:
Each band blends cycle analogues and market-cap share math with TA guardrails. Base assumes steady adoption and neutral or positive macro. Moon layers in a liquidity boom. Bear assumes muted flows and tighter liquidity. For meme tokens, actual price prediction outcomes depend heavily on social trends and community momentum beyond what market cap models capture.
TM Agent baseline:
Token Metrics TM Grade is 24.1%, Sell, with a bearish trading signal. The concise 12‑month numeric price prediction view centers between $0.000005 and $0.000035, with a base case price target near $0.000012.
TM Agent numeric view: scenarios center roughly between $0.000005 and $0.000035, with a base case near $0.000012.
TM Agent gist: Bearish short term, price prediction range $0.000005–$0.000035
Entertainment risk only, not financial advice
Shiba Inu Price Prediction: Scenario Analysis
Token Metrics price prediction scenarios provide technical price bands across market cap tiers:
8T Market Cap Price Prediction:
At 8 trillion total crypto market cap, SHIB price prediction projects to $0.041998 (bear), $0.042366 (base), and $0.042734 (moon).
16T Market Cap Price Prediction:
At 16 trillion total crypto market cap, SHIB price forecast projects to $0.043973 (bear), $0.045077 (base), and $0.046182 (moon).
23T Market Cap Price Prediction:
At 23 trillion total crypto market cap, SHIB price prediction projects to $0.045948 (bear), $0.047789 (base), and $0.049629 (moon).
31T Market Cap Price Prediction:
At 31 trillion total crypto market cap, SHIB price prediction projects to $0.047923 (bear), $0.051050 (base), and $0.051307 (moon).
These technical price prediction ranges assume meme tokens maintain market cap share proportional to overall crypto growth. Actual outcomes for speculative tokens typically exhibit higher variance and stronger correlation to social trends than these price prediction models predict.
What Is Shiba Inu?
Shiba Inu is a meme-born crypto project that centers on community and speculative culture. Unlike utility tokens with specific use cases, SHIB operates primarily as a speculative asset and community symbol. The project focuses on community engagement and entertainment value.
SHIB has demonstrated viral moments and community loyalty within the broader meme token category. The token trades on community sentiment and attention cycles more than fundamentals. Market performance depends heavily on social media attention and broader meme coin cycles.
Risks That Skew Bearish for Price Prediction
Extreme volatility from pure sentiment-driven price action with no fundamental support
Attention cycles shift rapidly, leaving early viral tokens abandoned as new memes emerge
Liquidity can evaporate quickly during downturns, creating severe slippage and exit difficulty
Regulatory scrutiny may target meme tokens as securities or gambling instruments
Macro risk-off environments hit speculative assets hardest, with meme coins showing largest drawdowns
Community fragmentation or developer abandonment can eliminate remaining narrative support
These factors could push SHIB price predictions toward the lower bear scenarios
Make Your Next Move with Token Metrics
Token Metrics provides technical analysis, scenario math, price prediction models, and rigorous risk evaluation for hundreds of crypto tokens. Want to dig deeper? Explore our powerful AI-powered ratings and scenario tools here.
FAQs: Shiba Inu Price Prediction
Will SHIB 10x from here according to price predictions?
At current price of $0.041027, a 10x reaches $0.41027. This level does not appear in any of the listed bear, base, or moon price prediction scenarios across 8T, 16T, 23T, or 31T tiers. Meme tokens can 10x rapidly during viral moments but can also lose 90%+ just as quickly. Position sizing for potential total loss is critical. Not financial advice.
What are the biggest risks to SHIB price predictions?
Primary risks include attention shifting to newer memes, community fragmentation, developer abandonment, regulatory crackdowns, and liquidity collapse during downturns. Unlike utility tokens with defensive characteristics, SHIB has zero fundamental floor. Price can approach zero if community interest disappears. Total loss is a realistic outcome that price prediction models cannot fully account for. Not financial advice.
What is the 2027 Shiba Inu price prediction?
Based on Token Metrics analysis, the 2027 price prediction for SHIB centers around $0.000012 in the base case under current market conditions. However, meme token price predictions are highly unreliable due to extreme dependence on social trends, viral cycles, and community sentiment that can change rapidly. These technical price prediction ranges should be viewed with extreme caution.
Can SHIB reach $0.01 according to price predictions?
Based on the price prediction scenarios across all market cap tiers (8T-31T), SHIB projections range from $0.041998 to $0.051307. While these technical price predictions show SHIB trading above $0.04, the extreme volatility and sentiment-driven nature of meme tokens means actual outcomes can vary dramatically from model projections. Not financial advice.
• Consider fundamental crypto assets with utility and defensive characteristics rather than pure speculation.
Disclosure
Educational purposes only, not financial advice. SHIB is a highly speculative asset with extreme volatility and high risk of total loss. Meme tokens operate as entertainment and gambling instruments rather than investments. Only allocate capital you can afford to lose entirely. Do your own research and manage risk appropriately.